Dr.Funk - can you provide an example please? (I am certain they exist, but I suspect it is implemented differently than many people suspect.)
3
Dr. funkmaster 2002.23494
03-25-2002
10:35 AM ET (US)
Many PDF files cannot be copied using "save as" when accessed via the web. Adobe sucks.
2
bungatron
03-25-2002
06:23 AM ET (US)
Ghostscript and xPDF for X Windows always had this functionality. Back from the days when adobe.com didn't need a firewall and everyone had keys to everyone else's locks and doors were made of paper, isn't it nice to see leftovers from this world?
There's a readme file in the xPDF distribution which discusses why ignoring the protection would be a bad thing - and so far, nobody has busted this package up so it does.
1
Chris Smith
03-25-2002
04:28 AM ET (US)
um ... yeah ... so?
Sorry, but (as the article makes rather clear) if you can read the document, then the file can be copied. Adobe depends on the good graces of PDF software authors not to implement "Save as...".
Documents and audio are "self revealing media". Since we aren't equipped with special digital decryption capabilities in ears or eyes, there will always be a clear channel version of the information available.
Heck - you can even place your dedicated ebook reader face down on the photocopier or scanner - after selecting a scrolling option - and just keep pressing the 'copy' button.
I guess I figure this would only really be news if "the Mac CAN'T be used as a circumvention tool".