General Questions about eTextbooks
What is
an eTextbook?
An eTextbook is a digital, downloadable version of a physical textbook.
What
devices can I read an eTextbook on?
eTextbooks are meant to be read on your MAC or PC via our e-Reader application.
You cannot use a NOOK or mobile device to read textbooks as the screens
are too small to properly view the contents.
Can I
read my eTextbook on more than one computer?
Yes, you can read your eTextbook on up to two (2) computers.
Do I
need to be connected to the Internet to read my eTextbook?
No. Once you've downloaded your eTextbook it is accessible to you anytime.
However, you will need to be online to take advantage of the organizational
features or when syncing your books.
Can I
access my eTextbook from the web?
Some eTextbooks are accessible via the web; however, most are accessible
offline only and in your e-Reader application.
Will my
eTextbook look exactly like the physical version?
Yes, the publishers have worked hard to preserve all the content from the
physical version to be used in the digital version. That means you'll see the
same graphs, charts, tables, drawings, etc. as you normally would in the
physical version.
Why are
there copy and print restrictions on eTextbooks?
Restrictions have been set by the publishers to prevent unauthorized
reproduction of their textbooks. These restrictions limit the number of pages
you can copy and print from a book. We
list most restrictions on the website prior to purchase.
What do
the copy and print restrictions for eTextbooks actually mean?
Printing is tracked in whole pages, regardless of whether you select a
paragraph or the whole page of text. You may not send more than 10 pages at a
time to the printer. Copying is tracked in "copy instances." A copy
instance is worth 1,000 characters (including spaces). You receive a fixed allotment for print and
copy when you first download your book. After you start using your allotment,
you accrue pages back.
Why
can't I find the textbook I want in digital format?
We currently offer over thousands of textbook titles in digital format and more
than 500,000 general eBooks. However we realize there are still many titles not
yet available and we are working closely with the publishers to continuously
increase our collection of eTextbooks.
How do I purchase an eTextbook?
1. Find the title that you want to purchase, verify that we offer it in digital format, and then select the "Buy" or "Rent" option for the title.
2. Download and install your e-Reader application on your computer.
3. Open your e-reader application and click the “Redeem” button to enter the access code from your receipt.
4. Once the title has been loaded into your library, click the book to download it to your computer.
5. Once it finishes downloading, you're ready to read your book!
If my title comes with supplemental materials, will I
get them with my purchase of the eTextbook version?
Due to the digital
delivery format, eTextbooks do not include CD content or other companion
materials that may be available with the new physical book.
If I rent my eTextbook, do I need to return anything at the end of the rental period?
No, because your textbook is digital, there is nothing to return. If you choose to not buy the book or re-rent it at the end of your rental period, your license will simply expire and you will not have access to your textbook. You will still be able to access your notes. However, we do offer you a grace period after the expiration of your rental period to buy or re-rent the book.
Can I
return an eTextbook that I purchased or rented?
If your eTextbook has not been downloaded or you have not used your access
code, you may refund your eTextbook within the first week of class.
Can I
purchase eTextbooks if I reside outside of the
Due to contractual obligations with publishers, eTextbooks can currently only
be purchased by customers residing in the U.S and
I'm
having some issues with my book (it won't open or it doesn't look right) — what
do I do?
If you have purchased an eTextbook with
the NOOKstudy e-reader, please call 1-800-THE-BOOK. If you have purchased an eTextbook with
another e-reader (xplana or VitalSource), please call 888-886-0801. Of course, you may always contact your
bookstore manager.
I'm having some
issues when trying to create a NOOKstudy account. I’m getting a “1017 Error” or “Cannot
retrieve security questions” message – what do I do?
If you’re getting a 1017 error when trying to sign in to NOOKstudy
or receiving a “Cannot retrieve security questions” when trying to create your
NOOKstudy account, you may have a firewall installed that is blocking
NOOKstudy. Use the instructions below to add an exception to Windows Firewall
to allow NOOKstudy to communicate with the network.
To create an exception for NOOKstudy in Windows 7 click on the link below for instructions.
http://www.recipester.org/Recipe:Add_or_Remove_Windows_Firewall_Exception_in_Windows_7_26342962
To create an exception for NOOKstudy in Windows Vista click on the link below for instructions.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/uncategorized/how-to-create-exceptions-in-windows-vista-firewall/
To create an exception for
NOOKstudy in Windows XP Service Pack 2
1. On the Windows taskbar, click Start
> Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click
3. Click Windows Firewall.
4. On the Exceptions tab, click Add
Program.
5. Click Browse.
6. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Barnes
& Noble\NOOKstudy
7. Select NOOKstudy.exe and then click
OK.
8. Click OK, and
then confirm that the service that you added is checked.
9. Click OK.
To create an exception
NOOKstudy in Windows XP Service Pack 1 or earlier
1. Right-click My Network Places, and
click Properties
2. Right-click Local Area Connection,
and then click Properties.
3. On the Advanced tab, click Settings.
4. On the Exceptions tab, click Add
Program.
5. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Barnes
& Noble\NOOKstudy
6. Select NOOKstudy.exe and then click
OK.
7. On the Exceptions tab, make sure that
the application or service that you selected appears checked under Programs and
Services.
E-Readers
and Device Questions
What is an e-reader application?
E-reader applications allow
you to view and interact with eTextbook content. To use an e-reader, you must download and
install t in order to access the eTextbooks you purchased.
Which devices are
compatible with the e-readers that are available from the campus bookstore?
These e-readers can be installed on your MAC or PC.
Are the e-readers
available from the bookstore compatible with the iPad?
In support of the research we conducted and with sensitivity to the
economic realities most students face, we chose to make our e-readers work on
PC and MAC computers, devices students most commonly use for studying. We will continue to innovate, expanding our
capabilities and usages to meet students’ diverse needs and wants.
Can I use my NOOK or
iPhone to read eTextbooks?
No, you cannot use your NOOK or mobile devices to read your
eTextbooks. Textbooks are complex and
usually graphic-intensive – they do not display well on small screens.
If I switch computers, what happens to all of the notes and annotations that I make
in my book?
All of your notes and annotations on titles you've purchased are safely backed up to the "cloud". That way, if you have an e-Reader application installed on a second computer and you switch to it, you will still see all of your notes and annotations.
How many
times can I download my eTextbook?
Please note that you are only allowed two (2) downloads of your textbook per
the Digital Rights Management rules set by the publishers.
What
happens if I lose my computer?
You may reinstall the e-Reader application on a new computer. All of your
purchased content and synced content (i.e. highlights and annotations within
texts) will automatically reappear when you sign-in again. If you had already downloaded your eTextbooks
to 2 computers (the limit set by the publishers), contact Customer Service to
assist with this process.
’m running Mac 10.5.8 – can I still install NOOKstudy?
No, NOOKstudy works on Mac OS 10.6
and higher.
Digital Rights Management / Adobe / User accounts
What is
Digital Rights Management?
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a set of rules that have been set by the
publishers to prevent unauthorized reproduction of their textbooks. Copy and
print rules are set by the publishers. You can find each book's copy and print
restrictions on the bookstore website prior to purchase.
Why do I need an
Adobe account when using the NOOKstudy e-reader application?
Adobe brings the latest rendering technologies. As a result, you need an Adobe account to use
our application. If you do not already
have an Adobe account, we’ll create one for you when you first sign in to the
application.
What if I already
have an Adobe account on my machine when installing NOOKstudy?
You may use your existing Adobe account. When you first install the application, you will have the option to
enter your existing information.
I already have a
You need a Barnes & Noble.com account for some e-Reader applications
(NOOKstudy) because that is the account where your NOOKstudy digital titles
will be stored and where you can download the titles you've purchased.
Access Codes / Bookstore Purchases
I was given an access code after my purchase. How do I redeem it?
1. Download and install your e-Reader application on your computer.
2. Open your e-reader application and click the “Redeem” button to enter the
access code from your receipt.
3. Once the title has been loaded into your library, click the book to download it to your computer. Once it finishes downloading, you're ready to read your book!
Can I
re-use my access code?
No, access codes are good for one-time use only. Once an access code has been
redeemed, it cannot be used again.
I’m having problems
with my access code.
If your access code is not working or is loading an incorrect title, and
you are using the NOOKstudy e-reader, please call the Customer Service team at
1-800-THE-BOOK and we’ll be happy to assist you. If you are having trouble with an access
code for another e-reader, please call Customer Service at 888-886-0801.
What do
I do if I lost my access code?
If you purchased your eTextbook from your campus bookstore (in store or on the
bookstore website), please return to the bookstore so we may retrieve your
transaction information and re-issue you an access code.
How much time do I have to redeem my access code?
You can redeem your access code at any time. Your access code does not expire.
Access codes are good for one-time use only. Once an access code has been
redeemed, it cannot be used again.
Rentals of Digital Textbooks
If I rent
my eTextbook, do I need to return anything at the end of the rental period?
No, because your textbook is digital, there is nothing to return. Your license
will simply expire and you will not have access to your textbook or your notes
any longer.