PDF Tracking

using javascript or embedded graphic

[David_M]

I'm trying to keep count of how many times a pdf file has been opened. Nothing fancy like ip etc.. just a count. Any links or ideas how to do it?

I know theres a javascript way, but haven't found a working code, and dont think using a graphic (like html) will work either.

Thanks.

[cgrantski]

do you mean how many times it has been opened from your site? or how many times it has been opened on somebody's computer after it has been downloaded from your site? The former is easy. The latter would be possible if the pdf calls for an image ... but I don't think pdfs can do that, can they?

[David_M]

Tracking how many times its opened.
Figured it out. Placed a javascript calling an empty text document.
this.getURL("http://site.com/count.txt", false);

I don't think Macs will connect, but seems to be OK with PCs.

[Receptional]

I have wanted to do this for an incredibly long time. Actually - what I WANT is the PDF file to be locked into the MAC address of the computer that it initially loads on, but the technology would be similar I am sure.

I can't believe Adobe have made no attempt (that I can see) to allow a person to protect unlimited distribition of a PDF file. I would switch to another Ebook format, but I can only find one that does the jon and their product renders at 72DPI as it is optimised for the screen and I need the file optimised for print.

I, too, would love any help that people might have on how to distrubute an ebook - ideally in pdf - without the darn thing appearing on Ebay every two weeks with "buy this password and you too can have this £30 file for a fiver".

Gets my goat. It's hardly a difficult functionality to build into the system Adobe.

Someone once mentioned a "digital watermark" technology designed for photographic images - anyone know about that technology?

[bcc1234]

It's hardly a difficult functionality to build into the system Adobe.

What you don't seem to understand is that Adobe reader to PDF is like Internet Explorer to HTML.

Imagine if MS released a version of IE that locked certain HTML content from being openend. People would just start using another browser.

In case with PDF, another viewer.

[Receptional]

"Another Viewer"

They might, but the vast majority of PDF files wouldn't use that kind of encryption, so the reader is still free for everyone, but it is only mugs like me that create obstacles for the user that upsets people. AFAIK, Adobe invented the PDF format - it's theirs to do with as they please. Creating this extra functionality for the people that buy the PDF creators is what I was looking for - I'd gladly pay for the privilidge, as long as the viewr was still free.

Dixon.

[bcc1234]

You might want to use an executable file that would contact your server over https and validate the copy before opening it each time. There are plenty of software applications that do that and there is no reason you can't package your book that way. Selling an exe file (with an html viewer inside) instead of pdf file would give you more protection.

But I would not bother if I were you.

I sell my e-books in PDF without any restrictions. When an order is placed, there is a new copy generated that contains a line based on what the person entered in the order form, and shows something like "Licensed to... John Doe..." and some legal stuff. I used to have that on each page in the header, but now only place it on the second page after the contents. The file name is unique for each order and the person's info is embedded in the book.

Those who really want to rip the content and resell will do so not matter what protection you use. But for the majority of people, such approach does the job.

I don't think anybody would start selling on ebay a link to a download with their own name in it. Nor would they place it in their shared folder of the favorite p2p application.
And as I said, the majority would not bother extracting the content and recompiling the pdf without their information in it just to share.

[Receptional]

I don't think anybody would start selling on ebay a link to a download with their own name in it

You'd be surprised. After Ebay took down one seller for me, I got threatening letters from the seller, saying they had every right to resell my book, because they had bought it and it was theirs to do with as they pleased and they were going to sue ME. Presumably their lawyer put them straight!

Your solution is better than what I have now though. Are you using a service to create PDF files with different watermarks on the fly? Or did you built that from the ground up?

[bcc1234]

I rolled my own but it is based on existing libraries that work with PS and PDF.