Back in 2012, under Windows PC, I used ADE and it served with utter perfection. I was able to borrow eBooks from my local public library. Each would download as a small .acsm (Adobe Content Server Message) file. I could then use ADE to fetch the actual eBooks targeted by those pointer files. They would load properly into my "Borrowed" bookshelf. From there I could either read them or I could readily transfer them over to my Nook eReader. The entire system worked flawlessly. That was probably ADE version 1.0 that I was using, though its Properties showed it as "file version 9.0.1131.27".
Then I bought books retail for a couple or three years and stopped using ADE.
Now I wish to return to my practice of borrowing eBooks from the public library. But now the system is hopelessly broken and I suspect that the Activation Server shutdown spoken of in the forum thread here at Activation server shut down for Creative Suite 2, Acrobat 7, and Macromedia products is affecting me, even though ADE is not among the titles listed as being affected by that 2013 shutdown. I suspect that since my previous activation dated back to 2012 that I am out of luck. I download and install the latest, ADE 4.0.3,.and force removal of current authorization by deleting the "Adept" key from my system registry, which is the only way I can succeed at removing the old authorization for some reason. (Otherwise it repeatedly claims "Unable to remove authorization, try again later"). I have to remove authorization because I would otherwise continually get that danged "Error, check activation" message. Then I go and try to authorize anew using my valid Adobe ID and password. But it continually says, "Connection Error - unable to connect to the activation server -- check you Internet connection". Well my Internet connection is fine and dandy. Could my ISP (Suddenlink) be blockingthe activation server?? I sincerely doubt it! So tell me that server's IP and I'll try pinging it and see what happens.
So the system I once used to borrow eBooks from a public library won't work any longer. That's an insult to the collective human psyche! I realize that ADE is free gratis but public library borrowing is a sacred trust, so to speak.
Even if I revert back to my ancient ADE 1.0 it no longer works right. I was able to load eight eBooks to my ADE bookshelf and subsequently transfer them to my Nook eReader (hallelujah), but I had borrowed 10. Trying to load the last two again resulted in a balk about connecting to the activation server. The error message said, "Error getting license - Server communication problem: E_ADEPT_REQUEST_EXPIRED". That spells the end of the road for public eBook borrowing for me. It ain't fair!
In the 2013 thread I cited above it says the activation server had to be shut down due to a "technical glitch". I feel strongly that Adobe should be magnanimous and provide a solution to this nightmarish scenario. After all, Adobe provides the sole means of getting public library eBooks onto my Nook. Sure, I can still read borrowed eBooks in my PC's browser, but I can't take that to bed with me. Even tablets are a bit too cumbersome for "curling up with a nice mystery".
Get my point?