Any Scribd or Oyster users? Good or bad?

[Blossom]

I also try to read Harpercollins books on Scribd as on Overdrive they have 26 I think it borrow limit before the Library has to buy another copy. So sometimes a book on Overdrive is only available for a short time if it's from Harpercollins. In the long run I like to think I am saving the Libraries some money and I don't feel guilty rebuying a older title that maybe only I want to read.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by alysonhere

And Meera, thanks for giving my survey a read, but as question 15 is about ebook subscription services, I did not put eReader as an option since you can't use ebook subscription services on an eReader (eInk).

One of the ebook services you asked about in the previous was the public library service, which I ticked Yes to. I read my public library ebooks on my eink Kobo.

14. What digital reading services do you use? (Check all that apply)

Oyster
Scribd
Kindle Owner's Lending Library
Local library
Dedicated reading app
Other Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

15. On what devices do you use your ebook subscription service to read ebooks? (Check all that apply)

Tablet
Phone
Computer

If you didn't mean for people who chose "library" in Q14 to answer Q15, I suggest changing the flow of your survey.

You've also got some dud grammar early in the survey: "On what devices do you search for ebooks on?", etc.

[alysonhere]

Originally Posted by meeera

One of the ebook services you asked about in the previous was the public library service, which I ticked Yes to. I read my public library ebooks on my eink Kobo.

If you didn't mean for people who chose "library" in Q14 to answer Q15, I suggest changing the flow of your survey.

Thanks for the feedback Meera. Q14 addresses "digital reading services" and Q15 address "ebook subscription services," those being Oyster and Scribd. I hope that makes it clearer for you. I will have to give a think about how to make the distinction clear in the survey.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Scribd runs just fine on eInk devices that run Android, such as the Onyx Boox T68.

Ah man, I had no idea!

[petrucci]

I do not have any experience with either of these subscription services. However, I have experience with scribd. They were distributing my copyrighted work without permission. It is sad that their business is built upon theft.

In terms of ebook subscription services, I am sure that they will survive in one form or another. Libraries (which usually charge a fee to be a member) are essentially such a service. Magazines such as Analog are also similar, as they have a subscription and send content regularly. As a consumer I consider the price point versus the content that is available. In general, most of these services do not have enough content to justify the cost of the service.

[faithbw]

Originally Posted by petrucci

In terms of ebook subscription services, I am sure that they will survive in one form or another. Libraries (which usually charge a fee to be a member) are essentially such a service. Magazines such as Analog are also similar, as they have a subscription and send content regularly. As a consumer I consider the price point versus the content that is available. In general, most of these services do not have enough content to justify the cost of the service.

Where are you located? Public libraries in the US tend not to charge a fee to residents (some, like the Free Library of Philadelphia, charge a fee to out of state residents but not to local residents). Every city I've lived had libraries with free membership. Everything, including e-books, are free to borrow.

Sorry your book was distributed without your permission. IA that I don't think these subscription services provide enough content and value to make them worthwhile (at least not for me).

[HarryT]

Unfortunately, Scribd is well known as a source of pirated books. Their mechanism for ensuring that books are being offered legally is woefully inadequate.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by faithbw

Where are you located? Public libraries in the US tend not to charge a fee to residents (some, like the Free Library of Philadelphia, charge a fee to out of state residents but not to local residents). Every city I've lived had libraries with free membership. Everything, including e-books, are free to borrow.

Sorry your book was distributed without your permission. IA that I don't think these subscription services provide enough content and value to make them worthwhile (at least not for me).

Libraries are funded through taxes in the US so you do pay for your use.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

Libraries are funded through taxes in the US so you do pay for your use.

But since you pay regardless of use, there is no cost of using the service, and faithbw is correct that there is no fee. (Paying for use through taxes does not equate to being charged a fee by the library.)

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

But since you pay regardless of use, there is no cost of using the service, and faithbw is correct that there is no fee. (Paying for use through taxes does not equate to being charged a fee by the library.)

You're not charged a fee by the library, but you pay for the library whether you use it or not. So you are charged to not use the library?

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

You're not charged a fee by the library, but you pay for the library whether you use it or not. So you are charged to not use the library?

Yes, if you don't use it.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by petrucci

I do not have any experience with either of these subscription services. However, I have experience with scribd. They were distributing my copyrighted work without permission. It is sad that their business is built upon theft.

In terms of ebook subscription services, I am sure that they will survive in one form or another. Libraries (which usually charge a fee to be a member) are essentially such a service. Magazines such as Analog are also similar, as they have a subscription and send content regularly. As a consumer I consider the price point versus the content that is available. In general, most of these services do not have enough content to justify the cost of the service.

It happens even on Amazon alot. Scribd has two parts the subscription books which are done by publisher and author only but then there is the user documents which Anyone can upload stuff. Unfortunately that does mean people can share stuff that isn't their own. It isn't Scribd doing it, it's the user and they should be reported. Personally I think Scribd should do away with the documents and just stick to offering books by publisher or author.

The only way subscriptions book services will survive is to keep the big publishers on board. Right now you got Harpercollins, Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks Inc, eKensington (Zebra), Smashwords, Open Road and some other small publishers. The content is pretty endless for one paperback a month. We do know that most people here spend more than that on ebooks at places like Kobo and Kindle store.

Also most Overdrive libraries I know don't stock much non fiction it's mostly fiction but Scribd has alot of non fiction for people who like to read that genre. Also keep in mind Libraries only stock some titles from each publisher while Scribd you have access to most of the publisher's catalog. Some newer titles you have to wait on so those are best to get at Overdrive but if you use Scribd you will never not have something you want to read.

[bobstro]

I've subscribed to Entitle's $9.95 monthly for two titles. Not an all-you-can-eat plan, but a great source for current ebook titles for under $5 apiece. So far, my list of "wants" is several hundred long, so they've got a decent selection already.

[ebusinesstutor]

I recently discovered Scribed and I love it. Very good price for the number of books available.

Nice to see the Netfiix model (which I also love) ported so well to ebooks.

[Justy]

I use Scribd to try out new authors. I can start as many books as I want and not worry about wasting money, or library loan quotas, if I don't finish the books. Unfortunately it has greatly increased my TBR list.

[alysonhere]

Originally Posted by bobstro

I've subscribed to Entitle's $9.95 monthly for two titles. Not an all-you-can-eat plan, but a great source for current ebook titles for under $5 apiece. So far, my list of "wants" is several hundred long, so they've got a decent selection already.

Entitle does seem like a really great service for people who like their ebooks, but personally, I haven't reached the point where I can justify dishing out cash for owning an ebook. I am too attached to print books and for me there is a stronger sense of ownership in print books. Which is also why I like Oyster and Scribd for reading ebooks, I like that I'm paying for access rather than ownership of ebooks.

And just as a note, if anyone here hasn't participated in the survey, I'd love for you to do so! http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/171018...tion-Service-I