Overdrive Redesign

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Froide

I like OverDrive but am disappointed that downloaded books no longer accommodate highlighting, note-taking, or searching within the book. AFAIK, only the OverDrive Read (in your browser) version offers those features now.

I also wish OverDrive could be linked to one's onboard dictionary, so that even when offline one could click on a word to look up its meaning.

If you are talking about the Overdrive Android app there are others out there like Mantano or Aldiko you can read library books on. There might be others but these I know Mantano allows all that.

[Froide]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Every book I d/l on Kindle let's me do all that. Amazon even saves those notes after the borrowed book is returned - and if you reborrow same book or buy it, it remembers.

I used to be able to do all that using the OverDrive app on my NOOK Tablet (which I replaced with a NOOK HD last summer). Because I can no longer highlight or take notes in the OverDrive app I use to read borrowed library books on either the NOOK HD or on my Samsung GS4, and because a review of the OverDrive website mentions those capabilities when discussing OverDrive Read but not when discussing the OverDrive Android app, I think it's the OverDrive app version I'm using, and not my devices, that accounts for OverDrive's diminished capabilities.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Froide

I used to be able to do all that using the OverDrive app on my NOOK Tablet (which I replaced with a NOOK HD last summer). Because I can no longer highlight or take notes in the OverDrive app I use to read borrowed library books on either the NOOK HD or on my Samsung GS4, and because a review of the OverDrive website mentions those capabilities when discussing OverDrive Read but not when discussing the OverDrive Android app, I think it's the OverDrive app version I'm using, and not my devices, that accounts for OverDrive's diminished capabilities.

Oh, I see. The only reason OverDrive is useful to me is the ability to read books on eink kindle - if I had to depend on an app, even kindle app, I would not be reading as much. I am used to my eink book, but not sure I want to convert to apps on phone or tablet.

[Froide]

Originally Posted by Blossom

If you are talking about the Overdrive Android app there are others out there like Mantano or Aldiko you can read library books on. There might be others but these I know Mantano allows all that.

Thanks, Blossom. Yes, I'm using OverDrive's Android app. Do you read OverDrive books in Aldiko/Mantano/etc. by downloading the file borrowed from your library's OverDrive collection to the "books" folder in your device, and then opening it with your ereader app of choice?

[Froide]

HOLD FEATURE UPDATES
Received via email September 5, 2014:

Have you heard about our updated features?

OverDrive recently introduced two new features to make it even easier for you to borrow and enjoy in-demand titles from your library’s digital collection.

Automatic hold borrowing – You can turn this feature on for titles you’ve placed on hold so you no longer have to worry about missing the window for picking up holds.
Learn more.http://overdrive.cmail2.com/t/d-l-siddkd-vdinddt-y/

Suspend a hold – When you suspend a hold, you’ll continue to move up the waiting list for your chosen title, but the system won’t fill your hold until the suspension period is over. This makes sure that you won’t receive a title until you’re ready for it.
Learn more.http://overdrive.cmail2.com/t/d-l-siddkd-vdinddt-j/

Make sure to take advantage of these great features to manage everything on your reading list. And take a look below for some great book suggestions.

[Anthem]

My library system is also using the new Overdrive design and while it is not super beautiful, the site is massively improved compared to the old version. Finding what I want to read and checking it out is now much more simple.

I haven't checked in forever. So this is an excellent development. Used to be god-awful.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Anthem

My library system is also using the new Overdrive design and while it is not super beautiful, the site is massively improved compared to the old version. Finding what I want to read and checking it out is now much more simple.

I haven't checked in forever. So this is an excellent development. Used to be god-awful.

Don't all OverDrive libraries look exactly the same? Only difference is the content that each library has?

[JSWolf]

I'll be taking advantage of the new hold feature when I go on vacation at the end of October.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Don't all OverDrive libraries look exactly the same? Only difference is the content that each library has?

Not necessarily. When Overdrive starts updating the interface, they don't release that interface to all libraries at the same time.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

Not necessarily. When Overdrive starts updating the interface, they don't release that interface to all libraries at the same time.

And not all libraries want to upgrade right away. I have seen some libraries that are missing features that other libraries have.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I was referring to the fact that: I am unaware of when they last purchased a book for their OverDrive catalog, but it was probably at least a year ago, was certainly before I got the card from my friend, and their catalog sucks, so... yeah, they ditched it and it is now a rotting corpse. Of course, it still has some meat left on it.

Other libraries may not have such great catalogs either, but they are actively building them, and getting new releases. Both of which are crucial.

Never mind, I was wrong. They are building their catalog -- the Chinese language section, at least.

[Froide]

[QUOTE=glendalekid;2337747]Overdrive Read appears to be a way to read the book on a browser. Would this be for tablets or phones?
QUOTE]

OverDrive Read allows one to read in the web browser on his/her tablet, phone, or computer, and to sync reading progress, highlights, notes, and bookmarks across devices.

Sounds great, but:

• One who uses multiple browsers must remember which browser(s) s/he downloaded his/her OverDrive Read book(s) to.
• Clearing one's browser cache deletes the OverDrive Read books, requiring those books to be downloaded again. [Woe is s/he who forgets this during, say, a camping trip, where there's no Internet service]
• OverDrive Media Console (the on-device app) does not document books borrowed using OverDrive Read. And vice versa.
• Perhaps in an effort to coax people to adopt OverDrive Read, the company removed from OverDrive Media Console and now exclusively offers in OverDrive Read the abilities to highlight, take notes, and conduct on-device (in contrast to online) dictionary look-ups.

[FizzyWater]

I've gotten a new message when downloading a Kindle book that I didn't get maybe a week or so ago.

Kindle Users:
By selecting "Confirm & Download" you will be leaving the library's download platform to a third party service.
This third party service may not have the same policies as the library does regarding privacy or management of your user information.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

I've gotten a new message when downloading a Kindle book that I didn't get maybe a week or so ago.

They're just reminding you that Amazon sells your data to the NSA (be careful what you read)

[xendula]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

They're just reminding you that Amazon sells your data to the NSA (be careful what you read)

They're just remindung you that Amazon sells your data to the NSA in addition to them selling your data to the NSA.

Personal freedoms aside (or the inexistence thereof), it's typical to alert to a difference in the privacy policy when linking to an external page, meaning a page that is part of another website.