Overdrive Redesign

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

Another irritating thing about the site now - this is something that bugs me about a lot of web sites, not just Overdrive - the sign-in page defaults to having the "remember me on this computer" box checked. It should default to unchecked.

If the box is unchecked, and someone wants to be remembered on this computer, they can check it once and never have to do it again.

But if the box defaults to checked, and I don't want to be remembered on this computer, I have to check the box every single time I log in.

I often go to the library site on break time at work, to see if anything on my wish list has become available, and I don't want it remembered on my work computer.

I log off manually anyway if I don't want that. That will unremember you.

[Blossom]

I can say after using the new site for awhile now. I think my biggest complaint is being redirected to your bookshelf every time you borrow a hold. I wish they would fix this.

The new audiobook sort by date added still is broke on READS.

I think I've gotten use to everything else. I no longer feel the need for a cart system. I find I can browser faster now by looking at covers so much I find the old system at FLoP to be a pain to browse through. I don't see them switching though anytime soon.

[4691mls]

For me, the biggest issue is not being able to see more information about the books while browsing. Having to click on each thumbnail, just to see the description, to find out if I've read the book before, takes forever.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

For me, the biggest issue is not being able to see more information about the books while browsing. Having to click on each thumbnail, just to see the description, to find out if I've read the book before, takes forever.

+1

Although a cover can give you a hint with certain genres, some book covers have so little to do with the topic in the book, it's ridiculous.

I have used the trick in my wish list of switching to the mobile site to get the books descriptions back, but I haven't done it (yet) from the search option to see if the description is still there, too.

And the mobile site (as mentioned above before) still gives you the option of a cart, if you prefer one.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

+1

Although a cover can give you a hint with certain genres, some book covers have so little to do with the topic in the book, it's ridiculous.

I have used the trick in my wish list of switching to the mobile site to get the books descriptions back, but I haven't done it (yet) from the search option to see if the description is still there, too.

And the mobile site (as mentioned above before) still gives you the option of a cart, if you prefer one.

I also used the mobile site sometimes. I hope they aren't going to change it.

[PeterT]

Toronto Public Library appears to have updated to 25 books out; not sure thought of any of the other limits (and I only saw the 25 when I was checking a book out; no other announcement I am aware of).

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

For me, the biggest issue is not being able to see more information about the books while browsing. Having to click on each thumbnail, just to see the description, to find out if I've read the book before, takes forever.

Same here, exactly.

[DianNC]

Book covers aren't much help to me at all. I would be thrilled, however, absolutely thrilled to have the full title and full name of author 'at a glance' as in the old design.

As it is, a lot of 'mousing over' is required to obtain the most important elements in judging a book.

A complete title and the author's name. It just doesn't seem like it's a lot to ask from a library!

[JD Gumby]

I can't understand why ANY ebook storefront designer would choose a design that forces them to truncate the author's name, book title, or series name in their listings (barring extremely long ones, of course - subtitles or explanatory descriptions can generally be omitted if they go on too long).

Sure, a tight grid looks somewhat pretty, but even on the mobile version of sites (and especially not within apps - looking at YOU, Kobo!), it's not really acceptable to use only 15-20 characters per line in this day and age.

[4691mls]

If they are still interested in making changes, one addition that I would like is if the system could flag books I have previously checked out.

[Synamon]

Boo, my library has a 'Coming Soon' banner.

[PurpleStar]

Originally Posted by Synamon

Boo, my library has a 'Coming Soon' banner.

Oh shoot. Mine does too!!

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

If they are still interested in making changes, one addition that I would like is if the system could flag books I have previously checked out.

Librarians mostly oppose keeping such records due to privacy concerns. If the records existed, police could get a friendly-to-law-enforcement judge to issue a subpoena. Whether you agree with this privacy concern or not, I think Overdrive is going to be sensitive to it because librarians are the ones who purchase their service.

I suppose they could make the feature you suggest optional. Since I have multiple cards, I would want the feature to allow linking my reading history for all them.

I did start one book last year, realized after a chapter or so that I had already read it, and confirmed it by checking a list I have been keeping since 2005 of every book I read. It was a good book, so I just re-read it. Unfortunately, it's not available via Overdrive except as an audio book.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Librarians mostly oppose keeping such records due to privacy concerns.

My library has no record once I return an item.

Sometimes it's frustrating.

[DianNC]

Originally Posted by Synamon

Boo, my library has a 'Coming Soon' banner.

All of mine have the banner now, too

It's a done deal and NO library will escape it! Most days I think it might be better to just rip that bandage off and get it over with LOL.