Overdrive CEO hints Kindle Library launching this Sept - Page 2

JSWolf · 08-02-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

I know the history. And it is still true that library books were never supported. Now, you could obtain scripts that Amazon did not want you to know about, in order to modify the files (and technically not remove the DRM) in order for the Kindle to read them. But that hardly qualifies as "supporting."

It will be good to have all the major readers support library books. This can only help the ebook market.

That script was only for Mobipocket eBooks and now that libraries support ePub, that's just old history.

Anyway, this will cause the wait lists to go through the roof. Also, I feel this may be unfair depending on how it's done. If Kindle users can borrow PDF or Mobipocket and get AZW back, then it really is unfair and should be stopped. Those of us that use ePub cannot borrow PDF or Mobipocket and get ePub. The other thing that may not be fair is that for the ePub users, sometimes we didn't get ePub if the library already had PDF and/or Mobipocket. So let's hope it's ePub only that Kindle users get to borrow.

One change I feel Overdrive should do is set all the library borrowing times to 7 days and let the users change that to 14 days. 21 day borrowing times should be eliminated. Way too long given what we'll be soon facing.

Andrew H. · 08-02-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Anyway, this will cause the wait lists to go through the roof.

Quite possibly. But I don't think that artificially limiting who can check out an e-book is a good idea...and I think that having more people using library e-books may provide an incentive for the library to buy more.

Quote:

Also, I feel this may be unfair depending on how it's done. If Kindle users can borrow PDF or Mobipocket and get AZW back, then it really is unfair and should be stopped.

I don't see how this is unfair.

Quote:

Those of us that use ePub cannot borrow PDF or Mobipocket and get ePub. The other thing that may not be fair is that for the ePub users, sometimes we didn't get ePub if the library already had PDF and/or Mobipocket. So let's hope it's ePub only that Kindle users get to borrow.

Oh, it's only unfair because *Amazon* users may have access to some books that currently neither Amazon nor Epub users have easy access to. It doesn't *affect* epub users in any way, but because it helps Amazon users, its unfair. Even though it would have the effect of reducing wait lists...

Quote:

One change I feel Overdrive should do is set all the library borrowing times to 7 days and let the users change that to 14 days. 21 day borrowing times should be eliminated. Way too long given what we'll be soon facing.

This does make sense.

JSWolf · 08-02-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

Quote:

Also, I feel this may be unfair depending on how it's done. If Kindle users can borrow PDF or Mobipocket and get AZW back, then it really is unfair and should be stopped.

I don't see how this is unfair.

Quote:

Those of us that use ePub cannot borrow PDF or Mobipocket and get ePub. The other thing that may not be fair is that for the ePub users, sometimes we didn't get ePub if the library already had PDF and/or Mobipocket. So let's hope it's ePub only that Kindle users get to borrow.

Oh, it's only unfair because *Amazon* users may have access to some books that currently neither Amazon nor Epub users have easy access to. It doesn't *affect* epub users in any way, but because it helps Amazon users, its unfair. Even though it would have the effect of reducing wait lists...

It is unfair because it means the Kindle users get to jump in and get what they want when they don't deserve it. If the library has a PDF or Mobipocket format of a given eBook and no ePub, ePub users are unable to download the ePub even though Overdrive has it available for libraries in ePub. This is what could make things unfair. But we won't know if this is the case or not until it happens. I do have KindleForPC and the Kindle app on my iPhone. So I can check out what the situation is. But if this is going to happen, I just want it to be fair to everyone.

DiapDealer · 08-02-2011, 10:07 PM

Quote:

It is unfair because it means the Kindle users get to jump in and get what they want when they don't deserve it.

Well, that's clear as mud.

JSWolf · 08-02-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Well, that's clear as mud.

yes, it's the quoting system here that can make things a bit of a mess. Alex seems to refuse to implement proper quoting (quoting quotes).

I'm hoping that Kindle users cannot check out PDF or Mobipocket eBooks and get AZW when ePub users cannot do that. That is what I meant.

DiapDealer · 08-02-2011, 10:31 PM

I'm still not following, but whatever.

JSWolf · 08-02-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm still not following, but whatever.

The way this will work is that the Kindle users checks out the eBook and if Amazon has it, it gets served to the Kindle user via Amazon. Now does this mean any format eBook or just ePub? If it means any format eBook that the library has, then it's unfair to non-Kindle users.

BrowseTheStacks · 08-02-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It is unfair because it means the Kindle users get to jump in and get what they want when they don't deserve it. If the library has a PDF or Mobipocket format of a given eBook and no ePub, ePub users are unable to download the ePub even though Overdrive has it available for libraries in ePub. This is what could make things unfair. But we won't know if this is the case or not until it happens. I do have KindleForPC and the Kindle app on my iPhone. So I can check out what the situation is. But if this is going to happen, I just want it to be fair to everyone.

Haven't you been the siren song calling for Amazon to adopt a universal format (ie... epub). Would not each ebook lisense downloadable in any format be a step towards your goal of a universal format.

tubemonkey · 08-02-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The way this will work is that the Kindle users checks out the eBook and if Amazon has it, it gets served to the Kindle user via Amazon. Now does this mean any format eBook or just ePub? If it means any format eBook that the library has, then it's unfair to non-Kindle users.

I understand what you're saying and it would be unfair.

Andrew H. · 08-02-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I understand what you're saying and it would be unfair.

Life is unfair.

Also, every day is children's day...

Seriously, so if all versions of a book are checked out except for an old mobipocket version, the library should refuse to check the book out to a Kindle user because they wouldn't be able to check it out to a Nook user?

Kali Yuga · 08-02-2011, 11:56 PM

Did I call it, or what?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The way this will work is that the Kindle users checks out the eBook and if Amazon has it, it gets served to the Kindle user via Amazon. Now does this mean any format eBook or just ePub? If it means any format eBook that the library has, then it's unfair to non-Kindle users.

By this logic, any book available in ePub but not Kindle will be "unfair" to Kindle users. Release the hounds!

Or, we can say that Overdrive has been "unfair" to date as it hasn't offered its services to Kindle users.

Besides, Overdrive plans to nerf format distinctions in its service in the near future. End-users won't see format options, and librarians won't have to purchase/license 3 PDF's, 2 ePubs and 1 AZW.

You really ought to accept that for Overdrive to expand its services to include more potential patrons is a Good Thing.

charmian · 08-03-2011, 12:33 AM

I don't see why it's unfair. If people with iPads can borrow all of these formats (they can, right?), why is it that much different? People who choose to read on computers can also borrow all of these things. Does that mean it was already unfair that people already could do this, depending on the device they had? However, we don't even know if this will be the case. I can understand the complaint that now epub users might face longer waiting times, but I don't really understand how other people being able to use something they can't use inconveniences them.

I was actually unaware that people with Sony/Nook/Kobo readers couldn't borrow PDFs from Overdrive. Why is this so?

I find it unlikely that Amazon will convert PDF files, because book PDF files often convert poorly, in my experience (page numbers, footnotes, title pages muck everything up). I think what will happen is that the borrower can get borrow a PDF, which the Kindle can read natively.

beespeckled · 08-03-2011, 02:57 AM

charmaian says "I was actually unaware that people with Sony/Nook/Kobo readers couldn't borrow PDFs from Overdrive. Why is this so? "

I'm able to borrow PDF or Epubs thru the library(overdrive). I have the Sony PRS 300. I just can't have both formats on my eReader at the same time.

Tome Keeper · 08-03-2011, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

One change I feel Overdrive should do is set all the library borrowing times to 7 days and let the users change that to 14 days. 21 day borrowing times should be eliminated. Way too long given what we'll be soon facing.

I don't agree with this. Some people simply cannot read a book in 14 days and should not be penalised for this just to reduce waiting times. I'm especially thinking about those with learning difficulties which make reading slow and difficult. How about those who take out non-fiction books? Books for a project?

What libraries need to do is buy an appropriate number of copies, in many cases this really needs overdrive and the publishers to work on a new model for libraries to purchase books.

DMB · 08-03-2011, 03:49 AM

The problem of more readers leading to longer waiting times would surely be at least as bad if the whole world were to follow JS Wolf's ideas and adopt epub en masse.

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08-02-2011, 10:31 PM	#21
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,880 Karma: 207000000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I'm still not following, but whatever.

08-03-2011, 12:33 AM	#27
charmian Addict Posts: 386 Karma: 1814548 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle PW2	I don't see why it's unfair. If people with iPads can borrow all of these formats (they can, right?), why is it that much different? People who choose to read on computers can also borrow all of these things. Does that mean it was already unfair that people already could do this, depending on the device they had? However, we don't even know if this will be the case. I can understand the complaint that now epub users might face longer waiting times, but I don't really understand how other people being able to use something they can't use inconveniences them. I was actually unaware that people with Sony/Nook/Kobo readers couldn't borrow PDFs from Overdrive. Why is this so? I find it unlikely that Amazon will convert PDF files, because book PDF files often convert poorly, in my experience (page numbers, footnotes, title pages muck everything up). I think what will happen is that the borrower can get borrow a PDF, which the Kindle can read natively.

08-03-2011, 02:57 AM	#28
beespeckled Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 80874 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pacific NW USA Device: KOBO Aura One; Kindle Oasis 3, KOBO Libra Colour	charmaian says "I was actually unaware that people with Sony/Nook/Kobo readers couldn't borrow PDFs from Overdrive. Why is this so? " I'm able to borrow PDF or Epubs thru the library(overdrive). I have the Sony PRS 300. I just can't have both formats on my eReader at the same time.

08-03-2011, 03:49 AM	#30
DMB Old Git Posts: 958 Karma: 1840790 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Switzerland (mostly) Device: Two kindle PWs wifi, kindle fire, iPad3 wifi	The problem of more readers leading to longer waiting times would surely be at least as bad if the whole world were to follow JS Wolf's ideas and adopt epub en masse.