drive or overdrive ?

zpyroro · 08-10-2022, 06:00 PM

I opened the Overdrive android app on my phone this morning and the interface had completely changed. I had to sign in again to my local library (I have been signed in on the app for a long time without ever having to sign in/out) and then it all looked totally different. I couldn't even find advanced search.

I closed the app and reopened, and it was back to the way it's always been.??!! Hope it stays that way!

I haven't seen any changes in the desktop site on my PC.

spacepope · 08-11-2022, 08:47 AM

This might be part of them pushing you to use Libby.

Try downloading the app and then logging in with your cards.

Libby is Overdrive’s new app- it has search, an audiobook player and ability to read books on there. I would give it a try.

monophoto · 08-11-2022, 08:54 AM

I noticed an announcement that OverDrive would be dreprecated in 2023, so I went ahead to convert to Libby. It has a slightly different feel, but I suppose its something I can become accustomed to over time. Although after several days of using it, I've concluded that its nowhere near as user-friendly and intuitive as OverDrive. Probably another example of software written by developers who don't actually use it themselves.

But I noticed that while I can transition my OverDrive 'Wishlist" to Libby, I can't find any way to move my OverDrive history. That's a big problem - I've been using OverDrive to access books from our public library for years, and I really need to have a way to flag books that I've already read. Any suggestions? OverDrive confirmed that there is no way to port history data from OverDrive, but it is possible to download OverDrive history as a .csv file (at least currently - no guarantee that ability will continue to be available when OverDrive officially goes away).

4691mls · 08-17-2022, 04:23 PM

Anyone know if they are going to have some format of Libby for desktop also? Or will Overdrive remain the interface for PC's?

JSWolf · 08-17-2022, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4691mls

Anyone know if they are going to have some format of Libby for desktop also? Or will Overdrive remain the interface for PC's?

There was Libby for Windows. That's been discontinued and you have to use the Libby website with Windows.

https://libbyapp.com

monophoto · 08-22-2022, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There was Libby for Windows. That's been discontinued and you have to use the Libby website with Windows.

https://libbyapp.com

I really tried to use Libby - I had the app on my Fire tablet and phone, and I had a link to the website on my desktop. But I found that it was seriously non-intuitive and difficult to use. So I went back to the OverDrive web site. It's not great, but at least I know where to find stuff.

My understanding is that the basic OverDrive system is not changing, and the web site will continue to be available. Libby was designed (or emerged from chaos) as an app to replace the old OverDrive app on mobile devices and was intended only to be an interface with the OverDrive system and database. As long as you have a browser and web access, you can still use the OverDrive web site.

JBaby · 08-23-2022, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monophoto

I really tried to use Libby - I had the app on my Fire tablet and phone, and I had a link to the website on my desktop. But I found that it was seriously non-intuitive and difficult to use. So I went back to the OverDrive web site. It's not great, but at least I know where to find stuff.

My understanding is that the basic OverDrive system is not changing, and the web site will continue to be available. Libby was designed (or emerged from chaos) as an app to replace the old OverDrive app on mobile devices and was intended only to be an interface with the OverDrive system and database. As long as you have a browser and web access, you can still use the OverDrive web site.

Libby was made because the OverDrive app was unintuitive to everyone who isn’t tech savvy. At least that’s what OverDrive is claiming. Libby has tutorial videos in the Get Some Help section . I can’t judge if they’re succeeding on being more intuitive or not. I’ve used both but I don’t think either app is hard to use.

JSWolf · 08-23-2022, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBaby

Libby was made because the OverDrive app was unintuitive to everyone who isn’t tech savvy. At least that’s what OverDrive is claiming. Libby has tutorial videos in the Get Some Help section . I can’t judge if they’re succeeding on being more intuitive or not. I’ve used both but I don’t think either app is hard to use.

One of the problems with the Overdrive app is that you cannot have multiple library cards. With Libby, you can input all of your library cards.

issybird · 08-23-2022, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

One of the problems with the Overdrive app is that you cannot have multiple library cards. With Libby, you can input all of your library cards.

Huh? I have all three of my library cards entered on the OverDrive app on all my devices and switch between them at will when borrowing and downloading, and then the items from ALL my libraries appear together on the single bookshelf.

In short, this is absolutely incorrect. I’m dreading the forced change to Libby, as the OD app does everything I want and readily.

JSWolf · 08-23-2022, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Huh? I have all three of my library cards entered on the OverDrive app on all my devices and switch between them at will when borrowing and downloading, and then the items from ALL my libraries appear together on the single bookshelf.

In short, this is absolutely incorrect. I’m dreading the forced change to Libby, as the OD app does everything I want and readily.

I don't see anyplace in the Overdrive app to add library cards. This is on Windows.

crane3 · 08-23-2022, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Huh? I have all three of my library cards entered on the OverDrive app on all my devices and switch between them at will when borrowing and downloading, and then the items from ALL my libraries appear together on the single bookshelf.

In short, this is absolutely incorrect. I’m dreading the forced change to Libby, as the OD app does everything I want and readily.

Libby has a function to "add libraries"; press the 3 horizontal lines at the bottom. It says add library at the left and manage cards at the right.

issybird · 08-23-2022, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't see anyplace in the Overdrive app to add library cards. This is on Windows.

OK. I was referring to the Android app.

JSWolf · 08-23-2022, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

OK. I was referring to the Android app.

I've only ever used the Overdrive app on Windows to download audiobooks.

JBaby · 08-23-2022, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

One of the problems with the Overdrive app is that you cannot have multiple library cards. With Libby, you can input all of your library cards.

I never used the Windows app since I’m a macOS user. I also never look at OverDrive on my Mac. I only look on mobile and almost always on my iPad. But the OverDrive mobile app does support multiple cards. I do think the way Libby handles multiple cards is better though.

Dazrin · 08-23-2022, 04:04 PM

That's all the Windows "app" does. It's not even close to a full featured program.

08-10-2022, 06:00 PM	#1
zpyroro Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2022 Device: Amazon Kindle (2019)	drive or overdrive ? I opened the Overdrive android app on my phone this morning and the interface had completely changed. I had to sign in again to my local library (I have been signed in on the app for a long time without ever having to sign in/out) and then it all looked totally different. I couldn't even find advanced search. I closed the app and reopened, and it was back to the way it's always been.??!! Hope it stays that way! I haven't seen any changes in the desktop site on my PC.

08-11-2022, 08:54 AM	#3
monophoto Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 2492712 Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon Fire HD8 (2020)	I noticed an announcement that OverDrive would be dreprecated in 2023, so I went ahead to convert to Libby. It has a slightly different feel, but I suppose its something I can become accustomed to over time. Although after several days of using it, I've concluded that its nowhere near as user-friendly and intuitive as OverDrive. Probably another example of software written by developers who don't actually use it themselves. But I noticed that while I can transition my OverDrive 'Wishlist" to Libby, I can't find any way to move my OverDrive history. That's a big problem - I've been using OverDrive to access books from our public library for years, and I really need to have a way to flag books that I've already read. Any suggestions? OverDrive confirmed that there is no way to port history data from OverDrive, but it is possible to download OverDrive history as a .csv file (at least currently - no guarantee that ability will continue to be available when OverDrive officially goes away). Last edited by monophoto; 08-14-2022 at 07:49 PM.

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08-11-2022, 08:47 AM	#2
spacepope Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 5915366 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: USA! USA! 🇺🇸 Device: Kobo Libra H2O, Kobo Clara, Kindle Paperwhite 3, Smartphone	This might be part of them pushing you to use Libby. Try downloading the app and then logging in with your cards. Libby is Overdrive’s new app- it has search, an audiobook player and ability to read books on there. I would give it a try.

08-17-2022, 04:23 PM	#4
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	Anyone know if they are going to have some format of Libby for desktop also? Or will Overdrive remain the interface for PC's?

08-23-2022, 04:04 PM	#15
Dazrin Wizard Posts: 2,735 Karma: 75825105 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: PDXish Device: Kindle Voyage, various Android devices	That's all the Windows "app" does. It's not even close to a full featured program.