Overdrive.com is now rather useless

JSWolf · 07-15-2023, 03:30 PM

The main Overdrive site no longer allows you to log in to see where you can find content. IMHO, this makes Overdrive.com basically useless as we can no longer find what libraries have what content which we could do by logging in and making a list what the libraries we belong to.

ownedbycats · 07-15-2023, 04:05 PM

I noticed that too. I think they've been crippling it to further promote Libby, which is kind of awkward to use on desktop browsers.

ownedbycats · 07-15-2023, 04:37 PM

For future reference, I cannot recommend the Library Extension enough. The developers will even add libraries if you ask!

Alas, different titles and/or site designs constantly changing makes it less than 100% reliable.

But it's still helpful when it works.

JSWolf · 07-15-2023, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I noticed that too. I think they've been crippling it to further promote Libby, which is kind of awkward to use on desktop browsers.

The Libby website is a pain in the ass. It's not at all well thought out. I much preferred to use Overdrive to look something up. Now I can't do that and I'm stuck with Libby.

JSWolf · 07-15-2023, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

For future reference, I cannot recommend the Library Extension enough. The developers will even add libraries if you ask!

Alas, different titles and/or site designs constantly changing makes it less than 100% reliable.

But it's still helpful when it works.

Can it be set to work on Just Overdrive.com?

ownedbycats · 07-15-2023, 04:52 PM

I don't see any option to add just Overdrive.com results:

Click image for larger version

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There are several other options though such as Hoopla, OpenLibrary, and Kobo Plus.

ownedbycats · 07-15-2023, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The Libby website is a pain in the ass. It's not at all well thought out. I much preferred to use Overdrive to look something up. Now I can't do that and I'm stuck with Libby.

It's designed for mobile devices. Mobile-first design isn't bad in concept, but the way they implemented it is pretty much mobile-only.

JSWolf · 07-15-2023, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I don't see any option to add just Overdrive.com results:

Attachment 202659

There are several other options though such as Hoopla, OpenLibrary, and Kobo Plus.

I'll have to ask if it can be made to only work on Overdrive.com. An option for such would be perfect.

andyh2000 · 07-15-2023, 05:19 PM

I managed to sign in by going to https://www.overdrive.com/account/sign-in

Who knows how long it'll stay working though.

Andrew

ownedbycats · 07-15-2023, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyh2000

I managed to sign in by going to https://www.overdrive.com/account/sign-in

Who knows how long it'll stay working though.

Andrew

I had to google the link, lol. And after looking up a book still tries to redirect me to Libby.

edit: lol, turns out the 'Find it in Libby' link actually just goes to the library's Overdrive site. Misleading.

willaful · 07-15-2023, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyh2000

I managed to sign in by going to https://www.overdrive.com/account/sign-in

Who knows how long it'll stay working though.

Andrew

Thanks so much! Let's enjoy it while we have it. :-\

nabsltd · 07-15-2023, 09:08 PM

I just use the Overdrive Link plugin for Calibre. I add the libraries where I have cards or am thinking about trying to get an out-of-state card, and let the plugin search. I have a few saved searches that allow me to see what I can borrow right now (i.e., libraries I belong to) and what I could borrow if I sign up for other libraries. This makes it easy to see how many books are exclusive to a library.

One great thing is that since books have unique IDs on Overdrive, once you do the search on a book, the plugin caches the book ID, and searches at other libraries are very fast.

And then, just click on the book and select "borrow from..." on the Overdrive Link menu, and you open the web page to borrow the book.

rcentros · 07-15-2023, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyh2000

I managed to sign in by going to https://www.overdrive.com/account/sign-in

Who knows how long it'll stay working though.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Hopefully this will work for a while.

Why is Overdrive so adamant about Libby? Do most Overdrive users use smartphones and tablets?

BionicGecko · 07-15-2023, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Why is Overdrive so adamant about Libby? Do most Overdrive users use smartphones and tablets?

My guess would be that this is, at least partly, a response to the pressure they likely receive from publishers to reduce or outright eliminate access to media formats which can be easily de-DRMed.

rcentros · 07-16-2023, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BionicGecko

My guess would be that this is, at least partly, a response to the pressure they likely receive from publishers to reduce or outright eliminate access to media formats which can be easily de-DRMed.

But can't you download DRM ePubs on Libby also?

07-15-2023, 03:30 PM	#1
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,998 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Overdrive.com is now rather useless The main Overdrive site no longer allows you to log in to see where you can find content. IMHO, this makes Overdrive.com basically useless as we can no longer find what libraries have what content which we could do by logging in and making a list what the libraries we belong to.

07-15-2023, 04:05 PM	#2
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 8,639 Karma: 61234567 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	I noticed that too. I think they've been crippling it to further promote Libby, which is kind of awkward to use on desktop browsers. Last edited by ownedbycats; 07-15-2023 at 04:09 PM.

07-15-2023, 04:52 PM	#6
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 8,639 Karma: 61234567 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	I don't see any option to add just Overdrive.com results: There are several other options though such as Hoopla, OpenLibrary, and Kobo Plus.

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07-15-2023, 04:37 PM	#3
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 8,639 Karma: 61234567 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	For future reference, I cannot recommend the Library Extension enough. The developers will even add libraries if you ask! Alas, different titles and/or site designs constantly changing makes it less than 100% reliable. But it's still helpful when it works.

07-15-2023, 05:19 PM	#9
andyh2000 Avid reader Posts: 826 Karma: 6377682 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK Device: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 / Kindle Paperwhite	I managed to sign in by going to https://www.overdrive.com/account/sign-in Who knows how long it'll stay working though. Andrew

07-15-2023, 09:08 PM	#12
nabsltd Evangelist Posts: 417 Karma: 6913952 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hamden, CT Device: Kindle Paperwhite (11th gen), Scribe	I just use the Overdrive Link plugin for Calibre. I add the libraries where I have cards or am thinking about trying to get an out-of-state card, and let the plugin search. I have a few saved searches that allow me to see what I can borrow right now (i.e., libraries I belong to) and what I could borrow if I sign up for other libraries. This makes it easy to see how many books are exclusive to a library. One great thing is that since books have unique IDs on Overdrive, once you do the search on a book, the plugin caches the book ID, and searches at other libraries are very fast. And then, just click on the book and select "borrow from..." on the Overdrive Link menu, and you open the web page to borrow the book.

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