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A Great Library Feature
So, I went in to get my library card today. We had a look around at the library. It's quite nice and modern inside, with a separate computer lab for kids and for adults. There were lots of well organized books, too, of course (something about that in the definition of the word library).
In any case, on the counter, I saw a sign about downloading audio books. Naturally, I was intrigued. So, I grabbed the card and took it home so I could remember the simple site for it: http://nh.lib.overdrive.com.
So, I go there and find that there are, indeed, plenty of books for free download. Well, let's call it checking them out, actually. More on that later. On the front page was a link I had to click: "iPod and Mac users, click here". Being an iPod user, I clicked and got this:
Our media titles, provided by OverDrive, Inc., use DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod (and Mac) currently support neither DRM-protected Windows Media Audio (.wma) files nor WindowS Media Video (.wmv) files.
OverDrive, along with hundreds of online media providers, is hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement that would enable support for Microsoft-based DRM-protected materials on the iPod/Mac.
Quite unbelievable, actually. Well, it's totally believable that they'll use DRM. This isn't music, after all. But using Microsoft DRM and then claiming hundreds of media providers want Apple and Microsoft to reach an agreement? That'll never happen. For one, that's mostly because Apple (and others) are really heading down the route of DRM free. For another, they both support a common audio book format: Audible. Of course, that is also a proprietary DRM, so an external system using that isn't likely to happen.
Anyway, that aside, it turns out that my Nokia N95 works with Windows Media DRM. So, I can actually just download them and sync them to my phone. Nice. :)
Curiously, though, this audio book download site works just like the library. There are a limited number of copies that can be downloaded. You can place books on hold just as you would at the library, too. I downloaded one as a test after installing the required software, which was fast and easy to install -- even on Vista. All it asked for was my library card number. It then downloaded and I got to see the restrictions. In this case, I could listen for 7 days at which time I would assume this "copy" is returned to the "library" for others to use.
In any case, this could be a fun place to get free audio books for trips and flights and stuff. I don't know how many other libraries do this, but the one in Santa Cruz doesn't seem to. I'm assuming companies like Audible view this sort of thing about the same as book sellers view libraries. People usually do still want to own stuff.
Libraries really are a great public resource. You can rent books, DVDs, audio books on CD (or download!) all for the great price of FREE! What could be better?
Posted by Shane on June 5, 2008 9:21 PM | Permalink
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