I don't think that the concept of using Overdrive was good at all. If the RNIB simply wanted their customers to be able to download titles, they could have implemented a relatively simple download manager for Daisy files. The whole reason for choosing Overdrive is the superficial perception that it manages electronic borrowing. The thing is, it doesn't.
If legal rights management were to require the library to ensure that books are electronically borrowed, as opposed to being retained, then they should have implemented a secure download and playback system siilar to that employed by Audible. However, Overdrive is not secure - you can freely copy files and play the titles using any audio player. The farce is that the RNIB don't even pretend that you can't play the files out of the Overdrive apps: in fact, they give you instructions on how to copy the files to other devices which has the effect of defeating the borrowing management features of the Overdrive concept.
What this means is that the library is effectively reliant on the customer deleting the book after it has been read. This reliance is just as insecure as relying on customers to delete Daisy titles had the RNIB made their own catalogue downloadable. In fact, since the Daisy CD books can be copied to any drive, the library already has to rely on this understanding.
I don't think the RNIB is making any money from Overdrive. In fact, it's probably the other way round since the RNIB have effectively out-sourced their download library to Overdrive. It will probably dawn on someone in the RNIB at some point that the choice of using Overdrive has been a monumental mistake since, in addition to failing to providing the expected borrowing security, the format conversion process has corrupted an unacceptably high percentage of stock..
If this were not enough, the administration of the system is chaotic. Not only was a seamless tsystem for transferring membership from the CD service to Overdrive not implemented, some members, like me, will find that they are still getting sent CD titles after their membership has been 'transferred' to Overdrive. The consequences for the project leader in the RNIB should be obvious.
Paul On 01/02/2015 19:05, Paul Leake wrote:
I agree Iain, they backed the daisy system which they knew worked for blind people and then they drop it for something less navigable! I can only think they did this for financial reasons but they'll never admit to this. Where is rnib's accountability and transparency?Kind regards, Paul Twitter: @paulleake1 paul.leake@xxxxxxxxxxxx ----- Original Message ----- From: "Iain Lackie" <ilackie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date sent: Sun, 1 Feb 2015 18:51:34 -0000 Subject: [access-uk] Re: Recurring Faults in RNIB Overdrive Books?The concept is good. The platform could be a lot better. They should neverhave ditched DAISY. Iain -----Original Message----- From: Steve Nutt Sent: Sunday, February 1, 2015 6:06 PM To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Recurring Faults in RNIB Overdrive Books? Hi David,You mean they would give you the money back? I may well consider this, as Ibelieve Kindle and Audible are the way to go and nowhere near so many problems. Oh yes and ibooks as well. Overdrive seems to me to have been a good idea, badly implemented. A;ll the best Steve -- Computer Room Services 77 Exeter Close Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 4PW Tel: +44(0)1438-742286 Mob: +44(0)7956-334938 Fax: +44(0)1438-759589 Email: steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Web: http://www.comproom.co.uk -----Original Message-----From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf OfDavid Griffith Sent: 30 January 2015 20:19 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: Recurring Faults in RNIB Overdrive Books?I also reported a book before Christmas as faulty and they also emailed meback saying that there was nothing wrong with the book, even though it is obvious if you listen to the whole book that there is a whole section missing, a major section about the theft of military equipment so not a minor part of the plot.I am not sure that there is much we can do. Despite receiving reassurances that the catalogue would be sorted out in the �쏯ew Year�� I am still waitingfor books I asked to be transferred from the main TB catalogue, to the Overdrive catalogue in November to arrive. The team has proved supremely indifferent to issues and suggestions that I and others make which may improve the service. The attitude appears to be that you can abandon theservice and get your money back or just put up with the poor delivery andlump it.David Griffith . On 30 Jan 2015, at 18:05, John Gurd <j.gurd@xxxxxxxxxxxxwrote: Hi all I have just had to scrap a book from RNIB OverDrive due to multiple faults.I reported it to the OverDrive team who checked it and told me it was fineand advised me to download it again. I've done so and discovered it has exactly the same issues. It is Pompeii by Mary Beard. Parts have been mislabelled and so are out of order and at least one Part seems incomplete. This is the second book I've had where there has been a fault like this. Has anyone else noticed incomplete or mixed up parts of books? I'm wondering if it is not a one-off and if there is a more general problem that has allowed some books to have become corrupted. 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