[Web4lib] RE: Web4lib Digest, Vol 14, Issue 19

[JOHN MARQUETTE]

Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 15:56:04 -0500
From: "Jesse Ephraim" <JEphraim at ci.southlake.tx.us>
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] RE: Overdrive
<snip>

>If Overdrive's business model was like the NetLibrary one (buffet
>style), my bet is that we would already have purchased a subscription
>and had everything up-and-running.

I've been tracking this out of the corner of my eye, and it brings up
the issue of Mac marginalization.  As far as I know, Macs still cannot
use NetLibrary and there is no plan by OCLC to make NetLibrary
Mac-compatible.  Is Overdrive Mac-friendly?  Will the popularity of the
iPod change OCLC's marketing strategy?  To quote NetLibrary:

" Q: Can I download and play an audiobook on a Mac?
A: NetLibrary audiobooks cannot be played on Macs because the latest
version of Window Media Player available for Macs (version 9) is based
on Windows Media Rights Manager version 1.3. NetLibrary uses version 2.x
licenses for eAudiobooks in order to maintain a high level of security.
Because the latest version of Windows Media Player for Macs does not
support 2.x licenses, NetLibrary audiobooks cannot be played on Macs at
this point in time.

Q: Can I download and play an audiobook on an iPod?
A: No, NetLibrary audiobooks cannot be played on iPods. iPods use the
.aac file format and the .aac file format does not support the Digital
Rights Management protection required by NetLibrary audiobooks at this
time. Digital Rights Management protection helps ensure that the content
of our publishing partners is secure, especially when items are checked
out from the library's collection and borrowed by a user rather than
purchased. This Digital Rights Management technology allows checked out
items to expire on the due date."

http://netlibrary.com/Help/Default.aspx?Page=FAQ#AudiobooksFAQs

John Marquette
City of Commerce Public Library
5655 Jillson Street
Commerce, CA 90040