the shrinking librarian

May 8

Why the death of DRM would be good news for readers, writers and publishers

“At the end of April, Tor Books, the world’s largest science fiction publisher, and its UK sister company, Tor UK, announced that they would be eliminating digital rights management (DRM) from all of their ebooks by the summer. It was a seismic event in the history of the publishing industry. It’s the beginning of the end for DRM, which are used by hardware manufacturers and publishers to limit the use of digital content after sale. That’s good news, whether you’re a publisher, a writer, a dedicated reader, or someone who picks up a book every year or two.”

(via kindlekwickstart)

Nov 2

Amazon Is Letting Publishers Ruin The Kindle (Updated)

“I’m reading 1Q84, Haruki Murakami’s long-awaited new book. In hardback, it’s 944 pages and weighs several pounds. I am a pasty blogger with weak arms and soft hands, so the Kindle version seemed like a no-brainer. Except the Kindle version is hobbled. Extensively hobbled, in fact. It lops off two of Amazon’s best features, public highlights and, far worse, the ability to read on all my devices. WHAT?!

…

As ebooks mature, they are going to increasingly jump the boundaries and escape the confines of the original publication. Books will be remixed, just as film and music has.

Smart publishers will not just allow, but encourage this. They will want readers to participate with the book. They will try to open the gates, rather than wall them off.

But limiting our experience of the book, especially taking away those things that we’ve already grown accustomed to, is just plain dumb.”

Mar 1

Thank you Harper Collins (for making the path forward a little clearer) « Tame The Web

I know, lots and lots on the HC shenanigans, but this one has some interesting thoughts on content creation and library communities, in addition to the criticisms of DRM.

Dec 29

Why I am a library traitor and love the Kindle

Let me tell you why I love my Kindle so. But before I gush like a schoolgirl in love with Edward Cullen, let me tell you that I feel guilty for loving it. I boycott the Kindle as a librarian but love it as a consumer.

This is a pretty level-headed look at both sides of the issue.

Apr 21

A Softer World: 549

(alt text, because it’s the best part: just DRM-enabled ‘disappearances’)

Mar 25

DRM-Free Downloadable (Sony) Music at the Library

The libraries must pre-pay for a minimum number of downloads from Freegal, and each library user will be limited to, at most, 20 downloads per week. Libraries that see a spike in use can limit the number of systemwide downloads in a week or month to ensure wider access, and library card holders can also reserve downloads.

No download manager is required—a step that has complicated audiobook downloading. The songs are delivered as MP3 files and thus are compatible with iPods and other devices, some of which have not been compatible with library audio.

Similar to the last article, but this one is about music. I know there are concerns about filesharing, but there’s no way around that. I’d really like to see this model catch on. Libraries have a lot more to offer music listeners than old jazz records and showtunes, and I feel like this kind of thing is a step in the right direction.

Mar 4

The Brads – Why DRM Doesn’t Work