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FallenWalnut @lemmy.world

6d ago

A guide to switching your Audiobook App to move away from Google and support smaller and more ethical businesses

30 comments

Go get a Library Card people.
- The first app on the left is a library app. I think the ones under it might be library apps too.
  
  Exactly! Also "Kanopy" is a movie/TV Show app that works off your library cards. I'm just pointing out that people sleep on all the things having a library card offers today, it's not just books. Free digital books, audio books, movies, shows, printing papers, activities for kids, classes for adults, some even have 3D printers etc.
- I'd be uncomfortable tying my reading to my KYC :/
- Audiobooks and ebooks are always reserved for weeks or months for popular titles on the library services in my city. I use it for lesser known titles, but sometimes I want to read a book the day it comes out.

You can host your own audiobook streaming/download service with Audiobookshelf.
- The major thing holding them back among my friends and family is the lack of a proper iOS app. I know they have one on testflight, but it's been there for literal years and I haven't seen any progress being made to a full release.
- I love audiobookshelf! Been using it for close to a year now, and my only real complaint is the android app doesn't handle podcasts the best (doesn't auto-advance so it makes it a bit annoying to use shorter podcasts), but audiobooks are very easy to access. I have mine set up for remote access, so I can listen to either wherever I am (or just download what I want if I don't have data)

This is the first version of this guide, so please share any feedback, and I'll include it in the next version!
- Looks like you put some consideration into this, so I'm a little disappointed that you are sharing text as an image format, without alt text.
  Please take this as constructive criticism, I know graphics are the easiest way for many people to share something like this, but particularly for non-visual media like audio books it may be worth your while to address the visually disabled as well 🙂
  
  If someone wants to transcribe these guides, then I am more than happy to include them!
- The first phrase (at the top) talks about being part of a series, rather than the purpose of the doc. That should go at the end.
  the image in the middle looks like it's describing use cases, but the cases and significance to the reader aren't clear. What is DRM? What is profit share? What is a credit system? Why should the reader care?
  why are library apps in a rectangle, but the others in circles?
  "Environmental" has an icon, but it doesn't seem to be used anywhere.
  would the bubbles with icons look better if they were left justified?
  the "need help choosing" block is the most understandable: it lists interests and an appropriate suggestion.
  
  Thanks for this. I spend so much time on the content from guide to guide that I forget how someone reading it for the first time might interpret it.
  Will update the guide and post it to !PurchaseWithPurpose@lemmy.world

I got a kobo e-reader a while ago and love it. I get library books on there via WiFi/internet, or just import books from my PC via USB cable so easily. F*** Amazon.

I've been using Libro.FM for some odd years now, and I love it. If you're used to the way audible works, libro is a totally seamless switch, except your subscription also goes in part to a local bookstore of your choice.
Of course, my first choice is always the library.
- I love libro.fm too, I picked it up maybe a year ago. Credit systems aren't my favorite but getting files DRM free is perfect for my standards.
  
  And they at least let you keep any credits you have even if you cancel your sub. Such a simple thing makes them much nicer to even try out. Audible tosses them if they aren't spent before canceling. The only thing going against them is just the smaller library of books since they don't offer anything with DRM. Which I am completely fine with, and they do seem to be getting more titles.
  I do wish that they wouldn't list books that they don't have. Always gets my hopes up just to see I can't get them. It is a similar issue with Google and even Amazon's various services. Will see books, shows, and movies pop-up when I am searching for something and see a result that is "Unavailable." It is weird though that it doesn't happen with everything I search on either service.

Also, audiobookbay 🏴‍☠️

!Purchasewithpurpose@lemmy.world

I love Chirp.

Oooh I didn't know about LibriVox, that's awesome!

This is absolutely fantastic

Looked up and setup borrowbox as my local lib supports this (already had Libby). I need to get into audio books again. Thanks

Project Gutenberg also has both human-read and computer-generated audiobooks, ctrl+f for special categories here: https://www.gutenberg.org/browse/categories/1

is the image low res for everyone else too? Im using proton-lemmy, maybe thats an issue? tHE LOWRES MAKES ME SO MAD

30 comments