this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2024
5 points (100.0% liked)

Audiobooks

408 readers
2 users here now

A place to discuss and promote your favorite audiobooks and current listens. Promos should be 1-2 a week. Give more than you take = comment more than you post.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

For people who choose Audible over something like Libro.fm that does not use DRM, why do you do it?

top 6 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I think the vast majority of people don’t even realize or understand DRM in general or if they do they don’t fully grasp the fact that at any point in the future they could lose access to the rights protected things that they have purchased with real money if the company shuts down their servers, they lose access to the account, or any number of other things that would cause the files to be encrypted virtual paper weights.

That being said, I use Audible a few months out of the year to get a few credits for the Audible exclusive content, but I don’t view those purchases as content I now own, I view that stuff as “rented”. Though I’ve been looking into some open source projects that can decrypt my Audible stuff, just haven’t had time to do it yet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Great insights. I was skeptical Libro.fm would have enough of a selection for me, but it seems to have most things I am looking for most of the time. This realization made me question why people choose Audible.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

I think another big part of it is simply visibility. Audible is Amazon, and Amazon is (seems like) the “only” place to buy anything these days. I checked out Libro.fm a while back and at the time they had a rather small selection comparatively, but after browsing for a while yesterday I see they have grown quite a lot! I think I’ll give them a go next time in looking for something.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It isn't about choosing DRM. Unless the DRM is obnoxious (video games often), then usually you don't even notice it. So it becomes a non-factor in your choice of audiobook store. However, when someone makes the rejection of DRM an ethical or moral issue, obviously even transparent DRM becomes important. The thing is that most people don't care.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

Yep, the one driving factor in the mass adoption of any new technology, especially when it comes to media consumption, is convenience. All other factors, like quality, cost, or restrictions (like DRM or availability) are secondary. This has played out the same in every single format war, from Laser Disc, VHS, DVD, cassette, vinyl, MP3, torrents, and streaming services. If you can make something more convenient than what came before, you win.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I get free audible credits from my credit card. It syncs across devices, and any books I want to reread I buy the actual book. My required effort is super low.