Any Scribd or Oyster users? Good or bad?

[alysonhere]

I've trialled both Scribd and Oyster, but ultimately I think I'm only going to hang on to the Oyster subscription. I know a lot of people don't like the reading interface on Scribd, but I didn't really have a problem with it at all and I read on both my iPad and my iPhone. I actually liked Scribd's reading interface better, I think they have some better viewing options than Oyster. I liked the option with the dark background and sans serif font (Oyster's dark background option has a serif font).

But I think what I really like about Oyster is the general interface. Browsing for books is just so much nicer on Oyster. I'm not sure if the better interface is worth the more expensive subscription fee, but call it a gut feeling I guess.

So what about y'all? Scribd or Oyster? Do you think this distribution model will survive? I'd like to see it thrive, but there are plenty of skeptics with valid economic concerns.

Annnnddd... the reason for my curiosity... I am actually writing my Masters dissertation on ebook subscription services. And as part of my dissertation I need to do data collection. I have created a questionnaire to get a feeling on how users feel (good or bad) about ebook subscription services. If you would spare 10 minutes to participate I will be so grateful and virtual hugs for everyone!

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/171018...tion-Service-I

[Justy]

I'm using Scribd. So far I like it, I haven't been at a loss for a book to read using their service so far. Of course, I'm in Canada so my options are limited on which subscriber to use.

[Blossom]

Scribd. I love the sans-serif font and they got some of nicest customer service people I have ever dealt with not too mention the selection. Harpercollins and Simon & Schuster books are available as well as some small publishers like Sourcebooks Inc. It's a romance reader's dream. Scribd has been around for years as a place for people to sell their books. I don't see them going anywhere.

For years people have wanted a Netflix for books. I think we will see more types of service like this and I see publishers eventually trying to offer their own subscription service.

I'm not sure the price will stay as cheap though. Right now it's the price of one paperback at B&N a month.

Things I love about Scribd are:

• Selection of mainstream books
• Reader app
• Price
• Ability to read offline
• Fast & Friendly Customer Support
• Sync to different devices

The search feature is a nightmare but once you learn a few tricks you can find pretty much anything.

[meeera]

I'm not yet convinced that existing ebook subscription services have much to offer above my public library's ebook collection.

Also, your question 15 is missing an "ereader" option.

[Synamon]

I tried Scribd last year, but I can get almost all the books they offer from my public library. Since I can read library books on my e-ink reader, this makes the library more attractive for me. If I had no access to a good public library, then I'd certainly use Scribd.

I can't use Oyster since I'm not in the US.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Synamon

I tried Scribd last year, but I can get almost all the books they offer from my public library. Since I can read library books on my e-ink reader, this makes the library more attractive for me. If I had no access to a good public library, then I'd certainly use Scribd.

I can't use Oyster since I'm not in the US.

There is no waiting in line for Scribd books like Overdrive and there is no checkout time so you don't have recheck a book out if you don't finish it in time. There is no check out limit either. You also have Simon & Schuster books which are just now being made to Overdrive before Simon & Schuster didn't allow their books to checked out on Overdrive. Also Scribd has Smashwords so you can get alot of self publish titles as well that Libraries don't have.

Since joining scribd I have bought 75% less indies as they are already on Scribd. I do realize that could change if the author opts out but there is so much on there that I would just read something else.

[Synamon]

Originally Posted by Blossom

There is no waiting in line for Scribd books like Overdrive and there is no checkout time so you don't have recheck a book out if you don't finish it in time. There is no check out limit either. You also have Simon & Schuster books which are just now being made to Overdrive before Simon & Schuster didn't allow their books to checked out on Overdrive. Also Scribd has Smashwords so you can get alot of self publish titles as well that Libraries don't have.

Since joining scribd I have bought 75% less indies as they are already on Scribd. I do realize that could change if the author opts out but there is so much on there that I would just read something else.

I don't read self published titles much and I have a large TBR list of purchased books, so I'm fine waiting for a library book. I read quickly so the borrowing time is plenty long enough for me. The tradeoff of being able to read on e-ink is worth the hassle factor of using the library. I'm also lucky to have access to a very expansive public library.

I can certainly see how Scribd would be more attractive to others though, and I'm glad such a service exists.

[Atunah]

I use Scribd for pretty much all the reasons Blossom already stated.

Although I have always preferred reading on my e-ink devices, I have been reading on my Nexus for 3 weeks now and I really like it.

My local library doesn't have a large selection and especially not in my favorite genre romance. What they do have are more sweet and homey type. So I currently have 2 paid out of state library cards to get more selection. I am dropping one of those for the Scribd. And even though S&S is now letting their books into libraries the libraries won't be able to afford as many titles as there are on scribd and then there is no wait time for them either.

I would not be a subscriber if they didn't have the mainstream books and big publishers. These services I think only work if you have that content.

Like Blossom says, Scribd is a romance reader heaven. Lots of great back titles and series titles to catch up with. I didn't consider Oyster at all as at the time they didn't have an kindle app and that was all I had at the time. They now have a android app but there is no way to browse their complete catalog without signing up.
I had contact with CS at Scribd and they are friendly and helpful and really responsive.

I wish Scribd could get all the publishers on board.

[alysonhere]

I think it's interesting that the mobileread community seems to be pretty much Scribd only. I wonder why that is? Maybe, like Blossom says, because Scribd's subscription service was launched off of an already existing service, you mobilereaders would have already been attuned to Scribd versus Oyster, a new start up. (Although interestingly, Oyster launched their subscription service just ahead of Scribd.) But, Atunah, you bring up a good point about the accessibility on different devices.

I'm also with Blossom on the advantages of the sub services over Overdrive

And Meera, thanks for giving my survey a read, but as question 15 is about ebook subscription services, I did not put eReader as an option since you can't use ebook subscription services on an eReader (eInk).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by alysonhere

I think it's interesting that the mobileread community seems to be pretty much Scribd only. I wonder why that is?

One reason, as has been stated, is that Oyster is a US-only service, and hence is unavailable to the 95% of people who live elsewhere.

And Meera, thanks for giving my survey a read, but as question 15 is about ebook subscription services, I did not put eReader as an option since you can't use ebook subscription services on an eReader (eInk).

Scribd runs just fine on eInk devices that run Android, such as the Onyx Boox T68.

[Atunah]

never mind

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Scribd runs just fine on eInk devices that run Android, such as the Onyx Boox T68.

Others have had the same problem using Scribd as they have using the Kindle app - you can't turn off page animation and every page turn is scrambled for a second. Some can ignore that, others can't.

[Janet54]

I have tried both and went with Scribd. I like the selection better. I could search the selection before I subscribed. With Oyster you had to create an account first. (Not sure if that is still true)
I love using Scribd and think it is a great value for the money. Even if I can get the same book from a library I tend to use Scribd as the Author gets paid and I do not have to worry about reading it before it expires.

If a book is a 5 Star read for me and I have read on Scribd or Library I typically will buy the Hardback and the ebook as these books I will reread and I want on a bookshelf to remind me of the story. I rarely give out 5 star reads though. ((grin))

[Janet54]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Scribd runs just fine on eInk devices that run Android, such as the Onyx Boox T68.

Hi Harry,
I found quite the opposite on the T68. I returned mine as I was one that the scramble page turn drove me nuts and for a fiction read it would not let me immerse myself into the book.

The Scribd app always landed on a blank page and I would have to hit the back button to get to the home page. It took several clicks to get a book open and was slow as well. It was not for me.

I did like the fact that the whispersync worked well on the Kindle app. Hope Amazon will incorporate that in the next e-ink. I use a wireless headset so having no speakers were fine with me. Sound was good.

[Lemurion]

I chose Scribd for two reasons:

1) Free year for being a Smashwords Author
2) Supports Android as well as iOS

I use it because it has Star Trek novels