[Publib] Preventing audiobook downloads in branches

[Erik Adams]

Hello Bill, 

My library disables all USB ports on the public computer side in an effort
to maintain network security (and when I say all, I mean even our USB
powered laser mice have adapters to plug in to PS/2 ports). Since most
MP3/video players use USB to sync the data it limits our patrons' options.
On the other hand, we created a Data Transfer PC that is located off the
network that has open ports for USB, Firewire, and other memory cards in
addition to wireless internet, CD burning software and hardware, Windows
Media Player 10 (especially for its sync tool), iTunes, and the ability to
install personal software temporarily. Bandwidth hasn't been much of a
concern though the speed of the wireless internet connection is erratic
depending on how many people are using it and downloading high bandwidth
content.  

Regards,
Erik



-----Original Message-----
From: William Denton [mailto:wtd at pobox.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:25 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Preventing audiobook downloads in branches


Hello all,

Do any of you prevent users from downloading electronic audiobooks (from 
NetLibrary or Overdrive, for example) in branches, thereby forcing them to 
do it at home?  If so, is it for bandwidth reasons, restrictions on the 
computers, or something else?  They'd have to download a large file, save 
it, then plug in their MP3 player and synchronize it to handle the DRM. 
If any of you do prevent that, I'd be interested to hear why.

Thanks,

Bill
-- 
William Denton : Toronto, Canada : www.miskatonic.org : www.frbr.org
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