Internet Archive? having a laugh, or for real?

[visionman]

Hi Guys, anyone currently using or familiar with the Internet Archive? Tried to sign up, but
was messed around with, (ist) Screen name, someone always had mine, (2nd) when i was able to get to the submit button i was then asked to complete the sneaky Captha picture option ?. then the screen name flagged up again with, this name is already taken. Anyone know anything about this archive. I looked at some digitally imaged, (scanned and photographed) books that were in print, these books also had an option to buy at amazon. I closed the site and checked my e mail account to see if hitting the submit button had registered me. I found an e mail ad from amazon? If this archive site is sound i will give it another try signing in , but at the moment i am doubtful about this archive.

[DB83]

Used the site for many years without issue.


The only purpose in registering/signing-in would be to upload.

I can not comment on still-in-print items since I have only accessed out-of-copyright material which can (or could when I last used it) be downloaded in several forms.

[visionman]

Same here, used site only for out of print books. No need to sign in, although some of the downloads were a bit iffy, could be due to wrong format or not proper software installed. Imaged out of print books for free to download ! good idea. Other specialist sites do the same. The Internet Archive are suggesting you can borrow digitally delivered books (encrypted with a DRM). for a limited period just like the LIBBY app from the local UK library. These books have been copied from original book source, by DIY enthusiasts using scanners and cameras, usually keeping the integrity of the original book pages.
Useful resource for out of print titles, just wondering if the borrowing part is too good to be true... it probably is.

[DB83]

There is another free current service for in-print books from 'local' libraries. It is called "BorrowBox". You might have to consult your actual physical local library to get the the log-in details.

No direct downloading and books or audio-books are "returned to sender" automatically after 3 weeks

[VoodooFX]

Borrowing works OK there.

But I don't bother with it, you can download any book from there with Archive.org Downloader:
https://github.com/MiniGlome/Archive.org-Downloader
https://github.com/alo-beep/Archive.org-Downloader

[visionman]

Hi VoodooFX, thanks for the links, is there a user guide, how to use archive .org-downloader ? Is this software specific for the Internet archive? I cant even get signed into the Internet archive site to access the borrowable books. The other type are OK to download, sometimes? sometimes wonky!

[visionman]

Thanks DB83 got the full tutorial Libby, at the local library, installed, fully working all the how tos, and two fully illustrated handouts for libby and Borrowbox. Cheers