Looks like NPR is dropping Audible – As we formulate a more comprehensive strategy, we chose not to renew our agreement with Audible when it recently expired. We are now developing a new strategy for making NPR content downloadable and portable. Once the plan is finalized, we will announce it publicly. [via] Link. Here’s my review / HOW TO of Audible with their podcasting features…and on that note, I’ve been using CD audio books for the last month, and so far, working out great.

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I posted a link to the original story from a few months ago that has more information about the decision last January (2005) when NPR actually dropped Audible and the games Audible played to make it as painful as possible to their customers (or former customers are the case may be).
I hope PRI, & This American Life follows suit, I’m tired of downloading the realaudio files and then having to decode them and then re-encode just to listen on my iPod.
I’m never near a radio or remember to listen at a “X” time to catch it on air.
Since I am in Australia NPR is never on at a good time. I already listen on ipod – I use streamripper under linux to record all the good shows to mp3 from KUER. I am a KUER subscriber, I think this should be almost mandatory. I happen to like recording the real thing (vs. podcast) as you get all the ads and the quirky stuff like the student announcers rather than a less than live edited version.
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Make: School’s Out! Summer Fun Guide
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