AudioBooksForFree.com

Why haven't we heard more about AudioBooksForFree.com, based in Scotland? You can download free MP3 audios of dozens of classics ranging from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea to Enchanted Typewriter (a machine described in a summary as being able to "communicate with Hell"). I can't wait to see if in some way I can make this work with my Dell Axim PDA. For further details on the service, see the FAQ. At least to this sighted person, the UK site appears to be blind-friendly, with a text-only mode for screen readers. Perhaps David Faucheux can add his thoughts.

How long it'll take: With high-speed cable modem service, I downloaded Treasure Island (9 hours of listening time) in less than ten minutes. I put all the files in one folder on my PC and let WinAmp take off--reading them without my having to pause to reload. Nice!

Details: AudioForFree.com uses human readers--skillful ones at that. For high-quality audio, you must pay extra. Fair enough. Ideally, of course, a business model can be found to make even high-quality reproductions free. AudioBooksForFree also sells CDs, DVDs and MP3 machines preloaded with recordings. Librarians and others should check out the copyright page. Alas, there are few American authors compared to UK ones, but this is, after all, a Scottish site.