[access-uk] access-uk] Re: National Library: Audio books in synthetic speech trial
- From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Jul 2005 06:58:41 +0100
Hi Steve and others here on this thread.
I certainly cannot criticise NLB for exploring the feasibility of providing
books using TTS. I have, in an earlier post, canvased the possibility of books
being released in a more secure text format so that anyone satisfied with
speech synthesis for reading can use that, otherwise refreshable Braille could
be an alternative for those who can read it. That brings with it the question
of affordability of Braille displays and whether some method of providing these
on lease-lend could be devised. That way users of speech or Braille could be
provided for.
What i have in mind for 'secured text' is a system, similar to BookShare, where
text files of books could be indelibly 'watermarked' and or licenced to users
who would obviously be prhibited by technoloogical means, as well as legal,
from redistributing a book.
So, I could use a refreshable Braille display for reading, while others could
use TTS via Mp3, or their own device, to read books. Complicated, yes. It
does have the advantage though of satisifying everyone's needs and preferences.
Ray
Personal emails: Email me at
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Bennett" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> There is an attitude of remoteness that worries me here Ray, especially
> when organisations like NLB could quite easy take the easy route in life
> and continue to produce Braille books without criticism.
>
> In my opinion the fact they have tried to make their content to others
> than readers of Braille is a credit to them. (Especially when their
> still so committed to Braille) The associated costs involved with
> narration with a human voice are huge even with volunteers. Just look at
> the model of RFB&D in the USA. They have umpteen studios with engineers
> in specially designed buildings. Even then often these books have 3 or
> more different narrators. (Sometimes with a head cold)
>
> Other organisations in the UK have these type of facilities and seek
> funding on this basis. What NLB have done is try to make best use of
> the existing text files to produce synthesised text and speech Daisy
> books. Should we really be asking for human narration from NLB to me
> this is the remit of others?
>
> My two penny worth.
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of Ray's Home
> Sent: 09 July 2005 13:55
> Yes indeed Steve, it is faster to produce a book using text to speech.
> It is cheaper too. That's my worry. This is being driven just as much
> by economics as it is for keeping up with the changing times and the
> declining numbers of Braille readers. Braille itself, of course, is
> exspensive to produce.
> No doubt if NLB were ever to consider using human readers, then more
> funding would have to be found, for this. The organisation of human
> recording can be dornting too. nonetheless I think that charities
> should be prepared to meet such challenges and not be driven exclusively
> by economic imperatives. Otherwise, why have charities? Some people in
> the disability rights movement would have plenty to say on that, but I
> shall not go there. Ray
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
>> Hi Ray,
>>
>> I think but I don't know for sure, that NLB's idea was speed. It is
>> quite slow to produce a book read by a human being, because you have
>> to record it in real time, whereas to produce a Daisy structured book
>> using TTS, is relatively fast.
>>
>> All the best
>> --
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