Hi Pamela and list,I have no doubt that APH will, if possible, enable the NLS digital books to be playable on the current Bookport.
The flash memory that NLS will be delivering these books on has no bearing on the matter. This memory, which may change in type from time to time, will be housed in a cartridge that is close in size to a cassette tape. I think it is clear that it is not possible to modify the current Bookport to accommodate this cartridge nor would it be feasible to enlarge a future BookPort to allow the use of the NLS cartridge. I doubt that APH would want to do this when there are other methods to accomplish the desired result. I think that the new Book Port would be smaller or at least no larger. I say these things to point out that the flash memory that NLS uses is not the issue at all.
NLS recognizes that their new machine, although smaller than the cassette machine, is at 2 pounds not truly portable. Some manufactrrers will probably produce a smaller and lighter machine that will play the cartridges but for Bookport users this will be a step backwords even if the new Bookport is capable of doint this. Thankfully, NLS will be providing a website where the books can be downloaded without the limitation of one book per 256 MB cartridge. NLS will be providing encryption keys to be incorporated into devices specifcally intended for use by eligible persons. The big question then is: Will this be possible with the current Book Port. At this point I don't think that anyone has sufficient information to make that determination. It has been said many times that the Bookport has a very limited capacity for firmware updates and there is the question whether the Daisy format being used is supported by the current Bookport.
According to NLS website they will produce 2000 new titles and convert 1600 older analog titles to digital per year. This process started in 2004 and the goal is to have 20,000 digital books available by 2008. That means that there several thousand titles ready but not available right now. How timely the new productions are anybody's guess but if they aren't availabe soon they won't be.
Hopefully there will be some real answers soon. Richard----- Original Message ----- From: "Russ & Valerie" <valruss@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 6:50 AM Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS Beta Program
Pamela; Well put.----- Original Message ----- From: "PAMELA RADER" <PRADER@xxxxxxx>To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, 06 November, 2006 09 14 Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS Beta ProgramHello Don and Others: First of all, since the NLS digital structure is still under development, it is too soon to know exactly what we are and aren't going to do. However, given what we know thus far, I can tell you what I've been told so far. Because the new NLS format will use something other than a Compact Flash Card like the one the Book Port uses, it is very doubtful that the current Book Port will be able to play the new books. Also, you are talking about making changes to the current hardware, which I seriously doubt we will be doing, since we are already in the midst of designing a new unit, which will be a whole new design, we won't be making any changes in the current unit and its design. It'd be very difficult to keep two designs going and 2 units, especially if you are a nonproffit company. You have to do what is best for the whole picture. That's not to say that we won't continue to support the current Book Port, because we will. We will and are currently fixing any problems that come up with respect to it's current functionality. One of the reasons for this new design is because of the changes in technology and the changes at NLS. As you know, technology is always changing and you have to change with it. However, there's only so much you can cram into one box, thus, when the box gets overcrowded or can't expand any further, due to hardware limitations or whatever, then you have to make a new box. This question has come up many times before and our programming staff has assured us that we are staying in touch with the NLS program, after all, we do a lot of work for them and it would stand to reason that we are looking into it. It's not like it's going to sneak up on us one day. We get many phone calls on this particular issue, as you might expect ( in fact, I got one on Friday from the originator of this message). I realize it's a hot topic and one that we are all anxious about. Unfortunately, we are all going to have to be patient, while all of this is worked out. There could be some technical things that I'm not aware of, but I feel quite certain that if it were at all possible to make the current machine play NLS books, we would do it, because it would be in our best interest to do so. If it can't, then you do something else. As you all know, any time you are in the middle of developing something, situations come up that can sometimes push things back. At first, we were told that the new Book Port would be ready by the first of the year. Now, it has been moved back to late Spring or early Summer. That's the best answer I can give you at this point. I'm sure if Larry has something else to add, he'll do so, when he has time (in between developing and working with the new unit and all of the other things we're coming out with in the coming year). I realize that some of you will be upset with this message, because you want the current unit to support the new NLS format. As I've said before, technology is an everchanging facet. There are many people who've purchased Braille 'N Speaks just this year and when the next note taker or PDA comes out, they'll have the same questions and issues and be upset because they have to decide whether or not to continue using what they have or move onto something else. Eventually, as with the Braille 'N Speak and the current Book Port, parts become hard to get or dry up and you have to move on and do something else. The cassette will be a thing of the past. As difficult as it may be to believe, we still sell a lot of cassette machines. Eventually, those people are going to be left out in the cold. I feel for those people who won't be able to move forward into the next thing. Fortunately, NLS will provide something we can play our books on, I just hope it's something that will be easy for them to use as well. Anyway, that's a whole other soapbox for another time. The point is--we are doing what we can and we will have to stay tuned. This is just my take on the issue, for what it's worth. Since I'm just the Technical Support Specialist, this and 80 cents might get you a cup of coffee or a pack of Rollaides. Anyway, we do hear you loud and clear and are taking your wishes seriously. Pamela Rader, TECHNICAL SUPPORT American Printing House For The Blind 1839 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206 PHONE: 1-800-223-1839, Ext. 307donter@xxxxxxxxxxx 11/03/06 08:08PM >>>I've been off of the list for a bit so if this has already been covered, someone please straighten me out, but if not, it really is time for it to be addressed directly by APH. As you know, the NLS beta program testing the facility to download and read digital books is proceeding quite well. I am told that the site may be available to all NLS patrons sometime around the middle of 2007. Since the handling of these materials by the BookPort will require hardware, firmware, and software changes, it would seem that time is of the essence if the Bookport is to undergo a redesign, pass all of the rigorous beta and other testing, and make a smooth transition to allowing its owners to read NLS-produced materials in digital form when the site becomes available. Can you all shed any light on this? I can just imagine that when the NLS site goes live, any device that is not ready to deal with those materials will suffer much negative press to say nothing of decreased sales and popularity. Since the BookPort is probably the coolest device invented since the electric coffee-maker, I would hate to see it undergo such a bumpy transition. NLS implementation time just is not that far off, and I believe APH has a responsibility to its customers to make a public commitment to support this reading system for the blind which will be free and available to all non-print reading citizens. As I say, I may have missed this discussion, so if this has already happened, I will gladly back off, and wait for it all to play out. On the other hand, APH has been alluding to a new unit for literally years, and given the true closeness of the NLS implementation date (perhaps half a year or there abouts to if all goes well), we really need the real deal and soon. Please what is going on. Don Barrett -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.29/520 - Release Date: 11/6/2006