Let's pick my wish list apart. Let's see just how outrageous my
suggestions are and how they would transform, through wild disregard for
the current purpose of the BP, the unit into something else like a pocket
PC. Here is an annotated version of my wish list, showing just how radical
my changes are and how they will destroy life on this planet as we know
it:
HIGH PRIORITIES:
1. USB 2-enabled; the speed difference is substantial.
No functionality increase here, just a difference in speed for existing
functionality.
2. A true lock mode that doesn't activate the unit every time a key is
pressed;
Again, no increased functionality here, just more efficient use of an
existing function.
3. Seek to time feature; seeking by time is fine for short files, but seek
to time would still, in my mind, be desirable.
Yes, it's a new function, but it's well in keeping with BP's mandate.
Searching through a long audiobook MP3 can often be better facilitated by
jumping directly to a specified time.
4. Direct, no-vonversion-necessary, OGG Vorbis support.
Nothing new to learn, just a little more versatility in formats that are
allowable. Well with in BP's current mandate.
5. Option for an externally audible beep to indicate recording. The record
feature is really nice, but it gets less convenient if you have to put on
a pair of headphones each time to get the audible varification that you're
recording.
Nothing new to learn, unless the audible beep is configurable in the menu.
Just making an existing function more convenient.
6. Independent volume controls for voice and audio.
The volume differences between synthetic speech and audio are really quite
profound, and if you have the volume set right for a piece of audio, you
might miss error or warning messages the machine tries to give you.
7. More memory in the unit and a more modern processor, so that things
like necessary conversions, grade two translation, etc. could be done in
the unit and on the fly.
Offers speed increases and more flexibility for APH programmers.
Essentially it allows the BP itself to do what the software previous had
to do. What if you don't have an hour to transfer a large book to your
unit?
8. 4-GIG CF card support.
No new functionality here, just more potential versatility for those who
want it.
9. Correct mapping of the stereo channels to the correct speakers. Simple fix of a hardware bug, no new functionality.
12. Ability to sort directory listings automatically so files play in correct order.
3. Memorize latest point read in a file in case that point was inadvertently navigated away from; should work for audio and text files.
-- Bruce Toews E-mail and MSN/Windows Messenger: dogriver@xxxxxxxx Web Site (including info on my weekly commentaries): http://www.ogts.net Info on the Best TV Show of All Time: http://www.cornergas.com
On Thu, 18 Aug 2005, Scott D. Henning wrote:
Hi,
I only drop in sometimes, this discussion is interesting. The Pocket PC is the machine many are envisioning for raw horsepower and connectivity. The battery life is poor, but they are very mature devices now. If someone wrote a screen reader for it...we could experience true Windows power and frustration. Devices with a focus like Bookport can be more stable and can be easier to use, due to a lack of ambiguity. I actually feel the Bookport may already be too many things. I have hundreds of keystrokes to remember (so does everyone else here, smile), I actually think menu driven software and devices make sense when so many options are availible.
The Bookport can evolve, should evolve, but I do not think it should lose it's basic function in a wealth of features.
Scott D. Henning Cheif Engineer KSUT Public Radio
