Hi Sandy and list!I agree. I know that NLS and by association, many cooperating libraries have caught a lot of flack from patrons for seeming to ignore updating to digital formats. In fairness to NLS, the criticism isn't justified. But some libraries are trying various schemes to explore different methods of delivery, partly, I think, to quiet the rabble. Of course, they also want to know if they need to depend on NLS for everything, so they test alternative ways that offer a chance to get books in patrons' hands more quickly than the NLS process allows.
You know, we hear news faster now because we largely use the same sources as everyone else. One of the disadvantages of that is that we hear about a new book only to find we can't get it because it isn't available in an accessible format. Well, that isn't entirely untrue either, as any subscriber to Audible knows. But then there is cost associated with that potential opportunity that some can't and some are unwilling to pay. So in fairness to the libraries, they are looking for ways to give patrons what they want, which isn't a bad thing.
Even NLS is experimenting with more than the upcoming Daisy oriented players. A few months ago, I read a James Patterson book on cassette from NLS that had been taken from a mainstream producer. They made the recording conform to NLS specifications for speed and track, but those were the only modifications. As you might expect, the resulting decrease in fidelity was noticeable. The stupid bits of elevator music which mainstream producers often use to add a bit of ambiance was distracting if not annoying. I hope that trend doesn't continue.
About firmware updating, sure version 2.03 firmware has been around now for quite some time, so you might wonder why libaries experimenting with book ports haven't updated them. But then consider what features were added in the last version or two of the firmware. If the books used don't include Daisy markup, the changes in navigation commands wouldn't have made any difference anyway. The note taker is great and I love using it, but I don't think a library needs to be concerned about that because they aren't in the note taking business. They are in the reading business.
Unless the circumstances of the testing they are doing prohibits it, any tester can perform the update themselves. The cable is vailable commercially so they can buy one anywhere. The software is available free, so they can certainly install that and use it, unless the provisions of the testing prevents modification of the units being tested.
Cheers, Dave----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandy Licht" <slicht@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 3:43 AMSubject: [bookport] Re: Returning the Bookports' back to the library tomorrow will be sad. GRIN.
Something sure is strange here. Perhaps the Pennsylvania library is putting MP3 files on CF cards and testing the Bookport as a new medium? If that is what they are doing, they are sure behind the times. You would think someone in the library who is in charge of that sort of thing would also update their Bookports' firmware. Sure sounds messed up to me. And calling it Beta testing? Sounds a bit like Rip Van Winkle to me.At 09:54 AM 5/23/2007, lana wrote:So why test something that's been around years? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Woody Anna Dresner" <wadresner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 12:58 AMSubject: [bookport] Re: Returning the bookports back to the library tomorrowwill be sad. GRIN. > Hi Lana, >> I don't think there's even a working prototype of the Bookport 2 yet; > I'malmost certain they're using the original Book Port. > > Cheers, > Anna > > > -----Original Message----- > From: lana <lana5@xxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 6:56 PM > To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [bookport] Re: Returning the bookports back to the library tomorrow will be sad. GRIN. > > so now you've used it, will it play audible? Will it play those pesky > overdrive books? How usable is the word processor? Since I am in the middle> of what we shall call an adventure transfering music through my pc to > myDS > 50, I've come to REALLY appreciate Book Port's transfer software. Do > Audible books still take so long to convert? > You just thought you were having fun, didn't you. Grin. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Scott Erichsen" <pianoman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 10:40 PM > Subject: [bookport] Re: Returning the bookports back to the library tomorrow > will be sad. GRIN. > > > > So, are you saying this was a bookport2? > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] > > On Behalf Of The Kolesar Brothers > > Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2007 1:39 PM > > To: Book Port Mailing List> > Subject: [bookport] Returning the bookports back to the library > > tomorrow> > will be sad. GRIN. > > > > Hi to all, from Ron Kolesar. > > I figured out what was wrong with the one unit assigned to us to beta test > > for NLS. The first unit that we couldn't use, I got it back out and I was> > able to set the date and time. But on the second unit that we could > > use> but > > couldn't set the date and time on. Here is what was wrong with it. I would> > say that the unit needs to be looked over with a fine tooth comb. > > Well> both> > units need to be looked at. But unit one I heard what I was suppose > > to> hear. > >> > But in unit two I only heard a tone like beap and never was able to > > set> the > > date and time in that unit. But learned how to use the unit. As well > enjoyed > >> > the book Beach road by one of my favorite authors Mr. James > > Patterson.It > > was a huge book. GRIN.> > But from this beta testers opinion. It looks like it will be a nice > > unit> to> > come. I got three of my friends to also become beta testers. I hope > > they> > enjoy the unit as much as I am going to miss my unit. Like I told the > > library, the only thing that is missing is a radio. GRIN. But it is a nice > > compact unit. With several nice features in the unit. With each user there > > will be several different ways to use this little unit I bet. > > Ron Kolesar > > > > Matt and his sweet little bit of honey.> > Ron and Boz and Terry who is retired but still scrappy in her old > > age.> > KOLESAR16417@xxxxxxxxxxxx > > > > > > > > > > > -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/815 - Release Date: 5/22/2007 3:49 PMSandy Licht Jeremiah 29:11 - 14 A .11 For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. 14 I will be found by you," says the Lord.
