[access-uk] FW: Web Radio
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:59:44 +0100
Steve Tyler from RNIB has given permission to forward the
following which appeared on the BCAB list.
George.
-----Original Message-----
From: bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tyler, Steve
Sent: 18 April 2008 11:22
To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bcab] Re: Web Radio
I want to clarify some of the position taken by RNIB in this
area. It is any-one's right to speculate about RNIB and its
actions, and that is just fine. I can't detail all here
however but want to pick up a couple of points. I'm
responding to this thread but also on some general themes
that i've noticed running through some discussion more
recently.
and by the way, if you don't read any further than this,
suffice to say that we will deliver some excellent solutions
(in partnership).
The first and obvious one is that RNIB is comprised of a
number of people who are actually trying to get the best
possible options available for every-one; to some this will
be unbelievable but I can assure you that that is the case
and for those very interested I'm happy to have off-line
conversations within limits. Within limits because if I
answered all questions on these types of issues on lists
even less than I and colleagues are able to do would
actually get done.
So, issues to clarify:
* Open Access: we are working on an open access protocol
that will allow devices to talk to a range of server-side
systems. In other words, we believe that we should not be
manufacturer dependent where the net is concerned and
therefore as many manufacturers that we can get to do so
ideally would use an open standard for talking to on-line
systems;
* Internet radio is one of the many things going on on the
internet which lend themselves well to delivery via non-pc
looking or non-pc based devices - book delivery, podcasting,
newsfeeds, etc.. Some of you will be aware that we have
developed an infrastructure (currently in its first phase)
that will help deliver some of these options and at present
it is streaming audio;
* There are serious technical constraints in this area if
you are doing stuff without a pc. For example, accessing a
wireless router easily from a device that doesn't have a pc
interface, or that is secure, is a real challenge. The
support that would be rquired if that isn't got right (and
the furstration from every-one) would be immense;
* The offering in the Netherlands using solutions radio was
very, very specific. It was driven by churches wanting to
deliver church services in to people's homes on a sunday
morning, aimed at those that couldn't make it to church.
That has informed the infrastructure, product, service
methodology, etc, of solutions radio. At this stage in the
UK at least there hasn't been a push like that and in fact
we have started from a very different place - the drivers
here have been more about accessing books and magazines
on-line, along with of course all the potential other
services that might come about. So the RNIB findings are
very positive about solutions radio and what it's doing;
* There are specific issues that came out of the report and
also are easily observable from what I've just written
around where we want to be and what customers seem to be
saying to us, versus what is there. An obvious example is
the need for synthetic speech, which would make a product
very attractive with respect to delivery of textual
information etc. And then there are cosmetic things that
customers didn't like - these customers by the way are
representative of all of us they are not "plants" or
anything else;
* On the issue of being representative and receptive to
customers, I have alluded to the trials currently happening
around book delivery. Currently these are stremed and are
paid for. this is deliberate. we need to ensure that what
customers say or think they want is really what they
actually want. One of the biggest issues around marketing
any new product or service is that people often say all
kinds of things about what they would be prepared to pay and
what they would want or need - the reality is often
different when you check behaviour against what is said in
surveys;
* Just for the record, RNIB is not in to making money out of
vi customers. Again, you will choose for yourself whether
you believe that or not, but factually, it is not. However,
it is in to sustainable services - there is no point in
running services that consume massive subsidies which result
either in there being a major cap on the numbers of people
that can use a new service, or where the service is
launched and then withdrawn because it can't be made to
financially work. We've been there, and got the tee-shirt
for that one along with many other agencies. I for one am
glad that has gone. Instead, I as a customer expect
professional, business-like service from a service oriented,
customer centred organisation that delivers stuff I actually
want. So that's where we strive to be - not always
fantastically well but that's the ambition;
* We are acutely aware that some of the new technologies now
availble to us allow us to deliver things to people that are
not at all technically savvy. (Just so we're clear, that
means not you guys and me!) in order for you to be reading
this email, and me writing it, by definition, means that you
are looking for very different things to those who are not
technically savvy; at least, sometimes that is true,
sometimes that is not. Making some of the possibilities a
reality for those that don't even know that they want
something you will hopefully agree is a challenge. I know
the power of the net, the possibilities it gives me, the
complete change in life it has meant - but lots of people
really don't! or if they do, it is a truely bewildering
place with concepts that are extremely alien. So yes, we
are struggling to ensure we support and deliver things that
are world-changing, life-changing, in a way that is a
pleasure to people rather than an additional nightmare.
These
new possibilities though come at a price - infrastructure,
cost to the consumer, learning by the consumer, etc - so
making the right decisions are vital;
* Finally, for the record, no we don't have intentions to
take things over or stop things happening. But we do have
intentions to spend the small amount of funding we have
wisely and in the best interest of the maximum number -
hence, open standards, trials, evaluations, and finally a
customer informed offering. You will agree, however, I'm
sure, that for a very long time there has been massive
challenge between and within the organisations that are
supposed to support us as blind and partially sighted
people. Hence vision 2020 - with the notion of all the
major organisations pulling in the same direction. If you
don't know about this initiative there ar lots of things
written about it and you can find it on rnib website amongst
other places. Streamlining services, joining forces, not
adding to endless options with pieces of the jigsaw in one
place and pieces somewhere completely different with no-one
telling you about it - that's what we're trying to do in
service deliv
ery and other ways.
I have written some detailed stuff about some of the things
going on in technology and some of the access challenges and
what's happening in NB. I have those articles for those
interested (again off-line please).
There has been loads of discussion recently on the work done
by manchester university people etc.. There are politics
here, as always, and lots of views - none correct or
incorrect often, by the way, just opinion. but one thing is
for sure - re-rendering information is becoming an important
area, some of which we might take advantage of. try
accessing regular websites on a pda or mobile device? try
doing shopping on TV even with sight? how about access to
websites or net-based services using synthetic speech by
phone? how about security issues versus protection of our
data? how about the challenges of virtual worlds - love them
or loathe them these areas of the net are growing not just
in popularity but making their way in to work-based
environments and business tools, and regular websites. So
the issue of information transformation or transcoding is
major - people find things easier to do than others or more
acceptable one way than other ways. Standards are still
import
ant by the way even in trascoding issues - without the
standards you couldn't sensibly transcode.
Checking stuff out and doing research is a way of finding
out about this kind of changing landscape.
Ok, so I've either confused things even more, or may be made
a slight difference to how you might imagine rnib is dealing
in this area. to re-assure yourselves, become members,
become a trustee, join your local organisation and influence
us, get BCAB to put your points and get answers ... by all
means speculate about how horrific rnib is and what it's
motives are but i'm an ordinary guy chaps - and i work with
lots of ordinary guys and ordinary gals in an organisation
called rnib.
I will not be drawn further on this for the moment - if you
want to email separatley that's fine.
Back in to my box for a bit then! I've taken enough
bandwidth
for a bit.
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