[bksvol-discuss] Re: bookshare and web braille

  • From: "Allison" <alwaysallie@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sun, 5 Dec 2004 20:47:04 -0500

Hmmm, interesting idea.  I've actually thought about that a bit myself.  I 
happen to think that, often times, Bookshare does a better job than Web 
Braille.  For example, I've downloaded books there that, upon opening the file, 
it turns out to be something other than it is named as.  A totally different 
book inside!  Isn't that bizarre?  Anyone else had that problem?  

Anyway, back to the original point, yes, it seems like it would be a good idea 
to make NLS available to Bookshare members remotely.  Or, better still, let 
Bookshare incorporate Web Braille into it's own collection in some way.  , more 
quick and concise for those searching for books.  My guess is that it would be 
hard to do though since NLS is through a government agency.  Probably lots of 
red tape for something that seems like it could be a simple matter!  <smile>. 

I also happen to like the Bookshare BRF files better because they are not 
broken down into separate volumes like NLS is.  If one is reading it on a 
Braille display, who cares what volume it is, right?  I get annoyed having to 
download like five separate files for one book.  

Some days I get so frustrated with Web Braille quality, that I just wanna tear 
the file up into little electronic peaces, clean them up, and then put them 
back together inn consistent way, and then submit it, as a nice clean copy, to 
Bookshare.  If it wasn't done for credit, why can't this be done?  Anyone know? 
 It's not like submitting someone else's work, cuz no one is getting credit for 
it, it's just being placed in a more easily accessed format.  Not only this, 
but it could be put into Daisy format for those who do not have BRF access, but 
who enjoy books on their computer.

Okay, there's my idealistic mind wandering again.  I shouldn't let it out on 
it's own. <smile>.

Allison H. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Allison Mervis 
  Subject: [bksvol-discuss] bookshare and web braille


  Hi everyone!
  I am not sure if this question has been previously asked, but why can't some 
agreement be reached between bookshare and NLS so that bookshare users can 
directly or remotely download web Braille books? Think of how this would 
increase the size of the collection! There have been many incidences where I 
could not find a book on bookshare but found it on web Braille. An example of 
this is The Duchess by Bertrice Small. Let me know your thoughts.
  Allison

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