[bookport] Re: My Last Word on Feature Changes
- From: "Rick Alfaro" <rick.alfaro@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 14:02:03 -0400
Larry,
Thanks for confirming what I thought all along and that is that all ideas
are welcome, and that creativity and innovation is not discouraged on this
list.
--Best regards,
--Rick Alfaro
--rick.alfaro@xxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of LARRY SKUTCHAN
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 1:24 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] Re: My Last Word on Feature Changes
Bruce:
That is a great list, and I am happy to say that it is all reasonable.
I cannot, however, provide any information about what we are actually doing
and when we are or are not doing it. We actually have a few more on our
list, but...
One thing: you don't have to justify your ideas, just let them flow.
>>> dgillespie@xxxxxxxxxx Saturday, September 17, 2005 8:27:42 PM >>>
Hi Richard and all:
I feel the exact opposite is true with most on this list. People are
stimulated to make feature suggestions to only improve an already excellent
product. It is a comfort level in knowing the APH developers monitor this
list and a way to provide solid feedback directly through the pipeline to
them.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Ring" <ring.richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 5:28 PM
Subject: [bookport] Re: My Last Word on Feature Changes
> No, I don't believe that all feature requests are a result of
> dissatisfaction, however I do sense that many individuals seem to
feel
> that the unit is seriously flawed. All of the units specifications
are
> public knowledge, and I simply feel that if those who feel that the
> device does not meet their needs had taken the time to find out
exactly
> what the machine can and cannot do, they would not be as unhappy
with
> their purchase as some seem to be.
> I am glad that the device plays MP3 files, I don't use it for that,
but
> I am glad it does.
> I have experimented with its MP3 navigation, and I find it
wonderful.
> I wish there was a way to save settings to the compact flash card so
as
> to allow you to reload your previous settings after a crash, but
that's
> about all I want.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gary Wunder
> Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 4:19 PM
> To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bookport] Re: My Last Word on Feature Changes
>
>
> Hi Richard. You may be right, but in my case my suggestions for
> enhancements have come not from a dissatisfaction with the unit
> but the very opposite - observing just how much the APH folks can
> make the unit do now that it didn't do when first I saw and
> purchased one. It was fantastic when I purchased it, but it
> couldn't handle MP3 very well unless it had come through the
> transfer software and now these play fine. I couldn't move files
> to different folders, but now I can. This is a fine fine machine,
> and I hope no one interprets observations and suggestions as
> regrets for a tremendous purchase.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Richard Ring" <ring.richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 3:55 PM
> Subject: [bookport] Re: My Last Word on Feature Changes
>
>
> I have one thought on this subject.
> It seems that many individuals on this list have purchased the
> Bookport
> who now find it lacking in many features they would like the
> device to
> have.
> Perhaps it would have been a good idea for individuals to
> research the
> product thoroughly before purchase so as to not become so
> disappointed
> and frustrated with the current unit.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Neal Ewers
> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 4:23 PM
> To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bookport] Re: My Last Word on Feature Changes
>
>
> Bruce, nice list. I didn't see it when you posted it originally.
> Thanks for sharing it again.
>
> Neal
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bruce Toews
> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 4:14 PM
> To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bookport] My Last Word on Feature Changes
>
>
> As my very last word ever on the subject of suggestions for new
> features
> and so on, I wil repost my annotated wish list, lest people like
> Walt
> think I am trying to turn the BP into something other than what
> it is.
>
> After this post, I assure you this is the last you'll hear from
> me on
> this
> list about not-yet-implemented changes.
>
> 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.
>
> 10. Still-finer control of volume.
> No increased options to learn, just a finer control over how loud
> you
> want your
> unit to be for those of us whose ideal volume is between two
> existing
> volume
> levels.
>
> 11. Eliminate transfer limit of 250 MB
> Just the removal of a restriction that inhibits transfering of
> DAISY
> books on
> CD. No new functionality.
>
> 12. Ability to sort directory listings automatically so files
> play in
> correct order.
>
> Again, BP's mandate is served by this, some purchased MP3 books
> are
> numerically
> named and it is helpful to know what order you're going to hear
> your
> book in.
> No new outward functionality, but a smoother reading experience.
>
> Lower-Priority:
> 1. Third battery to run the clock.
> This could be a small watch battery which would probably last for
> years, since
> it's just running a clock, not displaying or saying anything.
>
> 2. Ability to write error messages to files so that line numbers
> need
> not be
> memorized.
> Handy for beta testing.
>
> 3. Memorize latest point read in a file in case that point was
> inadvertently navigated away from; should work for audio and text
> files.
>
> Not terribly ground-breaking, just a way to get to the last point
> read
> in case
> you inadvertently lean on the go-to-top feature or something.
>
> I utterly fail to see what is so outrageous about these
> suggestions,
> or how
> these suggestions turn the BP into something other than what it
> is.
> With the
> exception of the rewiring to correct the switched stereo channels
> and
> a clock
> backup battery, everyon one of these suggestions is directly
> relevant
> to book
> reading. I am not asking for PDA functions, for Internet support,
> or
> anything
> else that doesn't directly fit into BP's reason for being. My
> list
> isn't
> suggesting radios, external speakers, WIFI support, spell
> checkers,
> dictionaries, blood pressure gauges, dehumidifiers, or anything
> else
> like that.
> I was very deliberately thinking of the BP's mandate, what it's
> here
> for, and
> what its potential, with redesign, could be to improve on its
> existing
> features
> and purposes.
>
> --
> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
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