[bookport] Re: My Last Word on Feature Changes
- From: "Richard Ring" <ring.richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:28:56 -0500
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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