Pam, Thanks for the candid and forthright note. I think we all
fully
appreciate that the current model has reached its zenith in terms
of the
formats it can handle, and I for one, wouldn't expect it to handle
newer
formats, such as the one NLS is working on. When I spoke of being
curious
about hardware redesign, I was referring to finding out about
efforts to
redesign the new unit, which, as you have stated, is being done as
we speak.
Knowing that a new unit is in the works for release some time in 2007
certainly puts my mind at rest about the subject.
The nice thing about having the downloadable books from NLS is
that the
BookPort won't have to worry about using any specialized type of
card. If,
as you all intimate, the new unit will support the new NLS format,
then
books can simply be transferred to whatever card the new unit will
take, and
reading will be a breeze.
Since I was the one who created such a flurry about this topic on
the list,
I am now happy, given Larry and Pam's responses, to wait to see
what the
coming year will bring.
Believe it or not, even I can be patient and quiet for a while,
and besides,
Walt, the list Sergeant at Arms, won't let me get away with being
too pushy.
Don
"-----Original Message-----
"From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"[mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of PAMELA RADER
"Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 9:14 AM
"To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS Beta Program
"
"Hello Don and Others:
"
"First of all, since the NLS digital structure is still under
"development, it is too soon to know exactly what we are and
"aren't going to do. However, given what we know thus far, I
"can tell you what I've been told so far. Because the new NLS
"format will use something other than a Compact Flash Card like
"the one the Book Port uses, it is very doubtful that the
"current Book Port will be able to play the new books.
"Also, you are talking about making changes to the current
"hardware, which I seriously doubt we will be doing, since we
"are already in the midst of designing a new unit, which will
"be a whole new design, we won't be making any changes in the
"current unit and its design. It'd be very difficult to keep
"two designs going and 2 units, especially if you are a
"nonproffit company. You have to do what is best for the whole
"picture. That's not to say that we won't continue to support
"the current Book Port, because we will. We will and are
"currently fixing any problems that come up with respect to
"it's current functionality.
"One of the reasons for this new design is because of the
"changes in technology and the changes at NLS. As you know,
"technology is always changing and you have to change with it.
"However, there's only so much you can cram into one box, thus,
"when the box gets overcrowded or can't expand any further, due
"to hardware limitations or whatever, then you have to make a
"new box. This question has come up many times before and our
"programming staff has assured us that we are staying in touch
"with the NLS program, after all, we do a lot of work for them
"and it would stand to reason that we are looking into it.
"It's not like it's going to sneak up on us one day. We get
"many phone calls on this particular issue, as you might expect
"( in fact, I got one on Friday from the originator of this
"message). I realize it's a hot topic and one that we are all
"anxious about. Unfortunately, we are all going to have to be
"patient, while all of this is worked out. There could be some
"technical things that I'm not aware of, but I feel quite
"certain that if it were at all possible to make the current
"machine play NLS books, we would do it, because it would be in
"our best interest to do so. If it can't, then you do
"something else. As you all know, any time you are in the
"middle of developing something, situations come up that can
"sometimes push things back. At first, we were told that the
"new Book Port would be ready by the first of the year. Now, it
"has been moved back to late Spring or early Summer. That's
"the best answer I can give you at this point. I'm sure if
"Larry has something else to add, he'll do so, when he has time
"(in between developing and working with the new unit and all
"of the other things we're coming out with in the coming year).
" I realize that some of you will be upset with this message,
"because you want the current unit to support the new NLS
"format. As I've said before, technology is an everchanging
"facet. There are many people who've purchased Braille 'N
"Speaks just this year and when the next note taker or PDA
"comes out, they'll have the same questions and issues and be
"upset because they have to decide whether or not to continue
"using what they have or move onto something else. Eventually,
"as with the Braille 'N Speak and the current Book Port, parts
"become hard to get or dry up and you have to move on and do
"something else. The cassette will be a thing of the past. As
"difficult as it may be to believe, we still sell a lot of
"cassette machines. Eventually, those people are going to be
"left out in the cold. I feel for those people who won't be
"able to move forward into the next thing. Fortunately, NLS
"will provide something we can play our books on, I just hope
"it's something that will be easy for them to use as well.
"Anyway, that's a whole other soapbox for another time. The
"point is--we are doing what we can and we will have to stay
"tuned. This is just my take on the issue, for what it's
"worth. Since I'm just the Technical Support Specialist, this
"and 80 cents might get you a cup of coffee or a pack of
"Rollaides. Anyway, we do hear you loud and clear and are
"taking your wishes seriously.
"
"
"
"
"Pamela Rader, TECHNICAL SUPPORT
"American Printing House For The Blind
"1839 Frankfort Ave.
"Louisville, KY 40206
"
"PHONE: 1-800-223-1839, Ext. 307
"
"
">>> donter@xxxxxxxxxxx 11/03/06 08:08PM >>>
"I've been off of the list for a bit so if this has already
"been covered, someone please straighten me out, but if not, it
"really is time for it to be addressed directly by APH.
"
"As you know, the NLS beta program testing the facility to
"download and read digital books is proceeding quite well. I
"am told that the site may be available to all NLS patrons
"sometime around the middle of 2007. Since the handling of
"these materials by the BookPort will require hardware,
"firmware, and software changes, it would seem that time is of
"the essence if the Bookport is to undergo a redesign, pass all
"of the rigorous beta and other testing, and make a smooth
"transition to allowing its owners to read NLS-produced
"materials in digital form when the site becomes available.
"Can you all shed any light on this? I can just imagine that
"when the NLS site goes live, any device that is not ready to
"deal with those materials will suffer much negative press to
"say nothing of decreased sales and popularity. Since the
"BookPort is probably the coolest device invented since the
"electric coffee-maker, I would hate to see it undergo such a
"bumpy transition. NLS implementation time just is not that
"far off, and I believe APH has a responsibility to its
"customers to make a public commitment to support this reading
"system for the blind which will be free and available to all
"non-print reading citizens. As I say, I may have missed this
"discussion, so if this has already happened, I will gladly
"back off, and wait for it all to play out.
"
"On the other hand, APH has been alluding to a new unit for
"literally years, and given the true closeness of the NLS
"implementation date (perhaps half a year or there abouts to if
"all goes well), we really need the real deal and soon. Please
"what is going on.
"
"Don Barrett
"
"
"
"
__________ NOD32 1.1786 (20061002) Information __________
This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com
