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
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