[bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
- From: "Don Barrett" <donter@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2007 17:28:43 -0400
Just as new ways of producing digital audio come to be, new ways of
capturing and making available electronic text readable by deaf blind
individuals will happen also.
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of David Allen
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 5:25 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
Hi Tat!
Sorry to sound harsh, but as it seems, you will be able to benefit from this
technology about as much as you do audio cassettes.
While I have my own reasons for wanting to jump on the band wagon, I think
most will be disappointed when they get there, particularly if they get
there as soon as they are screaming for it. The variety of things they
expect won't be there for them.
Cheers,
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tataindi" <tataindi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 7:16 AM
Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
> Yes, I understand, but my question was about how deaf blind people will be
> able to benefit from the new digital age. Do you know?
> In one occasion I asked this emailed this question to NLS, but nobody
> answered.
> Tat
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Barrett" <donter@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 1:48 PM
> Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
>
>
>> Sorry, these books are digital audio only.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>> On Behalf Of Tataindi
>> Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 1:24 PM
>> To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I have a question, please.
>> Do you know in what way this digital books will be accessible for
>> deaf-blind
>> people?
>> Will be any way to read them using a Braille line, such as now happens
>> with
>> the books from the web Braille?
>> Thanks,
>> Tat
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: DanFlasar@xxxxxxx
>> To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 1:12 PM
>> Subject: [bookport] NLS downloadable books
>>
>>
>> Okay, here's some valid information about the NLS books.
>> I've been a beta tester for the NLS download site for their
>> digital talking books. The site already exists and has since at least
>> since
>> early November. Books are being added at a rate of around 100-200/week.
>> We play them on modified Victor Readers (a slot to insert an SD chip was
>> added). It is not the machine that will be distributed. There are about
>> 100 beta testers who keep in touch via listserv in their evaluations of
>> the
>> projects download speed, download errors, navigability of the digital
>> books,
>> problems with unzipping the files, problems in playing the files and so
>> on.
>> The emphasis is on the ease of use of the download site. We have
>> discussed
>> all the questions brought up in this thread many, many times so I will
>> answer them to the best of my ability.
>>
>> 1. Yes, NLS will be distributing a free player to all patrons. This
>> machine will replace the current cassette players, which are no longer
>> being
>> produced. Cassettes will be phased out entirely by 2012. I've seen the
>> machine at a lecture given by the project manager. It will come in two
>> forms - one is a simplified one for those who don't want to do things
>> like
>> add bookmarks or download their own books. The other is the more advanced
>> system similar in function to the Victor Reader.
>>
>> 2. There will be no software reader for the books. So far, they
>> have not been able to come up with an adequate copyright protection
>> mechanism.
>>
>> 3. The books will be available in two ways: you can call your NLS
>> affiliated library (or get on the web as now, choose your book and
>> request
>> it to be mailed to you. The books will come on a special cartridge
>> holding
>> an SD chip. The cartridges must be returned to the library after
>> reading
>> is completed. Cartridges will be available for sale from various sources
>> so
>> you can download your own books.
>>
>> 4. For those so interested (like all of us beta testers and
>> probably all of you), you will be able to go to the website and download
>> your books to your PC or some removable media. But the books must then
>> be
>> transferred to a cartridge. You may, by the way, copy your books from a
>> library cartridge to your PC. You may keep the books, but you may not,
>> of
>> course, distribute them.
>>
>> 5. The machines will be distributed as stated, to veterans first -
>> if they want them, then to those who specifically request them, then to
>> the
>> general readership. Most people are not early adaptors so you should
>> have
>> a good chance of receiving a machine within the next year. The plan is
>> to
>> start sending the first units out in early 2008.
>>
>> 6. I honestly don't know when the site will open up to the general
>> readership - I'd heard this Fall, though. It is moot unless you have a
>> Victor Stream. Someone mentioned a modified Victor Reader such as the
>> ones
>> issued to us. As far as I know, those are NOT for sale they were
>> specifically created for our beta project, but I could be wrong about
>> that.
>> The Bookport 2 is the only other announced NLS digital book reading
>> platform
>> but as we all know, it's not out yet. There will no doubt be others.
>>
>> 7. I have heard that there will be a project to beta test the new
>> players but I have no info on that.
>>
>> 8. Unlike RFB&D books, the NLS books will not be searchable by
>> page number, which was a big disappointment to many of us. But we can
>> navigate, in general, by part, section, heading, chapter and subheading.
>> Really good for magazines, poetry and nonfiction.
>>
>> 9. No, you can't get access to the site, even to look. It is
>> hyper-secured, nor can you join the discussion list.
>>
>> 10. I like the new NLS books very much, I like the new player a
>> lot, I love being able to download books (which can take a bit of time
>> depending on your line speed. If you use a modem, it will take a very
>> long
>> time because these aren't text files - they're audio files. it will be
>> worth the wait, however.
>>
>> An Editorial:
>> I know it's common in some circles to criticize the NLS or the
>> federal government. I feel the need to provide a reality check. It is
>> disingenuous to slam the government or an agency because they are not
>> able
>> to provide a free, and necessary, service like the Talking Books program
>> to
>> us as quickly as we would like. You all know that there was an
>> unexpected
>> snag in funding a month ago. NLS did not get as much funding as needed
>> so a
>> delay is not unreasonable. I don't work for the feds - or any state or
>> local
>> government, nor am I a fan of the current administration. But I consider
>> the
>> service NLS has provided to me ever since I lost my vision to be a lot
>> better than those provided by the private sector which, with rare
>> exceptions, has to be dragged kicking and screaming to provide access to
>> all
>> citizens, regardless of ability or disability.
>>
>> Dan F.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
>> See what's free at AOL.com
>> <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503> .
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
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