[bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
- From: "Linda Davis" <lindamay.davis@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:50:03 -0400
I thank you for your comments, and fully agree with you. I am anxious to see
the new players and to be able to download the books to my computer so I can
read them. What a pleasure it will be to be able to read a book and not have
all of the book there just to have to try to get another copy because of
missing tapes or tapes that break. It can't come sooon enough for me, but, I
will try to be patient.
Linda
----- 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.
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