[bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
- From: "Don Barrett" <donter@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:34:33 -0400
You are correct sir.
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Bruce Toews
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 1:57 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] Re: NLS downloadable books
I'm not an American, but I do follow this stuff, and I think this is
separate from, and in addition to, Web Braille.
Bruce
--
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On Sun, 8 Jul 2007, Don Barrett wrote:
> 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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