I have seen this behavior as well, but the number of books depends on the speed of the card. I also assume that you had formatted the card with Book Port as doing it that way optimizes the file system for best use with Book Port. I have seen anywhere from 30 to 50 being the number that begins to slow things down. Of course, if you delete book number 5, then put a new book on the unit, it will usually use slot number 5, so it will not be slow. >>> ptorpey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thursday, April 28, 2005 7:53:22 PM >>> Well, I don't understand this behavior either for a CF card. Maybe I can never use this folder again and must eventually delete it? This would mean that you can't keep on putting books in a particular directory, wiping them out, putting more, etc. without leading to degraded responsiveness. In either case, this is very strange performance. Maybe the folks at APH can enlighten us. -- Pete Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 11:35:47 -0400 From: "MICHAEL MCCARTY" <mmccarty@xxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Sluggishness and number of books in folders I was going at it from the aspect of files that you delete are not really gone, but hidden from a users general use. I guess I was thinking that the data, even though not used by the user, is still there? Maybe I'm off with this thought? Michael McCarty Fred's Head Database Coordinator American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org >>> sduck@xxxxxxxxx 04/27/05 10:48AM >>> Mike, I don't think that defragmenting a flash card improves access speed any. When you defragment a hard drive, you improve access time because the read/write head doesn't have to move around as much looking for the information that it needs. Because a flash card is memory, it doesn't have any parts that have to move around, looking for information. Therefore, defragmentation of a flash card doesn't do anything, from a practical sense. At least this is my understanding. Thanks, Scott ----- Original Message ----- From: "MICHAEL MCCARTY" <mmccarty@xxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 7:26 AM Subject: [bookport] Re: Sluggishness and number of books in folders > Would running a Disk Defragger help to resolve this issue? > > > > Michael McCarty > Fred's Head Database Coordinator > American Printing House for the Blind > www.aph.org > > >>> ptorpey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 04/26/05 08:28PM >>> > I wrote to Larry and Rob off-line about this issue earlier today since > I > didn't have access to my e-mail account which was subscribed to this > DL. > Anyway, I have more information on this problem now. > My earlier report indicated that the responsiveness of the Bookport was > very > slow for reading/navigating a book under the following conditions: > > 1. I am using the latest firmware (beta 27) and Bookport Transfer > (version x.x.423) > 2. This was a DAISY formatted book from Bookshare. > 3. There were about 30 books in the folder. > 4. The surprise (to me at least) was that the first 25 or so books > in > the folder had no problems. Reading/navigation was very responsive > with > these books. However, all books loaded onto the Bookport after the > 25th or > so book had the problem of poor responsiveness when reading. > 5. Although APH has pointed out that we should minimize the number > of > books in any folder, I (mistakenly) thought that this only led to > sluggishness when navigating from book to book, and not within a > particular > book. I guess this assumption was wrong. > > Since the "problem" books were all loaded recently (during the last > beta or > two), I thought that there might be a problem with either the newest > beta > firmware and/or transfer software. That appears not to be the case, > and > this seems to be more of a systemic problem. > > This evening, I performed the following tests to shed more light on > the > behavior and causes: > > 1. Re-downloaded one of the "problem" books into a new folder with > only > this book as an entry. Result - responsiveness was normal - no > problem > 2. Re-loaded one of the "problem" books into the original folder > containing 30 or so books. Result: This appeared to overwrite the > original > book (the re-loaded book now appeared last in the list of books), and > responsiveness was still a big problem. > 3. Deleted all but about 5 books in the original folder of about > 30 > books. Result: Even with fewer books now in the folder, the "problem" > book > still exhibited the very poor responsiveness it did when the folder > was > full. > 4. Deleted the "problem" book from the original folder (now > containing > only about 5 books), and re-loaded it into this folder. Result - The > book > STILL exhibited very poor responsiveness. > > Thus, it seems like once a folder gets clustered with too many books > that: > A. The responsiveness of reading/navigation within books loaded > last in > the folder will suffer. > B. Even if books are deleted from a once crowded folder, any newly > added books will suffer from poor responsiveness when > reading/navigating > within the book. > > Does this make sense? Do folders somehow get "trashed" if once loaded > up > too much or will this occur even if the number of books at any one time > is > kept small but many books are copied and subsequently deleted from > this > folder? > > Lastly, can this be rectified? Hopefully these observations are > helpful in > fixing this behavior if possible. > > -- Pete > > > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:18:08 -0400 From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Firmware Beta 28 Please let us know of any old or new bugs you find in beta 28. We are not adding any new features, just bug fixes. Thanks. ------------------------------ From: "James Jolley" <james.jolley1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:31:35 +0100 Hi Lary, Things seem ok hear, note taking bug certainly fixed. Best -James- ----- Original Message ----- From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 7:18 PM Subject: [bookport] Firmware Beta 28 > Please let us know of any old or new bugs you find in beta 28. We are > not adding any new features, just bug fixes. > > Thanks. > > > ------------------------------ From: "Liam Martin" <noatman1@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 18:42:20 +0000 I was knocked off the mailing list for a couple of days and missed Beta 27. Just wondering, what was the note taker bug that is now fixed? Liam >From: "James Jolley" <james.jolley1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Reply-To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 >Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:31:35 +0100 > >Hi Lary, > >Things seem ok hear, note taking bug certainly fixed. > >Best > >-James- >----- Original Message ----- >From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> >To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 7:18 PM >Subject: [bookport] Firmware Beta 28 > > > > Please let us know of any old or new bugs you find in beta 28. We are > > not adding any new features, just bug fixes. > > > > Thanks. > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:40:28 -0400 From: "MICHAEL MCCARTY" <mmccarty@xxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 I will, as soon as I can get home to download the update. I can't get it at APH because of the lockouts. It's like having someone holding my hand while I work, very annoying. Michael McCarty Fred's Head Database Coordinator American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org >>> lskutchan@xxxxxxx 04/27/05 02:18PM >>> Please let us know of any old or new bugs you find in beta 28. We are not adding any new features, just bug fixes. Thanks. ------------------------------ From: "Claude Everett" <claudeeverett@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] which one to buy? Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 12:27:39 -0700 Hello, list, Well, it looks as though, that the Book Port and BookCourier, from watching the discussion on the lists, still have plenty of individual bugs to work out. Without getting too, technical, if anyone can these days. what features convinced you, to buy the devise, you bought? ------------------------------ From: "James Jolley" <james.jolley1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 20:29:02 +0100 Hi, Basicly, it fixes the issue where the unit didn't report the line number correctly on new note files. It was one of the bugs I reported. I understand that your not looking for features but i'll suggest it for a future upgrade. How about having a volume increment setting in the settings list to define how much it moves up when holding the F Key down? What do people think? -James- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Liam Martin" <noatman1@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 7:42 PM Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 >I was knocked off the mailing list for a couple of days and missed Beta 27. > Just wondering, what was the note taker bug that is now fixed? > > Liam >>From: "James Jolley" <james.jolley1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>Reply-To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 >>Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:31:35 +0100 >> >>Hi Lary, >> >>Things seem ok hear, note taking bug certainly fixed. >> >>Best >> >>-James- >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> >>To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 7:18 PM >>Subject: [bookport] Firmware Beta 28 >> >> >> > Please let us know of any old or new bugs you find in beta 28. We are >> > not adding any new features, just bug fixes. >> > >> > Thanks. >> > >> > >> > >> >> > > _________________________________________________________________ > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! > http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > > > ------------------------------ From: "Lou Kolb" <loukolb@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: which one to buy? Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 15:49:17 -0400 I bought the BP nearly 2 years ago. At the time, I felt that the slightly higher price of the BP was more than offset by the longer list of file types it handled. I also knew APH to be a solid organization which would likely be supportive of and responsive to it's customers. I've seen nothing in the interim to make me regret my decision. However, I must add that not having a Book Courier, I can't comment knowledgably on it's strengths and weaknesses. Lou ----- Original Message ----- From: "Claude Everett" <claudeeverett@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 3:27 PM Subject: [bookport] which one to buy? > Hello, list, > Well, it looks as though, that the Book Port and BookCourier, from watching the discussion on the lists, still have plenty of individual bugs to work out. > > Without getting too, technical, if anyone can these days. what features convinced you, to buy the devise, you bought? > > ------------------------------ Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:54:25 -0500 From: "Sarah Cranston" <cranston.sarah@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> I like the volume suggestion, people could have the best of both worlds. -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of James Jolley Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 2:29 PM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 Hi, Basicly, it fixes the issue where the unit didn't report the line number = correctly on new note files. It was one of the bugs I reported. I=20 understand that your not looking for features but i'll suggest it for a=20 future upgrade. How about having a volume increment setting in the = settings=20 list to define how much it moves up when holding the F Key down? What = do=20 people think? -James- ----- Original Message -----=20 From: "Liam Martin" <noatman1@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 7:42 PM Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 >I was knocked off the mailing list for a couple of days and missed Beta = 27. > Just wondering, what was the note taker bug that is now fixed? > > Liam >>From: "James Jolley" <james.jolley1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>Reply-To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Lary, >>Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 >>Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:31:35 +0100 >> >>Hi Lary, >> >>Things seem ok hear, note taking bug certainly fixed. >> >>Best >> >>-James- >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> >>To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 7:18 PM >>Subject: [bookport] Firmware Beta 28 >> >> >> > Please let us know of any old or new bugs you find in beta 28. We = are >> > not adding any new features, just bug fixes. >> > >> > Thanks. >> > >> > >> > >> >> > > _________________________________________________________________ > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's = FREE! > http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > > >=20 ------------------------------ From: "Grant Hardy" <granthardy@xxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Book port specs Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 15:19:05 -0700 Yeah I'd be interested in knowing this, myself. -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of James Jolley Sent: April 27, 2005 3:16 AM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Book port specs Hi folks, Could one of you guys at APH give us some real memory indicators for what the Bookport can handle? I'm interested in exactly how much memory is available for fermware upgrades and how much of it is being taken up with todays beta version? Best -James- ------------------------------ From: "brandon hicks" <silverdart12@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: which one to buy? Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 16:32:06 -0600 hi, i am going to be placing my order for the book port very very soon. the reason i decided on the book port was because there have been many more updates, the list is so much more active, the bp supports more filetypes, and springer's updates generally don't happen when they are promised. Also, the book port software has many more features than the book courier's, from reading the manuals i'd say that the book port is generally a better investment. thanks brandon ------------------------------ From: "Debbie Crafts" <debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Beta 27 Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:09:41 -0400 Larry, What are the time increments used to navigate unindexed files. Love this feature, by the way, as I can now use my card reader and save the Bookport's batteries. Thanks. Debbie Crafts Framingham, MA debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Skype: DCrafts -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of LARRY SKUTCHAN Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 12:48 PM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: Beta 27 Basicaly, if you just copy a file to a card then put that card in BP, you can use navigation commands to move through that file. This is a great aid in podcasts and other mp3 files. >>> r-carter@xxxxxxx Monday, April 25, 2005 12:43:21 PM >>> Hi, Beta 27 does seem to have fixed the cutting off of phrases in audio files. I have found no other problems so far. , Could someone explain what you mean by Book Port now supports navigation for unindexed mp3 files. What has changed. Are you talking about files that have not been sent via the transfer software? Are you talking about files that have been sent via the transfer software but that are just straight mp3 files like podcasts? How does one need to set the software to take advantage of the navigation? Should the software be sent to treat the files as music or as audio?I don't see anything about this in the manual. Did I miss it? Thanks, Robert Carter ------------------------------ From: "Debbie Crafts" <debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] possible stability problems with latest software betas Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:38:59 -0400 Hello, After downloading the latest betas of both the firmware and the transfer tool, I attempted to transfer 21 mp3 files to the Bookport. I was speeding these up, so used the transfer software. After transferring about 16 files, Bookport transfer reported that it could not initialize the index file for each of the other files to be transferred. When exiting and relaunching BP transfer, was informed that the device was not connected. Unplugging and replugging did not help. Was about to reboot, but decided to try resetting the device and that appeared to work, although had to relaunch Transfer manually after reconnecting. Just finished transferring the last five files without any further problems, but since I haven't had similar problems before, thought it was worth a mention. BTW: had just changed batteries before beginning the transfer, so do not think this is the issue. Debbie Crafts Framingham, MA debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Skype: DCrafts ------------------------------ From: "Liam Martin" <noatman1@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Firmware Beta 28 Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 23:41:24 +0000 Larry, with Beta 26 I was given a message "Spanish unavailable." I had never heard that before, and I thought it was deliberate - the Spanish option being temporarily disabled. When I installed Beta 28, the Spanish option "Yes" or "No" returned. But while I was in the Notes folder just now, the BP froze and I had to remove the batteries. When I went to reset my options, I got the "Spanish unavailable" message for the Spanish option. Any reason for this? Liam >From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> >Reply-To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Subject: [bookport] Firmware Beta 28 >Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:18:08 -0400 > >Please let us know of any old or new bugs you find in beta 28. We are >not adding any new features, just bug fixes. > >Thanks. > > _________________________________________________________________ Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/ ------------------------------ From: "Debbie Crafts" <debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Removing Folders Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:45:37 -0400 I strongly second that thought! Maybe with a warning and a second confirm in the case where the folder to be deleted *does* contain files? Debbie Crafts Framingham, MA debbiecrafts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Skype: DCrafts -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of MICHAEL MCCARTY Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 8:53 AM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: Removing Folders Oh, there's a suggestion for the next beta then. I would love to be able to remove folders, getting rid of several files at one time. I download a lot of podcasts, and that would sure be a great feature. Michael McCarty Fred's Head Database Coordinator American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org >>> PRADER@xxxxxxx 04/26/05 08:50AM >>> Files can be deleted on the BP, but folders can only be deleted through the software. Pamela >>> mmccarty@xxxxxxx 04/26/05 08:47AM >>> Is there a way to remove folders with the BP? I know how to remove them with the BP software, but can it be done from the BP directly? I do the "B" and "E" keys, and it says that folders can't be removed. Michael McCarty Fred's Head Database Coordinator American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org ------------------------------ From: "Joni Colver" <july77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: which one to buy? Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:02:08 -0500 One person who gave me advice on the subject said that APH was more actively involved in upgrading the Book Port and that promised features appeared more quickly in the Port than the Courier. I have seen a lot of nice features added since buying my Book Port. It is also quite evident that the APH staff solicits and considers suggestions from people on this list and many sugggestions have been implemented into new releases. If you know Braille one big difference now is that the Port has a Braille keyboard option to enter search strings and when the new beta is a final release there will be the ability to take notes using the Braille keyboard. I have never personally seen a Courier, but I haven't regretted my Book Port purchase a year ago for a nanosecond. Joni ------------------------------ From: "Mike Arrigo" <n0oxy@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Book port specs Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 21:16:35 -0500 Actually Larry, I'm curious, you wrote some great programs for the apple, and a great screen reader for the pc, do you know how to program at all for those kind of imbedded processors? ----- Original Message ----- From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 9:22 AM Subject: [bookport] Re: Book port specs > We are tight tight tight in terms of available resources for code on > Book Port. > > > >>> james.jolley1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wednesday, April 27, 2005 6:16:06 AM > >>> > Hi folks, > Could one of you guys at APH give us some real memory indicators for > what the Bookport can handle? I'm interested in exactly how much memory > is available for fermware upgrades and how much of it is being taken up > with todays beta version? > > Best > > -James- > > > ------------------------------ From: "Mike Arrigo" <n0oxy@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: which one to buy? Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 21:28:59 -0500 Hi there. I actually have both, and they both have there strong points. The book port is geared a bit more toward blind users, it provides features such as reading by character, the ability to search for pauses in audio files, and the ability to change the speed of audio files. The upcoming release of the software will also allow you to write notes, assuming you know computer Braille. The bookcourier has a few things the book port doesn't, namely a key describe feature that will describe each key, and it does cost a bit less, especially if you're a member of bookshare, or own the kurzweil 1000, you can get a discount on a bookcourier this way. I do find the commands on the courier a bit easier to memorize, this is not to say the book port's interface is bad, just the way I learn I guess. Both units are exactly the same size, and both use 2 aa batteries. Hope this info helps. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Claude Everett" <claudeeverett@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 2:27 PM Subject: [bookport] which one to buy? > Hello, list, > Well, it looks as though, that the Book Port and BookCourier, from watching the discussion on the lists, still have plenty of individual bugs to work out. > > Without getting too, technical, if anyone can these days. what features convinced you, to buy the devise, you bought? > > ------------------------------ From: "Grant Hardy" <granthardy@xxxxxxxxx> Subject: [bookport] Re: Book port specs Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2005 20:26:10 -0700 Which screen reader is that? -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Mike Arrigo Sent: April 27, 2005 7:17 PM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: Book port specs Actually Larry, I'm curious, you wrote some great programs for the apple, and a great screen reader for the pc, do you know how to program at all for those kind of imbedded processors? ----- Original Message ----- From: "LARRY SKUTCHAN" <lskutchan@xxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 9:22 AM Subject: [bookport] Re: Book port specs > We are tight tight tight in terms of available resources for code on > Book Port. > > > >>> james.jolley1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wednesday, April 27, 2005 6:16:06 AM > >>> > Hi folks, > Could one of you guys at APH give us some real memory indicators for > what the Bookport can handle? I'm interested in exactly how much memory > is available for fermware upgrades and how much of it is being taken up > with todays beta version? > > Best > > -James- > > > ------------------------------ End of bookport Digest V2 #116 ******************************