[bookport] Re: gripes and wishes from a new subscriber
- From: "Milano Hyacinthe" <nicemilano@xxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 19:00:18 -0500
Dear Cris,
Hi! I agree with you 100 percent. The fact that hardware cost is decreasing
while these hardware options you've have stated are standard for most modern
devices now. It would be nice to have these features included as well on the
Bookport. If the new Bookport contain features such as a power USB port,
removable rechargeable batteries, and improve software, I will be the first
to obtain one. However, if the new Bookport possesses minimal features, it
won't make since to purchase one.
Best Regard,
Milano Hyacinthe
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Chris Zenchenko
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 5:46 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] gripes and wishes from a new subscriber
I have decided to put my favorite gripes and wishes out on the list before
trying to find out if they have been posted before.
In this way anyone at APH who sees my comments will know that they are not
influenced by people already on this list.
I have supported several folks running bookports and finally decided I
wanted one of my own so my understanding of the product is based on more
than first impressions.
So here we go.
hardware issues
1. USB power:
I can see no reason not to allow USB power to operate the bookport when it
is connected to a computer.
In addition this would allow external battery packs or power supplies to run
the bookport without having to add a power jack.
2. If USB power is possible then why not charge batteries with it:
This one gets slightly more tricky since if you had normal batteries in the
BP you would have an issue with automatically charging via USB.
A switch either software or hardware could be added to make this possible.
I have a ham radio portable that has a menu choice that sets battery type
and switches off the charging current when normal battery pack is selected.
I realize that this suggestion does open up a support nightmare.
3. Add an SD slot or CF to SD converter card:
CF is on it's way out. SD is moving up and many products and companies no
longer find CF viable.
I have many CF cards but the prices have probably gone as low as they will
and in some cases are starting to rise on mid to high sized cards.
SD is clearly moving up and with the release of the HC specc (up to 32GB)
will take more and more market share since the target is video and digital
cameras.
That's it from the hardware side of things.
Software functions and issues.
1. File sort order:
This one is a real PITA!
Let's say you have file names such as
3145_01.mp3
3145_02.mp3
3145_03.mp3
3149_01.mp3
3149_02.mp3
3149_03.mp3
Now you copy all of these to the BP.
They should play in sequence but in fact the last file 3149_03.mp3 will be
first in the BP list.
If you load several files at different times the sequence will be almost in
order from each load session but the order issue remains within each group
and overall causes files to play in scrambled order if you use automatic
file advance.
This is a major gripe since if you have a book in chapters, one per file,
and the files are not sorted by name correctly you can't read the book from
start to finish without user intervention.
2. Playlists:
This one would in part solve item 1 but would just be nice.
The ability to have a simple text file that would step the BP through files
in the order the user wants would be great.
Also playlists in the .m3u format are almost universal. It would also allow
applications such as Winamp to generate lists to go along with the files you
send to the BP.
3. file titles from ID tags:
ID v2.0 tags for .mp3 and .mp4 along with many other file types including
.wav are industry standard and almost universal.
I think the BP should be able to read the file name or any one of the major
ID tag items such as artist, title, album, through a user menu selection.
A combination of these would be even better.
Example Artist, "book title", title "Chapter number and title" would be much
more useful than just an alphabet soup of a file name such as THC_b1c01.
4. ability to read text type PDF:
That one doesn't need much elaboration. A PDF with text rather than picture
based pages should be readable without jumping through translation hoops.
5. Better sample rates for memos:
Nice to see 22,050 mono 16 bit. Huge improvement in quality and with the
size of CF cards these days should not be to much trouble for many users.
I run several 4gb cards and have at least two 2gb and one 1gb for stand-by.
That's it for now. Clearly I still like the BP and think it was the best
option out there or I would not have purchased one.
The items listed above would in my opinion just make it that much better. I
am sure there are users on this list who will find fault with my list but
probably there are just as many who have noticed these themselves and may
have even written to the list.
I will be happy to discuss any of these with list members or APH developers,
but no flames!
With more than 20 years on the net and in news groups and on listservs I
know how simple comments can be blown sky high.
So feel free to write me privately or via the list but let's keep it
professional and constructive.
Thanks in advance and 73
Chris Zenchenko
Skype wb9rsq
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