[bookport] Re: no upgrade path. no upgrade path
- From: "Fred Wurtzel" <f.wurtzel@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:38:13 -0400
Hello,
I would like to add to what you say about APH and its funding. I do not
wish to be critical, I only wish to point out that APH is unique in that
nearly 85% of its funding comes from the federal Government. I support this
funding in view of the positive benefit it provides. It is a non-profit
with a funding source that is the envy of most such organizations.
Below is a summary of APH funding as taken from its annual report available
on its web page.
One change in marketing that would benefit blind consumers is to offer
quantity discounts to resellers. APH "sells" its products to schools who
receive these products at no cost through a system of quota funds. Each
state receives an amount based on the number of blind children in the state.
So, the prices of merchandise are not necessarily effected by the market
since the federal government underwrites these costs.
Re sellers cannot get these products at a wholesale cost and resell them. I
believe such a change would benefit consumers and APH by making items
available to non-quota customers at a lower price and making products more
locally available.
Again, this is not a condemnation of APH. I simply would like the market to
influence pricing for those of us who do not get our products from an agency
that does not necessarily pay for them.
Here is the data from APH.
Financial and Production Highlights 2005
Revenue Dollar
62.7% Federal Quota
14.4% Other
3.2% Nongovernment Contracts
19.7% NLS and Other Federal Agencies
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of David Allen
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:04 PM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] Re: no upgrade path. no upgrade path
Hi Scott:
The difference there is that Humanware and Freedom Scientific are for profit
companies whereas APH is a non-profit, even a charity. It's true that they
get a good share of the business of producing Braille and talking books for
NLS and other US Federal entities, but remember that they get such contracts
by sutmitting the lowest bidder.
Cheers,
Dave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Erichsen" <pianoman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 1:48 PM
Subject: [bookport] Re: no upgrade path. no upgrade path
> What about humanware with the transplant from BrailleNote classic to
> mPower?
> What about the trade-in plan FS had to get HW users to get pacmates?
> Not many companies offer upgrade paths, but some do.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of David Tanner
> Sent: Monday, 12 March 2007 11:32 AM
> To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [bookport] Re: no upgrade path. no upgrade path
>
> I don't know of many companies who provide an upgrade path to their latest
> hardware.
>
> Would you really expect HP to give you an upgrade path to their latest
> computer, or Apple to give you a big rebate for turning in your old IPOD
> to
> get the latest model?
>
> Well, that is the way it is with technology hardware, and it isn't fair to
> expect APH to be any different to any other company. I realize that
> buying
> new hardware is expensive, but it costs the company money to make the
> hardware, and develope the software and hardware for the new device. The
> people who work for those companies deserve a salery too, and a company
> can't pay saleries if they aren't making money.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Allen" <wd8ldy@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 3:09 PM
> Subject: [bookport] no upgrade path. no upgrade path
>
>
> : I've changed the subject to reflect the content of discussion.
> :
> : All together now! There will be no upgrade path for BP2. There will be
> no
> : upgrade path for BP2!
> :
> : This isn't to suggest that I know anything you shouldn't. Pamela has
> *tried
> : to tell you right here on the list. Rob said it in the podcast because
> the
>
> : question was raised there. Now let's do it one more time, with feeling!
> : There will be no upgrade path for BP2! It isn't a question of ethics.
> While
> : they may have to change the release date from the target, they've made a
> : clear decision about upgrades that's been made very clear to anyone who
> : *really is listening! If you don't like it, that's too bad. It isn't
> : something the list can help with.
> :
> : Have a nice day!
> :
> : Cheers,
> : Dave
> :
> :
> :
> :
> : --
> : No virus found in this incoming message.
> : Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> : Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.18.8/718 - Release Date:
> 3/11/2007
> 9:27 AM
> :
> :
>
>
>
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