[Dtb-talk] issues with using victor stream

Thu Nov 6 15:15:00 UTC 2008

Hi Ray,

I believe that we will eventually get there.  The Bookport was much closer
to this model than the Stream.  You could highlight a file and go to the
applications menu and the software had a "send to Bookport command that did
all the work.  I would really like something like that for the Stream.  I
believe it will come some day.

NLS is doing a good job.  Congress has not made it easy.  Even the Librarian
of Congress has not embraced the transition to the extent that would be best
for the Library.  There are some really dedicated and competent people at
NLS who are doing their very best under some difficult conditions.

Going to Washington Seminar and talking to Congress is one of the best ways
to support the Library.  I hope to see everyone on this list in D.C this
February.

Warm Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Ray Foret jr
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 6:41 PM
To: Discussion of Digital Talking Books
Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] issues with using victor stream

Better yet, how bout just solving the problem by having the special NLS 
machine operate like this.

Say the machine is connected to the internet via cable, DSL what ever.  Now,

let's say that the reader is listening to talking book Topics.  The person 
hears a book title they want.  All they have to do is press the "get it now"

key.  What happens then is that the software in the player does everything 
necessary to bring that book in to a blank cartridge and there you go.

Surely, it wouldn't be that hard to design that in to the player.

Sincerely,
The Constantly BAREFOOTED Ray
Phone:
985-360-3375
e-mail:
rforetjratcomcastdotnet
Skype Name:
barefootedray

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Barbour" <jbar at barcore.com>
To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 5:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] issues with using victor stream

Hey Fred,

So, I think this is why the cartridge solution exists.  People who aren't
computer literate, and just want to read books, won't be happy in this
beta project.  They'll be much happier using the NLS cartridge
solution.  They'll trade the convenience of getting their books
quickly, for the convenience of getting their books without having to
touch a computer.

I'm of two minds about making the current process 'easier" via
better automation or documentation.

On one hand, making this process easier would allow NLS to open the
door to more people who wish to download books, which would presumably
mean they'd need fewer people to load and mail cartridges.

On the other hand, lowering the barrier to entry will, no doubt,
generate a substantially larger customer support load for NLS.

So, the question is, can NLS support more users by loading books onto
cartridges for them, or by supporting users as they learn to use the
computer, USB ports, screen reader, web browser, windows explorer,
etc.

Jim

On Wed, Nov 05, 2008 at 11:55:13AM -0500, Fred Wurtzel wrote:
> Hi Mike,
>
> It is probably a reflection on my lack of teaching skills, but I encounter
> some  people who cannot easily grasp the complicated relations between the
> internet, Windows file management, unpacking or unzipping the book and the
> Victor file management structure.  You and I understand this because we 
> have
> been doing it for years and have some aptitude or geekish interest in this
> stuff.  Some people, believe it or not, have little interest in the arcane
> process of computer systems and only want to listen to a book.  They have
> spent $300 on the Stream and are frustrated because they are having
> difficulty using it.  They sometimes feel humiliated by their difficulty,
> which is not, in my opinion, their fault.
>
> I would welcome a better way to present the technology that would work for
> people who are frustrated.  I am trying and feeling bad that I cannot 
> always
> succeed.  As I said earlier, it is probably my lack of teaching skill, not
> the student.  All suggestions are welcome, jeering or not, but beware, I
> bruise easily.  (smile)
>
> Warm Regards,
>
> Fred
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:dtb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 12:45 AM
> To: Discussion of Digital Talking Books
> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] issues with using victor stream
>
> With respect, I gently disagree with you; it isn't that hard.
>
> That being said, if you download and install the Stream Companion
> software, it's a bit easier.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 9:57 AM
> Subject: [Dtb-talk] issues with using victor stream
>
>
> Hi all, I had used my victor stream in the beginning, but have stopped
> for a
> few months.  Only because I had such a hard time downloading and
> unzipping
> files, it was very complicated.  Has this since been easier to do. I use
> the
> stream for other things, but to download books was a big headache even
> when
> I contacted humanware, it was still rediculous.
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Treasurer
> National Federation of the Blind
> Greater Long Island Chapter
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "louie" <louiemost at wavecable.com>
> To: "Discussion of Digital Talking Books" <dtb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 12:23 PM
> Subject: Re: [Dtb-talk] New version of Olearia
>
>
> > Greg,
> > Will you let us know when we can get the program when it is out of
> > beta?
> >
> >
> > On Nov 4, 2008, at 6:22 AM, Greg Kearney wrote:
> >
> > > We continue to make new beta versions of Olearia. The latest ada
> > > preference option to open the last book played when you start
> > > Olearia. It also fixes a few bugs as well.
> > >
> > > I will be working on some method of installing my launch script
> > > unless someone at Apple can tell be a better way to do launching of
> > > applications on disk insert.
> > >
> > > Olearia is a free, open source  DAISY digital talking book player
> > > for Macintosh computers running MacOS X 10.5 or better. it can be
> > > found at:
> > >
> > > http://www.cucat.org/projects/olearia
> > >
> > > as well as MacUpdates and Google Code which also has the source code
> > > for download.
> > >
> > > Greg Kearney
> > > Curtin University Centre for Accessible Technology
> > > www.cucat.org
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> >
> > louie
> > louiemost at wavecable.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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