[nabs-l] Learning Ally new prices

Wed Aug 10 06:03:08 UTC 2011

You can substitute the VR Stream voice for a male voice that isn’t 
perfect, but is much better.

Joseph - kf7qzc

On Tue, Aug 09, 2011 at 07:12:05PM -0400, bookwormahb at earthlink.net wrote:
>You think products other than Stream have better electronic speech. 
>What product? Is it as much as the Stream?
>What do you mean by innovate in their products?
>Perhaps you mean the Book sense, but I thought GW micro made that.
>How was it better? Clearer? The stream's voice is a lady but to me 
>its like she has a horse voice. The eloquence synthesizwer on my 
>computer is clear, thankfully.
>
>
>-----Original Message----- From: T. Joseph Carter
>Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 6:57 PM
>To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Learning Ally new prices
>
>Human speech is far better than electronic, that’s for sure.  But
>products other than the Stream have at least better electronic
>speech.  I was quite impressed by the HIMS products' features and
>price point.  They’re also a lot smaller than the Victor Stream, and
>they’re actually trying to innovate in their products.  All bonuses!
>
>Joseph - kf7qzc
>
>
>On Tue, Aug 09, 2011 at 06:45:21PM -0400, bookwormahb at earthlink.net wrote:
>>Joeseph,
>>Well RFB had several psychology books for me and I remember the days of
>>listening to them at night in the library.  I plan to be a student 
>>in the future and RFB certainly has more than textbooks; so I 
>>belive they are of benefit to non students too.
>>I would take four classes and 2 or three texts were generally on RFB audio.
>>
>>When I was a student, bookshare was more for leisure reading. But I 
>>hear now they have more texts.
>>For those who like synthesized speech, you can always get an 
>>electronic textbook or scan it yourself. But for me, hearing the 
>>human voice helps me learn.
>>My VR stream has text to speech capability, but I can hardly 
>>understandthe fuzzy speech! I am so thankful for RFB and NLS books.
>>I used NLS books for some novels in school including To Kill a 
>>Mocking Bird, The Prince, and Death of a Salesman.
>>I would think if money is an issue that you could ask VR to pay for 
>>it. They may say no, but its worth a try.
>>Also universities should have their own institutional membership to 
>>Learning Ally.
>>So if you want their books using your school may be an option too.
>>
>>Ashley
>>
>>-----Original Message----- From: T. Joseph Carter
>>Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 6:29 PM
>>To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Learning Ally new prices
>>
>>For me it’s a no-brainer.  I did not renew my Bookshare account
>>despite being an avid Bookshare user because I do not have the money.
>>
>>The Organization Formerly Known As RFB&D wants twice as much, and
>>they just don’t have the library of books I need anymore.  Were I
>>still a student, that might be different, but the whole time I was in
>>graduate school, they had I think two of my textbooks.  I just can’t
>>justify the expense, no matter how awesome AnneMarie Cook is.
>>
>>Joseph - kf7qzc
>>
>>
>>On Tue, Aug 09, 2011 at 05:46:32PM -0400, bookwormahb at earthlink.net wrote:
>>>Hi all,
>>>With budget cuts to many nonprofits, Learning Ally lost their 
>>>federal funding.
>>>They are now charging individuals a large fee annually for 
>>>membership; when I joined years ago, I paid $35, but
>>>its much more than $35 now!
>>>Have you heard the news?
>>>I received word today via my email from Learning Ally that 
>>>effective September 1
>>>individual memberships are $99.
>>>It said the following:
>>>a.. On September 1, 2011 Individual Memberships will be $99 per 
>>>year -a little more than eight dollars a month.
>>>b.. For a limited time only, we are offering a special 
>>>opportunity to renew your current membership for $79 (a savings 
>>>of $20). Take advantage of this special membership offer, renew 
>>>on/before August 31, 2011.
>>>So what do you think? Will you pay this fee?
>>>I know many of you may be tight on money; I hope your family can 
>>>chip in or some group can sponsor you. Budgets are very tight. 
>>>Personally, I enjoyed the free books. But I do understand the 
>>>rationale to begin charging once again. They are a nonprofit 
>>>after all. Other college students pay a lot for their texts. I 
>>>think a membership to audible.com is more expensive than this.
>>>As for me, I plan to take more classes at community college even 
>>>though I graduated in 2009 with a BA degree. I need to keep my 
>>>writing and study skills active. I think I will renew my Learning 
>>>Ally membership. They recorded several books for me during 
>>>school; the staff at the studio is very friendly. Good thing I 
>>>have a paying internship to help cover the cost.
>>>I knew this was coming when I heard Learning Ally was losing 
>>>funding. I knew it months ago prior to their announcement today.
>>>Learning Ally has their flaws, but overall their books are 
>>>helpful. I cannot study with a human reader at midnight, but I 
>>>can pull out my Learning Ally book anytime and hear a human voice 
>>>read to me.
>>>
>>>Ashley
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