[Nfb-or] Victor Reader Stream: New version, New companion, New SoftPak!

Fri May 28 02:47:31 UTC 2010

Now wait, let me understand something here...

Humanware says, "Your purchase will provide you with a Stream SoftPak 
activation file that has a KXO file type and is named with your 
Stream serial number. Simply place this KXO file in the root of your 
SD card and when you power on your Stream it will process the file 
and activate your Stream SoftPak features."

In other words, Version 3.2 of the software already includes this 
functionality, but you must pay an extra $50 for the privilege of 
having it.

I feel the need to point out that the DAISY specification requires 
MPEG4 AAC support for a player to be complete.  Moreover, the 
difference between properly formatted ePub books and the latest DAISY 
text standards is that ePub format books are stored in zip files.  
(They're packed a special way in that one of the files is always the 
first one in the zip, and it is stored without compression, but 
otherwise it's just zip file containing a structure anyone who's 
poked inside a DAISY book would instantly recognize.

The other three features, recording to wav/mp3, support for docx, and 
playback of Audible's enhanced books, might be worth $49 to someone, 
but the other two seem like an unnecessary crippling of the product 
to ensure that it does not conform to applicable standards without 
the purchase of this key.  These features might be worth the purchase 
price to many, but the other two should be included in the base 
software if it can be said to be standards-compliant.

Then again, a DAISY reader for Apple's TouchOS with support for 
BookShare and RFB&D could easily settle the matter very quickly.  I 
know I'd buy that app, especially since it would likely cost less 
than this key from Humanware, and I'd have it with me more often 
anyway!

Plus, TouchOS provides all of those careful security things that the 
lack of which has kept NLS from supporting software players.   I 
don't really consider that a feature, but the NLS might.

Joseph

On Thu, May 27, 2010 at 04:01:36PM -0700, Renee Squier wrote:
>Victor Reader Stream New version, New companion, New SoftPak!----- Original Message -----
>From: Joleen Ferguson
>To:
>wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>
>Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 2:52 PM
>Subject: [Wcb-l] FW: Victor Reader Stream: New version, New companion,New SoftPak!
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>From: HumanWare [mailto:marcom at humanware.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 5:00 AM
>To:
>cjferg at charter.net
>Subject: Victor Reader Stream: New version, New companion, New SoftPak!
>
>            Victor Reader Stream:  New version, New companion, New SoftPak!
>
>            Longueuil, May 26, 2010 -- Count them, not 1, not 2, but 3 important announcements for our Stream customers.
>
>            Firstly, HumanWare is pleased to announce a Version 3.2 Stream free software upgrade with support for Russian, Belgian Dutch and Brazilian Portuguese
>languages. Imagine the popularity of the Stream now extends worldwide from Australia and New Zealand, to the tropics of Brazil, to North America, more
>than a dozen countries in Europe and now even to the streets of Moscow. Stream supports 14 languages with more to come!
>
>            Secondly, HumanWare is also announcing a new version 3.2 of the Companion Software that is compatible with both the Stream and ClassMate. This
>newly updated free software now provides a backup and restores SD card features. Other new features include transfer of DOC and PDF files. For your convenience,
>Companion now converts MS Word DOC files to HTML and PDF to text files so you can access them on your Stream.
>
>            Finally, version 3.2 has hidden treasures that you should know about. In addition to new languages and general maintenance, we now have the
>underlying framework to support our long anticipated SoftPak. The Stream SoftPak is optional software that provides five features for which we have had
>many requests: support of the EPUB book format, ability to play Audible's Enhanced Audio books, playback of MP4 audio including iTunes, Support for MS
>Word DOCX and ability to record in MP3 or Wav file formats.
>
>            We are offering the version 3.2 Stream and Companion upgrades at no charge. For more information and to download visit
>www.humanware.com/stream_software.
>After installing 3.2 you may take advantage of the optional software features by purchasing the SoftPak for a nominal charge of $49.
>
>            For more information about the Stream SoftPak visit
>www.humanware.com/softpak.
>You may also purchase SoftPak online from that page or by calling our customer service team toll free at 1-800-722-3393.
>
>            About HumanWare
>
>            HumanWare (
>www.humanware.com )
>is the global leader in assistive technologies for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind or have low vision and students
>with learning disabilities. HumanWare offers a collection of innovative products, including BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for the blind
>in education, business and for personal use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audiobook players; the SmartView family of handheld
>and desktop electronic magnifiers; and myReader2, HumanWare's unique "auto-reader". For more information about HumanWare, visit
>www.humanware.com .
>
>                  Join us for
>                  a Webinar
>                  on June 3
>
>            RFB&D - VR Stream Download Training 101
>
>            Thursday, June 3, 2010 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM EDT
>
>            Want to learn how to get your Victor Reader Stream ready for RFB&D books? Need a quick refresher on how to download RFB&D books to your Victor
>Reader Stream? Join us for a short 30-minute demonstration and find out what's new at RFB&D and HumanWare. The demonstration will cover the following topics:
>
>            ·                                 How to sign up for RFB&D
>
>            ·                                 Apply and install the RFB&D User Authorization Key (UAK) on your VR Stream
>
>            ·                                 Download RFB&D books to your computer and build your audio books library
>
>            ·                                 Easily transfer your audio books to your VR Stream
>
>            ·                                 Questions and answers
>
>            Once registration is complete, an Accessible Event code will be e-mailed to all attendees. That way, those who use a screen reading software
>will be able to listen to the content of the PowerPoint slides during the presentation. The code and instructions will be provided shortly prior to the
>presentation date.
>
>            Register now at:
>https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/164179337
>
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