[nfb-talk] Braille Monitor

Mike Freeman k7uij at panix.com
Wed Aug 3 16:53:31 UTC 2011


David:

Your thoughts below are both reasonable and logical. To my way of thinking, putting the Monitor on NFB Newsline is about the most cost-effective short-term solution to the problem although I suspect that this will probably mean text-only (no audio of speeches) since to provide this would require a rework of the download software for Newsline. I also expect that if the Monitor is on Newsline, it will then also have to present the Braille Forum since Newsline receives Federal funds. This isn't in and of itself bad; we already put the ACB convention agenda on Newsline and if the Monitor can't stand the competition, we're in deep do-do.

I believe the thinking of NFB leadership is that to officially rely upon local members to provide CD copies of the Monitor (either as audio CD's or data CD's) is unworkable on a large scale although some chapters with tech-savvy members could do it. Moreover, even for CD players that can handle MP3 files, navigating to them isn't always easy without sight and I suspect many older readers would just as soon throw the  players against the wall as endure the "torture" of trying to figure them out.

There's no easy solution and we'll have to muddle along as best we can unless thumb-drives and/or NLS cartridges come down in price substantially.

Mike Freeman
sent from my iPhone


On Aug 3, 2011, at 9:15, "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Dear All,
> 
> I can understand the national's reasoning in stopping the audio tape version of the Braille Monitor.
> 
> They are likely looking at the replacement of the duplication equipment for doing the Monitor and the issue of a fading technology and the emergence of newer technologies that will replace the former.
> I have produced audio tape newsletters for my chapter since 1989 and also for the Florida State Affiliate.
> It is about time for us to move on to the next technology for use as our Mass Media for communicating to our membership and friends.
> Audio tapes are on the way out and that is just the way it is.  The question is, what will best replace them and how soon.
> It has been said that most of our members have and can access the Monitor by e-mail or on-line.  It is possible to read the monitor using NFB NEWSLINE for the Blind using a computer or telephone.
> This still leaves out some elderly members  who do not have a computer or do not have NFB NEWSLINE in their areas but still use the Talking Book Library audio tape machines and understand the technology.
> Doctor Mauer spoke about this all at the convention and that they were looking at several possibilities including USB drives that could just be plugged into the USB port on the new digital Talking Book Machines or any USB port on a computer or other device.
> The problem is that these USB thumb drives cost about $6.00  each and that is too much.
> 
> 
> Another media that might be used is a CD Rom disc or one that is modified. These could be as little as 3 cents each and could be played on many CD players, computers and such.  The file formats could be recorded in a variety of file types that would make this media easy to copy and use.  As CD players are very common now, even most of the elderly have access to them and even those who do not yet have a new Talking Book player can likely find a CD player they can use.
> We must find a way to reduce the cost of the production of the Braille Monitor, but at the same time extend its availability to as many as possible.  Even this technology will have a short life span, but It might get the Monitor through to the point that our membership population catches up to newer technology or dies off.
> These are just my thoughts on the subject and I would like to hear what others have to say on the matter.
> 
> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "T. Joseph Carter" <carter.tjoseph at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 9:50 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Braille Monitor
> 
> 
>> For what a CD costs anymore, someone in the chapter can produce half a dozen of them for those members for the cost of one cassette.
>> 
>> Joseph - kf7qzc
>> 
>> 
>> On Wed, Aug 03, 2011 at 05:51:57AM -0700, ckrugman at sbcglobal.net wrote:
>>> This is unfortunate as we have many elderly members of our chapter who are not computer users or Braille readers. I would think that the cassette version would continue to be a good outreach tool to get new federationsits.
>>> Chuck
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Meskys" <edmeskys at roadrunner.com>
>>> To: "nfb-talk" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 4:56 PM
>>> Subject: [nfb-talk] Braille Monitor
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> I am surprised that no one has referred to Dr. Maurer's announcement of the end of the cassette edition of the Braille Monitor after the December issue. Computer users will be encouraged to download it, but no decision has yet been made as to what will be done for non-computer users. A possibility is thumb drives, which can be cheaper than the cartridges. We are supposed to get a full announcement in September. In answer to a question, we were told that it cannot be placed on BARD, but downloads will have to be from an NFB site.
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>>> 
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