I am pleased to be able to announce the creation of a new list, DTB-Talk for Digital Talking Book Talk.

The purpose of this list is for the discussion of Digital Talking Books for the Blind.  The list is sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind.

There are a number of activities going on around the world, all of which are stimulating interest in digital talking books for the blind.  These things include, but are not limited to:

*introduction of DAISY books by RFB&D in 2002 via its Audio Plus program
*Introduction of a DTB program by the RNIB in Great Britain
*availability of DTB's in Canada via CNIB, Japan via JSRPD, and various other countries around the world,
*the availability of DAISY books via BookShare.org,
*the adoption of the NISO/DAISY 3.0 standard for file formats related to DTB's,
*efforts on the part of NLS to introduce DTB's to its nationwide program by 2008
*introduction of various machines and software programs which will play DTB's,
*and more!

The primary focus of this list will be from the viewpoint of the end-consumer, but production tools, techniques, etc. are also valid topics.

The list is moderated by David Andrews, [log in to unmask] who is heading up an effort in Minnesota to introduce DTB's to Minnesota residents in early 2003.

To subscribe to the list, you can do one of two things.  You can send e-mail to:

[log in to unmask]

And put the word subscribe in the subject line, or you can go to:

http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/dtb-talk

and subscribe and set options from there.

David Andrews, Moderator