Would you like to test and evaluate various digital
talk book hardware, software, delivery, and content
options? If yes, the Mid Illinois Digital Talking
Book Project is looking for volunteers. The project
will run from July 1, 2004 through June 2005. We will
be testing various portable playback devices, software
programs, delivery options, and content and file
formats from a variety of publishers and content
providers. You will be able to choose which devices,
options, formats, and types of ebooks you want to
test. The seven facets we will be studying include:
1. Content suppliers (both commercial and
not-for-profit)
a. Adobe (via OverDrive)
b. Audible.com
c. BookShare
d. Microsoft (via OverDrive)
e. Mobipocket
f. Soulmate AudioBooks
2. Genres (types of DTBs)
a. Current popular fiction
b. Current popular non-fiction
c. Classics
3. Files Types (DAISY, WMA, propriatary, etc.)
a. Audible (proprietary)
b. Adobe e-book (proprietary)
c. DAISY
d. MP3
e. WMA
4. Narration Modes
a. Natural recordings
b. Text-to-Speech
5. Distribution Methods
a. Compact disc
b. Flash memory
c. Direct downloads from the Internet
6. Playback Software
a. Adobe Reader
b. Mobipocket Reader
c. Palm Reader
d. Victor Reader Soft
e. Windows Media Player
7. Playback Devices
a. Otis
b. BookPort
c. Book Courier
d. Victor Vibe
e. Victor Classic Plus
f. Telex Scholar
g. Soul Player
If you are interested in learning more about the
project or in signing up as a volunteer, please
contact Tom Peters ([log in to unmask]). To
sign up as a volunteer, you can fill out the volunteer
form at http://www.mitbc.org/survey.htm. If you would
like the survey sent to you in a word document, please
contact Tom Peters.
Last month the American Library Association (ALA)
announced that the Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center,
OverDrive, and TAP Information Services have been
awarded the SIRSI Leader in Library Technology Grant,
sponsored by the SIRSI Corporation. The press release
announcing the award is available online at
http://www.tapinformation.com/SIRSIPR.htm. The full
text of the original project proposal can be found at
http://www.tapinformation.com/SIRSIprop.htm.
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