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I disagree with all of the ideas expressed 
	1.  Just because part of the blind community can't use a computer
(30%), it shouldn't be a reason for the "elite" to be denied to use the "up
to date" technology available to read more books in a faster
turn around time.   It's an error to create a "size fits all" service.
It's not only denying the "elite" with good available service, but it's also
denying an insentive for others to use the latest technology.
	2. The NLS shouldn't have to buy computers or reading machines, but
rather they should invest in the latest technology as to  provide with more
books and magazines that are available on demand or "online"
(it shouldn't take weeks for a blind person to receive a book from a library
today).
	3. The technology to provide books "online" securely has been
available for a while by now.  The NLS shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel
all over again to provide the same service to the blind community that is
available to all others.

Lillian  

-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Rossi
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:46 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] let's really think about this talking book situation

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Harry,

I think you have received many good points on why your suggestion is not 
as straightforward as you thought.

One of the issues why Congress is a bit confused, has to do with their own 
doing.  They say why can't blind people use off-the-shelf technology? 
Well, they have NLS so fearful of copyright violations that NLS has felt 
it necessary to make sure that NLS books cannot be read on off-the-shelf 
technology.  Four track half speed cassettes.

Off-the-shelf tech works for most people but not all.

Even though I am in the technology industry.  Even though I listen to 
synthetic speech eight to ten hours a day, I would rather run a drill 
through my ears than listen to a book via synthetic speech.

As far as the question about the learning curve, I believe the curve is 
output verses effort.  The effort to learn to use a four-track tape 
recorder to listen to a human voice is much less than the effort required 
to learn to use a computer, a screen reader, a scanner, and listen to a 
synthesized voice for the same result, reading a book.

-- 
Blue skies.
Dan Rossi
Carnegie Mellon University.
E-Mail:	[log in to unmask]
Tel:	(412) 268-9081


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