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Harry,
As an aged (born in 1923) enjoyer of talking books, I'd like to add to the
flames the fact that librarians can be very helpful in choosing among the
thousands of books published annually and the millions published previously
a few dozen each year for one's own personal attention.
I enjoy the selections made by Valerie Ries at the Sacramento, Calif.,
Braille & Talking Book Library, saving me the trouble of having to study the
bimonthly listings of new talking books, which of course ignore all the
previously recorded talking books. And, I find, she enjoys the feedback I
occasionally give her.
To bring mathematics into the picture, I'd like to ask about the "learning
curve" that's often mentioned theese days, including in the present context.
What does this curve plot versus what? In what units is its steepness
measured and how is its numerical value determined?
In other contexts I often hear "the equation" mentioned without any
explanation of what is equal to what. Has anyone else noticed this quite
vague pseuudoscientific locution? I wonder if there's a way to begin to pin
down its possible meaning.
Despite my age, I'm busy working out equations and sometimes curves whose
meanings eventually become quite clear, unlike the two foregoing sorts.
--Nelson in Oakland, Calif.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 1:41 PM
Subject: [VICUG-L] let's really think about this talking book situation
> Hi all,
> Before I get flamed on this, because I'm sure I will, hear me out on this,
> ok?
> I have a better idea for the talking book program than what everybody is
> screaming for, at the moment.
> First, the current talking book program was useful, but is not useful any
> more. It's not because even if we go digital, we're still going to see
> only 20000 books produced each year, and how many books are published
> annually? Try about 6000000, or more. So, the program is not even
> keeping up with the number of books being published, so, what are the
> blind and disabled? Still 2nd class citizens, not keeping up on equal
> footing with able bodied folks.
> Now, is there a better way? You bet there is, and here it is.
> There are 2 better options.
> 1. Instead, use that 20 billion dollars a year to buy a handheld reading
> machine for every blind and disabled person. This way they can read
> books, mail, you name it, any printed document they like.
> 2. Even better, buy every blind and disabled person in America a fully
> functioning pocket handheld computer, which can run Windows XP, or,
> Windows Vista, and include a scanner with it, also either Kurzweil,
> openbook, or, VIP reading software, so then they can read documents as
> mentioned in 1 above. Then, also include in that package, either Jaws for
> Windows, Window Eyes, or, Freedom Box's System access, which would give
> them internet access and word processing.
> So folks, there are better ways of doing things then we have done them.
> This will give the blind and disabled much more access to information,
> than they would have through talking books.
> If you agree with this, you may modify it, and send it all over the
> internet, and to ACB and NFB, for being introduced as a resolution at
> their conventions.
> Let's change the way the blind and disabled get access, not only to the
> printed word, but to all information.
> Harry from Michigan
>
>
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