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Well, you say:
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
30%? Also, consider that the "elite" can either afford commercial and
assistive technologies or find a way to get them.
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).
Most of the issues that impact NLS and book production and distribution
come primarily from publisher's concerns with copyright.
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.
What all others????
Dr. Terri Hedgpeth
Academic Research Professional
CUbiC #376, iCare
(480) 727-8133 V
(480) 965-1885 Fax
CUbiC.asu.edu
http://www.fulton.asu.edu/fulton/
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of LM Scaife
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 10:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] let's really think about this talking book
situation
Please email suggestions concerning list operation to
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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
Please email suggestions concerning list operation to
[log in to unmask]
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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