Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.

Thu Sep 14 00:56:17 UTC 2017

I doubt Humanware or NLS assume all patrons are seniors. I wouldn't be 
surprised though if statistics show that a large population of NLS 
patrons are seniors though. Many conditions affecgt eye sight as people 
age, plus the RLF outbreak after WW II mean there are a large number of 
blind adults now in their 60's and 70's.

Whether they're a statistical majority or not, NLS needs to take into 
account their requirements, and in my opinion, the NLS is right in going 
after a player that can be used by everyone and not just people 
accustomed to specific technologies.

For my part, I've been a NLS user since my early teens. I also see a lot 
of books available for young adults and children every month.

On 09/13/2017 12:49 PM, Linux for blind general discussion wrote:
> The one thing I heard over and over again from humanware when they 
> created the new digital  players for NLS is seniors.
> They assumed that all patrons were older, something I thought was 
> goofy since  I have been a member going back to age 7.
> In fact that is part of why I am so surprised by all the bard focus.
> I am not a smart phone user, the digital voices make me dizzy.  I do 
> not belong to bard either, but for different reasons.
> Speaking only for myself, I prefer my cassette player, knowing from 
> nls that not all titles in the collection will be converted, and I 
> find time and time again something I need for research only exists on 
> tape, sometimes even on disc.     To me tapes  sound better as well.
>  But that is me.  I am no senior, but can honestly say almost all tech 
> stuff mobile wise is not accessible for me.  I am sure I am not alone 
> in the   nls population either.
> Karen
>
>
>
> On Wed, 13 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote:
>
>> I'm not sure this is a safe assumption. Sure, when you're on a list 
>> like this, it seems that everyone has a mobile device, but how many 
>> Talking Book subscribers fall into this category? Talking Books are 
>> for everyone and not just tech savvy people. I think the NLS places a 
>> premium on ease of use and durability, and I'm not sure the current 
>> product doesn't deliver on this admirably. As others have mentioned, 
>> just as with the cassette players, you can get more mobile options 
>> from other vendors.
>>
>>
>> On 09/13/2017 07:45 AM, Linux for blind general discussion wrote:
>>>  Assuming those for whom big buttons etc. is an advantage are a 
>>> minority
>>>  perhaps there is a good compromise.
>>>
>>>  If there were to be a pad containing al the large controls and a 
>>> speaker
>>>  which can attach to a pocket size device using headphones which is the
>>>  actual book reader; all needs could be met?
>>>
>>>
>>>  On Tue, 12 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote:
>>>
>>> >  I'm one of those who like the big buttons and the decent speaker 
>>> of the
>>> >  NLS digital player, but you make a good point about the value of a
>>> >  device you can put in your pocket.
>>> > >  Al
>>> > >  On 09/11/2017 08:22 PM, Linux for blind general discussion wrote:
>>> > >  My apologies if it sounded like I was complaining. I'm actually
>>> > >  pleasantly surprised the players are Linux based as opposed to
>>> > >  something custom or even Windows based, and honestly, sticking 
>>> to a
>>> > >  working model for a decade is actually kind of refreshing 
>>> compared to
>>> > >  the mainstream electronics manufacturers who release some trivial
>>> > >  redesign every few months and try to push some resource hogging 
>>> bit of
>>> > >  eyecandy or some alpha quality new feature that breaks or replaces
>>> > >  existing functionality that actually works on older models as a 
>>> reason
>>> > >  to spend hundreds of dollars on a device with only marginally 
>>> better
>>> > >  specs.
>>> > > > >  If I have a complaint unique to the NLS player(limited file 
>>> format
>>> > >  support and DRM are endemic problems with digital media players 
>>> and
>>> > >  digital media distribution respectively and a wide range of 
>>> devices
>>> > >  don't let the user swap in a spare battery), it's the fact the 
>>> players
>>> > >  are bulky compared to just about anything battery powered made 
>>> this
>>> > >  century. Granted, I imagine their are plenty of NLS patrons that
>>> > >  appreciate the overly large buttons and the large, room filling
>>> > >  speaker, but a cartridge player that could fit in my pocket or 
>>> in my
>>> > >  fanny pack with all my other gadgets would still be nice.
>>> > > > > _______________________________________________
>>> >  Blinux-list mailing list
>>> >  Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>> >  https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>> >
>>>  XB
>>>
>>>  _______________________________________________
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>>
>> -- 
>> Christopher (CJ)
>> Chaltain at Gmail
>>
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>>
>
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-- 
Christopher (CJ)
Chaltain at Gmail