Beneblog: Technology Meets Society: The Struggle for Book Access (Blog Post #1)
Vis-a-vis the new Kindle with text-to-speech capability, here is a good summary of the issues regarding author and publisher rights vs the needs of handicapped readers. I like Jim's concept of dueling moral high ground positions. It puts the whole issue into perspective for me.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Brief History of Tactile Writing Systems for Readers With Blindness and Visual Impairments
A Brief History of Tactile Writing Systems for Readers With Blindness and Visual Impairments
Most people have heard of braille, but there are several other writing systems for blind people. This brief article gives an overview. Some of these systems are particularly useful if you work with young children, older persons who have recently lost their site, or with multiply handicapped persons who may not have the tactile sensitivity to benefit from braille.
Most people have heard of braille, but there are several other writing systems for blind people. This brief article gives an overview. Some of these systems are particularly useful if you work with young children, older persons who have recently lost their site, or with multiply handicapped persons who may not have the tactile sensitivity to benefit from braille.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Google & the Future of Books - The New York Review of Books
Google & the Future of Books - The New York Review of Books
Excellent article by Robert Darnton, head of libraries at Harvard, explaining the likely outcome of the Google Book Search settlement. Thanks for Jim Scheppke for pointing it out.
Excellent article by Robert Darnton, head of libraries at Harvard, explaining the likely outcome of the Google Book Search settlement. Thanks for Jim Scheppke for pointing it out.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Stimuluswatch.org; The Falling Cost and Accelerated Speed of Group Action - O'Reilly Radar
Stimuluswatch.org; The Falling Cost and Accelerated Speed of Group Action - O'Reilly Radar
Wonderful news for those of us involved in the Stimulus race, and who isn't. Librarians and educators should definitely be participating in this wiki.
Wonderful news for those of us involved in the Stimulus race, and who isn't. Librarians and educators should definitely be participating in this wiki.
The Future of Reading - In Web Age, Library Job Gets Update - Series - NYTimes.com
The Future of Reading - In Web Age, Library Job Gets Update - Series - NYTimes.com
No news here for us in the library world, but it's nice to see some good PR for librarians in the NYT.
No news here for us in the library world, but it's nice to see some good PR for librarians in the NYT.
Friday, February 13, 2009
IBM program sends laid off U.S. workers overseas at local wages | The Industry Standard
IBM program sends laid off U.S. workers overseas at local wages | The Industry Standard
Well, we have all been complaining about sending US jobs overseas, so here's a new way to deal with the issue. It keeps US employees working, but at overseas pay scales.
Well, we have all been complaining about sending US jobs overseas, so here's a new way to deal with the issue. It keeps US employees working, but at overseas pay scales.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Talking Books Librarian: Amazon Kindle 2 for blind and visually impaired: Will Amazon Kindle 2 work for blind and visually impaired?
Talking Books Librarian: Amazon Kindle 2 for blind and visually impaired: Will Amazon Kindle 2 work for blind and visually impaired?
My opinion? Kindle 2's TTS is going to revolutionize the entire accessible technology business and culture. It's affordable. It's convenient. Using it won't make a disabled person stand out. Of course, it doesn't play BRF or DAISY files, and the books do cost money, but this is still the first time that a hugely popular ebook reader has included as part of its standard equipment an assistive technology piece.
My opinion? Kindle 2's TTS is going to revolutionize the entire accessible technology business and culture. It's affordable. It's convenient. Using it won't make a disabled person stand out. Of course, it doesn't play BRF or DAISY files, and the books do cost money, but this is still the first time that a hugely popular ebook reader has included as part of its standard equipment an assistive technology piece.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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