Re: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.
Remember the Talking Book Player caters to a lot more then mobile device toting patrons. The cassette player we used to have was a tank compared to Walkmans and the like. I'm OK with the design of the current player, and I'm glad they put ease of use and durability at the top of the requirements queue. If I want a portable player, I have my Booksense and my smart phones. On 09/12/2017 10:08 AM, 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@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list -- Christopher (CJ) Chaltain at Gmail ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
Re: speechdispatcher-git
So, some step beyond that entry in your ~/.bashrc is mucking things up. Your assignment is to find out what's mucking things up, and to fix it. There's no way we can help you from this kind of general statement because it's far too short of specifics. Linux for blind general discussion writes: > I put paplay /usr/share/sounds/freedesktop/stereo/alarm-clock-elapsed.oga in > my .bashrc file as the second line in the file. Interesting results too, > but I don't know what these mean. On boot up from a poweroff state, the > sound file plays with no error. Any subsequent attempt to play the sound > file has the error statement come back. > > On Mon, 11 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote: > > > Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2017 04:50:37 > > From: Linux for blind general discussion > > To: Linux for blind general discussion > > Subject: Re: speechdispatcher-git > > > > To be fully certain, you might try the command immediately after > > booting. You should run the command before issuing any other having > > absolutely anything to do with sound, i.e. not dispatching > > speech-dispatcher. > > > > Linux for blind general discussion writes: > > > The sound system isn't perfect. When I used paplay to play an .oga file I > > > got xcb_connection_has_error() returned true. > > > On Sun, 10 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote: > > > > > > > Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2017 06:08:04 > > > > From: Linux for blind general discussion > > > > To: Linux for blind general discussion > > > > Subject: Re: speechdispatcher-git > > > > > > > > Linux for blind general discussion writes: > > > > > Curiosity for the most part. I wouldn't do auto-login on a machine. > > > > > > > > > > > > > For the most part that's probably the best approach. However, there are > > > > exceptions, and the current discussion illustrates one such. > > > > > > > > We're being asked to help someone get their Orca plus speech-dispatcher > > > > setup working. As with any debugging situation, if the problem isn't > > > > immediately obvious, a good approach is to simplify the environment in > > > > order to isolate the issue. > > > > > > > > So, in the current instance, launching startx from a standard text > > > > console would quickly show whether there are issues specifically with > > > > the Orca setup, or not. The only caveat here is any required unique > > > > startx > > > > tweak, probably an .xinitrc with: > > > > > > > > exec gnome-session > > > > > > > > Yes, it's possibly the case that one could just as easily login on the > > > > text console, but that can require some configuration, too, e.g. > > > > possibly the beep on backspace hasn't been configured. That wouldn't be > > > > an issue with Speakup, or some other console level screen reader, of > > > > course. And, one could always test the console environment with with a > > > > beep command like: > > > > > > > > echo Ctrl+g > > > > > > > > Now, if the situation is such that multiple individuals use the > > > > computer, some solution involving gdm is clearly desirable. But, if > > > > there's only one person using the computer, I strongly question the > > > > value of gdm, though login to the computer is probably still advisable. > > > > > > > > But, if this individual, the only one using the computer, also lives > > > > alone and rarely entertains untrusted individuals, even an auto login > > > > could be reasonable. > > > > > > > > Just my thoughts here. > > > > > > > > Janina > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 8 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2017 18:59:25 > > > > > > From: Linux for blind general discussion > > > > > > To: Linux for blind general discussion > > > > > > Subject: Re: speechdispatcher-git > > > > > > > > > > > > OK, let me try to be a bit more specific. > > > > > > > > > > > > Why do you think you need a graphical login manager? What, exactly > > > > > > is it > > > > > > doing for you? > > > > > > > > > > > > I ask this question because the easiest way to avoid the problems > > > > > > handing off speech from the dm to the gnome session with orca is to > > > > > > not > > > > > > use a dm at all. Options include autologin on the console, or > > > > > > standard > > > > > > console login, followed by startx which can reliably start Orca and > > > > > > speech-dispatcher. > > > > > > > > > > > > Linux for blind general discussion writes: > > > > > > > because I tried lightdm first and that didn't work either. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Fri, 8 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2017 07:44:51 > > > > > > > > From: Linux for blind general discussion > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To: Linux for blind general discussion > > > > > > > > Subject: Re: speechdispatcher-git > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Why do you need gdm? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Linux for blind ge
Re: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.
Yeah, this has gotten quite far from the original topic. Does anyone know if NLS, APH, Perkins, or any of the other organizations dealing in alternative formats have their own mailing lists or even just newsletters? My gmail is mewtamer if anyone wishes to forward me information on such off list. I confess surprise that such low bitrates can be used while sounding so clear, but then again, I'm more familiar with lossy compression on Music and use lossless compression on my own rips more because I have the space to spare than because I find lossy unacceptable sound quality wise. -- Sincerely, Jeffery Wright President Emeritus, Nu Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa. Former Secretary, Student Government Association, College of the Albemarle. ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
RE: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.
If we need to continue this conversation, I should just get your e-mail address so we don't clutter this listserv. Daisy books typically encode their audio in MP3 at bitrates of 32 kbps or higher. FLAC probably averages around 300 kbps (I haven't checked this lately) for monophonic audio. NLS uses the adaptive multirate wideband extended (AMR-WB+) encoding format of the Third Generation Partnership Project, and we encode our books at 24 kbps constant bitrate. This algorithm can be set to bitrates as low as 5.5 kbps, but quality suffers. I have been advocating the adoption of the Opus internet wideband audio codec for audio EPUB files, but so far this hasn't gained much traction. It works about as well as AMR-WB+ at a given bitrate and is royaltee-free. I don't expect to see opus used for talking books any time soon, and probably not on the current generation of hardware players. Lloyd Rasmussen, Senior Staff Engineer National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress Washington, DC 20542 202-707-0535 http://www.loc.gov/nls/ The preceding opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Library of Congress, NLS. -Original Message- From: blinux-list-boun...@redhat.com [mailto:blinux-list-boun...@redhat.com] On Behalf Of Linux for blind general discussion Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 8:41 PM To: blinux-list@redhat.com Subject: Re: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges. I find the claim that most could fit their entire library on a 16GB cartridge funny considering my own fairly modest library of audiobooks and eBooks takes up 66GB in my home directory not counting the stuff in my Unread folder. Granted, most of the audiobooks saved on my computer are flac rips from Audiobooks I bought in CD format off of Amazon and are thus much bigger than mp3 versions would be, and while I know next to nothing about the Daisy format, I'm guessing its closer in size to mp3 than flac. -- Sincerely, Jeffery Wright President Emeritus, Nu Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa. Former Secretary, Student Government Association, College of the Albemarle. ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
Re: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.
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@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
Re: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.
The Blaze ET plays NLS books, you just need to register it. Also, the stream has the "phone" type of keys for control. I hope this helps. kp On Tue, 12 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote: I'll admit part of the problem is ignorance. Until reading the description for the cartridges Perkins is selling on Amazon, I didn't know any cartridge players other than the NLS player existed, and those descriptions only name drop two players I didn't know about and warns one doesn't support NLS's DRM. As for the cartridges themselves, while they are at their core generic USB flash drives and the casing offers some nice features such as having room for a detailed label, being easy to handle, and being easy to find if dropped, the casing does render the carts incompatible with most USB interfaces and pushes the cartridges into the Territory of formats most outside of the target demographic will have never heard of. Granted, prior to this thread, I never thought to ask and was working under the assumption the NLS player was the only cartridge player, so my ignorance on this subject is probably at least partially willful. Still, if anyone knows of a pocket-sized player with a cartridge slot and support of NLS books, I'd be interested in a link. As for smartphones, there are far more fundamental accessibility issues to deal with before I try wrestling with DRM(touch dialing a phone number unassisted being first among them). Though, if you know of any devices built around a more traditional phone button layout while retaining the multi-function capabilities of touchscreen devices, I'd love to hear about them. In the mean time, I'll be sticking with my retro-styled flip phone for phone things, my Blaze ET for most of my media playback, and my Raspberry Pi with a wireless USB keyboard for notetaking on the go. Though, considering none of those has a truly accessible mobile web browsing experience, a fourth device for that niche wouldn't go amiss. -- Sincerely, Jeffery Wright President Emeritus, Nu Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa. Former Secretary, Student Government Association, College of the Albemarle. ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
Re: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.
You don't necessarily need a cart slot. the stream uses a SD card and internal flash memory, phones use there own internal memory. Some of them also use sd cards as well. Commercial devices like phones get there key to play books when the user logs into the service. the stream gets its key when you register it and it is emailed to you. Now, there are also other devices, but I am just giving some examples so you know that more is available. On Tue, 12 Sep 2017, Linux for blind general discussion wrote: I'll admit part of the problem is ignorance. Until reading the description for the cartridges Perkins is selling on Amazon, I didn't know any cartridge players other than the NLS player existed, and those descriptions only name drop two players I didn't know about and warns one doesn't support NLS's DRM. As for the cartridges themselves, while they are at their core generic USB flash drives and the casing offers some nice features such as having room for a detailed label, being easy to handle, and being easy to find if dropped, the casing does render the carts incompatible with most USB interfaces and pushes the cartridges into the Territory of formats most outside of the target demographic will have never heard of. Granted, prior to this thread, I never thought to ask and was working under the assumption the NLS player was the only cartridge player, so my ignorance on this subject is probably at least partially willful. Still, if anyone knows of a pocket-sized player with a cartridge slot and support of NLS books, I'd be interested in a link. As for smartphones, there are far more fundamental accessibility issues to deal with before I try wrestling with DRM(touch dialing a phone number unassisted being first among them). Though, if you know of any devices built around a more traditional phone button layout while retaining the multi-function capabilities of touchscreen devices, I'd love to hear about them. In the mean time, I'll be sticking with my retro-styled flip phone for phone things, my Blaze ET for most of my media playback, and my Raspberry Pi with a wireless USB keyboard for notetaking on the go. Though, considering none of those has a truly accessible mobile web browsing experience, a fourth device for that niche wouldn't go amiss. -- Sincerely, Jeffery Wright President Emeritus, Nu Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa. Former Secretary, Student Government Association, College of the Albemarle. ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
Re: Digitizing audio cassettes and extracting the contents of digital cartridges.
I'll admit part of the problem is ignorance. Until reading the description for the cartridges Perkins is selling on Amazon, I didn't know any cartridge players other than the NLS player existed, and those descriptions only name drop two players I didn't know about and warns one doesn't support NLS's DRM. As for the cartridges themselves, while they are at their core generic USB flash drives and the casing offers some nice features such as having room for a detailed label, being easy to handle, and being easy to find if dropped, the casing does render the carts incompatible with most USB interfaces and pushes the cartridges into the Territory of formats most outside of the target demographic will have never heard of. Granted, prior to this thread, I never thought to ask and was working under the assumption the NLS player was the only cartridge player, so my ignorance on this subject is probably at least partially willful. Still, if anyone knows of a pocket-sized player with a cartridge slot and support of NLS books, I'd be interested in a link. As for smartphones, there are far more fundamental accessibility issues to deal with before I try wrestling with DRM(touch dialing a phone number unassisted being first among them). Though, if you know of any devices built around a more traditional phone button layout while retaining the multi-function capabilities of touchscreen devices, I'd love to hear about them. In the mean time, I'll be sticking with my retro-styled flip phone for phone things, my Blaze ET for most of my media playback, and my Raspberry Pi with a wireless USB keyboard for notetaking on the go. Though, considering none of those has a truly accessible mobile web browsing experience, a fourth device for that niche wouldn't go amiss. -- Sincerely, Jeffery Wright President Emeritus, Nu Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa. Former Secretary, Student Government Association, College of the Albemarle. ___ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
