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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>For the most part I agree with </span><span
style='color:#1F497D'>Pratik. However, I’m seeing a pattern emerge. People
who use demo units of these DAISY players are left with a bad taste in their
mouth but users of the players have better experiences over time. Part of this
the firmware development, and part of it is just the different use cases. The
PlexTalk PTP1 was a horrid demo unit. It was slow, unresponsive, and lacked
features but has begun to improve with ongoing firmware updates. This pattern
also applies to the BookSense. When The BookSense shipped, the firmware was
unpolished, but has already shown great improvement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>(I still think the PlexTalk PTP1
is slow compared to these other players.) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Additionally, both the PlexTalk
PTP1 and the APH BookPort Plus use the Nuance Text-to-Speech engine, which next
to the NeoSpeech of the BookSense is quite poor. I share the concern that HumanWare
has poor tech. support but they have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to
updating the firmware on the Stream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>It is a tough call. All of these
players have advantages and disadvantages. It just comes down to a matter of
personal preference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>PlexTalk has just announced the
new PTN2 , it looks like a tough as nails follow up to the PTN1. We’ll
just have to wait and see how well it’s accepted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>Jon P. Pielaet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>Program Assistant for Instructional Materials<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>Disability Services for Students<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>Emma B. Lommasson 154<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>The University of Montana<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>Missoula, MT 59812<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.umt.edu/dss/">www.umt.edu/dss/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>406-243-2243 Voice/Text<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>406-243-4461 Direct Line<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:#1F497D'>406-243-5330 Fax<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Pratik
Patel<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, April 29, 2010 12:48 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'Access Technology Higher Education Network'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Athen] Daisy Player that can take a beating<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Hello,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I agree with ron in that the
functionality of the Plextalk player is significantly better than that provided
by the Stream. Keep in mind that the Victor Stream’s hardware was
designed more than three years ago and is not as powerful as the
Plextalk. I also agree that the Booksense is more complex than it needs
to be in its interface. Some have certainly reported hardware issues with
the Booksense though I did not personally experienced these issues while I had
it for testing. The Plextalk and the Booksense have a better industrial
design. The 4<sup>th</sup> option you have available is the Bookport plus
from the American Printinghouse for the Blind. This player started
shipping in early march. It uses identical hardware as the Plextalk with
APH’s flavor of the firmware. Personally if I had to choose from
among all these players, I would go with APH’s Bookport Plus. I owned
the first iteration of the Bookport three or four years ago. It was very
well designed. The software was quite intuitive. From the demos
I’ve heard, the new player caries that tradition with new hardware.
Plus, APH has a history of updating the firmware quite frequently to meet the
users’ demand. I’ve also noticed that GW Micro has updated
the Firmware several times since the release last summer. At this stage,
the Victor Stream would be my last choice as humanware is known to have
significant support issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Pratik<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Ron
Stewart<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 28, 2010 11:11 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'Access Technology Higher Education Network'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Athen] Daisy Player that can take a beating<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I have been playing with the
PlexTalk PTN1 and I actually like its feature set over the Stream. Both
are very durable and have a small wrist strap loop that could be used to tether
them down as well though I would worry about the strength of the security.
For most users the Booksense is overkill as a DAISY reader and not something
that I see checking out on a regular basis since it is really a mini-PC and
overkill for the average campus use. Odds on favorite for CD based
players is the Victor Classic X+ for durability and the ability to leash
it. As many have heard Gaeir and I say, “ it passed the drop test,
and even the throw across the room test”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I must stay though in my visit
to the RFBD and Humanware websites that finding these players was almost
impossible. Not a good sign for long term continuation of the
product. I am used to the lack of user functionality on the HumanWare
site but to find the “new” RFB&D site totally almost totally
unusable for access to the good pragmatic solutions that I have looked for in
the past really was a bummer on a very long day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Ron <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
athen-bounces@athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces@athenpro.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Kestrell<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 28, 2010 2:05 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Access Technology Higher Education Network<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Athen] Daisy Player that can take a beating<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>I
have a Booksense, and I love it, but even though I only received it at
Christmas and didn't start using it until after New Year's, I have already had
to have it replaced. It has a known issue with the jack where you plug in the
power charger. I have had a similar issue with my laptop--after a while the
contact becomes loose. It was easily exchanged because it is a known issue, but
still, this could be a major hassle for you.<br>
<br>
Also, the Booksense is pretty complex--I think one of the other Daisy players
might be much more straightforward to learn.<br>
<br>
Kes</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>-----
Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:jhausler@cahs.colostate.edu"
title="jhausler@cahs.colostate.edu">Hausler,Jesse</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>To:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <a
href="mailto:athen@athenpro.org" title="athen@athenpro.org">'Access Technology
Higher Education Network'</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Sent:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Wednesday, April 28,
2010 11:34 AM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Subject:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> [Athen] Daisy Player
that can take a beating<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Hello,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I am looking to purchase a Daisy hardware player that could
survive as a loaner in a library setting. We have a Victor Classic plus
and a few Telex Scholars and they are finally nearing the end of their days. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Does anyone have any suggestions for a “work
horse” daisy player? Or would the Classic plus still be the one to
buy? We use the Victor Wave and Stream for direct student loaning, but
are looking for something a bit more sturdy for this purpose. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Jesse Hausler<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Assistive Technology Resource Center<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Colorado State University<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>970-491-0625<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://atrc.colostate.edu">http://atrc.colostate.edu</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>_______________________________________________<br>
Athen mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Athen@athenpro.org">Athen@athenpro.org</a><br>
<a href="http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org">http://athenpro.org/mailman/listinfo/athen_athenpro.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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