Hi Steve, I don't know this for sure but I would be very surprised if the DAISY format was to disappear after all the effort that has gone into promoting it over the last 10-15 years. Having said that, I believe that the DAISY standard has been absorbed into the EPub standard so it may be that we see more EPub branded publications that, on certain upgraded players can be played as easily as the existing DAISY publications. I don't know which players are going to be upgraded to be capable of playing the EPub standard but, if the RNIB players are being upgraded, then it shouldn't matter too much whether the titles are DAISY or EPub. Does anyone know if the Plextalk PTX1, PTN1 etc have had or are going to have this upgrade? As for your question about getting your player serviced, I believe that RNIB has used a contracted company for doing all the maintenance. It might be worth getting in touch with Customer Services and try to get the contact details of this company. They are called something like InfoLink or something like that. Regards, Jamie -----Original Message----- From: Plextalk [mailto:plextalk-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Steve Richards Sent: 26 November 2013 19:30 To: Plextalk User Discussion List Subject: Re: [Plextalk] Future of Daisy players for home use? As some of the RNIB players must be 10 years old now, I think that they probably are getting a lot of machines being returned due to faults and batteries which will not hold their charge. To buy a new batch of machines would be extremely expensive and as there are viable alternatives, they have chosen this route. I do not think for one instant, that the DAISY format is under threat. I am very happy to be gifted with a player, my only concern is where do I get it fixed if and when it goes wrong? Steve ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@comproom.co.uk> To: "'Plextalk User Discussion List'" <plextalk@lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 1:28 PM Subject: Re: [Plextalk] Future of Daisy players for home use? Hi, I don't think they are dropping out of Daisy, this is just scaremongering. They are just offering cheaper ways to read. All the best Steve -- Computer Room Services 77 Exeter Close Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 4PW Tel: +44(0)1438-742286 Mob: +44(0)7956-334938 Fax: +44(0)1438-759589 Email: steve@comproom.co.uk Web: http://www.comproom.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: Plextalk [mailto:plextalk-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Clifford Blackwell Sent: 26 November 2013 13:26 To: Plextalk User Discussion List Subject: Re: [Plextalk] Future of Daisy players for home use? Since the American Library of Congress seems locked into the Daisy format, I think there will continue to be a market for players like th Pocket. It may limit innovation somewhat without a European market, but if it's only the RNIB that's dropping out of DAisy, it may not change much. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Hodgson" <andrew@hodgsonfamily.org> To: <plextalk@lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2013 11:00 AM Subject: [Plextalk] Future of Daisy players for home use? Hi, I received the following information from the RNIB earlier on as I am a volunteer. I personally think the content is very interesting, as they are moving away from Daisy players for talking book subscribers (although from what I read the books are still in Daisy format). I wonder how this will affect companies like Plextalk? Andrew. Changes to the Talking Book Service Volunteer FAQs 1. Why are you making these changes? The Talking Book Service is much loved by our customers as many of you will know through your work supporting blind and partially sighted people with their DAISY players. We have been offering two subscription options: books plus player (£82 per annum) and books only (£50 per annum). The vast majority of subscribers have the books plus player option and are Local Authority funded. However, we now face a number of challenges which we must address to deliver the best service possible to all our customers, now and in the future: . As technology has developed, our customer's needs have changed. Many customers want a simpler, more portable player, MP3 CDs and USB sticks; . Lower cost, more flexible options are available; . Local Authorities are under enormous pressure to reduce budgets and in some areas the Talking Book service is under threat; . Supply of DAISY players at a viable cost is constrained. We must respond by giving more people more choice of content format and player options at a lower price. 2. So what is changing? For new customers RNIB will no longer provide a DAISY Talking Book player on loan. The cost for anyone joining the service will be £50 for a books-only subscription and they will need to buy their own player. We will point customers to recommended players to buy at different prices from £30 for a MP3 CD player capable of playing both DAISY CDs and MP3 CDs, up to £300 for a high specification Daisy player. We will also maintain existing customers' DAISY players until their annual subscription is renewed, at which point the player will transfer into the customer's ownership. The Technology Support Squad (TSS) will be invaluable in helping people to choose and use DAISY and MP3 players in the future. We will continue to provide all books on DAISY CD adding MP3 CDs, USB sticks and downloads in 2014. 3. What about current customers? For current subscribers who already have a loan player, we will continue to repair or replace it until their annual subscription comes up for renewal. So, for example, a customer who joined in October 2013 will receive player support or an alternative option from us until October 2014. When an existing customer's subscription is renewed (at the new lower price), they will keep their current loan player for free; it will become their property. Once that happens, they will need to decide what they want to do if it goes wrong and/or they need to replace it. We will provide advice about repair and player options if customers need it. Your role as volunteers will be invaluable in helping people choose and use players and access the content they want. 4. What are the benefits for customers? . Cheaper subscription; . More choices of player including MP3 players and Daisy players; . More choice of formats to follow in 2014 including USB sticks and downloads; . Same high quality service: over 21,000 unabridged audio books, excellent narration, most books fit on a single CD; fast on-demand delivery of CDs direct to the door - no waiting for any title; . Existing customers keep their current loan player for free on renewal; . Subscription package includes support from an experienced team and TSS volunteers. 5. What support will customers get? There are a number of options for new customers joining the service and existing customers who need to replace their player: 1. Talking Book DAISY CDs contain MP3 tracks and can be played on MP3 equipment that people may already have at home or MP3 players can be bought from high street shops like Argos. We will shortly be selling an MP3 player in the RNIB Shop and this will include a pack for battery or mains operation depending on customer's preference. 2. If a customer is unsure whether they have MP3 compatible equipment at home, the Helpline can send a standard Talking Book CD to try out. 3. Between now and 31 March 2014, we will be offering 15 per cent off selected DAISY players from the RNIB Shop. 6. How are you going to let customers know about the changes? We will be writing to all current Talking Book readers from 18 November to tell them about these changes. In addition, two weeks before each individual's subscription comes up for renewal, we will write to them again to let them know that the player is theirs to keep. 7. What does this mean for TSS volunteers? The Technology Support Squad's role supporting customers when they join the service and helping them use their talking book players will continue to be invaluable. By working together, we can give blind and partially sighted people the information they need to make informed choices about how and what they read. We will keep TSS volunteers up to date on the new ways customers access books over the next few months. If you have any queries about these changes, please contact your Regional Volunteering Coordinator or the RNIB Group Volunteering Team on 01733 375450 or email: volunteering@rnib.org.uk _______________________________________________ Plextalk mailing list Plextalk@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/plextalk _______________________________________________ Plextalk mailing list Plextalk@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/plextalk _______________________________________________ Plextalk mailing list Plextalk@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/plextalk _______________________________________________ Plextalk mailing list Plextalk@lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/plextalk