New Audio Tours: iJourneys

Today's NY Times has an artucke about a new audio tour company, iJourneys. It looks like a good one. [iJourneys]

Inaccessible Web Design

This is what a bad website looks like after I have set the font sizes so that I can read them. This is from Audible.com.

[Audible]

Second Success with Unabridged Audible.com Releases

As you can read in earlier posts, here and here, I have been waging a one-person campaign to see more unabridged audiobooks on Audible.com. I had a first success with Ron Rosenbaum's Explaining Hitler. Just a few weeks ago, I saw that Doris Kearns Goodwin had released the unabridged version of Team of Rivals on Audible.com. I had emailed Ms. Goodwin several months ago about doing just this. I can not be sure that this was not coincidence, but hopefully this counts as a second battle won.

Flickr: Blind Photographers

I have started a Flickr group for Flickr: Blind Photographers. If you are not familiar with Flickr, it is a photo-sharing community. This group is meant for blind and visually impaired photographers to display their work. Please check it out. Technorati tag: Blind Photographers

Portable Player Portal Main Page

Here is a nice review of iPods, other digital music players and related software from an accessible perspective: Portable Player Portal Main Page. I am interested in Rockbox, which has a voice-based interface, but it does not allow for Audible.com playback.

Medialoper » That’s What I Like: Audible.com

I have to second this opinion: Medialoper » That’s What I Like: Audible.com. Listening to audiobooks while working out gives me the opportunity and discipline to listen to those long books that can't be listened to while going to sleep. I recently made it through Jenkins' biography of Churchill [Churchill: A Biography] and now am finishing the second volume of Foote's history of the Civil War [The Civil War: A Narrative (3 Vol. Set)].

Pogue’s Posts - As We Get Older, Type Gets Smaller - Technology - New York Times Blog

Pogue's post this past week, As We Get Older, Type Gets Smaller, addresses a major issue that I think about too much. I reset the screen resolution, override default fonts and sometimes use Zoomtext.

Google Accessible Search

This, Google Accessible Search: "Accessible Web Search for the Visually Challenged". looks to be a great new resource for the visually impaired. Not only does it provides better place for the visually impaired to search, but should also put pressure on all web developers to create more accessible web sites.

Off-Topic: Changing Things

I am a big believer in fixing problems that I find. I recently discovered some locations incorrectly mapped on Google. I submitted a correction to Google, but I also let the affected businesses know. Here is a copy of my exchange with one of them.

Their response:

wecare@m400.alexlee.com to me Good afternoon, Thank you for contacting the Lowes Foods Customer Care Center. Thank you for bring this to our attention. We have forwarded your comments to the appropriate company official. Thank you for giving Lowes Foods the opportunity to serve you better and for shopping at Lowes Foods. Leslie Robbins Lowes Foods Customer Care Center

My email:

to lfscustomercare Your location at the Chatham Crossing Shopping Center in Chapel hIll is incorrectly mapped on Google Maps. It shown across from Southern Village here, As you know, it should be listed here. I submitted this to their contact us page, buy I am only a user. As an effected business, your request is more likely to be heeded. The reason I am sending you this is that I am legally blind. I live in ... and google mapped some nearby stores (CVS, Lowes, etc.) and found them to be ... Imagine my surprise when I went for a walk and never found them. Please see if you can have this fixed to save some other poor soul this trouble. Thank you

I hope this works. Either way, I will keep trying.

First success with "More Unabridged Auiobooks!"

I have had my first success with my grass root campaign for more unabridged audio. I received an email this week from Ron Rosenbaum, the author of Explaining Hitler. I read this book a few years ago on cassette, but could not find it on Audible.com. I emailed Mr. Rosenbaum, who was kind enough to see that his book will be published on Audible.

From the email:

It took a while but we've made arrangements for books on tape to make the Hitler book available on audible.com. I'm not sure when it will become available (just signed the paperwork) but thought I'd let you know it's happening. Best, ron rosenbaum

Thank you, Mr. Rosenbaum.

Response on Cell Phon High-Contrast Color Schemes

I had a response form Verizon (who obviously did not read my initial message carefully) which just blew me off. Here is the response and my response:

As I said in the original message, I had difficulty testing each phone in the store. First, the store's inventory did not match the online store's inventory. Second, I was unable to turn on many models. Lastly, it was not easy to search for the correct font/display.color/theme settings on each phone that I could turn on since I am legally blind. Can you at least suggest it to Verizon's accessibility team that they (1) test each phone for high-contrast color scheme options and publish the results and (2) they suggest /require the suppliers to add high-contrast color scheme options if they do not already have them? Thank you. On 4/27/06, Verizon Wireless Customer Service S - Hide quoted text - wrote: Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website. I appreciate your inquiry regarding starting service with Verizon Wireless. My name is Desmond, and I am happy to assist you today. Unfortunately, I am unable to inform you which handsets have the contrast capabilities you are in need of because I do not have each handset available to test for you. I would recommend visiting your closest Verizon Wireless direct store which will have working models of the handsets we offer for you to test. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. To obtain a list of stores in your area, please click on the following link, which will direct you to our "Store Locator" page: www.verizonwireless.com/storelocator We provide three options to choose from for obtaining new service with us: 1. You may place orders online by clicking on the following link, www.verizonwireless.com/plans which will direct you to the "Plans" page of our website. 2. You may visit a local Verizon Wireless store in your area, where a sales representative will be happy to assist you. To obtain a list of stores in your area, please click on the following link www.verizonwireless.com/storelocator which will direct you to the "Store Locator" page of our website. 3. Additionally, service may be ordered over the telephone by calling our Verizon Wireless Sales Department at 1-800-2-JOIN-IN (256-4646). A representative will be happy to assist you with your request. We appreciate your business. Please contact us at our website for any of your future needs. Again, thank you for using Verizon Wireless products and services. Sincerely, Desmond Verizon Wireless Customer Service "We never stop working for you!" If you have received this e-mail in error or are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by replying to this e-mail and deleting it and all copies and backups thereof. If you are the intended recipient and are a Verizon Wireless customer, this response is subject to the terms of your Customer Agreement.

So to whom can I write, if I want a real reesponse?

High-contrast Cell Phones

I am looking at getting a new cell phone. I don't need a fully voice-controlled, phone, but I would like one where the text is large and easy to read. I am having a hard time finding one. Companies do not advertise high contrast text settings, even if they have them.

My wife and I are currently planning to leave our current cell phone provider and are strongly considering Verizon. The main issue is that I am legally blind with partial sight. I don't need the text-to-speech features of the LG VX 4500. I need a phone with a clearly legible text where the font color contrasts sharply with the background color (black on white, white 0r yellow on black, etc). I went to a Verizon store to check the phones, but it was not possible to check many phone (the stores inventory did not match the website, many of the phone on display could not be turned on and it was not easy to check the Display Settings of the phones that were on). Is there a way to find out which phones have high-contrast color themes? The only one I could find is the CDM 8945, but I don't need all the VCAST features and don't want to have to pay for them. A serious attempt to help would be appreciated.

UPDATE: I have posted a link to a review of the Jitterbug phone. The Jitterbug might be the best phone for folks with low, but functional, vision.

Aldo on Audiobooks « Aldo on Audiobooks

Here is a great site about audiobooks, Aldo on Audiobooks « Aldo on Audiobooks. It is worth a look.

Update on "More Unabridged Auiobooks!"

I have heard back from one more publisher in my mini-crusade for more digital unabridged audiobooks. ________________________________________

From: @tantor.com Date: Mar 27, 2006 11:49 AM Subject: Re: Releasing more unabridged books on Audible.com

Thank you for your interest in Tantor Media. I am thrilled to hear you have enjoying our selection of titles. We are in the process of renegotiating our contract with Audible and I'm sure we will continue to release our titles available for download with Audible.

We do not have any current plans to release another William Gibson novel on audio, but will keep your suggestion in mind and certainly appreciate your input.

Sincerely, Tantor Media 114 Mill Rock Rd E Old Saybrook, CT 06475 877-782-6867x24 www.tantor.com

Tantor

Font Size in Balloons

PC Magazine has a tip on dealing with Font Size in Balloons. This should help you resize the font in those little comment balloons in Word.

More Unabridged Auiobooks!

I have begun a personal campaign to get more unabridged audiobooks released, especially on Audible.com or iTunes. I have contacted several publishers, including Highbridge, Tantor and Basic Books among others, and several authors, including Peter Bernstein, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jagdish Bhagwati, Joseph Stiglitz, Simon Singh, and Ron Rosenbaum among others. Some have even gotten back to me.

I have collected and attached all of the responses that I have collected so far. I stripped off the contact information, so, if you are inclined to contact the same people, drop me an email and I can share those with you.

Does anyone know how to contact the big publishing houses like HarperAudio, Simon & Schuster or Random House?

Some have argued that distribution costs for audiobooks, especially unabridged versions of longer books, are too high. I would think that this is true for distrubitng books via CD or cassette, but not electronically via Audible.com or iTunes. I know some authors are worried about DRM (illegal file sharing), but my impression is that most illegal copies are from CDs or cassettes and not pirated from iTunes or Audible.com.

___________________________________

From: perseusbooks.com Subject: RE: Releasing audiobooks via Audible.com

Hello - Wonderful to hear of your interest in the Basic Books list.

Unfortunately, since we do not produce our own audiobooks, it would be up to audible to sub-license those titles from us.

It would be appreciated if you would let them know of your interest. If Audible then feels there is a wider market for these books they would contact us and let us regarding licensing.

Again, thanks for your interest in our publications. It's always a good thing to hear directly of a reader's interest.

Best, Bill Smith Domestic Rights Manager The Perseus Books Group

___________________________________

Subject: FW: Question for Daniel Yergin about releasing his books on Audible.com

Hi,

I work in Dr. Yergin's office--thank you for your inquiry. Do you know how Audible.com works? I can't find anything on their website. Do they just take an existing audio tape or do they sometimes make their own versions?

Any info you have would be appreciated and we will look into it.

Best regards, Amy Kipp Executive Assistant to Daniel Yergin

___________________________________

Subject: Re: DORISKEARNSGOODWIN.COM

One of the great joys of writing is receiving reactions like yours. I am glad you are enjoying my book on LBJ.

Right now, the unabridged version of Team of Rivals is only available in libraries. I have passed your note on to Simon & Schuster and we'll let you know if the unabridged version becomes available for retail purchase. I hope in the meantime you might hear the abridged version.

Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

With all best wishes, Doris Kearns Goodwin

___________________________________

From: HighBridge.Audio Subject: RE: Gnd, Germs and Steel

Thank you for your email to HighBridge Audio. I apologize for some of our abridged titles. We have been trying to limit our releases to unabridged, but sometimes the length causes the price to be prohibitive for us to cover costs and publish. We have tried to make the cost workable for everyone, but it doesn't always work out that way on the longer titles.

Our library customers prefer the unabridged titles as well, so we hear this from them as well. I have passed your suggestion on to our production manager and editors for HighBridge. They appreciate your feedback. Audible is a growing business partner for HighBridge and you should be finding more of our titles with them in the future.

Thanks for the comments about our catalog. Our staff works hard to find good titles to publish. Have you read Secret Life of Bees? That's a great book!

Peter Regan HighBridge Audio

___________________________________

Subject: Re: Releasing unabridged Explaining Hitler on Audible.com

Thank you for your interest in my book. I'm unfamiliar with audible.com but certainly would be willing to see if what you ask could be done. I know I sold the rights to "Books on Tape" which puts out a casette version so I don't know who has the authority to make the release. Do you have any suggestions for how to "release" it to Audible.com. If not I can ask my literary agent what control I have in the matter.

Again I appreciate your inquiry and will try to see what can be done.

Yours truly, Ron Rosenbaum

___________________________________

From: Jagdish Bhagwati Subject: Re: Releasing your Books as Unabridged Audiobooks on Audible.com

I am sory to hear about your going blind.

I do not know how to do what you suggest but will tell my publishers about your suggestion.

My best wishes to you,

Professor Bhagwati

___________________________________

Subject: Re: Contact Request

The abridged audios are the only audios that exist.

I regret that we do not own unabridged audios and therefore are unable to fulfill your request.

Sincerely, Barbara Bernstein, Exec. VP Peter L. Bernstein, Inc.

___________________________________ Audiobooks

Firefox Themes

Firefox has a number of large icon themes, available here. They are easy to install and to change if you do not find them useful.

Sounds for Sights - Audio Walking Tours

There was a comment on this blog a while back about another website offering audio tours, Sounds for Sights. I don't think they offer them directly through iTunes, but you can buy them off their website. It seems to be limited now to New York City, but expanding to Boston and DC soon.

More on PodGuides

Today's Boston Globe has an article, Audio-tours de force, today on PodGuides, though they don't use the name. The article talks about one company, Audissey Guides, which is producing digital audio tour guides, though these don't seem to be avaible directly on iTunes. The Globe is also carrying an AP story, Georgia college pushes for iPod ingenuity, about iPod uses for the classroom. One of these uses is an an audio museum tour for one of the classes. I am seeing more and more audio tours available online. For a recent trip to Chicago, I found a free audio tour to Chicago's new Millenium Park.