Thank you Jeff, we need more calm and reasonable responses such as yours. Might I add that it's possible that Ms. Dixon was acting as instructed by her supervisor when she sent out that "canned" message, and that she may not have had permission to publicly announce any further information as yet. Before we jump on Judy's case, let's all step back and let NLS straighten out the problems with Web Braille. They are extremely aware of the unhappiness the suspension of WB has caused in the blind community, and I for one am certain they are doing all they can to get things up and running again.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jeff Molzow Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 1:21 PM To: Braillenote List Subject: [Braillenote] NLS Web Braille Shutdown Hello Folks: I just wrote and got a very rapid response from NLS referencing the Web Braille services. Putting aside the typos below, this appears to be only a *TEMPORARY* service interruption. I also spoke with our Texas State participating library, and as has been forwarded to the list, "Web Braille will be unavailable in the near future". I have not read *ANYTHING* that would indicate that this is a permanent condition. I suspect that the response will be the same from all of the local/state participating libraries since they all work from the same national network. I'm just suggesting that before we panic, let's make sure that this is not just service updating growing pains. hth Jeff Note from Frank Silkey: JEFF: There has been no decision to end Web Braille services, just to correct the problems. WB will be back soon. Kurt Cylke: Frank Kurt Cylke, Director National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress Washington, DC 20542 202-707-5104 Fax 202-707-1690 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] My original note to NLS: >Hello Frank: > >This is a note to plea for the return of Web Braille services. I have been >an NLS patron since 1967. I've gone from records to tapes and now have been >thrilled to use Web Braille services for the sheer convenience it provides. > >Prior to Web Braille, I had to carry my NLS tape machine and the little >green boxes anytime I traveled. Now with advances in technology, such as my >Humanware MPower (Note taker), I can take my books and magazines with me >easily and at a fraction of the cost to my participating library. While I am >aware that these materials travel as Free Matter For The Blind, there still >must be huge costs in handling, repairing and replacing lost or damaged >materials. With Web Braille, most if not all of these costs are eliminated. > >Certainly there are security and technical risks with the ability to >download these materials, but, in my and many other readers opinions), the >benefits far outweigh the risks. Please reconsider your decision to end the >Web Braille services. > >Thank you for your consideration. >Jeff Molzow ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
