Hi Scott,
Yes, we've (unfairly) left Bookshare out for some time and it's a
quick path to the first Cocoa release to support text only. This
would also allow us to avoid bothering with DRM stuff for the first
Cocoa version.
1. The Cocoa version will work immediately with any existing
katieplayer licenses/registration keys.
2. The next Cocoa version will be available free to all katieplayer
users registered before its release.
That's the simple plan.
Preliminary indications are that katieplayer is going to be fine on
the Intel Macs but, yes, we're not ready with official word yet. If
there needs to be an update for Intel-compatibility the update will
be free to all registered katieplayer users.
Joe
On Apr 8, 2006, at 10:45 PM, Scott Howell wrote:
Joe, what would be the advantage of doing this? I assume this means
the current version would stay as is and the new version would be
something completely different. Hmmmm, I'm not so sure again this
is a wise path. I think there's a reason here for the question and
maybe you can't fully comment, but I'd impress upon all involved
with the player to carefully consider this choice. Btw, I'll likely
register a new copy for my Intel Mac, but at this point I
understand it may not work. WOuld there be a fee for a version that
does? Has any plan been put into place with regard to the new Coco
version in terms of upgrading?
tnx
Scott
On Apr 8, 2006, at 3:36 PM, Kafka's Daytime wrote:
Thanks Jane. Duly noted. What if you had to use the existing
version of katieplayer (or an upgraded version of similar) to read
RFBD books and the katieplayer Cocoa version to access Bookshare
books i.e. two separate applications?
Joe
On Apr 8, 2006, at 2:21 PM, Jane Jordan (gmail) wrote:
Hi, Joe.
I would hesitate to upgrade KatiePlayer if RFB&D books were no
longer supported. That was the only reason I bought it in the
first place. Of cours, now I know that it does much more, and
yes I would want to be able to listen to Daisy books from
Bokshare when I get that subscription renewed again. But I would
hate to see that particular part of KatiePlayer go away in a new
version. I like the fact that I can carry the comptuer with me
and listen to books from RFB&D whenever aqnd wherever I like, so
taking that way would be a bummer.
The rest of it I don't fully understand, so won't comment on it.
Jane
On Apr 8, 2006, at 12:56 PM, Kafka's Daytime wrote:
Hi Scott,
There was a bit of discussion about this on the list a few weeks
ago. We still have to complete testing of katieplayer on Intel
Macs before we make any changes required and issue a public
statement about katieplayer running on the Intel Macs. We
require a license (BASIC: $18) for each machine on which
katieplayer is installed. If it is a replacement machine (and
you won't be using katieplayer on two separate machines) please
send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] including your new
Hardware Fingerprint. Again, we expect to have compatibility/
update news in the reasonably near future. I'll be sure to post
the new information to the list. Sorry for any delay/
inconvenience. We'll get there. Also keep in mind the Cocoa
version of katieplayer is under development in parallel.
Incidentally, I have a question for all on the list - or at
least those interested in DAISY. - regarding the forthcoming
Cocoa version of katieplayer. How would you feel if the new
Cocoa version of katieplayer were to support only Bookshare/
DAISY 3 books and DAISY 2 content which does not use "live"
Digital Rights Management (DRM) (unless the standard is not
obscure and is available to any developer without draconian
licensing fees/requirements)? RFBD books, for instance, would -
under this scenario - *not* be supported (though we'd probably
keep the legacy version of katieplayer available). We're also
considering moving away from the 'text + audio' flavor of books
and concentrating solely on 'text-only' (e.g. those books
provided by Bookshare). My own humble personal view is that it
seems less and less wise to distribute audio with a talking
book. There is the advantage of the human reader - but the
prompt availability and small file sizes of the 'text-only'
books (rendered 'live' by synthesized speech) - seems to me to
trump the advantages one has in the human-read audio. Further,
Bookshare's content collection is getting bigger and broader and
I think we're going to see it continue to grow (recent addition
of the O'Reilly technical series was very nice and kind of a big
deal). (RFBD offers a fine service - I'm simply wondering about
the best way for us to proceed with katieplayer based on the
needs/wants of our audience). BTW, the katieplayer Cocoa version
would come in at the same $18 price point for the BASIC version
i.e. affordability is still a basic goal of the effort. Finally,
think of katieplayer in a broader, accessible media player
sense. No promises, but what would be in your feature wish list?
Again, would love to hear some thoughts from those who are
interested.
Thanks in advance,
Joe
On Apr 8, 2006, at 12:04 PM, Scott Howell wrote:
Joe, just got myself an Intel-based Mac. I used disk target
mode to move all my stuff to the new Mac. I didn't expect
everything to go perfectly and well Katieplayer isn't working
any longer. That would make sense do to the different hardware
fingerprint. I tried just running the app and putting the key,
but that didn't work. Matter of fact, if I switch to another
app while its in the registration dialog and then switch back,
I loose speech from Katieplayer and can't navigate around. So,
I wanted to pass that along, but also how do I register
Katieplayer to work on my new Mac.
tnx
Scott
