Hi.
Have you thought of writing a text file or doing a main menu review
of the Ipod from a blind person's perspective? I think your ideas would be
excellent. I had no idea that the Ipod could be made even somewhat usable
and, with the popularity of the machines, some blind people might want to
use them.
Aman
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Debbie Crafts
Sent: June 12, 2004 1:23 PM
To: 'PC audio discussion list. '
Subject: RE: MP3 Ipod
Hello,
I won an Ipod at work and have been able to get it somewhat functional. The
first step was to ditch the Itunes software, which I found totally unusable.
There is a peace of software called Anapod Explorer put out by RedChair
software which works like a dream. The URL is www.redchairsoftware.com and
It organizes the Ipod in to folders and puts an icon on your desktop which
you basically access like just another folder in My Computer. You can
either copy/paste or send-to files to this window just like you can a folder
on your hard drive, and Anapod even lets you manipulate playlists in an
intuitive manner. It doesn't insist on synchronizing the Ipod with a
library on your computer as Itunes apparently does. The documentation is
called the Omnitome and is on their website.
In terms of using the device itself, I found that the remote control is
far the easiest interface. There are definite buttons for play/pause,
previous and next. You press down on the prev. and next buttons to fast
forward or rewind through a selection. I have had limited success in using
the unit itself by counting the audible clicks emitted by the Ipod when you
access the touch wheel. The second selection on the menu is "playlists" and
then you touch the middle button for enter. If you numerically sequence
your playlists in Anapod, you can then count clicks to the playlist you
want, enter, then either touch the top of the wheel to play or use the play
button on the remote. Not the easiest interface in the world to use, but
with a little elbow grease, it can be made to cooperate a little. I highly
recommend that anyone interested in using an Ipod check out Anapod explorer.
I also found it essential to sit with a sighted person enough to get some
guidance in figuring out the interface. Hope these remarks are helpful.
Debbie
-----Original Message-----
From: Aman Singer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 12:17 PM
To: 'PC audio discussion list. '
Subject: RE: MP3 Ipod
Hi.
Unfortunately, the Ipod isn't very accessible. All the buttons on
the newer units are touch-sensitive, and provide no tactile feedback. This
might not be insurmountable, but the unit will not speak. The only sounds
that'll be coming out of it will be those of the mp3, once you play it.
Further, the software isn't very accessible. To the best of my knowledge,
you must use the Itunes software (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this,
as I heard some rumblings about Apple switching to a less proprietary
interface, but am not sure if that happened or is going to). There are
better and more accessible players. If accessibility is important to you,
and you want to play only MP3 files, try some of the units from Archos.
These units, with the help of an alternative firmware called Rockbox
http://rockbox.haxx.se
speak their menus, as well as spelling file names and speaking the
names of folders. If you want to play more formats, like OGG and WMA, your
best bet is to go with one of the Iriver units
http://www.iriveramerica.com
which, though they do not speak their menus or file/folder names,
are good players and will play more formats than the Archos units. Both
units come in the same capacities as the Ipod and, as a side benefit, are
usually far cheaper.
Aman
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Sharon Lash
Sent: June 10, 2004 11:42 AM
To: pc-audio
Subject: MP3 Ipod
Does anyone out there have this player? Is it accessible? Can you use
folders or do you just add files? Thanks
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