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DTB Download from NLS. Neil Bernstein Research & Development Officer nber@loc.gov • 202-707-9319. History: Pre-2006. Web Braille 9300 books 5600 users Web Magazines “Two and a quarter” magazines Victor Reader Soft Old codec, old protection, little feedback 2003 - 2006.
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DTB Download from NLS Neil Bernstein Research & Development Officer nber@loc.gov • 202-707-9319
History: Pre-2006 • Web Braille • 9300 books • 5600 users • Web Magazines • “Two and a quarter” magazines • Victor Reader Soft • Old codec, old protection, little feedback • 2003 - 2006
DTB Download: Three phases • First phase: Closed pilot • 100 hand-picked testers • Second phase: Expanded pilot • Open to all eligible patrons…who can buy players • Third phase: Open system • Open to all eligible patrons (NLS player)
First phase: Closed pilot • Why? • No real patron testing of DTBs • Because we could! • DRM became available • AMR-WB+ chosen and available • Flash-based player available
First phase: Closed pilot • Goals • Primary goal: Are we making DTBs correctly? • Secondary goals: • Will our DRM system get in the way? • How do people use a download service?
First phase: Closed pilot • Closed pilot test • 100 hand-picked testers loaned modified Victor Reader Classic • Launched Friday, October 13, 2006 • Ended August 30, 2007 • Required a survey for each item • At first limited books • Then, everything! • Support provided by…me • DTB-Test
First phase results • Over 5000 downloads in 45 weeks. • 92% “I could navigate everywhere I wished with ease” (of those rating navigation) • 94% “I had no problems downloading this book or transferring it to my player”
Second phase: Expanded pilot • Goals: • How to offer a download service • System capacity • People • Computers • Support • What works? • How much? • Other issues
Second phase: Expanded pilot • Open to all eligible NLS patrons • Need to buy or borrow a player • HumanWare Victor Reader Stream • LevelStar Icon • APH Braille Plus Mobile Manager • 30 items in 30 days (no more surveys) • Administration and support from Washington • …and now California • Account and statistical feedback to libraries
Second phase: Current statistics • As of April 30, 2008 • 10,272 books • 433 issues of 22 magazines • Seven more magazines by June • 69,453 downloads since October 1 • Almost a quarter of those just in April! • 2,266 user accounts, 55 libraries • April busiest month yet for requests
Second phase: Useful information • Main site address: www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb • Support: NLSDownload@loc.gov • For librarians and patrons • Requirements: • Patron in good standing • A compatible DTB player • A computer with high-speed internet service • An active e-mail address • Basic internet abilities
Second phase: Common problems • E-mail and spam filters • Patron status / CMLS record • Participation requirements • 30 item limit • “Library loaner”
Third phase: Open • New features for patrons • Better search • Higher limits • Branding: It’s your site • Application • Site / help • Administration and support: It’s your site • But we’ll back you up
Third phase: Open • Standardized statistics • For circulation systems • Ready December 2008 • Training • Launch after the NLS player rollout begins