Books on Tape

Post here to exchange iritis general information and support with others.

Moderators: Mike Bartolatz, kwork

Post Reply
mtbargeman
Posts: 353
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:41 am

Books on Tape

Post by mtbargeman »

HI, Yall!

After two cataract surgeries, I am finally back, and gladly so. While I was out, I decided to check on recorded books, since I can't read the typed- up variety anymore. A couple of them were fabulous, a couple were pretty good, and one was just awful. Depending on the type of story you may like to read, check your first one out from the library. They have these little things that look about like i-PODS or MP3 players, and you just plug your own headphones in, push the play button, adjust the volume for yourself, and enjoy. I reccomend checking out a story you have already read the first time. This will tell you whether or not you may like this method of reading a book. I started with BEOWULF, because I like that one. Someone else might like Stephen King. To each his own, but it is definitely something I would reccomend trying. The little MP3-looking books are called, "PlayAway"s. There will be an article up coming about these ingenious little things. Most of the time, they beat the heck out of TV. With most TV shows or with movies, you usually need the visual to understand and enjoy it. With books on tape, you don't. It's all right there, and it's like listening to an old radio program or something of that nature.

Well, that's the update on me. Anyone else who wants to chime in on entertainment options for the vision-impaired is welcome. That's why we have a forum. So we can share our ideas and experiences.

Keep Your Head Up,

Mary
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

Thanks for the information. this sure beats the HUGE cassettes and specials tape machine of years past that my dad and brother had to use. I wonder if there is a website with MP3 formatted books that we could access and what the cost would be.

I'll check out Amazon.com to see what they have.

thanks again my friend,
Mike
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Audiobooks MP3 etc

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

http://www.audiobooksusa.com/audiobooks ... books.html

I found this site and if you can download from the internet, the cost is about 8 bucks a month. if you have to drive any distance to a local library this website would pay for itself in a couple of visits a month with Gasoline prices the way they are today.

take care,
Mike
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Audio books, Classics

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

Free Classical books in MP3 and MP4 format
http://freeclassicaudiobooks.com/
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

http://www.goldenreader.com/?gclid=CIy7 ... iQodJCFQkQ

Free software to read any written word over the internet.

mike
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
jbird
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:48 am

recorded books for the visually impaired

Post by jbird »

Hi Mike,

I sent a series of emails to info@iritis.org back in April and May regarding a non-profit company I work at called Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (www.rfbd.org). We produce recorded books for the visually impaired in CD and downloadable (mp3) formats.

There is a small annual membership fee, which entitles members to our library of tens of thousands of books. Most of these are school textbooks, but we also have novels and other publications.

As I also have recurrrent HLA-B27-related iritis, I have been working with the legal staff here to ensure that uveitis sufferers can qualify for membership, assuming they have a documented need for an alternative to standard print, even if it is a temporary need.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would spread the word about RFB&D and post our web site http://www.rfbd.org on your site. Thank you.

Sincerely,
J. Grant
Programmer/Analyst, IT Dept.
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

I completed your link provided in this series so that others can easily access your website, they can provide it to their Schools and Colleges so that they can provide appropriate material from the list for educational purposes for them.

I recall how much my dad enjoyed the 'books on tape' years ago as they kept his mind active.

wish you the best,
Mike
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

translation of written materials

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

this is a free translation service for various languages.
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

http://www.loc.gov/nls/index.html
Free books on Tape from the National Library Service, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
mtbargeman
Posts: 353
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:41 am

Post by mtbargeman »

Mike-

You Evil Genius!!! YOu can find ANYTHING!!!

Mary
Mike Bartolatz
Posts: 6595
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

I don't know if I should take the 'evil genius' comment as a complement or not; Mischievious yes indeed.
not much to a google search to find stuff though as anyone can do it. weeding through the garbage is what takes an effort.

i hope these help you Mary.

Take care,
Mike
Mike Bartolatz
Moderator
matchstickman
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:39 am

Re: Books on Tape

Post by matchstickman »

The audio book store is very good for this type of thing, you can find them at http://www.talkingbooks.co.uk/. My sight is good enough to read but i sometimes prefer these books espeicially the ones read by famous actors as they can often add another dimension to the story, people such as stephen Fry can make the book more interesting
Post Reply