Hi Mark:

Well, there is a reason the iPod is far and away the best selling digital music player -- ease of 
use and user-friendly interface. You'd be hard pressed to find a better interface, although someone 
probably makes a specialized player of some sort for institutional purposes. I've seen specialized 
CD players in museums -- the covers are locked and they are ruggedized and offer only play and stop 
buttons, covered in rubber so slimy little fingers can't break them. Someone must make a similar MP3 
player.

Another idea -- seek out an Apple refurb or recycling place in Europe. You might find a load of iPod 
Mini or even an early Nano for very cheap. A Nano might be your ideal choice because it's got 
solid-state memory, not a hard drive, and will thus last longer under constant jarring.

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark.Davis" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 10:04 PM
Subject: [ARSCLIST] MP3 player for public


> Dear All
> I apologize of this topic has been dealt with in the past (though I did do a search)
> My institution is considering audio commentaries of exhibits, no doubt a well worn path.
>
> Does anyone know of a cheap larger non-purpose built mp3 player with simple buttons and few 
> options to confuse the user.
>
> Ideally it should display a numbered playlist, play one track on command and fall back to the 
> playlist.  Other than select/play/pause/stop and volume no other functions are needed.
>
> I know some institutions use either purpose built units, or have custom programming for pda's, 
> however both are outside our price range.
>
> Looking in the local shops produces a maze of differing products, all seemingly for the 
> technologically adept user and with far too many other features. Also these products change so 
> fast that by the time one were to be purchased and tested it is superceded and no longer 
> available.
>
> Any advice would be welcome
>
> Thanks
> Mark
>
>
>
> Mark Davis
> Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
> 2 Wellington St Launceston Tasmania Australia 7250
> Ph 061 3 63233753 Fax 061 3 63233776
>