I couldn't have said it better and agree totally. I rely heavily
on my BNMP and would hate to use anything else. Like most of us,
I use a PC where the BN cannot go (some websites, FTP, sound
editing, and so on) but I can count the times on my hand when my
BN has not been within easy reach almost since I got it. Sure a
smaller device like the Maestro would be more convenient, but I
see it like this: just as a laptop can never match the comfort
and power of a desktop PC, so a handheld PDA (even one for the
blind) can never match the comfort and power of a larger unit. I
love having such a comfortable keyboard and would hate to have to
type one dot at a time like the Maestro. Having the Braille
display, speech, keyboard, and all ports in one unit (unlike the
Icon or a Maestro with a wireless display) gives me unmatched
power no matter where I am. I don't need to worry that I will not
be able to take down information whereever I am or that I will
ever get lost (GPS) and knowing I have the ability to do what so
many sighted people take for granted (such as write something on
their hand or look at a street sign) in such a compact and
empowering device always makes me extremely grateful to HW and
the hard work and dedication that has gone into and, undoubtedly,
is still going into its development. As Alan said, I could go on
and on about this, but I think I have made my point. I hope the
BN style of notetakers continues to be a strong market and that
less apt solutions (in my situation anyway) never take it over.
Have a great day,
Alex
----- Original Message -----
From: "FunGuy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: "Rob Lambert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
<[email protected]
Date sent: Wed, 30 May 2007 18:01:05 -0700
Subject: Re: [Braillenote] BrailleNote's future?
Hi Rob:
I have a strong bias witch all admit too up front, I love and
depend on
these devices and I hope you are wrong! That being said:
I think it all depends on how well the companies market and
develop these
devices, and of course it depends on how many people become
competent
Braille users. If you use a qwerty device and don't use a
Braille display,
it's pretty easy to make the case for a main stream adaptation,
but if one
is a grade 2 Braille user, I believe one has a greater need for a
stand
alone solution like the Braille Note. It takes more then
technology
however, you also need a company that knows how to address the
technology,
training, and support needs of it's Braille using customers.
It really becomes clear when you look at a debacle like the
Braille version
of the PAC Mate. If too many organizations invest in a product
like that
and their clients have a bad experience they will blame it on
this kind of
technology rather then on the poor product development.
I know some will disagree, but making a perfect round trip from
Braille to
print and print to Braille isn't always that easy. For example,
it takes
some explaining to show parents and teachers of high school or
college
students how a Braille product might produce a good English or
history
paper, but can't be expected to work as well in math, science,
music, or a
foreign language course. So I think it's a matter of setting
reasonable
expectations, finding the sweet spot where the technologically
reasonable
and user needs intersect, and developing a structure that works
in this
market place.
I could write many pages on this subject, but I best stop here.
Alan Holst
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Lambert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: <[email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 2:11 PM
Subject: [Braillenote] BrailleNote's future?
I was just curious about the overall future of the BrailleNote as
a
potential note taking solution when you compare it to things like
HumanWare's Maestro or their retail of Mobile Speak Pocket? My
personal
opinion (and don't quote me, this is just how I see things) is
that the
BrailleNote-esque style note takers (such as the PACmate and so
forth) will
see a sales decline as the hand-held PDA market continues to open
up for
the blind. Now, again, do not quote me on any of what I just
said, it's
just the way I'm seeing things. I may be right, but i may be
wrong. As such
I'd rather not leave a bad taste in anyone's mouths, or my own.
Anyhow what
do you think of this? Just curious.
---------------------------------
Luggage? GPS? Comic books?
Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search.
___
Replies to this message will go directly to the sender.
If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a
copy to the list as well.
To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit
http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
__________ NOD32 2299 (20070530) Information __________
This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com
___
Replies to this message will go directly to the sender.
If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a
copy to the list as well.
To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit
http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
___
Replies to this message will go directly to the sender.
If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a
copy to the list as well.
To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit
http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
