Donald, I will try to answer all of your questions.
Question 1. Since the Braille Note Mpower supports both compact flash and secure digital cards, I would like to know if both card types are about equal in terms of performance and reliability; or, does one consistently have the edge? Answer 1. I have found that CompactFlash cards generally have higher transfer rate allowing data to be transfered to and from them quicker and to be recognized quicker. This will of course vary from card to card as some type of CompactFlash cards are faster than others and same is true for SD cards. CompactFlash cards come in capacities of up to 32GB, are larger in physical size (match box) and generally draw more power. SD cards are about the size of a postage stamp, draw less power, has a physical write-protection switch allowing for data to be locked into a read-only mode, has grooves and a knitch for orientation and the mPower will only support SD cards of up to 2GB. Question 2. The docs indicate that CF and SD cards due cause the BN to draw more current from the battery. Therefore, I would like to know whether this is true any time such a card is plugged in or whether it is true only if you are actually reading a file from an installed CF or SD card. Answer 2. The cards even when data is not being writen to and from them will still continue to draw pwoer from the battery but the amount is much less as compared when when data is being read/written to the card. A small amount of power is still consumed when the unit is off. Question 3. I do not mean to be unfairly critical of the docs; however, I would have found it really helpful if right at the start the docs had stated that one must select a drive by choosing C, S, F, M, or whatever letter is appropriate for the drive you want. I did find this in the manual although it did not seem as prominently displayed as I thought it should be. At any rate, the question is, are there tips and tricks which will get me acclamated more quickly to the Braille Note? I have been using computers since 1990, and in cases like this, it is at times a hindrance rather than a help. Perhaps this sounds ludicrous, and possibly I am just impatient to learn more quickly. Answer 3. KeySoft is a system where it is either command or menu driven. This means that it is possible to press the first letter or the shortcut command to perform a task and it is also possible to jsut arrow through the menu and select an item by pressing ENTER. If one kept this in mind, it will get you through KeySoft without too many hitches and if there are hitches, it is always possible to consult the Context Sensative Help, SPACE with H (Help key). Kvein -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Donald L. Roberts Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 11:31 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Braillenote] General questions Hello, As I am a new Braille Note Mpower user, there is much for me to learn. I am willing to read documentation but find myself feeling impatient at times. I now know just enough to be dangerous. Question 1. Since the Braille Note Mpower supports both compact flash and secure digital cards, I would like to know if both card types are about equal in terms of performance and reliability; or, does one consistently have the edge? Question 2. The docs indicate that CF and SD cards due cause the BN to draw more current from the battery. Therefore, I would like to know whether this is true any time such a card is plugged in or whether it is true only if you are actually reading a file from an installed CF or SD card. Question 3. I do not mean to be unfairly critical of the docs; however, I would have found it really helpful if right at the start the docs had stated that one must select a drive by choosing C, S, F, M, or whatever letter is appropriate for the drive you want. I did find this in the manual although it did not seem as prominently displayed as I thought it should be. At any rate, the question is, are there tips and tricks which will get me acclamated more quickly to the Braille Note? I have been using computers since 1990, and in cases like this, it is at times a hindrance rather than a help. Perhaps this sounds ludicrous, and possibly I am just impatient to learn more quickly. Thanks much for any feedback. Don Roberts ___ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.6/1402 - Release Date: 4/28/2008 1:29 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.6/1402 - Release Date: 4/28/2008 1:29 PM ___ 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
