I personally think that hw is doing a good job with this update from what
I've seen. they've over come a couple things that people have wanted for a
long time. your making it sound like hw is just throwing things in. show
some respect for the people that have to write and debug the code for this
to work. how would you feel if someone's like I'm glad you are making
something, but it's not good enough to meet my personal needs so release
something else right away.
be happy that we're getting an update at all please.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol Pearson" <[email protected]>
To: "John Patrick Houck" <[email protected]>; "Braillenote"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 13:24
Subject: Re: [Braillenote] KeySoft 8.0
Maurice,
We all welcome this news, because we have waited so long to hear ...
Sadly, I see less, as always, for UK customers, since we don't use
Bookshare and I'm personally disappointed that it would appear you haven't
used this release (which has been a very long time in coming) to upgrade
the Windows platform. This, in my view, puts the BN still a long way
behind its competitors.
Anyway, before I get too disappointed, I note you have told us "What's
New", but you have made no reference to any improvements/bug fixes of the
current software, nor have you made any reference to Word documents and
whether there is any more support for these in the new release ...
Perhaps we could have some clarification on these points also and, if the
Windows platform isn't updated (as you had suggested that it would be
before this release), I would personally welcome an explanation as to why
and what this means for the BN (PK and mPower) in the future ...
I do believe customers have now waited long enough to hear the truth, so
please tell us more than your last post contains. Frankly, I am not sure
that an upgrade is worth it for all users based on what you have told us.
Thank you for your comments so far.
--
Carol
[email protected]
On Thursday, January 29, 2009 6:02 PM (UK time), John Patrick Houck at
[email protected] said:
list.humanware.com/archives/bnannounce/2009-January/000130.html
KeySoft 8.0
Maurice Sloane Maurice.Sloane at humanware.com
Fri Jan 30 05:36:32 NZDT 2009
Unveiling KeySoft 8.0
Version 8.0 will be available for mPower and PK platforms in
March. KeySoft 8.0 requires one count of a Software Maintenance
Agreement (SMA).
What's new in KeySoft 8.0?
Experience new ways to communicate in real time and enrich your
book reading experience with this new KeySoft version. Are you
interested in learning more about GPS navigation? You now have
the opportunity to try for a period of 90 days the acclaimed
Sendero GPS. Version 8.0 is packed with a wide range of features
to enhance the way you work and learn.
1.1 KeyChat
Communicate in real time with colleagues, friends and family
using state of the art instant messaging (IM) services. Designed
using the newest open instant messaging standards, KeyChat can
communicate through Google Talk, iChat and other chatting
services. Google Talk is an innovative and free IM service. It
offers an efficient, clutter-free, and easy way to chat. Google
Talk smoothly integrates with the popular Gmail system, allowing
you to chat in real time with your email contacts as well. Read
and write messages in your preferred grade of Braille, manage
conversations and follow chat history with familiar KeySoft
commands. Receive an Audio or Braille notice when a message
arrives. Add new friends or select from your KeyList contacts,
or simply go online and enjoy!
1.2 Reading Audible.com books
KeySoft 8.0 will support Audible.com books. Audible.com offers a
wide audio book collection for general and specialized audiences,
including the latest best sellers. Teachers and parents can also
join their new Audible Kids service to access fun and educational
content for school age kids or get tips and ideas on how to help
children get the most out of their listening experience. Fully
integrated into KeyBook, you can listen to Audible books and
customize various settings such as narration speed and audio
tone. Set bookmarks, create text notes, and jump to any place in
the book. To obtain Audible books, you will need to become a
member of the Audible service and use the Audible manager to
authorize your BrailleNote to play the protected Audible books.
HumanWare customers can enjoy the complete Audible collection for
a free 14 day period
1.3 Direct access to the new Bookshare site
The existing support for unpacking electronic books from
Bookshare.org is enhanced to include the new .zip or bks2 formats
adopted by Bookshare. KeySoft provides everything necessary to
wirelessly access the Bookshare.org web site, download the text,
Braille or DAISY electronic book and unpack and read the book,
without having to use a PC.
1.4 Support for NIMAS books
KeySoft will now play NIMAS books. NIMAS books are text files
with a structure that is similar to that of DAISY books.
KeyBook's rich navigation used with DAISY files is also available
for NIMAS files. NIMAS books are instantly translated into your
preferred Braille grade. Choose to read in Braille or let
Eloquence speech read to you. Move through DAISY elements or use
the familiar KeySoft sentence and paragraph navigation commands.
NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard)
is the format for educational textbooks in the United States.
NIMAS guides the production and electronic distribution of
digital versions of textbooks and other instructional materials
so they can be more easily converted into accessible formats.
For more information, please visit: http://nimas.cast.org/
<http://nimas.cast.org/> .
1.5 Get a taste of GPS
KeySoft version 8.0 represents a great opportunity to get
familiar with GPS. It includes the latest version of Sendero GPS
and users can take advantage of a 90-day free trial period to
browse their preferred map or navigate outdoors. After this
trial period, users can continue to enjoy their system at a
preferred price. Users are required to download the desired maps
from the Sendero site. For real time navigation, you will need a
GPS receiver.
1.6 More printers available to students
Students and teachers can now select from a wide range of Hewlett
Packard printers. Most new models from the Deskjet, Officejet,
Laser jet and Photosmart product lines are supported. Printers
supported via the KeySoft generic printing engine must have a USB
port. This functionality is only available to mPower users.
The new printing engine can create images of documents in JPEG
format. As JPEG files are compatible formats, users can transfer
documents to the PC or to non-BrailleNote users without losing
the rich formatting available in Keyword.
1.7 Eloquence speech is now supported in the PK
Use the highly responsive and accurate KeyNote Gold speech that
has been one of KeySoft's strongest features or switch to the
familiar Eloquence speech that is now widely available on access
technology products.
1.8 French Version
KeySoft 8.0 will be released simultaneously in English and
French. The same functions are available on both versions.
Recent mPower & PK Purchases
Customers that have purchased a new mPower or PK units after
January 1st 2009 are eligible to receive a free KeySoft 8
upgrade.
Compatibility
KeySoft 8.0 is not supported by the Classic models of the
BrailleNote and VoiceNote. As previously stated, KeySoft 7.5 was
the last release for these Classic devices.
Contact
Please contact your regional HumanWare office in the USA, Canada,
the UK, New Zealand and Australia for regional pricing and
orders.
USA: 1 800 722-3393 or 925 680-7100
UK/Europe: +44 1933 415 800
Canada: 1 888 723-7273 or +1 450 463 1717
Australia/Asia: +61 2 9686 2600
New Zealand: +64 3 384 4555
Posted by:
Maurice Sloane
HumanWare NZ
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