Yes I agree, and my only point was that because there is a high demand for
a
PDA that is much smaller, much more versatile, and more reliable goes to
say
that in order for the BN to compete with all the PDA's, is going to take
time. I would love to have the capability to work with MS7 word, and Excel
files, and have my BN run more efficiently with all computers on my
network.
So the point is, we all just need to either give HW more time, or if some
of
us is able to solve the windows platform issues, then lets help them by
suggesting or whatever we can do to encourage them to push on for a better
change then we are getting. I think this is what Carol was trying to say
in
the first place.
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicole B. Torcolini [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:18 PM
To: James Malone; 'Carol Pearson'; 'mike welty'; 'John Patrick Houck';
'Braillenote'
Subject: Re: [Braillenote] KeySoft 8.0
We're not asking for a laptop. Yes, we all know that the bn is only a PDA,
But PDA's for the sighted do a lot more than bn's. There were some rather
Important issues that were not addressed in this upgrade that I believe
some
Of us may think are just as, if not more, important than some of the
Features. That is not to say that the features that were included are not
important.
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Malone" <[email protected]>
To: "'Carol Pearson'" <[email protected]>; "'mike welty'"
<[email protected]>; "'John Patrick Houck'"
<[email protected]>;
"'Braillenote'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:08 PM
Subject: RE: [Braillenote] KeySoft 8.0
Okay, everyone has made a good point on How they feel. However, if you
want
a PDA to act like a laptop, then buy a Laptop. Personally, I really don't
use my Mpower for anying but keeping records, reading books storing data,
and GPS when needed. It's good to have all the bells and whistles, but you
can't make a super machine out of a PDA. Although for the price you pay
for
the cost and upgrades is expensive, it is not practical to expect
miracles.
James
http://www.crosswindsmusicpro.com
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf of Carol Pearson
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:32 PM
To: mike welty; John Patrick Houck; Braillenote
Subject: Re: [Braillenote] KeySoft 8.0
Well, I remember messages two years ago suggesting we'd be moving to the
Next version of Windows and Keysoft 8.
I think I have the right, as anyone does, to say whether this upgrade
appeals to me or not. I have held my peace on this matter for some
considerable time now, whilst others have gone on and on about the upgrade
And shown some frustration at the wait ... so now it's my turn to say what
I
Think!
I'm sorry if this offends some! That is not my intention!
--
Carol
[email protected]
On Thursday, January 29, 2009 7:07 PM (UK time), mike welty at
[email protected] said:
I personally think that hw is doing a good job with this update from
what I've seen. they've overcome 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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