I did the 8 upgrade because I have already paid for it a couple of years ago
but frankly, it offers nothing to someone working in the real world where
Word, Outlook etc, are the common every day tools. The HTML mail issues has
been around as long as the Word issues, at least since 2002 when Larry Lewis
asked the list to present suggestions for future upgrades.
I still am unable to sync my Braille Note calender with Outlook 2007 on
Vista, I don't need chat, I can use my computer for that if I wish, I have a
VR Stream for audible books which is more portable than a Braille Note, I
have no real intention of using the GPS because again carrying around a
Braille Note, a GPS receiver etc is a lot to manage with a cane, I have used
the FM radio maybe twice just to see if it worked, play the games very
occasionally, but for the most part the BN has been lately mostly for
reading and tracking appointments which I then have to do double entry for
to get them into my computer.
So yes, I did the upgrade, but, when my M-Power transplant wears out, I
doubt I will go back for an upgrade or replacement from HW. I need real
world stuff like better Word document handling, communications with the real
world, in a messenger client if I am going to use the Braille note for that
etc.
Any HW staff out there this comes from someone who in 2001 was a very
outspoken proponent of the Braille note, however, with the last few
upgrades, you have not given me the tools I need to stay competitive in the
work world so when my transplant starts giving up, I will probably be
looking elsewhere unless something changes here, I love what I can do with
my unit now, but it has not really changed for me in years, I still cannot
open documents from work unless I jump through a lot of hoops first, I can't
sync my appointments since I now use Vista, the e-mail client is clunky
especially compared to Outlook on the computer. So as of now reading is
about the best thing the Braille Note does for me.
Rose Combs
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karyn Campbell
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 11:44 AM
To: Braillenote Discussion List
Subject: RE: [Braillenote] Keysoft 8.0, is it a good thing for all BN users?
Hello all,
I don't know what I will do regarding this underwhelming upgrade. We'll
have to see. The only benefit would be the ability to use WPA on our router
after spending money to replace our Ambicom WIFI cards as we have the older
cards; and it is my understanding from an expert on this list that they
don't work with WPA.
It is my understanding from talking with my husband that the competition is
running on Windows Mobile 5 or 6 while we are still running on Windows CE
4.2. Talk about backwards. My husband further tells me that there would be
some rewrite of the software to upgrade to a new OS but this is necessary
and HW needs to do it.
With regard to keychat, I am not impressed because you are extremely limited
in what you can do with it. It will only work with Google talk and I-chat
server according to what people have said on this list. If you want to
communicate with someone who uses AIM, Yahoo or Windows Live, you had better
have a PC because this machine won't do it. I know there are some people
for whom this is their only means of accessing E-mail and the Internet, thus
putting them further behind in today's ever changing world of technology.
Then there's the upgrade for Audible books. While that might be nice for
some people, it doesn't help those who have been asking for better word
support for many, many years now. HW can say it is a Microsoft issue but
that excuse is wearing very thin with me as I believe it is an HW issue more
than a Microsoft issue at this point. How come we are totally ignored on
this vital issue? Remember that some people do use these units for
employment and if Word support doesn't improve, they will go elsewhere for
their note taker needs; and it would not surprise me if some already have.
Then there is direct support for HTML E-mail. How long have we been asking
for this? I would say that the answer is many, many years. This one goes
back several years, I want to say at least 2005 if not sooner. Someone can
correct me if I am wrong on that one.
I have already addressed the need for an OS upgrade. Who knows whether we
will see any answers on these vital issues.
Again I don't know what I am going to do regarding this underwhelming
upgrade, especially considering the lengthy delay in getting it out the
door. Do what is best for you.
Karyn Campbell, Illinois USA, [email protected]
Using VN QT M Power running KS 7.5 b 28
Check out my blog at packerbackerkaryn.blogspot.com
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