Are notetakers worth buying anymore? Chris, that's a good question. It depends on the task that you are using them for. For me, I treat my notetaker as a digital brailler and as such, don't do my email or web browsing on it as these functions are better done on a netbook or some other computer. Second, because of the notetakers instant on / off capability along with remembering where you were in the file when you exit, make it a good reading device for manuals. Again, if it is a PDF or some other unaccessible format on the notetaker, I first would run it on a computer to render it accessible. Thirdly, I think that Braille is necessary in some cases like in a business meeting where it is important to show the person that you are focused on what they are saying. People think that when they see earphones in your ears, that you aren't fully paying attention to them.
However, having said this, there are specific applications of the notetaker that works well like say if you are doing math calculations like working with vectors and arrays that Braille is easiest and the notetaker works well for this. Since Braille is slower than speech, I'd not use it for reading large documents or for browsing websites. Braille's most useful feature is in editing. It's good to be able to proof read one's documents before sending them when your marks are on the line or your job for that matter. In saying this, you could just as easily do many of these tasks on an external Braille display. Braille displays aren't good in some conditions like if you are a sailor, or working in a dusty environment like in the deserts of Arizona and new mexico as examples as that dust can build up quickly with the slightest wind gust. It would be nice if a future update to the apex would support external Braille displays from different manufacturers since I don't want my display that I currently have to get dirty. so I don't want a notetaker with a built-in display that can not be removed for those situations listed above where you don't want to use a Braille display. . It's good I guess to know your uses for the technology before purchasing so that you don't get too disappointed. I'm buying the apex voice only model as this is what I'd like for use in outdoor environments for the sendero GPS application which I love. Also, in the manual that comes with the apex, the braillenote apex is referred to as a personal organizer so that is probably its strengths and not in general computer applications. Marco [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 8:02 PM To: Blind Talk list; NABS list Cc: BrailleNote list Subject: [Braillenote] notetakers: are they worth buying anymore? Hi all, I don't have a set opinion on this matter as of yet, but I'd like to initiate the discussion. I'm noticing a trend in the blindness technology field: PC's can do most everything a notetaker (BrailleNote, BrailleSense, PacMate, etc.) can do, with some obvious changes and differences, and in some cases can do and support more than the notetaker. This is also true with the ever-improving accessible smartphones and tablets: the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, (the semiaccessible) Android phones, the KNFB Reader, etc. Yes, the notetakers have built-in Braille displays, but you can also install a stand-alone Braille display on a computer to display what's on the screen, or you could just buy a screen reader (text-to-speech, not text-to-Braille) as a replacement for the Braille display... that is, if you think it is in fact a replacement for refreshable Braille. That's another question for all of you in this discussion. So, here's the question: with all the advancements and capabilities of a computer and screen readers or stand-alone refreshable Braille displays, is it worth it, in your opinion, to buy a notetaker anymore? What, given all the things a PC can do, is the real purpose of the notetakers now? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Chris "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto) The I C.A.N. Foundation helps visually impaired youth in Maryland have the ability to confidently say "I can!" How? Click on this link to learn more and to contribute: www.icanfoundation.info or like us on Facebook at I C.A.N. Foundation. Sent from my 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 ___ 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
