Hi,
I would like to add to Marco's email. When it comes to reading
large documents, such as essays or handouts for school, the Apex
is a great device. Even though a computer is probably a great
device to use for the reading of large documents, in my opinion,
I believe that without my Apex, I would take longer with homework
and proofreading it.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marco M" <[email protected]
To: <[email protected]
Date sent: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:41:14 -0600
Subject: RE: [Braillenote] notetakers: are they worth buying
anymore?
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
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