I've now had occasion to work with both the Apex QT and BT. I've not had the BT long, so things may change over time, but here's how I see it …
Generally, the BT is a more finished product. There are fewer instances of silly goofs that come from porting instructions or menus over to the QT. However, much as I anticipated, the overall effect (apart from a general appreciation for the work PulseData did to make the BrailleNote what it is despite the circumstances and choice of OS) is mostly cosmetic, since it emphasises what is possible with braille in a braille notetaker. This produces a very pleasant sense of deja vu. In all other important respects, the QT provides more convenient access to functionality. The BT, which is left with ridiculous and unintuitive keystrokes, and an almost useless scroll wheel, is frustratingly difficult to shoehorn meaningful or memorable commands into. Compare, for instance, the file access commands in both; the backspace is used to change from path to drive selection, whereas there is a decided difference between the escape and arrows on a QT unit. The games, too, or the issues involved and seeing what you want to see in braille and writing accordingly, all the while producing undesirable back-translation. Some of it can be worked around if one uses computer braille, but this destroys the virtues of grade 2 braille. I do not intend to switch back to the QT. I still maintain that it's a problem for various reasons, and that it really does need some TLC from HumanWare. Importantly, I now have a working braille terminal, and am in heaven. The effect, given the driver's dependence on braille input, is that the BT makes the best possible braille input device. The only grumble I have is the backspace and enter keys, which are a little too far spaced for my taste. But they work, and right now, that's the difference between the QT and the BT. Would I suggest you switch? I'm less emphatic now than then. It's not a magical transformation. Preference is still preference. You can't take a BT out of its box and be blown away - it's a literal transposition from the top shell of the unit, and is not in the least bit overwhelming - just a change of one keyboard system to the other. The difference is in the software. If you're happy with the functionality you have, you have no real reason to switch. But, if you happen to be in my situation and need perfection today and not tomorrow, you might do it and take the extra effort to work the frustrations it brings with it, just to get the terminal and the streamlined BT operation. I think it's worth it. HTH. Cheers, Sabahattin ___ 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
