Greetings: It occurs to me that we are dealing with two schools of thought here. The Braillenote provides an interface that was designed for use by blind and visually impaired individuals. It provides a reasonably intuitive way to accomplish most of the tasks that it is supposed to accomplish. However, since no third-party applications can currently be used, when you buy a PDI product, what you "see" is what you get. And, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Yet it does limit users who would like to add functionality. There was a time when I felt that printing was a vital function of such devices, but there are ways around it. If one has access to a printer, chances are that they also have access to a PC. If one is printing a document, it is because someone else needs to read it. Certainly I would never attempt to do a term paper on a Braillenote, simply because the kinds of formatting that is standard for such documents is not available in a Braillenote, or for that matter, any other PDAs. Every device will have its limits, and people simply need to be careful to insure that they purchase a product that meets their needs. If you have to do a lot of printing or embossing, it might be better to own a laptop. The Braillenote does so many things well, but it was never intended to replace a personal computer, and it doesn't. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Karl Smith Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 10:27 PM To: Braillenote List Subject: Re: [Braillenote] braillenote pk
The difference here is that there are third party products available to add printing capabilities to a PDA used by sighted people and the Braille Note line of products operate in a closed environment thus preventing them from adding any enhancements PDH doesn't happen to offer. Also, with a price tag approximately 10 or more times that of a standard PDA blind users expect to get a little more bang for their buck. Karl At 09:19 PM 9/30/2004, you wrote: >One thing I don't notice anyone mentioning is that standard PDA's, which are >made for the sighted, don't have printing capability. Presumably, these >people have to connect their PDA's to a PC and print from there. The >BrailleNote PK is the closest thing a Braille reader has to a PDA, given >it's small size and versatility, and I don't see why it should act >fundamentally different than any other PDA. Also, a thirty-two cell display >would make the unit much larger, thus defeating the reason for the PK in the >first place. > > Sarah >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Terri Pannett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Braillenote List" <[email protected]> >Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 6:31 PM >Subject: Re: [Braillenote] braillenote pk > > >Dear Jane, > >I think I would want to read with the display higher than my belly button. >I'm also concerned about what it looks like to sighted people, especially if >I'm dressed up. > >As far as the design of the BN PK goes, it wouldn't fit my needs for several >reasons: (1) I prefer a QT keyboard and I like it built-in; (2) it won't >emboss; (3) with Keysoft 6.1, my BN will do everything I need; (4) my >present BN is portable enough. > >The BN Pk may suit some people, but it wouldn't suit me. And I think it >would suit more people if embossing and printing features were added. > >Also, I wouldn't want a display smaller than 32 cells. > >Terri Pannett, Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA. Army MARS call sign AAT9PX, >California >___ >To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote > > >___ >To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___________________________________________ Axis Karl Smith, Assistive Technology Consultant 4304 South El Camino St. Taylorsville, Utah 84119 Phone: 801-967-5655 Toll Free: 866-824-7885 Fax: 866-824-7885 E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web Site: http://www.axistech.net - Never confuse an open mind with an empty head. ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
