OK, so I can be a little dense now and then. I totally skipped over NFB Newsline in the ONLine resources. It is there, fairly easy to set up and quite fast at downloading.
Thank you. Richard Software means never having to say you're finished Web site: www.turner42.com<http://www.turner42.com> From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of TaraPrakash Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 9:37 AM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: NLS eReader by Humanware observations My last message on this thread because we are stepping into the off list territory. newsline is indeed one of the two online services. And finally, eReader, as is clear from its name, a reader. comparison with other note takers and braille displays Can be limitless Sent from my iPhone On Aug 17, 2021, at 10:55 AM, Richard Turner <richardturne...@outlook.com> wrote: Alan, Please forward this to your friend. 1. You are troubled by its inaccuracies? Having an opinion about a strap that is clearly designed as a neck strap, which you choose to treat as a handle is not an inaccuracy; it is a difference of opinion. When I put it around my neck, it was very uncomfortable for me; but would work fine as a handle which won’t help you if you want to use it in church while standing and reading the hymn lyrics …. Of course my observations are subjective, that is because they are my observations and you are more than welcome to provide different observations; but this is not about accuracy. 1. I have used multiple braille displays as well and know for a fact that at least 3 of the ones I’ve used had those markers. 1. You said: “--Of course it does not have a notetaker. The digital talking book machine does not have a digital recorder either. NLS provides reading materials, not writing tools. That said, one can easily pair the eReader with an iPhone or computer and use it to read and write in a variety of applications. –I was presenting information to an audience that had no information on the NLS eReader and was simply pointing out what is clearly stated in the information on the eReader for those who do not have access yet and have not read about it. In case you are not aware of it, observations are not criticisms, they are observations… 1. --Also worth mentioning here that users can download directly from NLS BARD and NFB NEWSLINE. Downloads from either are lightning fast. I have not seen any documentation on accessing NFB Newsline; I’d be very interested in getting more info. Thanks very much, Richard Software means never having to say you're finished Web site: www.turner42.com<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.turner42.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf2c2f957326143e7744908d9619d3526%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637648150107110062%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=aQAg8nQnF%2FZ7w2xb0Xy8UfT0174VffQbhao0ULwaEME%3D&reserved=0> From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Alan Lemly Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 9:44 PM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: RE: NLS eReader by Humanware observations I’m posting the below on behalf of a friend who is not on this list but who is a part of the NLS eReader team: I have read this list of observations regarding the HumanWare eReader and am troubled by some of its inaccuracies. I’ve been a part of the eReader team for NLS since its beginning , about 18 months ago, and will respond by inserting my comments between the original ones. 1. The neck strap is cheap and not at all comfortable. It is too skinny, and made out of a very rough material. --This is very subjective. I use it as more of a hand or wrist strap, and find it perfectly convenient. 2. There are two space bars that for me, are not positioned well. I use my right thumb for pressing the space bar and I find its position slightly too far to the right. 3. There are the 20 cursor routing buttons over each cell, but no markers every 5 like on most displays with routing buttons. --I had three other braille displays on my desk when I read this comment – from three different manufacturers – ranging in age from four months to fifteen years, and cell length from 20 to 40. None of them have these marker every five spaces that are mentioned here. I believe what you refer to is the quirk of one particular company, but not present in at least three of them. 4. The keyboard is ergonomically designed with the slight curve. The space bars are below the braille cells, which is fine for me but I know some people prefer the space bar closer to the keyboard. The keys have more play in them than I expected. They feel a little spongy. 5. The case makes it look like a hardback book. It opens just like a book cover, with the spine on the back of the unit leaving the front thumb keys exposed. The best word I can think of is, "cute." 6. The braille feels better to me than on the Humanware braille note touch plus, but not quite as good as on the Orbit Readers. 7. It does not have a note taker, but can be connected to a computer or a smart phone to be used as a braille keyboard. --Of course it does not have a notetaker. The digital talking book machine does not have a digital recorder either. NLS provides reading materials, not writing tools. That said, one can easily pair the eReader with an iPhone or computer and use it to read and write in a variety of applications. 8. The setup for Bluetooth devices is much like other Humanware displays. It follows Humanware's logic, which is not my logic, but following the instructions did work. 9. NLS BARD login and download is very straight forward. 10. Changing braille grades is slow. Press Space+g and you have to wait about 6 or 7 seconds before the grade shows up, Then, once the one you want is on the display, wait another 6 or 7 seconds for the display to go back to what you were doing. 11. when used as a braille input device with an iPhone SE 2020, it works pretty much as well as all displays work, which is very good. 12. The battery life seems to be maybe 6 or 8 hours, hard to be sure yet. --Most users thus far have found battery life to be considerably longer than stated here. 13. There is no internet browser, Wi-Fi is used for downloading BARD books and updating the firmware. --Also worth mentioning here that users can download directly from NLS BARD and NFB NEWSLINE. Downloads from either are lightning fast. 14. The wi-Fi set up was pretty straight forward, as Humanware devices go. 15. I have not tried using it with the computer. 16. It takes approximately 20 seconds to start up and about 17 seconds to shut down. Probably due to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions, I am not sure. --This is for a complete startup. If just put in “sleep” or “standby” mode, however, the eReader comes on instantly with the press of the Power button. To get an eReader from NLS you have to contact your regional library for the blind and sign up for braille materials, and then request the eReader. If you already receive braille materials, simply contact them and ask how to get sign up for an eReader if your library is participating in the program that is.. At this point, it is still considered a pilot program and you have to agree to participate in several surveys at 2, 4, and 6 months after receiving the device and of course, to return it if you are not going to use it. If you want, you can keep it after the pilot project is finished. Oregon seems to be getting the Humanware device; some states are getting the one from Zoomax. There are YouTube videos walking through each device, settings, how to…, etc.. Here is the physical description link for the Humanware device: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9336/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.loc.gov%2Fitem%2Fwebcast-9336%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf2c2f957326143e7744908d9619d3526%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637648150107119962%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=VUOYlnb2XbroIBpEqknZy6bXdDVGnzkteuO8C5nhs2E%3D&reserved=0> Here is the physical description link for the Zoomax device: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9653/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.loc.gov%2Fitem%2Fwebcast-9653%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf2c2f957326143e7744908d9619d3526%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637648150107119962%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=UZlI4wcx%2F0xtJUvZTdrgiwlu7uJHGYVVasLD5w4JJGM%3D&reserved=0> From: viphone@googlegroups.com<mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> <viphone@googlegroups.com<mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com>> On Behalf Of Richard Turner Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 2:49 PM To: viphone@googlegroups.com<mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> Subject: NLS eReader by Humanware observations I have had the eReader from NLS made by Humanware for about three days. My impressions are below, in no particular order. 1. The neck strap is cheap and not at all comfortable. It is too skinny, and made out of a very rough material. 2. There are two space bars that for me, are not positioned well. I use my right thumb for pressing the space bar and I find its position slightly too far to the right. 3. There are the 20 cursor routing buttons over each cell, but no markers every 5 like on most displays with routing buttons. 4. The keyboard is ergonomically designed with the slight curve. The space bars are below the braille cells, which is fine for me but I know some people prefer the space bar closer to the keyboard. The keys have more play in them than I expected. They feel a little spongy. 5. The case makes it look like a hardback book. It opens just like a book cover, with the spine on the back of the unit leaving the front thumb keys exposed. The best word I can think of is, "cute." 6. The braille feels better to me than on the Humanware braille note touch plus, but not quite as good as on the Orbit Readers. 7. It does not have a note taker, but can be connected to a computer or a smart phone to be used as a braille keyboard. 8. The setup for Bluetooth devices is much like other Humanware displays. It follows Humanware's logic, which is not my logic, but following the instructions did work. 9. NLS BARD login and download is very straight forward. 10. Changing braille grades is slow. Press Space+g and you have to wait about 6 or 7 seconds before the grade shows up, Then, once the one you want is on the display, wait another 6 or 7 seconds for the display to go back to what you were doing. 11. when used as a braille input device with an iPhone SE 2020, it works pretty much as well as all displays work, which is very good. 12. The battery life seems to be maybe 6 or 8 hours, hard to be sure yet. 13. There is no internet browser, Wi-Fi is used for downloading BARD books and updating the firmware. 14. The wi-Fi set up was pretty straight forward, as Humanware devices go. 15. I have not tried using it with the computer. 16. It takes approximately 20 seconds to start up and about 17 seconds to shut down. Probably due to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions, I am not sure. To get an eReader from NLS you have to contact your regional library for the blind and sign up for braille materials, and then request the eReader. If you already receive braille materials, simply contact them and ask how to get sign up for an eReader if your library is participating in the program that is.. At this point, it is still considered a pilot program and you have to agree to participate in several surveys at 2, 4, and 6 months after receiving the device and of course, to return it if you are not going to use it. If you want, you can keep it after the pilot project is finished. Oregon seems to be getting the Humanware device; some states are getting the one from Zoomax. There are YouTube videos walking through each device, settings, how to…, etc.. Here is the physical description link for the Humanware device: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9336/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.loc.gov%2Fitem%2Fwebcast-9336%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf2c2f957326143e7744908d9619d3526%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637648150107129924%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=tlycCuXQcbqGBEeefWhFknSgbD5zU9cY4ZMw0q%2BAiUQ%3D&reserved=0> Here is the physical description link for the Zoomax device: https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9653/<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.loc.gov%2Fitem%2Fwebcast-9653%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf2c2f957326143e7744908d9619d3526%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637648150107129924%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ZL0HDUTMzU4Qs9gmqcGRH5ZMaIZLRW%2BUZjyzAU%2FLLNg%3D&reserved=0> Richard Software means never having to say you're finished Web site: www.turner42.com<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.turner42.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf2c2f957326143e7744908d9619d3526%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637648150107129924%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=1hG%2F1i9pVmzAxBHMswAIyp%2FbByIJvvPHsLrBLgJa4ZA%3D&reserved=0> -- The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. 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