[blindlaw] Jotting down notes in meetis / on calls: devices / strategies?

Thu Apr 10 03:18:35 UTC 2014

Thanks for the clarification. I agree, slate and stylus would be
cumbersome for that reason.

On 4/9/14, Gerard Sadlier <gerard.sadlier at gmail.com> wrote:
> Angie,
>
> I didn't say that using a braille display was less effective. I was
> actually commenting on the implications of using a braille slate and
> stylus. If you did so, the material would be brailled on physical
> sheets of paper and would have to be manually transcribed.
>
> Ger
>
>
>
> On 4/9/14, Angie Matney <angie.matney at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I see someone beat me to the observation that you don't have to
>> transcribe braille notes anymore. For clarification, the Perkins Mini
>> (this device is also known as the Mini Seika) does not, as of yet,
>> contain a back translator. But I do have software that could quickly
>> back-translate the notes for me.
>>
>> I also agree with whoever it was that posted about a portable scanner.
>> I have a nice portable one, but I rarely take it with me. The Perkins
>> Mini, on the other hand, is perfect for when a partner says, "Hey,
>> meet me in my office to discuss Client X."
>>
>> I emphatically disagree with the assertion that even if your braille
>> skills are superior, using a braille display/notetaker is an inferior
>> method. for me, braille is qualitatively different than speech, and in
>> some situations, it is far superior. Speech is preferable in other
>> situations, and most of the time, I like having access to both.
>>
>> Anyway, interesting discussion.
>>
>> On 4/9/14, Sy Hoekstra <sy.hoekstra at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> This one:
>>> http://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-HBS-730-Bluetooth-Headset/dp/B009A5204K
>>>
>>> The basic idea is there is a light horseshoe shaped wire thing around
>>> the
>>> back of your neck. At either end of the horseshoe are some buttons. If
>>> you're using a computer, only the volume buttons matter, but if you're
>>> using
>>> a Bluetooth audio file playing device, you can also play and pause and
>>> skip
>>> tracks. If it's a phone, you can pick up and talk because there is a mic
>>> built in. The headphones are ear buds, and if you aren't using them,
>>> they
>>> magnetically clip into the horseshoe thing, so you can use one for
>>> meetings
>>> and both for the rest of the time.
>>>
>>> It's like $80, but I bought it used for $35 on the Amazon Warehouse, and
>>> they work perfectly well. With my new surface pro 2 and these
>>> headphones,
>>> I
>>> am quite tech happy at the moment.
>>>
>>> Note: JAWS on my tablet works really well with these, but Voiceover on
>>> my
>>> iPhone, for some reason, does not. Voiceover cuts in and out and is
>>> basically useless.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shannon
>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 5:39 PM
>>> To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Jotting down notes in meetis / on calls: devices
>>> /
>>> strategies?
>>>
>>> What blue tooth head phones?
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> Shannon Geihsler
>>> Law Office of Shannon Brady Geihsler, PLLC
>>> 1001 Main Street, Suite 803
>>> Lubbock, Texas 79423
>>> Phone: (806) 763-3999
>>> Mobile:  (806) 781-9296
>>> Fax:  (806) 749-3752
>>> E-Mail:  sbg at sbgaal.com
>>>
>>> This email may contain material that is confidential, privileged and/or
>>> attorney work product for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any
>>> review, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express
>>> permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended
>>> recipient,
>>> please contact the sender and delete all copies.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sy
>>> Hoekstra
>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2014 2:52 PM
>>> To: 'Blind Law Mailing List'
>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Jotting down notes in meetis / on calls: devices
>>> /
>>> strategies?
>>>
>>> I am now using a Surface Pro 2 with Windows 8.1, JAWS, the type cover 2
>>> keyboard, and Bluetooth headphones. It's a tablet, so it's light,
>>> incredibly
>>> fast processing, and, you know, it's a full computer. Also, it boots up
>>> ridiculously quickly, like faster than any computer I have ever seen.
>>> Totally off to fully ready to run with jaws open is about 15 seconds.
>>> About
>>> another 10 to sign in with your user name and have jaws open again and
>>> ready
>>> to go. I've actually timed it.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Angie
>>> Matney
>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 11:13 AM
>>> To: Blind Law Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Jotting down notes in meetis / on calls: devices
>>> /
>>> strategies?
>>>
>>> I've just recently started using a Perkins Mini, a sixteen-cell braille
>>> display. This unit weighs about a pound. It doesn't quite have the
>>> features
>>> of the Braille Sense U2 devices discussed by others, but it meets my
>>> needs
>>> (and is less expensive). This machine does not have speech output. You
>>> can
>>> use it as a braille display via bluetooth or USB, but it also has
>>> several
>>> internal apps. The most useful of these are the notetaker and the book
>>> reader. The machine uses MicroSDHC cards and USB flash drives to store
>>> books
>>> and notes.
>>>
>>> I sometimes use the Perkins Mini on its own to take notes in meetings.
>>> I used it at a conference recently as a display for my iPhone. I used
>>> AccessNote, the app released by the American Foundation for the Blind,
>>> as
>>> the notetaker. I used a bluetooth keyboard for input because I thought
>>> the
>>> keys on the Perkins Mini might be too noisy.
>>>
>>> The Mini charges via USB, which means that ou can get one of those
>>> external
>>> battery paks for smart phones and charge it that way.
>>>
>>> I like being able to use the Mini with my iPhone, and I really like the
>>> capability to take notes on the device itself.
>>>
>>> Obviously, if you need speech, this won't work for you. But if you are a
>>> braille user, the Mini is worth considering. I like not having to use an
>>> earphone.
>>>
>>> You can find more info at www.perkinsproducts.org.
>>>
>>> On 4/9/14, Gerard Sadlier <gerard.sadlier at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> I use a laptop. The only issue is battery life at times.
>>>>
>>>> On 4/9/14, Robert Jaquiss <rjaquiss at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>> Hello:
>>>>>
>>>>>      I would suggest looking at the Hims Braille Sense U2. It is a
>>>>> notetaker with a 32 cell braille display. It can use speech, but I
>>>>> turned speech off and use the braille display. The U2 can provide
>>>>> files in various formats and when you want your notes on a PC, the
>>>>> files can  be transferred.
>>>>> See the site www.hims-inc.com. Hope this helps.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Robert
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Amar
>>>>> Jain
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 11:40 PM
>>>>> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [blindlaw] Jotting down notes in meetis / on calls: devices
>>>>> / strategies?
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear List Members,
>>>>>
>>>>> One of the challenge which I have now started facing is to take notes
>>>>> during meetings or on calls whether internal or external.
>>>>>
>>>>> One of the issue is of portability of devices, and other is the most
>>>>> efficient way to do it within the short span of time.
>>>>>
>>>>> What are the strategies which members on the list adopt to do the
>>>>> same?
>>>>> My
>>>>> typing speed is reasonable enough to match with the speed with which
>>>>> we go, so as of now the uncomfortable way is to carry your laptop
>>>>> along with headphones and take notes. This especially becomes more
>>>>> challenging when you have phone in one ear and headphone in other
>>>>> ear. And of course portability is another aspect of it.
>>>>>
>>>>> So, do notetakers in this situation help really? If someone can throw
>>>>> light on their usage and features it will be great. I am not well
>>>>> equipped with the knowledge of notetakers. Which are the good
>>>>> manufacturers of notetaker devices?
>>>>>
>>>>> Is netbook with Jaws the other possible option? And lastly which I
>>>>> can think of is the Bluetooth keyboard with Bluetooth headset and
>>>>> smart phone.
>>>>> How is that combo? What is the battery life of lets say IPhone and
>>>>> Bluetooth Keyboard when used together?
>>>>>
>>>>> I am not comfortable with the idea of recording first and then
>>>>> transcribing the same into text. As that is time consuming.
>>>>> Any suggestions will be deeply appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> --
>>>>> Amar Jain.
>>>>> Website: www.amarjain.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> et
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>
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>>
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