[Blindtlk] notetakers: are they worth buying anymore?

[Chris Nusbaum]

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: 
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Sent from my BrailleNote