[Blindtlk] notetakers: are they worth buying anymore?

[Elizabeth Campbell]

Hi Chris,
You've asked a good question, I think.

I am not a technology expert, but I think the notetakers have their pros and 
cons.

A year ago, I asked the newspaper where I work to upgrade the BrailleNote 
MPower to the Apex, as Humanware offered a good trade-in value.

I haven't been disappointed with the Apex's performance in terms of being a 
robust notetaker, as I rely on Braille to quickly read my notes and other 
information while out in the field. i'm in situations where I have to call 
the paper from council meetings and other locations with information for our 
web site and for the next day's paper. However, I'm disappointed in the 
limitations the machine has in terms of not keeping pace with our increasing 
reliance on being mobile.
For instance, the Apex isn't compatible with air cards, and the company is 
expecting reporters to use air cards. It does work well when wifi is 
available.

Also, I've been disappointed that the Apex won't pair with my iPhone running 
the latest IOS software. I have the QT model.

So, i would say that you might be better off getting a tablet such as the 
iPad and a small Braille display I will continue to use the Apex because 
that is what I have available right now at work, but I'm not happy with the 
limitations I'm seeing.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Nusbaum" <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk list" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; "NABS list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "BrailleNote list" <braillenote at list.humanware.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 9:01 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] notetakers: are they worth buying anymore?


> 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: www.icanfoundation.info or like us on Facebook at 
> I C.A.N.  Foundation.
>
> Sent from my BrailleNote
>
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