[Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction

Tue Sep 4 02:06:42 UTC 2012

Hi, Chris,

I love all the technology, but there hasn't been anything to replace what 
the optacon does.  My husband and I have two of them, one at home, and I 
actually have one at work.  It's great for spot-checking, and I use it to 
mark signature lines for placing the signature stamp for auths and for 
paying bills.  A scanner would slow me down, and can't pick up on the 
details of a page the way one can with an optacon.  My HICF forms at work 
don't scan well, and when the biller writes FINAL on the bill, I can find 
that very easily with the optacon.

At home, I use it to read round medicine bottles, and it's also great for me 
to check a page format to make sure my page is how I want it to look.

I also use it to check my signature, and to make sure my pen is writing.

On the job, if I didn't have it, I would need to use reader services.  I can 
read hand printing and some cursive with it.

The down-side of it is that it did take a learning curve and is definitely 
slower.  Scanning software is wonderful for reading a lengthy document or 
volume of printed material and documents, but the optacon gives you a 
real-time look at what is on a page.

Anyone who has used one more than likely would like to see them make a 
comeback.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Nusbaum" <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 6:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction

> Hi Mike,
>
> I agree with you about the Stream. As far as Humanware's tech support, 
> ugh;
> don't remind me! Thank God I've got a local Humanware distributor in my 
> area
> that actually provides good tech support. Once I found out that I'm their
> customer, not Humanware's, and they're the ones who are supposed to 
> provide
> me with technical support, I don't even bother calling Humanware when I 
> have
> a problem with either my BrailleNote or my Stream.
>
> As to the Optacon, you may be surprised to know that although I'm a
> 14-year-old freshman in high school, I do actually know what the Optacon 
> is
> and have seen one in action! The concept of it sort of reminds me of an
> older KNFB Reader, although it conveys the information in a very different
> way. I personally found it very difficult and tedious to read with, 
> probably
> because I'm a Braille guy and always have been. However, I'm sure that 
> with
> time and practice one can get relatively fast reading with the Optacon. I
> can definitely see where it was a great piece of technology in the time 
> when
> it was new, but I think newer and better technology such as Braille
> displays, scan-and-read software and screen readers has made the Optacon
> obsolete.
>
> Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 8:12 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction
>
> Jasmine:
>
> I use a fancy windows 7 laptop with multiple sound cards and also an
> external DECtalk USB synthesizer; the machine runs Windows 7 Home Premium.
> Screen-readers are JAWS 13 and NVDA. I use a BraillesensePLUS B32 
> note-taker
> from HIMS as well as a BookSense from HIMS. I use a Victor Reader Stream
> which IMO overall is still the best portable DAISY player on the market 
> even
> though I'm not enamered of HumanWare's tech support other than for the
> Stream at the moment. I use an iPhone 4. I also still have a working
> Optacon. I suppose that about does it.
>
> Mike Freeman
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
> Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 4:21 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction
>
> Hi Jasmine,
>
> For me it's a BrailleNote Apex, a laptop running Windows 7 and JAWS 12, a
> Victor Reader Stream, and (my favorite) an iPod Touch!
>
> Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jasmine Kotsay
> Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 4:38 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>
> Hi,
> No, I didn't expect it, but I'm
> glad that this is a place both to talk seriously and have fun.
> :)
> I was wondering what types of
> devices some of you use, such as BrailleNotes, computers with JAWS, or any
> others.  I've already asked a couple of you this question, and I know some
> are on the BrailleNote list, but I'm curious.
>
> Sincerely,
> Jasmine
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Sun, 2 Sep 
> 2012
> 19:18:46 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>
> Wow.  I bet Jasmine didn't expect this when she joined us.
>
> Again, welcome.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> On Sep 2, 2012, at 7:14 PM, "Nikki" <daizies304 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>   Oh yeah! I'm really not afraid of anything.  Haha.  I'll even walk
> outside in the snow barefooted, if I had to.  My dad is the same way.
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Ray Foret Jr
> Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2012 6:53 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>
> wow, Nikki, that's very cool!!!  Do you go barefooted outside still?
>
> Way back when that person asked whether or not blind people should go
> barefooted, I answered that it depended on many things, but, never ever 
> ever
> blindness.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> On Sep 2, 2012, at 6:40 PM, "Nikki" <daizies304 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Hey Ray, I have been considered a barefoot kid all my life and now I'm in
> my 30's loving it.  LOL!
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Ray Foret Jr
> Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2012 1:51 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>
> Hey, another one.
>
> Well, whether or not, welcome anyhow.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> On Sep 2, 2012, at 10:20 AM, Jasmine Kotsay <jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> That sounds great! I look forward to seeing some of the conversations that
> go on.
> As to going barefooted, as long as it's not freezing cold, I'm always
> barefooted in the house.  Outside, though...  Not so much.
> LOL!!
>
> Sincerely,
> Jasmine
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org  Date sent: Sat, 1 Sep
> 2012 17:02:28 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>
> Oh, let's see.
>
> One time, somebody asked the question as to whether a blind person should
> go barefooted or not.  Guess by my signature what I said.
>
> Actually, I said that, whether or not a blind person does that may well
> depend on many things; but, never should it depend on blindness.
>
> Well, that's the lighter side.  We do, however  and very very often,
> discuss some very serious matters here.  Somebody wants help with 
> something,
> for example, we try to offer the best advice we can on the matter.
> Important NFB news updates with respect to the NFB are posted here.  IF 
> our
> help is needed with respect to various legislative matters, such requests
> can be found here.
> HTH.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> On Sep 1, 2012, at 3:02 PM, Jasmine Kotsay <jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Hi!
> That's great! What kinds of topics do you discuss? I think they had some
> examples on the website, but I'm curious as to what other things are 
> talked
> about.  :)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org  Date sent: Sat, 1 Sep
> 2012 14:29:00 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>
> Well, Jasmine, welcome to the list.  My name is Raymond; but, please call
> me Ray.  I insist.
>
> Anyhow, we tend to have some interesting times on this list; by which I
> mean, we usually all get along quite well and have discussions the like of
> which you will find quite stimulating.
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> On Sep 1, 2012, at 2:18 PM, Jasmine Kotsay <jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Hello,
> I wanted to introduce myself to this list.  My name is Jasmine.
> When I came upon the name of this list on the NFB website, I was 
> immediately
> interested.  I have no sight, and I'm always curious to find out new 
> things
> about blind people.
>
> Sincerely,
> Jasmine
>
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