[Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction

Tue Sep 4 02:10:36 UTC 2012

I believe if the optacon had been marketed differently in comparison to the 
scanner, it still might be around, because it does have its specialized 
niche.  With proper marketing, that niche could have broadened.

Oh yes, another use at home.  When I got a set of reversible quilted place 
mats, one side has a flower pattern, one side a seed pattern.  I used the 
optacon to show me which side is which, then proceeded to mark them.  Also, 
it does much better on colored documents than a scanner does

Judy
.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 7:45 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction

> Hi, chris.
>
> The Optacon was the subject of a lot of hype. In fact, the fastest Optacon
> users never got much beyond 100 or 120 words per minute. However, the only
> real limit to what an Optacon could read was the comprehension of the 
> human
> brain. So I would argue that we didn't *have* many of the accessibility
> concerns we do today because if the Optacon could display it and "it" --
> whatever it was -- was relatively uniform (handwriting is not), one could
> read it. So I disagree that the Optacon is obsolete.
>
> Mike
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
> Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 5:28 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> 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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