[nabs-l] BrailleNote Apex--Braille keyboard v. computer keyboard

Sun May 2 21:40:50 UTC 2010

This is JMHO, but, for something that I would take to class and depend on 
and need to run right all the time, I would rather have one of the 
electronic Braille notetakers that has the accessibility features built in. 
If I could find some combination of Braille displays, screen readers, and 
other mainstream and adaptive technology that I felt was less likely to have 
problems, I would certainly consider it.  BTW, does anyone know how long it 
takes an IPad or other device of the sorts to start up?  That is the other 
trade off--the Braille notetakers usually take less than 5 seconds to start.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Domonique Lawless" <dlawless86 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 1:57 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] BrailleNote Apex--Braille keyboard v. computer 
keyboard

> This is slightly off topic, but have any of you thought about
> purchasing an IPad with an external bluetooth keyboard as an
> alternative to a braille notetaker? You could also connect a blue
> tooth braille display for more hands on reading. This would still be a
> cheaper alternative to a notetaker. I'm just curious to see what
> people think.
>
> Best Wishes,
> Domonique
>
> On 4/30/10, Serena <serenacucco at verizon.net> wrote:
>> Hi guys,
>>
>> One thing I don't like about the computer-style keyboard is, at least on 
>> my
>> friend's BN I get to practice on, it doesn't display the last character I
>> write, until I type another.  (My friend is deaf-blind, so we communicate
>> via the BN when we're hanging out.)  E.G., if I write "What?", I don't 
>> see
>> the question mark on the display, until I press the space bar.  Since I'm
>> not all that familiar with the layout, I'm not always sure if I wrote a
>> question mark or a slash.  I don't know I wrote a slash, until I press 
>> the
>> space bar!  Is this a flaw with the computer-style keyboard?  Or is there 
>> a
>> setting that can be changed to make the display show each character as 
>> you
>> write, like the Braille keyboard does?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Serena
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Nicole B. Torcolini" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 1:00 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] BrailleNote Apex--Braille keyboard v. computer
>> keyboard
>>
>>
>>> Some people prefer to use an electronic notetaker such as the 
>>> BrailleNote
>>> because the accessibility is built in and they like the simplicity when
>>> all that is really needed is taking notes.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "clinton waterbury" <clinton.waterbury at gmail.com>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 3:55 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] BrailleNote Apex--Braille keyboard v. computer
>>> keyboard
>>>
>>>
>>>> This is true, but why take a laptop when that would be duplicating what
>>>> you're using the bn/pac mate or what ever you want to use as a 
>>>> notetaker?
>>>> You could just turn around and get a braille display that connects up 
>>>> to
>>>> a laptop for reading braille for the price you pay for something that
>>>> does word processing and all that kind of stuff like the bn does, but
>>>> that's a matter of personal preference.
>>>> On Apr 28, 2010, at 3:59 PM, Jorge Paez wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Well,
>>>>> it really depends.
>>>>> I have used a computer keyboard a lot with my laptop, but like the
>>>>> ability to write grade 2 braille.
>>>>> Part of it is the ability to type entire words, being able to take 
>>>>> notes
>>>>>
>>>>> a lot faster--only typing one sign for the, etc.
>>>>> The thing is, I haven't been used to a computer keyboard on a notebook
>>>>> device, so I'd go for braille just because I know it better, but in 
>>>>> your
>>>>>
>>>>> case it may depend.
>>>>> However, I wouldn't recommend you rely souly on the Apex.
>>>>> In my experience the note has been perfect for taking notes and that's
>>>>> about it--(E.G. completely failing at Internet except at my home
>>>>> network), though they claim they have made improvements.
>>>>> My best bet is go for which ever one you feel better, but try and get
>>>>> a--or take your laptop as a backup.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jorge
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
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