[nabs-l] Note takers

[anjelinac26 at gmail.com]

Wow. I look forward to this product. It sounds to good to be true. We shall see.

Anjelina
Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 21, 2010, at 8:00 PM, Danielle Montour <hypoplexer at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi,
> Well, as for internet on the Apex, it all depends on your connection.  I am using built in wireless right now, and it's relatively fast.  You can unpack bookshare books on the apex, and there is support for both SD and SDHC (high capasity) cards.  To contradict the PacMate, there is NO slot for compactflash cards.  If I were you, I'd modernize and find a notetaker to your liking.
> 
> However, I want to bring this to all of your attention: the Braille Wizard.  Here's some info:
> 
> Introducing the Wizard
> The Wizard is a braille Personal Digital Assistant, PDA, designed specifically for blind people.  Most of us use PDA's in our personal lives and know them as smart phones, iPad's, laptop computers, and even desktop computers.   The Wizard is a similar device that is tailored for blind people.  Instead of a screen, the Wizard features a 20-character braille display with synthetic speech output and a standard braille keyboard for data entry.  Packaged to keep it small and portable, the Wizard is about half the size of a sheet of paper and less than one inch thick, so users can take it everywhere they would take a cell phone.
> 
> Why Create Another Braille PDA for Blind People?
> 
> Braille PDA's for the blind are not a new concept.  The technology has been available for almost three decades, but since blindness is a low incidence disability in the UddS,.  the size of this market does not encourage the same innovation that drives mainstream technology.  As a result, current braille PDA's are expensive--in the $5,000-10,000 range-- and often lack the same features as sighted people have come to expect in a PDA.   What makes the Wizard different is that it is being produced by a Boston-based non-profit, National Braille Press, that is dedicated to literacy for blind people through braille.  NBP is committed to creating a braille PDA that is affordable, with a wide range of features, and uses Android as an open source platform to encourage innovation.
> 
> Wizard Features and Functions
> 
> chinin 8 dot braille keyboard with an imbedded cursor pad.
> chinin 20 cell, 8 dot braille display with cursor routing and forward and back keys.
> chinin Android Operating system found in many smartphones and notepads.
> chinin 32GB of internal storage, users can plug SD cards into the back of the Wizard to create data backups or to load data from other sources.
> chinin Bluetooth wireless connectivity for headsets and other hands free devices.
> chinin WiFi connectivity to access local networks or other WiFi hotspots.
> chinin Two USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports for users to connect to other computer devices.
> chinin Accelerometer -- the same chip that is used in games is also used to detect the orientation of the Wizard and allows it to adjust when it is tapped or rotated.
> chinin Speech input and output for users who want to listen instead of read braille, the Wizard has synthetic speech output.  It also has speech input so users can perform voice searches, dial by voice, and create voice short cuts.
> chinin Cellular connection for data and voice, which can be used as a cell phone and smart phone for email, web browsing, and smart applications.
> chinin Built-in speakers and microphone for users with a cell phone carrier contract to make and receive phone calls.
> chinin Headphonestheadset jack, a standard jack where users can plug in their favorite headphones.
> chinin GPS receiver to identify locations, and with the help of smart applications, to provide navigation information.  Android-based navigation applications for blind users are currently being created by other developers.
> chinin Compass to help users navigate.
> chinin Built-in music player.  Users can load a music library on the Wizard and listen via speakers or headset.
> chinin 5Mp camera, for photography and to identify items or surroundings in the user's environment.  Applications are available that can photograph and read a printed page.
> chinin Video output connector: for users who need a visual display.
> National Braille Press is currently in the first year of product development and making significant progress.  A working prototype of the Wizard is expected to be completed by 2011 and the device will be available to the public soon after that.  Since Android is a working, usable operating system, we expect to continually upgrade and expand the features of the Wizard.  Applications for the Wizard will be created by third party developers so there is unlimited possibility for the product to evolve based on the user's needs.
> About National Braille Press The Wizard is a project of the Center for Braille Innovation (CBI) at National Braille Press, which began in the winter of 2009.  In an effort to increase braille literacy, the Wizard was conceived as the first CBI project, one of many projects that NBP's Center plans to initiate to make accessible technology products for blind people so that they can stay connected in the digital world.     NBP is taking a leadership role to research, develop and produce specific affordable accessible technology products that will help promote braille literacy for young readers, and support blind students and adults in school and in the workplace environment.  While paper braille will not disappear in the immediate future, NBP believes that it is equally important for blind people to have accessible technology to access information that the digital age provides
> Worldwide Collaborations Since the launch of National Braille Press's Center for Braille Innovation, NBP has been joined by the National Federation of the Blind, The China Braille Press, the World Braille Foundation and the American Printing House for the Blind to partner in various affordable technology projects for blind people.  The Wizard project is being funded by the National Braille Press, federal appropriations, the National Federation of the Blind, and the China Braille Press.  As non-profit organizations, these groups are committed to ensuring that blind people have access to technology at affordable prices.  If you would like to donate to this project, please go to NBPDDORG to learn more
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:21:57 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Note takers
> 
> Hi Curt and All:
> 
> First, for those who have the Pacmate what made you switch to the
> Braille Note whether it be Apex or one of the other ones?
> 
> Here is my delemma.
> 
> I had the option of getting a notetaker about five years ago in 2006.
> At that time, I didn't know how to research very well and wasn't as
> into technology as I am now.
> 
> Having used Jaws and liking it, and seeing that pocket Jaws was on the
> Pacmate and it ran windows which was the same OS I was using, I just
> stupidly decided on the Pacmate without doing much other research or
> comparing the pacmate to other notetakers.  Also, because I was so into
> computers at that time, I got the QX pacmate thinking the laptop style
> keyboard would be better for me.
> 
> When I first got the Pacmate it was nice and I played with it all he
> time.  But, now I hardly use it.  First of all, the internet on it is
> terrible...very very very slow.  It takes forever for a webpage to
> load.  Also, the Pacmate doesn't have an internal wi-fi card so you
> have to use one of those compact flash cards which are pretty much
> obselete now.  The Pacmate only has a mini usb port so to connect
> anything to USB you have to use an external object.  All I find I use
> it for now is reading BRF books from NLS or Bookshare and taking notes
> in class.  The Pacmate doesn't even have bluetooth! It also doesn't
> have sd card slots...only ones for those obselete compact flash cards.
> 
> I look at more modern notetakers like the Apex and get excited and
> think...I should look into modernizing and get one of those.  But, then
> I think...I have the pacmate (even though I hate it) that does have a
> braille display, I have a netbook, I have a laptop, I have an Iphone,
> and I want to get an Ipad...that essentially all do the same thing.  I
> think...would I really use a newer more modern notetaker enough to
> justify the $6000 price when I have all these other devices?
> 
> But, then if I had a notetaker that I could just whip open and take
> notes portably, or write contact info down quickly, and could have
> more functionality I wonder if I'd use it more?
> 
> What do you think I should do...stick with what I have or look into
> modernizing and getting a better notetaker?
> 
> How is the Internet browsing on the apex? Is it very slow and sluggish
> or is it fast like wireless internet on laptops and netbooks is?
> 
> Thanks,
> Kerri
> 
> On 10/21/10, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Listers,
>  Even with the netbooks and braille displays out there, I still use
> my notetaker.  (I just got an apex and I love it, although switching
> over from the PAC Mate has been kind of hard)  I know laptops with
> braille displays are cheaper.  But, for me, having a notetaker as
> opposed to a computer in school/church/wherever is a godsend.  I can,
> for instance, whip out my Apex and put someone's phone number in my
> contact list without waiting 1-3 minutes for my computer to start and
> get a file somewhere open.  It's so nice to have instant access to
> everything, without having to wait for the laptop to load up, jaws to
> start, and then having to open such and such application to do my
> thing.  It's so much easier to turn on a machine, usee 1 or maybe 2
> keystrokes, and be right where I need to be within seconds.  That's
> why I still have my notetaker because a computer just can't do that.
>  All the best,
> Kirt
> 
> On 10/21/10, Danielle Montour <hypoplexer at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I am a BrailleNote Apy user, the latest
> notetaker.  Although the Apex has great potential, there's some
> work to be done on it.  It's a good don't get me wrong, don't get
> me wrong, it just has room for improvement.  Here is a comparison
> between the BrailleNote Apex and BrailleSense Plus.
> 
> HTH
> 
> Danni
> 
> Courtesy: Alex Hall.
> 
> Here is a look at the BrailleNote Apex and its closest
> competitor, the Braille Sense Plus (from GW Micro).  I do not
> know enough about the Pac Mate Omni (Freedom scientific) to
> include it in this comparison.
> 
>  chinin Internal Storage: the BSP has 8 gigabytes of storage.
> The Apex has 8 gigabytes as well.
>  chinin RAM: The BSP has 128 megabytes of RAM, as does the Apex.
> However, the Apex has an additional 126 megabytes of storage for
> operating system and temporary files, whereas the BSP has 64
> megabytes for this purpose.
>  chinin Processor: the BSP's processor, type unknown, runs at
> 400 megahertz.  The FreeScale IMX31 processor in the Apex runs at
> 520megahertz.  Both the BSP and the Apex processors are 32-29t
> versions.
>  chinin
>  chinin Underlying Windows CE The BSP runs on CE 5.0.  While
> this is an improvement over the BrailleNote mPower's CE 4.2, it
> is not as good as the Apex's CE 6.0, which allows for many new
> features to be introduced, namely better RAM management and tens
> of thousands of processes to run concurrently; CE 5 still has a
> 32 process limit.
>  chinin USB: the BSP has 2 (1?) USB master port(s) for storage
> devices, printers, keyboards, and so on.  The Apex has 3 USB
> master ports for these purposes.  The BSP has one mini USB port,
> used to connect it to a computer to connect to ActiveSync or use
> as a removable disk.  The Apex also has one mini USB port, though
> it cannot act as a removable device.  Unlike the BSP, though, it
> can synchronize its contacts, calendar, and other items with
> Microsoft Windows computers.
>  chinin Other Storage Options: The BSP has both an SD card slot,
> which supports SDHC cards as well as standard SD cards, and a
> compactflash card slot.  It can also use its bluetooth to
> transfer files between itself and any other bluetooth device
> supporting object exchange.  The Apex has an SD card slot
> supporting regular and high-capacity (HC) cards.  It does not,
> however, have a compactflash card slot, nor does it support
> bluetooth object exchange, though Humanware could add this option
> to Keysoft with little trouble thanks to the new Windows CE 6
> bluetooth stack.
>  chinin Audio: Both devices have built in stereo speakers,
> stereo headphone jacks, external mono microphone jacks, and a
> mono internal microphone.  The Apex also supports bluetooth audio
> devices, the BSP does not.  Both devices can create recordings
> via either microphone, with adjustable microphone gains and
> quality levels, however the BSP can record in MP3 format or WAV
> format, whereas the Apex only supports the larger WAV format
> (maybe).  The Apex contains an FM radio internally and uses
> anything plugged into the headphone jack as an antenna.  The
> radio can be recorded as though it were another input source for
> the recorder.  The BSP also has a radio which works in the same
> way, but it cannot be recorded.
>  chinin Wireless Communication Both devices contain both an
> internal BstG wifi card and an internal bluetooth 2.1 card.
>  chinin Battery Both devices have about the same battery life,
> and both contain a removable battery.  The Apex has a way to
> charge the battery outside of the computer itself, the BSP does
> not.
>  chinin Jacks and Ports BSP: two master USB, one slave (mini)
> USB, cable ethernet, VGA, SDSTSDHC slot, compactflash slot, mono
> microphone, stereo headphone, AC power port.  Apex: 3 master USB,
> 1 slave (mini) USB, cable ethernet, VGA, SDSTSDHC slot, mono
> microphone, stereo headphone, AC power port.  Basically, they are
> the same except that the Apex has one more master USB port than
> the BSP, and the BSP has a compactflash card slot whereas the
> Apex does not.
>  chinin Visual Output The BSP can print what is spoken or
> brailled to a monitor through its VGA port, or through its
> built-in LcD display.  The Apex can also print to a monitor with
> its VGA port, or through use of a Windows program called KeyView.
> This means that the Apex can connect to a Windows computer via
> USB or bluetooth (or through serial using a serial-USB
> converter).  KeyView will then display the Apex's text on the
> computer's screen.
>  chinin Microsoft Word 2007 Neither device currently supports
> the disdocx (Word 2007) format.  Humanware has promised that the
> Apex will handle disdocx files in the near future, providing a
> free upgrade to all Apex owners so they can have this support for
> free when it is released.  GW Micro has not commented on Word
> 2007 support, though another device of theirs, a digital book
> reader called the Book Sense, does support Word 2007, so it is
> likely that the BSP will support this format in the near future
> as well.
>  chinin Internet Communication: Both devices have a web browser,
> an email program, and an instant messenger.  The BSP's browser
> cannot handle cookies like the Apex can, but that is the only
> major difference between the two.  The email programs are pretty
> well matched, except for one under-the-hood difference: the Apex
> stores all emails in a database, making it difficult to copy a
> message somewhere else for storage; copying the text is easy
> enough, but copying the message headers along with the text is
> all but impossible without going through a lot of tedious steps.
> The BSP stores its messages as diseml files, allowing users to
> not only copy entire emails to different locations, but to view
> these messages on other Windows computers.  The BSP also allows
> users to view HTML-encoded messages as web pages; the Apex, as
> far as I know will not let you do this, though it may be the case
> that it is, in fact, possible.  The instant messenger on the BSP
> only supports Windows Live (formerly known as MSN) Messenger,
> though this is a very popular network.  The Apex supports all
> XMPP networks, which include, but are not limited to, Google
> Talk, IC-HAT, and Jabber.  The Apex, essentially, supports a
> range of less popular networks, whereas the BSP supports only one
> network, but that one network is very widely used compared to the
> networks supported by the Apex.
>  chinin Braille Codes and Languages The Apex supports 6 and 8
> dot computer braille, grade 1, grade 2, and UEB, plus it has
> computer Braille tables for English, French, Spanish, and Italian
> and it can speak in those languages.  The BSP supports only
> English computer braille (6 or 8 dot unknown), grade 1, and grade
> 2.  However, the BSP will let you write in any grade, even in a
> text document or on a web page; the Apex allows only computer
> braille in text documents and web page forms.
>  chinin Braille Scrolling and Navigation The BSP has four keys,
> two on either side of the Braille display for moving the Braille,
> for navigation, as well as four function keys for quickly
> switching tasks, closing programs, and performing other basic
> tasks.  The Apex has four thumb keys on its front, where the
> thumbs naturally rest while reading Braille.  These keys act like
> the scroll keys on the BSP, except they are more conveniently
> placed.  The Apex also has a scroll wheel, which lets you quickly
> scroll through lists and files.  The wheel also has a button in
> the center to act as an enter key, and four buttons arount the
> outside edge to act as hotkeys for commonly used keystrokes, such
> as calling up the help prompt for the given situation on the
> Apex.
>  chinin Multi-Tasking The BSP can run 7 programs at once; you
> could leave your wordprocessor open while you quickly switch to
> your email to read something, then leave the email open to go the
> the file manager to copy a couple files...  For this reason, the
> BSP contains task manager, which is a large part of the
> functionality of the four function keys.  The Apex cannot, as far
> as I know, do this.  You can leave a media file playing in the
> background or do other things on the Apex while you wait for your
> machine to connect to a wireless networo, but you cannot let your
> email download in the background while you read a book.  The
> Apex, though, now (thanks to CE6) has the ability to do a lot of
> multi-tasking, far exceeding the BSP's limit of 7 applications at
> once, though such functionality is not yet implemented in
> Keysoft, much like bluetooth object exchange could easily be
> supported but is not yet there.
>  chinin External Media Controls Tge Apex has only one media key:
> the record button.  The BSP has buttons on its front, where the
> Apex's toumb keys are, for skipping tracks, recording, playing,
> pausing, and so forth, not to mention its media switch, which
> lets you select a mode for your media keys: media, DAISY, and FM
> radio.  While both machines support playing media, playing DAISY
> files, and an FM radio, only the BSP has external buttons to
> facilitate easy manipulation of media.
>  chinin Synthesizers: The Apex comes with two speech
> synthesizers: Keynote Gold, which supports only one voice, and
> Eloquence, with five voices to choose from.  The BSP only has
> Eloquence with its selection of
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:36:18 -0400
> Subject: [nabs-l] Note takers
> 
> I use a braille 'n speak which I've had for ten years now, and
> its on its last leg.  What types of note takers do you guys use,
> How much does it caust, and does it live up to what is advertised
> concerning it? I'm not shure wheather or not to get a packmate, a
> braille note, or a braille sence.  I'm on disability, due to some
> other disabililities I have.  I'm also in a distance learning
> Seminary, going for my doctorate degree in theology.  I'm not
> shure how I can purchose a note taker, due to the fact, I have
> alot of bills to pay.  Would my local lions club be able to
> assist me in this reguard? RJ
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> for nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hypoplexe
> r%40gmail.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.craz
> ydude%40gmail.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kerrik200
> 6%40gmail.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hypoplexe
> r%40gmail.com
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/anjelinac26%40gmail.com