[nfbwatlk] FW: ILRUSurvey: AssistiveTechnology forPeople With Disabilities

[Mike Freeman]

NO one ever wants to say "never". But I rather doubt it. Debby uses the
example of a Ferby (sp) doll. But I assure you that the processor that goes
into one of those oddities is extremely simple (and slow) compared to the
multicore processors that are common in computers today. AS I said in an
earlier post, getting enough battery life -- something we expect in
note-taking devices -- will be a problem. Another is that of heat
dissipation.

It is not inconceivable that one could design a Netbook with a braille
display. But one would then have all the complexities of a computer --
something some note-taker users abhor -- and, as Mary Ellen says, one would
forfeit such taken-for-granted features as "instant on".

So I'm not criticizing the concept so much as I am the naivet é of the
dreamers.

BTW, I don't think Dean Blazie's device will be any better than what we have
already and it, too, will not be a full-fledged computer. The one thing we
can count on is that he knows Braille well enough to get that part right.
But from my perspective, his device is still very-much unproven.

Incidentally, I'm sure someone will bring up the NVDA screen-reader as an
example of "free" software. But let me assure you that if you go to the NVDA
web site, you'll immediately encounter a plea to donate -- open-source
software can only go so far and depends upon geeks who enjoy programming for
the heck of it and the warranties are about as good as the amount you paid.

As I said before, there ain't no such thing as a free lunch!

Mike Freeman


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Becky Frankeberger
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2012 9:32 AM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: ILRUSurvey: AssistiveTechnology forPeople With
Disabilities

Or are people just being visionary.  Can Debby for example rally wealthy
friends together to make her visionary dream come true.  Debby a very worth
while endeavor.  

Becky Frankeberger
Butterfly Knitting

Custom-made knit throws, shawls, and more!

Phone: 360-426-8389
E-mail: becky at ButterflyKnitting.com
Website: www.ButterflyKnitting.com


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2012 8:22 AM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: ILRUSurvey: AssistiveTechnology forPeople With
Disabilities

I'm getting sick and tired of the "evil corporation" whine! Things aren't
that simple. But most persons who are impecunious persist in thinking so in
that such thinking is easier to maintain than to accept that sometimes we
can't afford what we want.

Mike


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of debby phillips
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2012 10:35 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: ILRUSurvey: AssistiveTechnology forPeople With
Disabilities

Well, it's the Braille displays that are the most expensive parts.  I
maintain if they can build those little Furby dolls that were basically toys
and fairly inexpensive, they can add some computing power to notetakers.
This is my personal opinion but I think Humanware has gotten smug and lazy,
as has Freedom Scientific.  They know that we have limited places to buy
products from, and that if we want Braille displays we will settle for their
products.  Nice to see some cheaper devices that 
have Braille but work with Iphones, etc.    Peace,    Debby

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