[stylist] Braille Display Questions

[Robert Leslie Newman]

Jim

Not sure I saw any answers to your Braille Display questions. Hope this is
not too late:

I have 2 displays that I use: First, is a 44 cell Freedom scientific Focus
(a first version model). It is hooked by USB to my desktop. (This one has a
crude capability of braille input; newer ones are very good.) The second is
--- I have a 20 cell display on my QT PAC Mate (it also is a SF Focus,
specially made for the PAC Mate. (These PAC Mate displays are detachable and
can be used on the PM or hooked up to a computer by USB.)  

The major features to consider are:

How many cells do you want? Longer is not better --- meaning, an 80 cell is
not easily transportable. It is also not so fun nor eurganomaly  pleasurable
to read on because of the distance that you have to twist and lean your body
to reach across its length. (though it is nice to see an entire line of text
that is in a document, and/or to view the entire with of the screen.

A 40 is more the average line for American braille formatted books and is in
general pretty easy to mentally track in your head as to where you are at on
a line (2 pans of cells per line; Left half , then right half). 

The 20 is nice. Yes, only a fourth of a line at a time, not so easy to keep
track of where you are). But it requires less hand, arm and body movement to
read (interesting- If you look in the setting for all braille displays, and
find the "Rapid Reading" option, [this is funny, but true] that setting
takes a 80 or 40 cell display and narrows it down to 20 cells.)

#2 do you want Blue tooth? A few have this option.

#3 do you want Braille input? Some have this and some do not.

#4 MMM most of them have all the other basic options that I'm thinking of at
this writing- like cursor routing, extra buttons with preprogrammed and/or
programmable options. 
#5 and here is one important thought- some displays have the main keys for
movement on the top surface of the display [like SF's wiz wheels[ Where
other companies have the movement keys on the front edge toward your tummy
[these are often called thumb keys[.

@#6 Look to see if the cells that you read are positioned where you are most
comfortable --- meaning, Some displays have the cells closest to the front
edge [on top, of course], with the input keys or other controls further back
on the top. 
where some have the cells further back on the top, with controls first, then
the reading cells last. (some can be reversed by a single key combo which
allows you to turn the display around and get the cells closest to you, or
controls closest. 

**The more the bells and whistles, the more the cost and well, think of what
you will be using the display for, like will you need layer after layer of
different options, or just the average number of options. 
----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Homme, James
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 6:31 AM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: [stylist] Braille Display Questions

Hi,
I'm asking because I may be able to get a new Braille display. Do most
displays have comparable features? What is good, and what should I avoid?

Thanks.

Jim

Jim Homme,
Usability Services,
Phone: 412-544-1810.


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