Just a couple of comments on the first day's use of an M Power after 4 years
with the BT 32.
(1) The Braille display is sharper, sometimes almost too much so. I also find
the cursor routing mechanism improved, as the rocker cursor routing buttons are
better than those on the older displays.
(2) The keys are definitely noisier, but not obtrusively so. It sounds like a
brace of elves running lightly across the room, as compared to a much quieter
noise with the older unit. However, I suspect that the keyboard may get less
crisp with use and hence less noisy. Overall, not an issue, just an
observation.
(3) Speed differential is truly noticeable. I have used email with all of its
glitches for about 3 years on the BT, and downloading would take forever. This
list in a digest format, recorded at 500 K took about 25 seconds on a 56 K
connection, and that is a great improvement.
One thing that does need to be done is to better explain in the manual the
difference and applications of using a configuration menu setting and an email
account setting. I have already been asked by a bunch of folks what's the
difference. This is not well explained in the manual, and for first time email
notetaker users it may be a little confusing.
One question which may have been discussed previously - some time ago, there
was some speculation and perhaps, a specific statement (we all talk too much)
that the M Power could function as a keyboard entry device as well as a Braille
display or speech synthesizer when working with a PC. It makes logical sense,
but I suspect that this is not the case. So, am I correct in saying that the
unit is usable as a display, but not for keyboard entry either in Bluetooth or
USB configuration for a PC under a screen reader.
Barry Scheur
