Hi: I think that the point is being missed here. In my own post for example. I am not objecting to the upgrading of equipment by manufacturers especially main stream my own machine is vary much out of date however when you pay $8000 for equipment and that equipment is dependent on a manufacturers whim for software as well as hardware upgrades. The BrailleNote for example doesn't have a detachable display, you can't remove and replace the modem you can't even replace the battery with out sending it for service.
I know I will be flamed for my reply and although I happen to think the bn rocks and will be doing the upgrade I also know that its likely to cost me about 2000 to do it. Just for the record I can buy a whole system for that kind of money. I can replace the hard drive I can replace the operating system and I don't have to pay for SMA agreements either. So while I agree with you I think the comparison is unfair. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kathy Williams Sent: July 28, 2005 8:35 AM To: Braillenote List Subject: [Braillenote] Current or "Out of Date" The concept of current vs "out of date" equipment is a hard one to get your head around let alone your emotions. ANything you can buy in the computer field is already out of date by the time it has gone into production and been put on the market for you to buy. You can't be on the cutting edge of technology unless you are there making the cuts, and then someone else is ahead of you doing something else. The computer I bought in January for $1100.00 was selling for $600 in May. Did they cheat me by not telling me the price was going to go down and there was going to be something faster and bigger and maybe even better in five months? Not at all. That's the nature of the field the nature of technology in these marvelous times. The alternative would be for what you buy to stay the best in its field for your needs. When you pay a price for technology, that price would be the same price no matter what, there would be no new models, no improvements,no changes. If that is the case, you'd be happy with what you bought and what you paid for it. Well, you have what you paid for at the time you paid it That is what was there then. The fact that it didn't go out of date for a year or a month or a week is just a matter of chronology in the field of tecnology. You just pick a point along the continuum of development, agree on a price you're going to play at and jump in with both hands and both feet and enjoy your choice. Even in the blindness market it's pretty safe to say those buying equipment today are going to have something that is out of date within a year give or take siz months. The units we had in June ane were great. They didn't all of a sudden become less so because there's a new model year now.The! re is just a new model year and it's got even more to offer those who want the new features. That's called progress and we have always paid for it in all areas. Improving a product and keeping as close to state of the art as can be done is what keeps a company competitive. Progress, improvement, development, and growth are what we demand because they are what makes it better for us as a group, and what keeps a company alive as a provider. We can't have it both ways. I for one will enjoy listening to everyone telling about their experiences with the new capabilities of the new products and look forward to the time I'm ready to jump in along the continuum again. ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
