Hi Ray, thanks for this well thought out suggestion. I don't mean to come across as negative, but I do want to try and give you a glimpse of things from our perspective.
Firstly, the features in KeySoft do not take any user storage away, since KeySoft lives on the KeySoft System Disk, which is not intended for user storage. We actually have quite a lot of space left for more goodies in future releases yet. A slight exception to this are the games and database files, however users are free to delete these from the Flash Disk if they wish. When the BrailleNote was released in 2000, we actually did embark on this kind of model. For an extra price, you could get what was called the BrailleNote communications package. What we discovered was that everyone wanted it. Every time you create some sort of variation of a product, you add expense. You have to keep inventory, have someone administer the installation of the appropriate modules, sort out product codes etc. What's more, it's possible that you create such a confusing array of choices that the potential customer becomes completely confused. What I've learned from talking to customers is that many start off doing basic things with KeySoft, but find the user interface so intuitive that they start playing with a feature such as the Database package, and find just how easy it is. It is not unusual for people to buy something and not use all its features. For example, I never use the Pain programme in Windows, or the Calculator. I don't use half of the features of MS Word either. That said, I think there are certain functions that are absolutely core to KeySoft, and others that should be optional extras. Sometimes, our own costs might influence this decision. For example, we will shortly be releasing the Concise Oxford Dictionary for KeySoft. We have to license this data from Oxford, and it did not seem fair to pass on these licensing costs to every BrailleNote user when not all have a need for the Dictionary. So that will be sold as a stand-alone package. Similarly, we will be selling an interactive Nemeth Tutorial. So we will probably do more of this in the future. I think though that core KeySoft functions should be available to anyone who purchases a BrailleNote, for ease of use and ease of administration, and hence lower costs. Jonathan Mosen BrailleNote Product Marketing Manager HumanWare 11 Mary Muller Drive Christchurch New Zealand DDI: +64-3-940-2219 http://www.humanware.com "Ray Campbell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 05/08/2006 08:03 a.m. Please respond to Braillenote List <[email protected]> To "Braillenote List" <[email protected]> cc Subject [Braillenote] BN Family and Software Hello All: The discussions on this list about a financial management package, and the availability of GPS bring up something HW should consider. The BN family of products have matured enough now that it is possible to put more and more software products on them. Perhaps what HW should be doing is offering suites of software products for the BN. Here is how this could work. There would be a basic BN package that includes the BN and Keysoft Basic Suite of Products for a set price. Keysoft Basic could include e-mail, Internet, word processor, planner, calculator, utilities, and other basic programs. HW could offer a games suite of programs that includes the user's choice in games they might want, chosen from a list of available games. This could also have the capacity to allow the user to add new games as they are developed. A Navigation suite could be offered, which is already done in some form now with the Braillenote GPS. A financial management suite could be offered that includes the kinds of things Rusty has suggested. A Database suite could be offered, kind of like KeyBase. A Media Center suite could be offered, kind of like the Media Center on the Mpower. My point in all of this is that these suites of products I'm talking about could be made available on an optional basis. Also, HW could develop packages with certain suites of products that are available at a reduced price as compared to individual products sold separately. The advantage of doing this is that each BN user could choose the software products he or she might want when they purchase a BN, like you do when ordering a PC. Also, they could start out with basic KeySoft and add new features as they come along or as funds permit. Another advantage is if someone didn't want a particular suite of products, they wouldn't have to sacrifice the memory to have them just because they are there. Thanks, Ray Campbell, HelpDesk Technician Adaptive Technology Center Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired 1850 W. Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608 312-997-3651 (Voice/Relay) or 888-825-0080 (voice/Relay) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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 ___ 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
