Rob, You'll discover on the PACmate that switching the modes all the time gets really, really annoying.
I have discovered that it depends on what and what type of device you are using bluetooth with. I am currently using a dongle on my computer and regularly (hourly) connect my phone to my computer. Synchronization is fast, transferring or installing applications is fast, and it depends on the individual files as to whether or not it is fast or slow. Believe it or note, once you start using the compact flash cards for your data, you will prefer it over the whole sychronizing and transferring back and forth. I have used a pacmate and currently use a braillenote. When I used the pacmate, I did not have a card reader for my computer and I had to use active sync to convert files. With the Braillenote mPower, I simply use SD cards and never convert data. I do use a qwerty keyboard and I have keyword set to always use word files (.doc) for everything. I simply take the card out of the braillenote and stick it in the computer and I'm ready to go. This process takes a mere few seconds to accomplish. I cannot speak to any problems with using a BT keyboard since you would be entering things in braille and some translating would have to be going on below the surface. Just thought you would like a perspective on the whole use of cards and how one person changed from not using data on the cards to only using data on cards. Nothing is stored on the flash disk of my BN. Hope this helps you with your purchasing decisions. Cindy -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Rob Lambert Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 1:46 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Braillenote] PK's USB port used as both client and host modes The PACmate has the ability to use it's Mini-B USB port, which is the same one the BrailleNote PK has, as both host (with an adapter) and client. I don't see why the BrailleNote PK's port is strictly reserved for client mode. I understand that the PK is a mini braillenote, and doesn't have all the features for technical reasons, but i don't want to have to be restricted to bluetooth or constantly swapping out CF cards for data and ethernet use. None of the computers of the future will have serial ports, that I know of, the serial port is pretty much antique. None of the computers I use have serial ports. I've had bad luck with bluetooth on my sighted device, specifically the person who's sending me the files takes forever for their device to get up and running because on Windows Mobile (Pocket PC 2003) it's not as straight forward. So yeah this is just me venting but I don't think it'd be terribly difficult to have the USB port on the PK available in both Host and Client modes. ____________________________________________________________________________ ________ Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather ___ Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a copy to the list as well. 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 ___ Replies to this message will go directly to the sender. If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a copy to the list as well. 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
