I have to admit this caught my attention. As many of you know, I have been a devoted Braille Note user from January 2001 and some of you know that I have championed the product often on this list. However, I have questions at this point that I am almost certain can't be answered.
As we all know, or at least those of us who have been around for several years, in 2002 they offered a motherboard upgrade to avail the BN of new features, then in 2005 they started offering the m-Power and the transplants. Now the transplants are a thing of the past and there is no official word on the trade-in talked about here a couple of weeks ago. Part of me wants to trade in one of my transplants on a new m-Power, however, it seems developments requiring major changes in hardware occur about every three years. I don't want to get a new m-Power only to find that in six months or a year I have to send it away for more upgrades to hardware, and since we are at the end of what has previously been the hardware cycle I have questions. My other really huge issue is the handling of Word documents, something I need on a regular basis. Don't misunderstand I love my Braille notes, the size is comfortable for extended reading in my lap, the keys are comfortable for brailing. I use my Braille note daily and I mean that literally. I guess I wish I could find out what is in the future for the Braille Note family, is it worth my spending money either to trade one in for an m-Power if that option is actually available, or to purchase one either now or when my existing units one or the other give up. I am a Jaws user too but that does not actually play into the equation at all. Due to my real need to work with Word documents, should I even consider trading in a BN for a PM. I have not ever seen the PM, but I understand it is much more bulky, especially if I elect for a 40-cell Braille display. Since I don't want to clutter this list with "mine is better than yours" please respond privately if you have comparisons. I would, however, appreciate any info from HW staff about the future of the BN. It has probably been the best piece of technology I have bought in the past 10 years that is portable, until I bout my Victor Stream, that is and well, that is a great product too. Rose Combs [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:49 AM To: slery; 'Jean Menzies'; 'BrailleNote list' Subject: Re: [Braillenote] Fw: Trade in Selected Notetakers for a PACMateOmni - US & Canada Yeah, out of all the note takers to choose from, they had to choose the brailleNote didn't they? I wonder why they specifically said the BrailleNote. They could have also said the braillesense, the voicesense, but it ended up being the brailleNote. ----- Original Message ----- From: "slery" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Jean Menzies'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "'BrailleNote list'" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:31 PM Subject: RE: [Braillenote] Fw: Trade in Selected Notetakers for a PAC MateOmni - US & Canada > They always neglect to tell you that third party software is often > barely accessible or totally inaccessible even though you can install > it. Also, seems that they must fear the competition of Humanware > since they don't offer this trade in for other notetakers. And while > we are at it, what on earth do they do with competitor notetakers that they receive? > > Cindy > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jean >> Menzies >> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 12:57 PM >> To: BrailleNote list >> Subject: [Braillenote] Fw: Trade in Selected Notetakers for a PAC >> Mate Omni - US & Canada >> >> >> The last time this was offered, it raised a huge stink on the BN >> list. However, for those who might want to take advantage, this is >> the reality of competition. >> >> >> from: @ Freedom Scientific News >> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 10:20 AM >> Subject: Trade in Selected Notetakers for a PAC Mate Omni - US & >> Canada >> >> >> You're receiving this email because of your relationship with >> Freedom Scientific. Please confirm your continued interest in >> receiving email from us. >> >> You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our >> emails. >> >> Greetings! >> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE >> >> >> Media Contact: Brad Davis >> Blind/Low Vision Group >> 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000 >> www.FreedomScientific.com >> Sales: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> Trade in HumanWare Notetakers with Freedom Scientific's Open Plan >> Trade in any proprietary HumanWare notetaker and get the features you >> want today with Freedom Scientific's PAC Mate Omni (St. Petersburg, >> Florida - May 13, 2008) Freedom Scientific's Open Plan, announced >> today, will help blind users of VoiceNote, BrailleNote, mPower, and >> BrailleNote PK notetakers upgrade to an open platform that uses the >> familiar WindowsR interface and runs mainstream applications. >> >> Until October 31, 2008, users in the United States and Canada can >> trade in one of the aforementioned HumanWare products and save more >> than 50 percent on a PAC Mate OmniT accessible Pocket PC. Purchase >> prices after trade-in are: >> >> a.. PAC Mate Omni BX400 and QX400 speech-only units: $995 >> b.. PAC Mate Omni BX420 and QX420 20-cell braille units: $1,795 >> c.. PAC Mate Omni BX440 and QX440 40-cell braille units: >> $2,545 Those taking advantage of the Open Plan will be able to choose >> from more onboard applications, read from more braille cells, and >> access mainstream applications and peripherals. Students learn the >> Windows operating system as they use the PAC Mate Omni, knowledge >> they will draw from for the rest of their lives. >> >> PAC Mate Omni users can communicate via Windows LiveT messaging, >> synchronize with their Microsoft OutlookR e-mail inbox, calendar, >> tasks, and notes, balance their checkbook, and manage spreadsheets. >> The PAC Mate Omni supports Office 2007, including access to >> PowerPointR presentations. >> BrailleNote owners are still waiting to get in touch with those >> features. While they wait, PAC Mate Omni users are working with a >> host of other features BrailleNote doesn't have. Features like bar >> code scanners that identify and describe many common household items, >> support for all Word documents, SkypeT Internet telephony, reference >> materials like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and recipe databases, >> virtual private network access, and support for a broad range of >> network cards and other peripherals. >> >> "Since I became a PAC Mate user, I've used numerous exciting features >> that the closed nature of the BrailleNote prevented me from being >> able to deliver to customers when I managed that product," said >> Jonathan Mosen, formerly of HumanWare, now Vice President of >> Blindness Hardware Product Management for Freedom Scientific's >> Blind/Low Vision Group. "My PAC Mate Omni has become an essential >> tool for me. Not only am I more productive on the job because of >> features like the full synchronization and VPN support, but it's my >> accessible remote control for all our appliances that use a remote." >> >> Mosen also said he likes how the PAC Mate Omni gives him such a vast >> selection of entertainment options and supports all common streaming >> media formats. >> >> "A closed platform can't possibly keep up with all of the innovation >> being unleashed by Microsoft and the many third-party developers that >> write software for Pocket PC devices. I have no doubt that once >> BrailleNote and VoiceNote users get their hands on a PAC Mate Omni, >> they'll be amazed at the world of possibilities on offer," Mosen >> said. "I can even do high quality audio recordings on it!" >> >> Find out more about the PAC Mate Omni by visiting the Freedom >> Scientific Web site. If you have questions or wish to take advantage >> of the Open Plan, Contact Freedom Scientific. >> >> This program applies only in the US and Canada and cannot be combined >> with any other discounts. The trade-in units must be in good working >> condition, as determined by Freedom Scientific. Freedom Scientific >> reserves the right to refuse any trade-in or to change or cancel any >> aspect of this program at any time at its sole discretion. >> >> About Freedom Scientific >> Freedom Scientific is the world's leading manufacturer of assistive >> technology products for those who are vision impaired and products >> for the special education and learning disability markets. >> >> Freedom ScientificR and PAC Mate OmniT are either trademarks or >> registered trademarks in the United States and/or other countries. >> The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be >> the trademarks of their respective owners. >> >> >> >> Forward email >> >> >> >> This email was sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED], by >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with >> SafeUnsubscribeT | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by >> >> >> Freedom Scientific | 11800 31st Court North | St. >> Petersburg | FL | 33716-1805 >> >> >> ___ >> 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 > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1431 - Release Date: > 13/05/2008 7:55 PM > > ___ 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
