Why? Because Humanware says so. In theory you could go the way
of the Icon/Braille Plus and make a linux for the bn's hardware,
then install it. The problems are that the bn is a custom
machine (the thumb keys, reset button, on/off switch, battery
controller chip, radio chip, record button, and the braille
input/output for example) and you would have to tell Linux what
to do with all those, which would require a lot of lower level
programming. Then you have the issues of good memory management,
power management for all the parts of the motherboard and
perriferals (how DO you spell that?), and other things that most
people take for granted, though I imagine that libraries exist
for that type of thing. Next you have to get some kind of
braille translator up and running for braille input with the
keyboard, braille output (including grade 2 translation, computer
braille in 6 and 8 dots, other codes...) and you have to get
speech running, and you will lose KNG if you go Linux; you will
more than likely end up with ESpeak as other voices would take a
lot of memory and resources, like Eloquence does now.
The advantages, however, are enormous: open-source right down to
the kernel, third-party applications supported (as long as the
braille and speech translator is working correctly), easy access
to the shell, vastly more customizable interface (imagine being
able to have a favorites area off the main menu where you can put
often-used folders, web pages, drives, music, programs, and so on
that you can tie to certain programs). You want a menu for the
games you write? Just put it in the main menu. Want to use a
device not supported? Install the drivers for Linux and you are
all set; no more needing HW to do whatever they do to give us
drivers. I could go on, but that is all I will say for now; I
think you all see the pros and cons. None of us, however, has a
choice unless you know Linux better than the back of your hand
and have a spare bn to use as a guinea pig.
Have a great day,
Alex
----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Lambert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [email protected]
Date sent: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:37:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Braillenote] KeySoft based on Linux
I think I posted something about this before but I'd forgotten
what people's reaction was. Why must we confine ourselves to the
limitations of Windows CE, when we have a custom interface on top
of it anyway? Why not just go Linux and breathe freedom with the
free, open source community? That would truly open the doors if
we could get the BrailleNote to run off the shelf packages from
some repository such as Ubuntu or KDE. All, while still keeping
our KeySoft interface, and perhaps improving it ten fold. What's
your take on this?
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