Hi folks, Thanks to a recommendation from a list member, I wrote the following letter to several staff at HW, namely Dominic, Maurice and others:
Dear HumanWare staff and to whom it may concern, My name is Joseph S. Lee, a BrailleNote user and a student at University of California, Riverside studying computer science. I am glad to know that BrailleNote Apex is finally shipping (at least the BT units). In light of this, I would like to bring a subject that many people on the BrailleNote List has talked about: possibility of developing extensions for KeySoft via SDK. As you know, SDK (Software Development Kit) allows a programmer to write useful software for a platform, such as BrailleNote family of products. According to a recent audio program about Apex, Matthew mentioned briefly about the SDK for the BrailleNote. According to him, HumanWare can work with a company who shows an interest in writing a useful "KeySoft extension" for BrailleNote, such as Sendero Group's GPS navigation software for KeySoft. However, I would like to cordially suggest a possibility of releasing the SDK in public form so that even an individual who is dedicated for BrailleNote and who shows interest about KeySoft can write useful utilities. This has several benefits, namely networking between Ks developers and third-party programmers to improve KeySoft with feedback from these engineers, more useful software for BrailleNote being developed (even at no charge) and so forth. In terms of relationship between public SDK and dialogue between HW developers and third-party engineers: This has two huge benefits. First, the functionality and stability of KeySoft can be improved with help and expertise of other blind engineers and programmers. With the release of the SDK in public, a programmer can take a look at how KeySoft is developed, thereby suggest potential yet hugely needed features of KeySoft with even more stable code. For instance, an expert media development professional can take a look at the SDK and suggest support for new media formats - with collaboration with him or her and HW developers. Public SDK and useful software: As a would-be programmer with an interest in KeySoft, I believe that the release of SDK in public would be a huge benefit not only for HW, but also to users and programmers as well. It does not have to be a company specializing in something to produce an extension for KeySoft; With the public SDK at hand, an individual programmer can utilize it to come up with useful programs that not only benefit HW, but also will increase usability of BN with third-party extensions, and to encourage other software engineers to write software for BrailleNote, provided that if they have time and interest. For instance, a pack of classic games such as Battleship and Blackjack, or unit converter program and extensions for calculus and other calculator goodies, and even a diagnostic tool to troubleshoot problems with networking and advanced config utility for BN. I, for one, have plans to write programs for BrailleNote (since BrailleNote is the chief motivation and research interest for studying computer science, in my case). Other programmers on the BrailleNote List have shown interest in writing programs for KeySoft as well. As a popular saying goes, "gathering small dust creates a huge mountain." This is the same philosophy and reason that I and others advocate for a public SDK for keySoft - so that we can help HW by suggesting stability with collaboration with HW and to developing useful third-party programs for BrailleNote. With the public SDK, an expert programmer can work with HW staff to bring improvements to KeySoft by taking a look at how KeySoft programs are developed. Also, with the public SDK, an individual who has an interest in keySoft, can write useful programs, thereby expanding the usability of BrailleNote and bringing a meaning to BrailleNote family - that of a device that brings potential for blind people with help from blind programmers. It does not have to be a blind or visually impaired individual who writes programs; but if the staff at HumanWare wants to see mass adoption of BrailleNote Apex, and since many users want useful utilities and possibility of writing third-party software (by an individual, not just companies), I (on behalf of other BrailleNote users) would like to cordially suggest a possibility of releasing a public SDK for BrailleNote family of products. Thank you for your time and considerations into this matter. Looking forward to receiving your responses soon. Sincerely, Joseph S. Lee University of California, Riverside ___ 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
