Not quite. All computers have an operating system, just as all cars have an engine. For the brailleNote, Braille Sense, and PAC Mate families it is Windows CE; for the Icon, Braille Plus, Elva, and others it is Linux. However, each has a custom set of interface modules, for doing things like representing menus or lists, or taking and outputing braille. I said a moment ago that all cars have engines. While this is true, cars have differently designed pedals and gauges, so no two brands of car will interface with the driver in quite the same way. It is the same with the bn; keysoft is the set of pedals and gauges interfacing between us, the users, and Windows CE, the motor driving the actual computer inside the plastic box.
In technical terms: Keysoft simply calls WinCE kernel functions and system DLLs, such as drivers, to perform tasks. For the most part, Keysoft itself is simply the mechanism we use to talk to the underlying kernel. Take it away and put a screen on the bn and it could run CE alone. Nothing useful would come of this, though: while many phones and similar devices also run Windows, they run Windows Mobile. Essentially, Mobile and Keysoft are the same thing. Mobile is a package running atop CE, getting user input from a keyboard or a screen and outputting via available output devices (screen vibration motor, whatever). On 9/12/10, Nicole B. Torcolini <[email protected]> wrote: > Could you say that KeySoft is the bn's version of Office, or not quite? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Alex Hall" <[email protected]> > To: "Brandon Tyson" <[email protected]> > Cc: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2010 10:51 AM > Subject: Re: [Braillenote] Survey: top ten things that are confusing > betweenan mPower and an Apex > > >> That is due to the underlying Windows CE version. Keysoft is really >> just an interpreter; it can read and write braille, speak through kng >> or Eloquence, and all of that. However, for tasks like playing music, >> loading web pages, managing files, and all the rest that is not simple >> input/output, Keysoft relies on Windows CE, a version of Windows >> designed for embeded systems like phones or PDAs. The mPower runs >> CE4.2, while the Apex runs ce6.0. That is a substantial difference in >> features, and the particular feature to use bluetooth headsets simply >> does not exist in CE4.2. This is why object exchange is possible >> (though not yet implemented) on the apex but not the mpower, and why >> the apex can be paired with two bluetooth devices at once while the >> mpower can only use one. >> >> On 9/12/10, Brandon Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: >>> I'm confused just a little with why on the MPower you can't use a >>> bluetooth headset. >>> >>> On 9/11/10, Alex Hall <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> I think the biggest point of confusion would be all the resets; boot >>>> loader is gone in the apex, and no 4-5 reset is needed to upgrade. >>>> Worse, though, a 4-5-6 reset does something different in the apex than >>>> the mPower, and I gather that a service reset is not only not the same >>>> thing, but is also not the same button combo. >>>> >>>> On 9/11/10, Joseph Lee <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> Hi folks, >>>>> I noticed quite a few messages that might produce some confusion here. >>>>> So, >>>>> in order to cut down list traffic a little, I thought I'd ask you (both >>>>> experts and newbies) on top ten things that they are confused between >>>>> an >>>>> mPower and an Apex. after it has been gathered, I and other experts >>>>> will >>>>> try >>>>> our best to answer those questions. >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> Joseph >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> ___ >>>>> 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 >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Have a great day, >>>> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >>>> [email protected]; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >>>> >>>> ___ >>>> 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 >>>> >>>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Have a great day, >> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >> [email protected]; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >> >> ___ >> 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 >> > > -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) [email protected]; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap ___ 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
