Personally, I do not like calling the bn a computer. Yes, it has many of the
software and hardware components of a computer, but I still do not consider
it a computer. Just throwing that out there. Thoughts?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Lee" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 3:43 PM
Subject: [Braillenote] FAQ 4 (technical): What is and what is not
possiblewith a BrailleNote?
Hi folks,
yet another FAQ post - mostly in connection with words posted on the list
about CE6 and other things:
1. Can BrailleNote run programs?
yes and no. BrailleNote will run programs made by HumanWare or ones
Humanware licenses its SDK or development tools - at this time, Sendero
Group is the only one. There are provisions to allow rapid creation of
third-party programs, but the key that is missing is the actual
development
tools that programmers need to write applications that'll run on the
BrailleNote.
2. Can a desktop program be run on a BrailleNote?
No. Windows CE devices uses slightly modified programming tools, or API
(Application Programming Interface) different from regular Windows or
desktops. if you attempt to run these programs, you'll get a message
saying,
"program is not a valid win32 application."
3. Can VOIP clients be implemented, or possible to be used by a
BrailleNote?
No - for now. There are numerous factors, including licensing,
availibility
and integration strategies involved when coming up with this client or
others.
4. Is it possible to work with unsupported devices?
Yes and no. If the unsupported device presents basic features that
BrailleNote can handle e.g. getting power from a USB port, presenting
storage options, etc., then it'll work with the device. If the unsupported
device presents nothing that BrailleNote can utilize, then it'll not
work -
for the time being. The condition here is if a device driver for that
specific device or a family of devices is created, which then allows a
BrailleNote to communicate with that device. However, there are devices
which requires a firmware update, such as possible use of SDXC (Secure
Digital EXtended Capacity) cards which requires flashing (installing) new
firmware.
5. Can a user use a cellular connection kit i.e. USB cell modems?
No for the time being. It requires creation of a device driver that allows
a
BrailleNote to recognize that celular modems are just a family of
connectivity devices - much like 56K modems.
6. Can one charge a cell phone with the BrailleNote?
Yes (confirmed).
7. Can a user change boot priority or other system options?
No. A bootloader is a special program or a function that allows a device
to
start; BrailleNote's bootloader presents options such as formatting system
partitions, performing tests on hardware and so forth. Although one can
access some functionality of bootloader or read the debug message from the
bootloader, there is no way of changing things such as boot priority,
network debugging and others. The most useful way of using the bootloader
(particularly on the mPower) is to upgrade KeySoft via bootloader menu or
viewing technical information that comes out of debug port (which happens
to
be the serial port).
8. Can one write program code or HTML files on the BrailleNote?
Yes and no. Yes, since one can use text document (ASCII format) to write
program code or HTML code (be aware of some formatting problems). No,
because there is no way of testing the code - apart from HTML or other web
code, since one can save the file and open it using KeyWeb.
9. Can a user do absolutely anything with a BrailleNote?
Conditionally. There are things that users can try out, such as connecting
some devices; but just because BrailleNote is a computer does not mean
it'll
be a computer replacement.
10. What are things that Windows CE 6 can bring to keySoft?
It all depends on what HumanWare thinks of it. Surely KeySoft can take
advantage of better memory management. Other potentials include more
secure
Wi-Fi via WPA2 (since CE6 supports it), running more programs and so
forth.
Hope this helps. if you were unsure of answers given or have any comments,
feel free to let me (and others) know.
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
___
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
