Hello list,
I was discussing this very thing with the lady I'm about to marry! She is
blind as well and we were discussing what would be best for both our
technology needs. She asked whether I should get another BN since it works
so very well? I replied by saying I'd probably consider a Voice Note since
it wouldn't cost as much and I do use speech quite a bit especially when
I'm retrieving my Email away from home! It is a good idea to have a
similar notetaker available or another piece of technology that can be used
when the main piece of technology needs to go in for service. I already
have three notetakers one of which I hope to sell one day! As for
employers having part or total ownership in one's technology, I have a
problem with that! They can limit how it is used! If I own my technology,
I can take it where I need to use it! Perhaps something could be worked
out with an employer for getting a BN repaired especially when it is being
used on the job yet I tend to think one should be responsible for their own
technology unless we are talking about speech access for an office
computer. I know a lady who has a notetaker available to her on the
job! She uses it only during working hours and her job activities are such
that she is working almost the entire time she is at her work place! She
doesn't have much time to play with the notetaker to enhance her ability to
work with it! She's not allowed to take it home! I'm certain she'd like
to improve on her ability to use the notetaker as a braille display but she
doesn't have the time to fiddle with it while she is on the job! This is
truly unfortunate! I think too when one owns their technology and has put
money into it, they will take better care of it! Then one might ask what
does one do about people who would like to have this technology and they
simply can't afford it! They don't care about it when they can't have it
for themselves! I have been asked to volunteer some hours with our state
services to demonstrate what notetakers I have! The key word is volunteer
and what happens if something should damage any of my notetakers while I am
demonstrating them? Will somebody's insurance repair them? How long will
that take? I don't mind getting the word out but these things really need
to be considered.
I think a rental program might be a better possibility! One could rent a
notetaker while one is being repaired. Money would go somewhere to help
make more of them available! Just a thought for what it is worth! I wish
I'd have the ability to rent technology for a while when evaluating it! I
can't always make conventions where technology is being demonstrated! Just
a few thoughts for what they are worth!
Jim Aldrich
At 10:31 PM 04/10/2004 , you wrote:
Dear Lisa And List,
Without taking away from the strong need for a Braillenote loaner program,
Lisa, you make an important point; What do you do when your Braillenote
or Voicenote stopps working? Grab a slate and stylus, a Braille N Speak, a
Braille writer, a tape recorder, or the like, and get back to work. We
will, however be at a disadvantage. When, for example, the power goes out
in your home, you can still function, but not as well or as easily. When
the Braillenote fails, we can still function, but not as well or as
easily. And yes, every blind person should be tought how to function
when their high-tech tools break, or are not available.
But again, I do not want to take away from the strong need for a
Braillenote loaner program. I hope that PDI will offer this Braillenote
loaner program.
Sincerely,
Jerry Weinger
> ----- Original Message -----
>From: Lisa Ehlers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 12:45:03 +1000
>Subject: [Braillenote] the lonar pool
>One point I would like to bring up on this loaner pool idea is what
about customers who are international like me? I live in Guam and I was
without my BN for over a month when I sent it in to get the Keysoft 5.0
upgrade, the battery replaced, and have the Braille display
cleaned. Granted I sent it in over the holidays in December which I'm
sure of part of the delay. I hate to be the person to say this but just
because people are without their units doesn't mean that we are
helpless. That's why I know how to use the Braille 'n Speak or for some
people out there maybe the slate and stylus or PC's. It's all about how
you survive when your technology isn't right with you. Yes I use my BN
for work but without it I use the Braille 'n Speak. I think it is about
learning how to use other tools so when your favorite piece of technology
is not available you have other devices at your disposal. I'm not saying
you have to have tons of money to have all these devices use old fash!
> ioned things the Perkins Brailler to jot down info the slate and stylus
anything. Otherwise we would only teach the kids and adults who are
blind how to use only one piece of technology.
>Sorry I didn't mean to start a controversy or anything. I like the
loner idea I liked it when FS had it where I'd get a replacement unit
when I would send my unit in but learning to survive without a piece of
technology is a skill people need to learn to acquire.
>Thanks for reading.
>Lisa
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