I must concur with your comments Fred. I have been using an IBM ThinkPad for over three years. I purchased the GPS Talk system from Sendero. I also purchased a compact and light scanner that utilized the USB port on the notebook computer. I could then put the computer, GPS, required keypad, and scanner in a Sendero e-pack. I was able to use this 11 pound bundle on cruises, trains, and even hikes in some beautiful National Parks of the Southwestern US. But it was not practical when it came to spreading all this out on the conference room table so I could stay up with the other attendees when reviewing memos and spreadsheets. So I spent $7200 for a BN and GPS version 2. It provides me with everything I need both in travel and in meetings, except for the capability to review spreadsheets. I should interject that the primary reason I chose the Braille Note was that I did not have to listen to the attendees with one ear while trying to listen to the notebook with the other through a earphone so it would not disturb everyone else. I could use the Braille display. As I said, the one and only function I really need and will still not get with KeySoft 6.1 is Excel compatibility. It is neither economical nor functionally practical to purchase a Brilliant just to read Excel. I guess I will have to continue to convert the spreadsheets to Word tables and then move them into the BN that way. A time consuming solution but much less expensive than a 3-6000 Braille display.
Rich Irwin [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Brett Winchester Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 4:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: design philosiphy RE: [Braillenote] instant messaging I disagree with the logic in this discussion. I know of many sighted folks using their PPC and they do expect the seamless integration of critical data including databases and excel in the portable and their desktop units without the need for extensive tricks to synchronize the two. They also require non office proprietary applications as well as off the shelf ones as well. Why are we blind any different? We have to do the job the same way they do in the end and if the technology prevents this, guess who will get the job? thank you! BRETT K WINCHESTER PM KD7JN VOLUNTEER & READING SERVICES MANAGER [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.icbvi.state.id.us/brochure/RADIO.HTM Member IAAIS International Association of Audio Information Services IDAHO COMMISSION f/t BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED - ICBVI P O BOX 83720, 341 W WASHINGTON, BOISE IDAHO 83720-0012 208-334-3220 ext 104 +7=voice mail after hours, Fax 208-334-2963 >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/02/04 12:25PM >>> Jonathan: My other question that has not yet been asked, but I think you answered indirectly in the statement below is : Will we be able to import Excel files into the upgraded BN? Rich Irwin [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jonathan Mosen Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2004 9:34 PM To: Braillenote List Subject: Re: [Braillenote] instant messaging Hi Badih, good question. The answer to it is that we have no intention of running off-the-shelf Pocket PC applications. Here's why. Sighted people pay a few hundred bucks for a Pocket PC, and they expect that because it costs less than their full computer, they will get less functionality. But for the blind community, the paradigm is different. Our technology is more expensive. That's why we take the time to develop applications with blind people in mind. I have met so many people at the NFB Convention who tell me that the BrailleNote allows them as busy people to get on with their jobs without tinkering and messing about with semi-accessible or under-done applications. And we will of course be opening the platform in the near future so that it's not only us who can help the BrailleNote grow. But I'm really pleased you asked your question because it allows me to talk about one aspect of the announcements we made on Tuesday that has gone pretty much unremarked, and that is that we have the Brailliant, the very slim, trim, wireless or USB Braille display. Why are we pushing this? Because the Brailliant is our response to your very legitimate needs and questions. we know that there are customers of ours who want off-the-shelf applications. Given what Braille technology costs, we believe we've come up with the perfect solution for that group, especially with Centrino processors assisting in long battery life in laptops. So if you want off-the-shelf applications, boy, do we have the ultimate solution for you. Get a tiny Windows XP Laptop, put Window-eyes on it, use a Brailliant 24 or 40 display whether with Bluetooth or USB, and get Real Word, Real Excell, Real Outlook and whatever you want. We believe this represents real value for money for those who want an off-the-shelf solution. No compromises, no cut-down applications. Jonathan Mosen Blindness Product Marketing Manager Pulse Data International Ltd DDI: +64-3-373-6192 Fax: +64-3-384 4933 Mobile: +64-21 466 736 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet: www.pulsedata.com ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
