Ok, David, there are a few things here I question.
First of all, a notetaker is a notetaker? But if the special notetaker that
is a notetaker costs a good deal more than a full but very portable
computer, that doesn't make sense, unless the person receiving it is deadset
against using a "computer".
As for the "why do that when there are already devices" (not exact quote),
again, what if these specialized devices cost a lot more than a computer and
do a lot less and are no more portable than the full computer?
Thirdly, what is this about sharing the burden? I'm sure those who have
money would be glad to share the burden and help pay for our equipment, but
the bottom line is that many don't. many of those who are blind and do get
employed are doing well to put food on the table, let alone share the burden
of buying equipment; I'm talking about really needed equipment not just
something they might like to have. Of course if it isn't really needed, we
are in the same category as the sighted person who wants a new toy: save, go
deeper in debt, etc. So I'm not sure I undrstand how we are going to share
the burden more? Those who don't even have a job yet and are obtaining
equipment as part of the effort to get training and employment don't usually
have much ability to share the burden. Of course I also do realize that
agencies are far from having unlimited funds available themselves, so it's a
really complex problem.
Yes, there are some people who are "against the Mac" but not every "no" from
an agency reflects opposition to the Mac per se.
I do think that as long as Windows remains the predominant OS, being able to
put Windows on a machine alongside Macosx is a definite selling point; some
people do have to use Windows in their work and I would think some
rehabilitation agencies would be uncomfortable with a blind consumer not
learning windows at all if the agency is buying the equipment. I use linux
and windows a lot, even though I like using Macosx very much; I also like
using braille; I can use braille with Windows and linux but can not use it
on Macosx since I am using a braillelite--to be exact, two old blt40s and
one old blt18. So I'll continue using three operating systems--braille isn't
the only reason but it's a major one--and the fact that I can pretty much
run all three systems on a Mac definitely makes the Mac even more
attractive. What' i'll do to try to save for a new braille device before all
my braillelites wear out is a whole different topic and beyond the scope of
this discussion. The point is that there can be reasons to use systems other
than Macosx and the design of the IntelMac makes this very possible.
