Hi Alex, The Braille Sense Original works better than the Bhl Note Classic when using the Web Browser on large websites, in my opinion. Colleen Roth
----- Original Message ----- From: Sarah May <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Date: 2009/06/21 02:31:56 Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > Hi Alex, > > I have a Braille Sense original. I find that when the unit is trying to > download a site in the web browser that is large, either it takes forever or > it will lock up and freeze the unit on me. So you using that as an example, > and you said that you don't know if it happens or not, it does on the older > unit of the Braille Sense. I'm not sure if the problem has been fixed with > the Braille Sense Plus. > > Sarah > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Alex Hall <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Date: 2009/06/20 22:10:45 > Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > > > > I have done so, but nothing beats hands-on. Still, I ask the > > list these questions because there is plenty that the manual will > > not say. For example, it will not tell you that you can do it you as > > instead of the standard way, or that sometimes the web browser > > will lock up on large sites (no idea if it does or not, it is > > just an example), and so on. > > > > Have a great day, > > Alex > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > >From: "Tessa" <[email protected] > > >To: <[email protected] > > >Date sent: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:52:21 com0400 > > >Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > >Alex, > > >No one here has one either, I downloaded the manual and read it > > end to end > > >when I first considered buying one. Later I talked to a vender > > and asked him > > >to put me in touch with someone who had used the bsp. > > >I suggest you read the manual. > > >Tessa > > > > >----- Original Message ----- > > >From: "Alex Hall" <[email protected] > > >To: <[email protected] > > >Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 2:35 PM > > >Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > > > >So pressing Enter on a message will automatically open it, then > > >you can delete it read the next one, or tab or shift-tab out of > > >the body and to the other fields. Believe me, I would like > > >nothing more than to see this thing live, but no one has them > > >around here so I cannot. We are lucky to have an extra > > >Braillenote, and that is all the schools buy. > > > > >Have a great day, > > >Alex > > > > >ar ----- Original Message ----- > > >arFrom: "don bishop" <[email protected] > > >arTo: <[email protected] > > >arDate sent: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:20:47 com0700 > > >arSubject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > >arAlex, > > > > >arA slight correction and maybe even a clarification. Admittedly, > > >the > > >aremail program really does need some work. But, when you scroll > > >through > > >ara list of messages you can have the subject, date, or sender as > > >the > > >arfield shown. Also, You can have each message opened if you tab > > >to that. > > >arIn other words, if you tab to the open message item, the message > > >will > > >arbe opened. If you delete it, then the next message will be > > >opened. You > > >arcan still tab to the from, date, or subject field if you like. > > > > >arIf you're on the subject field, for example, and wish to open the > > >armessage, just press enter and the message will open. > > > > >arSome of these items are a bit awkward to describe, and I'd really > > >arsuggest you try to see a unit yourself and experiment to see just > > >what > > >aryou can and cannot do. > > > > >arI honestly think a description of how to perform some of these > > >tasks > > >arisn't nearly as helpful as seeing a live demo. > > > > >arJust my thoughts. > > > > >arDon > > > > > > >>----- Original Message ----- > > >arFrom: "Alex Hall" <[email protected] > > >arTo: <[email protected] > > >arSent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 11:21 AM > > >arSubject: RE: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > > > >>> Hmmm... The bn already cannot check multiple accounts at once > > >or > > >>> filter, so that is no change. Tabbing will get frustrating as I > > >am > > >>> constantly emailing, though with only one account; I get around > > >150 > > >>> messages a day, easily. You cannot simply press enter to open > > >the > > >>> message? What about what someone mentioned, about using the > > >scroll > > >>> keys in place of tab and shift-tab? Is that possible here? If > > >so, it > > >>> seems that doing that would be no different from spacing through > > >the > > >>> email info like I already do on the bn. > > > > >>> Have a great day, > > >>> Alex > > > > >>>> ----- Original Message ----- > > >>>>From: "Richard Turner" <[email protected] > > >>>>To: <[email protected] > > >>>>Date sent: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:01:28 com0700 > > >>>>Subject: RE: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > >>>>Not to mention that Humanware shows no signs of catching up to > > >>> the 21st > > >>>>century with their units. > > >>>>Alex, I have not used the unit in all of the areas that your > > >>> questions > > >>>>addressed, but in spite of a few irritations with the e-mail > > >>> program, the > > >>>>other things are very easy to live with. > > >>>>I always do final editing on a computer, so the limits of the > > >>> word processer > > >>>>don't bother me. > > > > >>>>About e-mails. If you use e-mail a ton, this is the one area you > > >>> may get a > > >>>>bit tired of, especially if you have more than one e-mail > > >>> account. > > >>>>1. You have to check e-mail for each account separately. > > >>>>2. You can not create a filter to sort the e-mail from the > > >>> different > > >>>>accounts into a separate mail box. So, for example, if you get > > >>> 30 messages > > >>>>from one account, then get 30 more from another account, they are > > >>> sorted by > > >>>>the date stamp by default. So, the messages will be all mixed up > > >>> so the > > >>>>first couple might be from account A, the next ten might be from > > >>> account b, > > >>>>and so forth. > > >>>>3. You cannot read the subject, date and sender information at > > >>> once, you > > >>>>have to tab from the subject field, to the date field, to the > > >>> from field. > > >>>>One more tab opens the message. > > >>>>4. This is, in some ways, the most irritating part of the > > >>> e-mail. You do > > >>>>not have a sent folder, nor a trash folder. Once you delete a > > >>> message, it > > >>>>is gone. > > > > >>>>If you have, or want, GPS, IT IS STILL NOT UPDATED TO THE LATEST > > >>> Sendero > > >>>>release, which means it does not have as many features as the > > >>> latest version > > >>>>on the BrailleNotes. > > > > >>>>All that being said, I would still choose the Braille Sense Plus > > >>> over a > > >>>>BrailleNote. For devices with an onboard braille display, I do > > >>> think it is > > >>>>the best. > > >>>>I hope the e-mail program gets updated soon, as that is the area > > >>> most > > >>>>lacking in my opinion. > > > > >>>>Richard > > > > > > > > >>>>-----Original Message----- > > >>>>From: Alex Hall [mailto:[email protected]] > > >>>>Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 6:57 PM > > >>>>To: [email protected] > > >>>>Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > >>>>I think the bsp is better because it seems to lock up less > > >>> online, it has > > >>>>8gb of internal storage compared to the bn's 120mb, it has MSN > > >>> Messenger, > > >>>>the company supports their products much better, it has built-in > > >>> wifi, I do > > >>>>not have to send my unit back for several weeks just to get a new > > >>> battery, > > >>>>it has an lcd display so sighted partners and teachers can see > > >>> what I am > > >>>>doing without me emailing them or using Keyview, it has a mode > > >>> that lets it > > >>>>act as a mass storage device for a pc, so I do not have to fight > > >>> with Active > > >>>>Sync just to put some files on it from my pc, it has media > > >>> keys... I could > > >>>>go on, but you get the idea. > > > > >>>>Have a great day, > > >>>>Alex > > > > >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- > > >>>>>From: estin <[email protected] > > >>>>>To: [email protected] > > >>>>>Date sent: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:14:36 +1200 > > >>>>>Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > >>>>>Alex This is Estin what made you decide to change units. > > >>>>>Also how much is a braille sense plus now. > > > > >>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- > > >>>>>>From: Alex Hall <[email protected] > > >>>>>>To: [email protected] > > >>>>>>Date sent: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:25:56 com0400 > > >>>>>>Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > >>>>>>Thank you. I know all my questions were negative, but that is > > >>> the > > >>>>>>point; I hear all the praise about the unit on reviews and > > >>> podcasts, > > >>>>>>but never anything bad, as one would expect. I wanted the "dark > > >>>>>>side", if such a thing exists for the BSP, FROM THE ACTUAL, > > >>> real-life > > >>>>>>user before I go about making the switch. I have used a bn since > > >>>>>>2002, so moving to a new unit is a huge deal, plus, of course, it > > >>>>>>costs a lot. I am not worried about getting used to the > > >>> intercace, > > >>>>>>since I also have used Windows since 200 or so, but it seems like > > >>> some > > >>>>>>things would be more annothing, like having to tab a whole bunch > > >>> of > > >>>>>>times just to get to, say, the OKAY BUTTON. > > > > >>>>>>Have a great day, > > >>>>>>Alex > > > > >>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- > > >>>>>>>From: Joe Giovanelli <[email protected] > > >>>>>>>To: [email protected] > > >>>>>>>Date sent: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:15:37 com0800 > > >>>>>>>Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > >>>>>>>Hi, Alex, > > > > >>>>>>>There's no way I can reply to all of your questions. > > > > >>>>>>>I don't think this unit supports video files. > > > > > > >>>>>>>It does play MP 3, Daisy, Wav and some others. > > > > >>>>>>>It reads HTML PERFECTLY WELL. > > > > >>>>>>>It handles forms found on the Internet very well. There is no, > > >>>>>>separate forms mode. You are just presented with the edit box. > > > > >>>>>>>The keyboard on the Braille Sense is the best keyboard I have > > >>>>>>seen, and that includes your Braille Note. I have heard about > > >>> only > > >>>>>>problem with the keyboard from only one person. I've logged lots > > >>> of > > >>>>>>hours on the unit and it works as well as the day I got it. > > > > >>>>>>>The battery is easy to change. > > > > >>>>>>>I have not timed how long the battery will last under varying > > >>>>>>conditions. I usually get a day's work from the unit. > > > > >>>>>>>There definitely are translation problems from ASCII TO Braille > > >>>>>>and vice versa and the errors are not consststent. If I want to > > >>> have > > >>>>>>a document look good, I use ASCII VIA A USB KEYBOARD. > > > > >>>>>>>All your questions are negative. This unit has some definite > > >>>>>>good qualities. The word processor works well. It does what the > > >>>>>>manual says it does. Formatting is not complete. There isn't a > > >>>>>>shortcut key for centering. > > > > >>>>>>>There is a hot key for tabbing forward but you do need a > > >>>>>>combination key for shift-tab. > > > > >>>>>>>Forget about printing unless you happen to have a printer which > > >>>>>>supports PCL 3; IT MUST BE HP COMPATIBLE. The serial port > > >>>>>>cannot be used for a printer connection. This printing thing is > > >>> my > > >>>>>>biggest gripe about this unit. > > > > >>>>>>>We don't see too many releases. We won't see a release just for > > >>>>>>bug fixes. A release will fix these, but it will also contain > > >>> major > > >>>>>>feature additions. > > > > > > >>>>>>>I'm writing this in Braille; the e-mail will first be translated > > >>>>>>into Ascii, so you may see a couple of translation errors. > > > > >>>>>>>I should say that the wireless LAN WORKS VERY WELL. I have never > > >>>>>>had a drop-out. > > > > >>>>>>>In general, data is not lost during a reset unless it has not > > >>>>>>been saved. All settings will be lost but if these are backed up > > >>>>>>properly, they are easily restored. > > > > >>>>>>>I'll let others answer your other questions. I hope this was > > >>>>>>helpful. > > > > >>>>>>>Joe G. > > > > > > > > >>>>>>>----- Original Message ----- > > >>>>>>>From: Alex Hall <[email protected] > > >>>>>>>To: [email protected] > > >>>>>>>Date: Friday, Jun 19, 2009 13:44:36 > > >>>>>>>Subject: [GWN] BSP: OPINIONS NEEDED > > > > > > > > >>>>>>>> Hi all, > > >>>>>>>> For those of you using the Braille Sense Plus, I would like to > > >>> ask > > >>>>>>>> you a small favor: could you respond with all the bad things > > >>>>>>>> (missing features, bugs, data corruption, and so on) that you > > >>> have > > >>>>>>>> found with your unit? I am closer now to being able to get one > > >>> of > > >>>>>>>> these to replace my BN, BUT I want to know the "real story" > > >>> behind > > >>>>>>>> the BSP's operation in daily life before I > > >>>>>>proceed. > > >>>>>>>> Note that I am a student going into either software design or > > >>>>>>web > > >>>>>>>> programming, I am not sure which yet, with two years of school > > >>>>>>>> remaining. I know the technical specs, but no one in my state > > >>> has > > >>>>>>>> one that I can look at and use first-hand; I have only your > > >>>>>>>> responses and the reviews and podcasts around the Internet to > > >>> guide > > >>>>>>>> me. I would like to know the following, and sorry it is such a > > >>>>>>>> long list, but then again, it is a lot of money. > > >>>>>>>> 1. How annoying constantly pressing the tab and shift-tab key > > >>>>>>>> combos gets? > > >>>>>>>> 2. How often can you do things with a shortcut key to avoid > > >>>>>>>> tabbing five times? > > >>>>>>>> 3. What can the wordprocessor not handle? > > >>>>>>>> 4. What problems do you find when browsing the Internet? > > >>>>>>>> 5. How often does the unit lock up, resulting in a reset and > > >>>>>>>> therefore a loss of data? > > >>>>>>>> 6. What problems still exist with the email program, even after > > >>>>>>>> the firmware updates? > > >>>>>>>> 7. What external device compatibility issues, if any, have you > > >>>>>>>> found? > > >>>>>>>> 8. Can Bluetooth do object exchange, and is it stable? > > >>>>>>>> 9. Can you browse networks? > > >>>>>>>> 10. How is printing as far as formatting, printer support, font > > >>>>>>>> changes, retaining page setup (such as centered lines, line > > >>>>>>>> spacing, etc)? > > >>>>>>>> 11. How is the Braille display after months of use? > > >>>>>>>> 12. Is Wifi stable, or does it often drop connections, connect > > >>> to > > >>>>>>>> networks it cannot actually see, you get the idea? > > >>>>>>>> 13. Can it take SDHC CARDS? > > >>>>>>>> 14. Does the DSL JACK ALWAYS WORK PROPERLY? > > >>>>>>>> 15. How is battery, with and without wifi, bluetooth, and so > > >>>>>>on? > > >>>>>>>> 16. Can you turn on and off speech and braille independently? > > >>>>>>>> 17. If you came from a BN, HOW IS THE Braille display > > >>>>>>scrolling? > > >>>>>>>> 18. How does it handle translation to and from grade 2? > > >>>>>>>> 19. Can one use computer braille languages other than English? > > >>>>>>>> 20. How does the LCD DISPLAY WORK IN REAL-LIFE APPLICATIONS? It > > >>> is > > >>>>>>>> a good concept, but is it easy to display what you want, to turn > > >>> it > > >>>>>>>> off, and so on? > > >>>>>>>> 21. How easy is it to buy and install a new battery? > > >>>>>>>> 22. If you are a student, what problems have you found in > > >>> classes, > > >>>>>>>> such as unsupported files, trouble with emails, and the like? > > >>>>>>>> 23. For GWM STAFF: ANY PLANS TO INCORPORATE Nemeth, UEB, OR > > >>> other > > >>>>>>>> useful codes? > > >>>>>>>> 24. What media file size cannot be played? If you play a 150mb > > >>> DVS > > >>>>>>>> movie, for example, will it work / will the system bog down any? > > >>>>>>>> 25. How does the unit react to high heat and/or humidity? Cold? > > >>>>>>>> 26. How are new lines represented? On the BN, THEY CAN BE A ONE > > >>> or > > >>>>>>>> two cell intentation on the display, or an ed sign followed > > >>>>>>by > > >>>>>>>> a people. I always set it to indent one cell, since there is no > > >>>>>>other > > >>>>>>>> reason for the display to ever indent in text, so any indent is > > >>>>>>a > > >>>>>>>> new line and it feels more like a Brailled document and makes > > >>> more > > >>>>>>>> sense, to me at least. > > >>>>>>>> 27. Is there a limit to the number attachments in an email? The > > >>> BN > > >>>>>>>> will not send more than 7, I believe. > > >>>>>>>> 28. Technical: what Javascript does the unit support? For > > >>> example, > > >>>>>>>> the BN SUPPORTS ONLOAD, ONUNLOAD, AND ONCLICK, BUT NOT ONCHANGE, > > >>>>>>>> onfocus, onkeypress, and the rest. > > >>>>>>>> 29. How is filling out fields on the BSP? > > >>>>>>>> 30. Have you run into issues where keys would stick or in any > > >>>>>>>> other way not work? > > >>>>>>>> 31. What version of JS DOES THE BROWSER HAVE? Will it support > > >>>>>>>> dhtml (the innerHTML METHOD ON OBJECTS)? > > >>>>>>>> 32. Overall, how do you like your unit for what you do with it? > > >>>>>>>> Please tell me anything you do not like about the unit, even if > > >>>>>>I > > >>>>>>>> did not cover it? > > >>>>>>>> You can reply off-list to avoid Raul's or Jeremy's wrath (JK > > >>> guys). > > >>>>>>>> Thanks in advance for any responses. > > > > >>>>>>>> Have a great day, > > >>>>>>>> Alex > > > > > > > > >>>>__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of > > >>> virus signature > > >>>>database 4173 (20090620) __________ > > > > >>>>The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > > > >>>>http://www.eset.com > > > > > > > > > > >>>>__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of > > >>> virus signature > > >>>>database 4173 (20090620) __________ > > > > >>>>The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > > > >>>>http://www.eset.com > > > > > > > > >>> __________ NOD32 4173 (20090620) Information __________ > > > > >>> This message was checked by NOD32 ANTIVIRUS SYSTEM. > > >>> http://www.eset.com > > > > > > > > Sarah M. E. May > > E-Mail: [email protected] > > > Advice From A Horse > > Take life's hurdles in stride. Loosen the reins; be free spirited. Keep the > burrs from under your saddle; carry your friends when they need it. Keep
