Yes to all. (grin) Mike
----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Hall" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 7:42 PM Subject: Re: [GWN] BSP: opinions needed Anyone with a Plus: does this sort of thing still happen? Even if a site will not load, will it at least hang and let you cancel it, instead of having to reset? Have a great day, Alex > ----- Original Message ----- >From: Sarah May <[email protected] >To: [email protected] >Date sent: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:23:53 -0500 >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
