Hi, Joseph, What is SDK? You've mEntioned it in other posts.
Joe G. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Lee" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 11:45:00 Subject: RE: [GWN] Thumbs Up > > > Hi Joe and list, > Thanks for this detailed info here. > This is more towards Eric: I still keep an eye on HIMS (in Korean) about > future upgrades to Braille Sense family. So far, HIMS has been working on > bug fixes (the 5.3 firmware is mostly bug fixes; so is 1.4 for Voice Sense). > I'll continue to advocate for an English sDK (until HIMS listens to its > potentials). > As far as Apex having three USB ports, HW notes that it was mostly for USB > modem users (external modem). > In terms of internals (for OS; this is only theories), the Apex and BSP are > equal in shape; if HIMS is planning on upgrading the OS, I personally would > like to recommend Windows CE 6.0 to bring "true multitasking" mostly > because BSP only allows seven programs at once, which comes in because the > OS kernel itself (at the moment BSP runs under CE5.0) does not allow more > than 32 processes. If CE6 is adopted (I can see it coming in the future), > then BSP would have tru multitasking capabilities running ALL programs > without hinderence (subject to RAM/RAM Disk amount and processing power). > For HW, the "light at the end of the tunnel" would be the development kit > under KeySoft. Time will tell "who will score the highest skating scores" - > opening up KeySoft or translation of HIMS SDK. > The things that I would like to see for both GW Micro/HIMS and for HW would > be: > For HIMS: > * Consideration of upgrading the OS. > * Translation of Korean Contents SDK to English (the Contents are developed > using Visual Studio 2008 using HIMS's own sDK). > * (Personal): Better translation of user interface and user guide (for me, I > notice that some aspects of UI and user guide were not translated "right", > but it could be my own feelings). > * A way to have better control and more options/(hacks) to things such as > system sound modifications and so on. > For HW: > * General availability of the SDK for KeySoft (HW has the foundation for it > under the Apex; the question now is, "will they even release the SDK to the > general public", and if so, when and how). > What does the "Korean" market say: > There is a general consensus that BSP is the winner (known as Hansone LX (or > Laptop Expert)). The minor issues that are reported, according to HIMS > bulletin, is some power management problems (apparently with the battery), > translation and schedule manager problem with the latest firmware. Also, > there are worries that the Korean version of the BrailleNote would not see > updates (the latest version there is 7.27). > That's all I have at the moment. Sorry if this post was too hard to > understand... (maybe I should drink coffee before writing th...) > Cheers, > Joseph S. Lee > University of California, Riverside > "It is better to look at a product's potential than its looks." JL > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Joe Orozco [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 8:13 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: [GWN] Thumbs Up > > Hi Erik, > > I've spent time with the Apex, Pac Mate and BSP. I hope to write something > more complete later, but in the way of quick answers, let me offer the > following to your questions: > > 1. The Apex is flatter and sleeker. I sometimes like to leave my briefcase > home and hang the machine from my shoulder inside my suit jacket. The Apex > fits nicely. It feels like a solid build despite its smaller size. In > terms of form factor, the Apex is superior. The drawbacks is that because > of the smaller size of the thumb keys, it is slightly more difficult to use > them if holding the machine on your lap. Also, despite the quieter > temperament of the keyboard, the Apex keys are still louder than I would > like. I tested the unit in a quiet lecture atmosphere, and I am not > convinced that the keys sound like a laptop the way it has been advertised. > The BSP beats the Apex keyboard 10 to 1. Unfortunately, not as important, > but the Apex case is superior. The magnetic lid is a dream compared to the > racket of opening the BSP. > > 2. Ease of use will depend on the user. The Apex continues to use Keysoft, > and although the proprietary program is a nice, straightforward system, I > rather prefer the Windows environment of the BSP. I enjoy the actual > multitasking of the BSP. I like context menus. I like dedicated media > keys. In fact, the Media Player on the BSP is far superior to the Apex. I > like that in the Word processor one can drop a top marker, proceed to the > end of the selection block and copy, cut or delete without moving through a > menu as is the case with the Apex. The BSP has the same context help, which > I originally felt was a great selling point of the Keysoft system. BSP > offers the same Space + H for easy help. I like that creating and > manipulating files and folders all happens from within the File Manager as > opposed to being divided between Word Processor and Folder Manager as is > true with the Apex. Also, a huge selling point of the BSP, the Apex > required that I change my home router from Mixed Mode to just G. The BSP > connected right away with no fuss on Mixed Mode. In fact, setting up the > Internet in general was far simpler on the BSP than the Apex. > > 3. The Braille display is a draw for me. If I had to absolutely pick one > over the other, I would say that the quality is better on the Apex, but the > routing keys are better on the BSP. Yet, both give a crisp experience. > Neither will disappoint. Also, the Apex allows you to adjust the intensity > of the Braille display. I am not sure if this is possible on the BSP. > > 4. The battery life is better on the BSP. I did not chart the number of > hours per unit, which makes this unscientific, but on a full charge the Apex > dropped from 100 percent to 50 percent in a day and a half. I've had the > BSP going for the same period at only a 30 percent reduction. > > I think this answers your questions. As I said, I'll try to get around > doing something more comprehensive as time allows, but remember this: I make > references to the Apex, but it's not actually the Apex itself that is to > blame as much as Keysoft. The Apex is physically an elegant machine. Why > one would actually need 3 USB ports is beyond me. I don't even use that > many on my laptop, but it is Keysoft that weakens the unit. I prefer the > familiarity of Windows, but all of this having been laid out, I think this > is a rare case of win/win. Customers on both sides will be pleased. The > Pac Mate Omni maintains the lead in terms of software, but this is owed to > Freedom Scientific using the Windows Mobile system. Physically, both the > QWERTY and BT versions are too darn big for either version to really be > called a notetaker. > > Ultimately, I am choosing the BSP because: > > 1. Quieter keyboard > > 2. Easy menu structure > > 3. Multitasking > > 4. Great Internet experience and navigation > > 5. Ability to use BSP as a mobile disk and making ActiveSync optional rather > than mandatory > > Negatives of the BSP: > > 1. Leather case > > 2. Slight delay in completing saving, deletion and similar commands > > 3. Limited formatting features on the Word Processor > > Joe Orozco > > "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, > some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all40-comSam Ewing > > -----Original Message----- > From: erik burggraaf [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:05 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [GWN] Thumbs Up > > Hi Jo, Did you compare the braille note apex? It's the only > one with comperable hardware right now, and it has better > coverage up here because of the funding. I like the bsp > personally, but wondered if you had any comparisons to draw, > especially in terms of how the two feel in the hand, any key > differences in ease of use or general system software layout, > the readability of the displays, the battery life, and so on. > > I may do my own if I can get hands on an apex, but this kind of > info is always helpful to me as a training consultant, so would > appreciate your views. > > Best, > > erik burggraaf > A+ certified technician and user support consultant. > Phone: 888-255-5194 > Email: [email protected] > > On 2010-02-26, at 10:36 PM, Joe Orozco wrote: > > > Hello all, > > > > I'll write a more complete review later, but a local dealer > let me borrow > > the BSP, and after having spent time with all three leading Braille > > notetakers, the BSP is the killer one for me. The software > is a little > > limited compared to some of the others, but I'm going to put > my bet on HIMS > > to make things happen. I hope there's an update by CSUN, so > that I make an > > investment knowing full well the extent of the latest updates around. > > Anyway, if you're also in the position of debating between > what notetaker to > > purchase, I've spent nine months doing research, talking to people and > > getting my hands on the machines, putting them through a variety of > > scenarios. Go with the BSP all the way. You won't be disappointed. > > > > Joe Orozco > > > > "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up > their sleeves, > > some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all40-comSam Ewing > > > > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of > virus signature > > database 4899 (20100226) __________ > > > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > > If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: > > > > http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv > > > > If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: > > http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of > virus signature database 4899 (20100226) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature > database 4900 (20100227) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: > > http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2712 Release Date: 02/26/10 > 19:39:00 > > If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: > > http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv
