Theoretically, a progRammer could give source code to a user who has the SDK.
----- Original Message ----- From: Joe Giovanelli <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Date: Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 12:13:55 Subject: RE: [GWN] Thumbs Up > > > Hi, Joseph, > > > I did understand how, in the right hands, software other than that already > included in the Sense products suite, could be great. Most users are not > programmers. For us, therefore, this SDK would not make a significant > difference between purchasing or not purchasing a Sense device. > > > Joe G. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Joseph Lee" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Date: Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 0:58:02 > Subject: RE: [GWN] Thumbs Up > > > > > > > Hi Joe, > > An SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of tools and programs to allow > > programmers to write programs for a computer operating system or a computer > > architecture. This usually consists of a wordprocessor-type editor that > > developers use to write their code, a compiler to translate it into machine > > code, a debugger to test the software and other documentation and tools. For > > instance, a popular SDK for windows operating system is Visual Studio, which > > allows programmers and would-be developers such as myself (I'm a computer > > science student) to write useful programs for Windows. > > The SDK that I've been mentioning is so-called HIMS Contents Development Kit > > (COULDK) which is used to write external programs for Braille Sense family. > > This allows programmers who are using Visual Studio in conjunction with HIMS > > SDK to write programs for the BSP. At the moment the only "real" > > implementation is a bible reference software written by a pastor in Korea. > > As of now this version is in Korean at the moment; last summer we had some > > guys post about possibilities of translating, or porting this Korean COULDK > > to > > English Braille Sense family (including myself, some programmers who are on > > this list and others). > > Hope it was simple for you. > > Cheers, > > Joseph > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Joe Giovanelli [mailto:[email protected]] > > Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2010 7:13 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: RE: [GWN] Thumbs Up > > > > 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 > > > > 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: 02/27/10 > > 19:34:00 > > > > 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 If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, visit: http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv
