I finally had time to search some more for the keyboards I mentioned— Here’s one option— the Power Chord, a 9-key Braille Keyboard. 6 Braille dots, enter, backspace, and space for $250 (US):
http://touchgraphics.com/OnlineStore/index.php/ttt-applications/power-chord-braille-keyboard/power-chord-keyboard-bundle.html Similarly, the BrailleKey and BrailleKey G2 priced at 189 and 286 British Pounds: http://www.portset.co.uk/braille-keyboards/ (The Braille Key units appear to add some features— a few extra keys.) And this one is particularly unique— a full sized keyboard footprint (the others appear smaller by a good deal), looks like a conventional keyboard with all the alphabet keys removed (and a plate added over them, or maybe plastic formed there in a modified mold), but the f-keys, number pad, modifier keys and arrows all remain, then in the alphabet area, 8 braille keys have been situated. The link looks about 8 years old, it was then a “new” product but I don’t see who actually made it: http://cerncourier.com/cws/article/cern/29635 I don’t know if the design would really be useful, but I would like to see one in person... So clearly if you hunt around there are options for a more conventional braille keyboard, and surely these all avoid the n-key rollover issue, etc., though I don’t see that spec. from my glancing at the postings. I’m sure if you search, you’ll find more options still... On Apr 12, 2014, at 10:20 AM, Richard Holloway <[email protected]> wrote: > No, this wasn't a notetaker. It was a USB keyboard-- just the keyboard > interface for a computer, but it was setup like a Braille keyboard only-- no > qwerty functions. > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Apr 12, 2014, at 9:58 AM, Mario Brusco <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> might you be talking about the braille edge? >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Richard Holloway" <[email protected]> >> To: "The Jaws for Windows support list." <[email protected]> >> Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 9:20 AM >> Subject: Re: Braille keyboard question. e >> >> >> The problem is more complicated than it may seem at first. There is a >> problem (prat least a potential limit) referred to as "n-key rollover". When >> you exceed the key limit, which varies from one keyboard to the next, >> unpredictable things may happen. The computer may no longer see the first >> keys pressed, with only the last particular (keyboard specific number of) >> keys recognized. I have read the limit can be as low as three. (You don’t >> typically chord keys at the EXACT same time, there are tiny differences in >> when the contacts are made.) >> >> The result is that only the last 3 (or 4, etc.) keys down will be seen. And >> there is a second problem called “ghosting” (nothing to do with ghosting >> braille on a Perkins). On some keyboards, extra “ghosted” keystrokes appear >> to the computer depending on the physical position of the keys you actually >> push— it has to do with the wiring matrix of the keyboard. These are extra >> keys you didn’t actually push. >> >> As to why this is an issue? Partly cost, but also lack of planning for >> unusual applications of the hardware. It costs more to design keyboards that >> can handle more keys at once, and the need is rare for qwerty typists. You >> may see a need like ctrl + alt + delete often, but usually no more than >> three keys are needed at once. The common exceptions are Braille >> (obviously), musical applications (like playing a musical instrument, for >> example, without a conventional MIDI trigger instrument available), and >> certain types of computer gaming. >> >> So the short answer is, even if you have software to solve your problem, >> your hardware setup may or may not accept the physical input from the >> keyboard. This will vary from one keyboard to the next, and so forth. >> Try-before-you-buy, if possible. >> >> Read more about limitations here: >> http://xahlee.info/comp/keyboard_key_ghosting.html >> >> I did see a braille-style USB keyboard a while back— not like a Focus 40 (or >> such) with a built-in display. It was just a straight row of keys to use >> like on a braille notetaker but without a display. This setup had no n-key >> rollover issue, but I’ll be darned if I can find it now with a web search. >> If I run across it, I will post. >> >> Good luck! >> >> >>> On Apr 11, 2014, at 7:50 PM, Sharon <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Doesn't Duxbury allow that? >>> It's been a long long time since I've used it. >>> Sharon >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Jfw [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Justin >>> McDevitt >>> Sent: Friday, April 11, 2014 3:47 PM >>> To: [email protected] >>> Subject: Braille keyboard question. e >>> >>> Hello to all list members: >>> >>> >>> >>> I am a long-time braille reader and a proficient braille writer since >>> grade >>> school. >>> >>> >>> >>> As an alternative to the BrailleNote and the other note takers, which I >>> cannot afford to purchase right now, as a long-time braille writer, is >>> there >>> a braille keyboard that I can purchase and connect to a laptop, using JAWS >>> and a braille translation program like Duxbury that I can use as an >>> alternative to the higher dollar braille note taking devices? >>> >>> I know that I could buy a portable braille display which I believe has a >>> built-in keyboard, but again this would no doubt cost a couple of thousand >>> dollars. >>> >>> >>> >>> On the other hand, is there a program that can convert specific keys on a >>> regular keyboard to the configuration of a braille keyboard which I could >>> connect to a laptop, for note taking? >>> >>> >>> >>> I would appreciate any and all input. >>> >>> >>> >>> Best regards, >>> >>> >>> >>> Justin >>> >>> -------------- next part -------------- >>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >>> URL: >>> <http://lists.the-jdh.com/pipermail/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com/attachments/201404 >>> 11/20248527/attachment.html> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Jfw mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Jfw mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Jfw mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Jfw mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com > > _______________________________________________ > Jfw mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com _______________________________________________ Jfw mailing list [email protected] http://lists.the-jdh.com/mailman/listinfo/jfw_lists.the-jdh.com
