I thought the comment about NLS not providing writing tools was over the top. Come on A-hole, we *KNOW* this!
Sent from my iPhone Pro Max > On Aug 17, 2021, at 6:59 PM, Richard Turner <richardturne...@outlook.com> > wrote: > > > OK, so I can be a little dense now and then. > > I totally skipped over NFB Newsline in the ONLine resources. > It is there, fairly easy to set up and quite fast at downloading. > > Thank you. > > > > > Richard > Software means never having to say you're finished > > > Web site: www.turner42.com > > From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of > TaraPrakash > Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 9:37 AM > To: viphone@googlegroups.com > Subject: Re: NLS eReader by Humanware observations > > My last message on this thread because we are stepping into the off list > territory. > newsline is indeed one of the two online services. > > And finally, eReader, as is clear from its name, a reader. comparison with > other note takers and braille displays Can be limitless > > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Aug 17, 2021, at 10:55 AM, Richard Turner <richardturne...@outlook.com> > wrote: > > > Alan, > Please forward this to your friend. > > You are troubled by its inaccuracies? Having an opinion about a strap that > is clearly designed as a neck strap, which you choose to treat as a handle is > not an inaccuracy; it is a difference of opinion. When I put it around my > neck, it was very uncomfortable for me; but would work fine as a handle which > won’t help you if you want to use it in church while standing and reading the > hymn lyrics …. > Of course my observations are subjective, that is because they are my > observations and you are more than welcome to provide different observations; > but this is not about accuracy. > > I have used multiple braille displays as well and know for a fact that at > least 3 of the ones I’ve used had those markers. > > You said: “--Of course it does not have a notetaker. The digital talking book > machine does not have a digital recorder either. NLS provides reading > materials, not writing tools. That said, one can easily pair the eReader with > an iPhone or computer and use it to read and write in a variety of > applications. –I was presenting information to an audience that had no > information on the NLS eReader and was simply pointing out what is clearly > stated in the information on the eReader for those who do not have access yet > and have not read about it. In case you are not aware of it, observations > are not criticisms, they are observations… > > --Also worth mentioning here that users can download directly from NLS BARD > and NFB NEWSLINE. Downloads from either are lightning fast. > I have not seen any documentation on accessing NFB Newsline; I’d be very > interested in getting more info. > > Thanks very much, > > Richard > Software means never having to say you're finished > > > Web site: www.turner42.com > > From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Alan > Lemly > Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 9:44 PM > To: viphone@googlegroups.com > Subject: RE: NLS eReader by Humanware observations > > I’m posting the below on behalf of a friend who is not on this list but who > is a part of the NLS eReader team: > > I have read this list of observations regarding the HumanWare eReader and am > troubled by some of its inaccuracies. > I’ve been a part of the eReader team for NLS since its beginning , about 18 > months ago, and will respond by inserting my comments between the original > ones. > 1. The neck strap is cheap and not at all comfortable. It is too skinny, and > made out of a very rough material. > --This is very subjective. I use it as more of a hand or wrist strap, and > find it perfectly convenient. > 2. There are two space bars that for me, are not positioned well. I use my > right thumb for pressing the space bar and I find its position slightly too > far to the right. > 3. There are the 20 cursor routing buttons over each cell, but no markers > every 5 like on most displays with routing buttons. > --I had three other braille displays on my desk when I read this comment – > from three different manufacturers – ranging in age from four months to > fifteen years, and cell length from 20 to 40. None of them have these marker > every five spaces that are mentioned here. I believe what you refer to is the > quirk of one particular company, but not present in at least three of them. > > 4. The keyboard is ergonomically designed with the slight curve. The space > bars are below the braille cells, which is fine for me but I know some people > prefer the space bar closer to the keyboard. > The keys have more play in them than I expected. They feel a little spongy. > 5. The case makes it look like a hardback book. It opens just like a book > cover, with the spine on the back of the unit leaving the front thumb keys > exposed. The best word I can think of is, "cute." > 6. The braille feels better to me than on the Humanware braille note touch > plus, but not quite as good as on the Orbit Readers. > 7. It does not have a note taker, but can be connected to a computer or a > smart phone to be used as a braille keyboard. > --Of course it does not have a notetaker. The digital talking book machine > does not have a digital recorder either. NLS provides reading materials, not > writing tools. That said, one can easily pair the eReader with an iPhone or > computer and use it to read and write in a variety of applications. > 8. The setup for Bluetooth devices is much like other Humanware displays. > It follows Humanware's logic, which is not my logic, but following the > instructions did work. > 9. NLS BARD login and download is very straight forward. > 10. Changing braille grades is slow. Press Space+g and you have to wait > about 6 or 7 seconds before the grade shows up, Then, once the one you want > is on the display, wait another 6 or 7 seconds for the display to go back to > what you were doing. > 11. when used as a braille input device with an iPhone SE 2020, it works > pretty much as well as all displays work, which is very good. > 12. The battery life seems to be maybe 6 or 8 hours, hard to be sure yet. > --Most users thus far have found battery life to be considerably longer than > stated here. > 13. There is no internet browser, Wi-Fi is used for downloading BARD books > and updating the firmware. > --Also worth mentioning here that users can download directly from NLS BARD > and NFB NEWSLINE. Downloads from either are lightning fast. > 14. The wi-Fi set up was pretty straight forward, as Humanware devices go. > 15. I have not tried using it with the computer. > 16. It takes approximately 20 seconds to start up and about 17 seconds to > shut down. Probably due to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions, I am not sure. > --This is for a complete startup. If just put in “sleep” or “standby” mode, > however, the eReader comes on instantly with the press of the Power button. > To get an eReader from NLS you have to contact your regional library for the > blind and sign up for braille materials, and then request the eReader. If > you already receive braille materials, simply contact them and ask how to get > sign up for an eReader if your library is participating in the program that > is.. > At this point, it is still considered a pilot program and you have to agree > to participate in several surveys at 2, 4, and 6 months after receiving the > device and of course, to return it if you are not going to use it. If you > want, you can keep it after the pilot project is finished. > Oregon seems to be getting the Humanware device; some states are getting the > one from Zoomax. > There are YouTube videos walking through each device, settings, how to…, etc.. > Here is the physical description link for the Humanware device: > https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9336/ > > Here is the physical description link for the Zoomax device: > https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9653/ > > From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of > Richard Turner > Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 2:49 PM > To: viphone@googlegroups.com > Subject: NLS eReader by Humanware observations > > I have had the eReader from NLS made by Humanware for about three days. > My impressions are below, in no particular order. > 1. The neck strap is cheap and not at all comfortable. It is too skinny, and > made out of a very rough material. > 2. There are two space bars that for me, are not positioned well. I use my > right thumb for pressing the space bar and I find its position slightly too > far to the right. > 3. There are the 20 cursor routing buttons over each cell, but no markers > every 5 like on most displays with routing buttons. > 4. The keyboard is ergonomically designed with the slight curve. The space > bars are below the braille cells, which is fine for me but I know some people > prefer the space bar closer to the keyboard. > The keys have more play in them than I expected. They feel a little spongy. > 5. The case makes it look like a hardback book. It opens just like a book > cover, with the spine on the back of the unit leaving the front thumb keys > exposed. The best word I can think of is, "cute." > 6. The braille feels better to me than on the Humanware braille note touch > plus, but not quite as good as on the Orbit Readers. > 7. It does not have a note taker, but can be connected to a computer or a > smart phone to be used as a braille keyboard. > 8. The setup for Bluetooth devices is much like other Humanware displays. > It follows Humanware's logic, which is not my logic, but following the > instructions did work. > 9. NLS BARD login and download is very straight forward. > 10. Changing braille grades is slow. Press Space+g and you have to wait > about 6 or 7 seconds before the grade shows up, Then, once the one you want > is on the display, wait another 6 or 7 seconds for the display to go back to > what you were doing. > 11. when used as a braille input device with an iPhone SE 2020, it works > pretty much as well as all displays work, which is very good. > 12. The battery life seems to be maybe 6 or 8 hours, hard to be sure yet. > 13. There is no internet browser, Wi-Fi is used for downloading BARD books > and updating the firmware. > 14. The wi-Fi set up was pretty straight forward, as Humanware devices go. > 15. I have not tried using it with the computer. > 16. It takes approximately 20 seconds to start up and about 17 seconds to > shut down. Probably due to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions, I am not sure. > > To get an eReader from NLS you have to contact your regional library for the > blind and sign up for braille materials, and then request the eReader. If > you already receive braille materials, simply contact them and ask how to get > sign up for an eReader if your library is participating in the program that > is.. > At this point, it is still considered a pilot program and you have to agree > to participate in several surveys at 2, 4, and 6 months after receiving the > device and of course, to return it if you are not going to use it. If you > want, you can keep it after the pilot project is finished. > Oregon seems to be getting the Humanware device; some states are getting the > one from Zoomax. > There are YouTube videos walking through each device, settings, how to…, etc.. > Here is the physical description link for the Humanware device: > https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9336/ > > Here is the physical description link for the Zoomax device: > https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-9653/ > > > > > > > > > Richard > Software means never having to say you're finished > > > Web site: www.turner42.com > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: > mk...@ucla.edu. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/MW4PR17MB451322153BA9C6B9661329E0B7FC9%40MW4PR17MB4513.namprd17.prod.outlook.com. > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: > mk...@ucla.edu. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/066d01d79322%24902a2050%24b07e60f0%24%40gmail.com. > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: > mk...@ucla.edu. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/MW4PR17MB45130D306C0B63D2415E21D6B7FE9%40MW4PR17MB4513.namprd17.prod.outlook.com. > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: > mk...@ucla.edu. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/2C752934-1891-47FF-9A0A-A493C551C442%40gmail.com. > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: > mk...@ucla.edu. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at > caraqu...@caraquinn.com > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/MW4PR17MB4513610CC48B551F19FFB09AB7FE9%40MW4PR17MB4513.namprd17.prod.outlook.com. -- The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: mk...@ucla.edu. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com The archives for this list can be searched at: http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VIPhone" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/54C94AEF-54F5-434E-BC8C-E9303F86E0B1%40gmail.com.
