[access-uk] Re: the tadi
- From: "carol pearson" <carol.pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 09:00:04 +0100
Thanks, Ian. At least I know what this is now!
Well, I have a number of items that can keep my diary and organise me in all
sorts of ways, so I think I (for one) will probably bypass this, unless I'm
totally convinced it's the best thing since sliced bread! <SMILE>
--
Carol
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 8:52 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: the tadi
> Hello George & all,
> Time now for me to come clean. I've been using a TADI now for about six
weeks althouygh I haven't had an opportunity to check out the interface. I
asked Variscite for a review model and they also said they'd send me the PC
interface kit but never have. Anyway, here are my thoughts and experiences.
>
> In a message to me recently, someone described the TADI as being in size
and shape very similar to those metal cigarette cases which people used to
have when I were a lad. When you flip the top up there's a keyboard laid
out pretty much like a qwerty except there's no space bar. There are also
variously enter, edit, record and talk keys. In the opening screen,
pressing one of these takes you drectly into one of the organiser's
functions. So if you press the talk key it takes you to the notes you've
recorded in the notepad. If you press the record key it enables you to
record a memo in the note-pad without having to select that function.
>
> The top row of number keys also gives access to the different functions.
These include notepad, phonebook, diary, clock and calculator. You can also
set an alarm and back up data to the unit's non-volotile memory.
>
> As I think I've said on this list before, it appears to be a lot more
robust than the Parrott, although I've had a parrott for about two years now
and so far nothing has fallen off it. The TADI is also more intuitive to
use than the voice diary. It's battery life is claimed to be six months for
3 AAAs. Haven't had it long enough to say whether that holds up, but it is
unquestionably better than both its competitors.
>
> The feamale speech has an American accent and is very naturalistic.
However, recording volume and quality is not great. But from out of its
box, there is more than five hours of recording time available on it.
>
> Big minuses for me are:
>
> It's not possible to interupt any given event following a keystroke. So,
browsing diary entries or the phonebook is a rather lengthy process.
>
> On two occasions during the time I've had my one, I've had the record
function pack up on me and the only solution has been to initialise the
unit, thereby losing the data. Variscite have told me that installing a
different version of the firmware from the PC interface CD would sort this
out, but, as they haven't sent me said kit, I'm not able to verify whether
this would be the case.
>
> If, having set a daily alarm, I turn the alarm beep off, when I turn the
unit back on after an overnight rest, its volume has re-set to maximum.
However, if I leave the alarm beep on, the volume stays at the level at
which I've set it.
>
> The keyboard would, I think, be difficult to use for anyone with dexterity
difficulties or impaired sense of touch.
>
> having said all of that, it's still the best organiser around in terms of
functionality and usability. One improvement I'd suggest is that the edit
key which is as yet not utilised in the opening screen could be enabled to
allow you to review diary entries. At present, you're only reminded of
appointments when they come due unless you actually go into the diary.
>
> If anyone has specific questions about things I haven't covered, I'd be
happy to have a go at answering them.
>
> Cheers now.
>
> Ian
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