[j-say list] new list member with lots of questions
- From: "Sharon Ballantyne" <sballan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <j-say@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2007 00:34:29 -0400
Hello all,
I have many questions and apologize for the disjointed presentation of
this message.
I have spent several hours going through your list archives, listening
to audio demos and various discussion presentations available.
I am a totally blind user of JAWS 8.0. I understand from the
descriptions given that my JAWS build is beyond the current capabilities
of J-Say. I attempted to download the version 8.0 build 1177 using the
download link but it was not successful. I'll work on that but am
wondering what the news is on the efforts of upgrading J-Say pro 5.01 to
be compatible. The archives suggested in a June 26 message that it was
being worked on and was forthcoming. Is there a projected release date.
I have Dragon Naturally Speaking version 9. I worked with dragon dictate
and dragon nat speak in the context of teaching young children who were
experiencing learning disabilitiesback in the late nineties. I was on a
voice users group out of Boston at that time. Due to my being totally
blind, one might say my role with my students was more the coach
supervisor. I was not a personal user of Dragon because we could not
resolve it and the bridge available was not sufficient. I however, saw
the extreme potential of Dragon and how useful it could potentially be
to blind users and also to others for lots of reasons. I was so amazed
at how the students persevered in those early days.I would say I have
some knowledge but an not technical.
In the school system I teach full-time in in southern Ontario Canada,
Dragon Naturally Speaking will be on our computers when I return to
school in the fall. In June I was privileged to have it imaged onto one
of our classroom computers and my assistant and I began working with two
grade three children as a sort of pilot. I was again struck by how
helpful Dragon is, especially to reluctant writers. This is a huge
advancement to make voice recognition more widely available. I will
teach a regular class of grade three students this year and hope to
invite some of our struggling young writers to try Dragon Nat Speak. Our
new principal is very willing. These children won't need J-Say for their
useage but can I ever see a market for those who are disgraphic. The
feedback loop offered through JAWS would really reduce the angst of not
being able to read the correction boxes or being unsure of what is being
said. Even those who have mild developmental disabilities who can speak
and understand well (good expressive and receptive skills) could have
worlds being opened up to them with the feedback loop of talking and
Jaws and J-Say. Looking at what the costs are for purchasing all this
for myself, I know the costs are still prohibitive but the potential
still incredible. . I have been away from the dragon product for several
years and am most excited by what J-Say will be able to offer me as an
independent totally blind user.
I also am an ordained clergy in a small rural Protestant church and I
believe the Jaws, Nat Speak and J-Say combination will provide a time
saving transcription concern for me. Is this feasible? If I were to
record my sermon message (also called a homily in some denominations)
could I hypothetically play back the recording onto my computer using
the microphone to create the ver batem text so that the messages could
be sent out electronically to those who wished or printed for sharing.
Do you have recommendations regarding the best digital recorder.I am
looking at two right now the new Humanware Victor Stream Reader to be
released later in August which of course does so much more than the
recording voice notes features or the Olympus DS50 which is almost fully
accessible for the blind.
Regarding wireless headsets, I have read in the archives about the
recommendation of the plantronics Cs-50 as suggested by Sue Martin. Has
there been any advancement in the less conspicuous cell phone style
microphones and ear buds?
Is there such a thing as a wireless ear bud? I realize a microphone is
necessary for recording but just curious if anyone has seen such?
Finally, My useage of computer is focused primarily on using a PC at
home, and a lap top on the go or in my work environments. Can I load
this combination of Dragon, JAWS and J-Say on more than one computer and
how would I update the profiles between the systems, or is this
possible? I was wondering about using my portable USB hard drive but do
not know if this is feasible or necessary?
Sorry for so many random questions.
I have not yet purchased J-Say but have spoken with a Canadian vendor
today.
Thank-you for these amazing advancements and any help or suggestions you
might offer.
Sharon Ballantyne
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