PorticoComputer-Followup2David's post'sPost
- From: "Cher Bosch" <Cher.Bosch@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 03 Feb 2005 12:55:52 -0600
Hi to all! Did anyone follow-up re this post, and if so, what did you
learn?
Original Message From: "david poehlman" <poehlman1@xxxxxxxxxxx>To:
"jfw users email list" <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004
8:08 AMSubject: Fw: new computer for the blind > I hear that this will
have jaws on it if you want jaws on it. I'm about> cautious about
recommending it just yet though.>>> *********** BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE
***********> On 8/05/2004 at 10:20 PM Andy Baracco <wq6r@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:> I would like to take a moment to introduce you to the Portico
which> will> be the most advanced and portable PC dedicated to the
blind. In> addition to> Portico's portability (less then one pound with
the standard battery)> and> functionality, it will offer a computer to
the blind which will be> equal to> the desktop system one uses each day
and more powerful than a notetaker> or> PDA. Because it utilizes a
standard Windows operating system (XP), the> training of a new user
should be dramatically reduced which leads to> savings on funds for
everyone involved because we are using> applications> that they are
already familiar with. With the Portico, there is no need> to> learn or
be trained how to use an entirely new device as one would need> to> do
with a notetaker or PDA.>> The computer is driven by an Intel Pentium
Centrino processor which is> completed with hardware manufactured by
Asus. Built into the unit is> Bluetooth and WiFi wireless technology, as
you will see in the> information> provided, and all the ports (three USB
and Firewire) that are needed to> use> it with any accessory available
to any computer user. Right now, with> great> success, we are testing
devices such as Bluetooth bar code scanners,> wireless keyboards and
earphones so that the user can leave the Portico> in> its case while
traveling, in order to utilize such devices for ease of> use> and
increased usefulness. Due to full functionality of this unit,>
organizations thus far have been very impressed and see this as a>
single> solution for some clientele who require funding for a
notetaking> device,> desktop PC and/or a laptop computer. Also installed
on the unit will be> a> suite of powerful software, consisting of OEM
versions from leaders in> the> assistive software technology industry,
which consist of applications> such> as scanread, text to audio, screen
readers, talking word processor,> talking dictionary, web browser with
speech, talking calculator, screen> magnification, and talking
checkbook. We are looking to add more and> more> in the future.> We soon
also expect to offer an USBconnected, braille input keypad.> Further
down the road, we anticipate offering a braille display> integrated>
into the unit. Our main vision is to use the existing technologies of>
our> mainstream products to create more affordable assistive technology>
products.>> The Portico units, as they would be shipped to the
customers, will ship> with a screen that can be attached later
converting it to a standard> laptop> computer. For those who are a
source of funding for such technologies,> this> will be appealing
because it may be issued without the screen to a> blind> client but,
should the department decide to reissue this unit to a> lowvision
client, or another client who would need a screen, it can be> done for
little or no cost and without affecting the manufacturer> warranty> (the
Portico does have a video port which would allow a monitor to be>
connected). These are just a few things that would immediately be>
available> for the Portico. We would appreciate any information possible
in order> to> have your organization review the product in hopes that it
may be> included> with the products which you promote, endorse, or offer
to your clients,> helping us introduce this new solution to the blind
and lowvision> markets.> It is a device to further enhance lives and
independence by offering a> means of equal access to technologies that
others already have> available to> them. Please let me know if you have
any questions as more will be> heard> about this product in the coming
weeks. Thank you for your time.>> Andrew Woytowich> CompSolution
Accessibility Division> (an Asus partner)>> 1249 Mall Drive> Richmond,
VA 23235> Phone: 8048978347> Fax: 8048978349> email:
andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> *********** END FORWARDED MESSAGE
***********
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