Hi Wilna Thanks for your posting. I, too, can't sing the praises of the Optacon enough. Yesterday there was a classic example of the true worth of this so undervalued device. My washing machine had been in for repairs and I got it back the day before yesterday. Yesterday there was a load of washing to be done, but the machine just would work properly; it was set on some strange program. This was a major problem, as there was a lot of washing and I wouldn't see a sighted person for the rest of the day to come and help me solve the problem. Eventually I fetched the Optacon and started reading the buttons. Fortunately they were marked quite clearly and I could figure out what to do and within a few minutes the machine was doing its work. There is just no other device that provides this degree of independence. Regards Christo -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Wilna Turnbull Sent: 08 January 2010 08:40 AM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Looking for an OPTACON Carla, I see that you, too, are an attorney. I at one stage acted as a prosecutor for the South African Revenue Service. I used my Optacon in court to read out the charge sheets and any other documents which may be relevant in court cases. Without my Optacon I would have been lost. The magistrates and other court officials just ignored it if I read a little slower than a sighted person, but the accused and public found it fascinating that I could read!! I still maintain that the Optacon contributed to my successes on a psychological level. Many of my opponents / counterparts were caught off guard by me being blind. Such situations amused me. Viva the Optacon!!! Regards Wilna du Toit -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Karla Westjohn Sent: 07 January 2010 03:20 PM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Looking for an OPTACON Sadly, after working as an attorney for more than ten years and studying criminology for the past five, I can 2believe it. Using the Optacon, unfortunately, isn't the issue. It will likely be dumped, destroyed, or both. Horsewhipping needs to reemerge as a punishment option. I am so sorry. Karla Westjohn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wilna Turnbull" <WTurnbull@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 5:08 AM Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Looking for an OPTACON Hi Susan I cannot believe that anyone would steal an Optacon. What worth will it have to anyone but a blind person who is familiar with an Optacon? As far as importing an Optacon into South Africa is concerned, it seems daunting. However, I purchased an Optacon from Steven in the UK last year and it really was not as difficult as I thought it would be. I was also interested in an Optacon which Richard had available which was fully serviced. However, the biggest hurdle was the banking details as Richard felt uncomfortable providing it over the Internet and I do not have access to a cell phone with international roaming to call Richard. Richard, are the 2 Optacons still available? Regards Wilna du Toit -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Susan Webber Sent: 07 January 2010 01:02 PM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Looking for an OPTACON Dear All My OPTACON was stolen from my flat last week and I would like to purchase one, please. I make freequent use of the OPTACON and would like to hear from anyone who has one for sale. I recently saw Tom Maley had one. I would prefer a working machine because buying any equipment from overseas can be rather pricy due to the Rand and other currency exchange rate. So having to repair after purchase isn't an option. I still have one inactive machine which requires a new camera cable. Would that be available from Richard, or does anyone have one available? Listers welcome to contact me on the details below. Kind regards Susan Webber Tel.: +27 126753102 Mailto:Susan.Webber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:susan.webber@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Cell phone: +27 824922004 ********************************************************************** This email and all content are subject to the following disclaimer: http://content.momentum.co.za/content/legal/disclaimer_email.htm ********************************************************************** to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. 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Please Note: This email and its contents are subject to our email legal notice which can be viewed at http://www.sars.gov.za/Email_Disclaimer.pdf to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject.