The PAC Mate Model seems solid. We've purchased it for our students use, and I've been playing with its features. The braille is solid with the advantages that JAWS brings to braille when connected to a display. I have a gripe about the braille input keyboard if you are a fast braillist. But I like the fact that it is based on a off-the-shelf technology as opposed to development for special blind use. Pratik Pratik Patel Interim Director Office of Special Services Queens College Director CUNY Assistive Technology Services The City University of New York ppatel@xxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Shelley L. Rhodes Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 10:20 PM To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Of screenreaders and other talking tech for validation I was the not so proud owner of five typelites and now will wait till a "tested" product comes out before I will purchase FS again. The Elba is huge! I got to touch one, and it is the size of a laptop, not really notetaker size at all. Oh, don't forget the Lap Talk as well. Shelley L. Rhodes and Judson, guiding golden juddysbuddy@xxxxxxxxxxxx Guide Dogs For the Blind Inc. Graduate Advisory Council www.guidedogs.com The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs. -- Vance Havner ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gisela Vazquez" <gvazquez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 7:08 PM Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Of screenreaders and other talking tech for validation I personally like Freedom Scientific's Braille Lite notetakers. Oh god, I loved my Braillelight2000 but then it died and that hidious Melinium thingy came out and I had to send it back 3 times in as many months. I swore off that company. The braillenote does gives you more functionality though depending on what filetypes you read and work with.