The Icon also doesn't have a Braille keyboard, if I am understanding correctly. At 12:19 AM 12/16/2007 -0500, you wrote:
Hello Richard:The difference between the icon and braille plus keyboards, is that the braille plus comes with two extra keys, located at the right and left of the spacebar. The left key is the shift key, and the right key is the control key. So when you write uncontracted braille on it, you have your own shift key, and don't have to write uncapped letters, or invoke some inconvenient key combination to cap the letters. The braille plus is about the size of a walkman, so yes it is smaller than the braille and speak.One of the things you might find convenient about the braille plus, is that if you're no longer used to typing on a braille keyboard, (as I am,) you can connect a u.s.b. keyboard via the interface cable that the unit brings, or use a foldable bluetooth thinkout keyboard for more transport convenience, as the unit is blue tooth enabled.The other thing that's convenient, is that when you use contracted braille on the braille plus, the unit has a program that automatically translates what you write to regular print when you send out emails with it. So you don't have to stop and conduct a translation operation before sending out those messages.It is true that the unit is more expensive than a laptop, but it also provides conveniences that the laptop doesn't. For one thing it's more convenient to run around the city with it, as it's a lot smaller and lighter than the laptop. Also using the wireless feature is a lot easier than using the ones on the laptops. At least that's my experience. You also get greater battery use than you do with most laptops. If memory serves, most laptop batteries give you about three hours worth of non-a.c. power, whereas the braille plus gives you 10 hours if the wireless network is turned off, and 8 hours if it is turned on. The storage capacity is greater than that of a lot of laptops, (though I don't know if that has changed with the windows vista laptops.) This unit has a forty gig hard drive and four gigs of ram. Like the laptop it has an mp3 media player and a tape recording utility. And it's already set up to get news rss feeds and some podcasts.I wish it had a modem or could accept a wireless internet card for those times when you're not around a wireless hotspot, but the eventual release of the docking station should take care of the lack of a modem, as it'll come with an ethernet card, and if you have a wireless router on your pc, you can set up the unit to be recognized, and use its wireless internet feature that way. And although I am not able to use this device for wireless internet where I'm at in Puerto Rico, as I'm neither near any wireless hotspots, nor do I have a wireless router, it's still a pretty convenient note taking and book reading device. I did use its wireless internet feature when I was in Boston last month, and absolutely loved being able to get email without having to be tethered to a pc or lugging around a laptop.And speaking of its book reading capacity, accessing electronic braille on this unit is a lot more convenient. As you can transfer them from a thumb drive, or by connecting the unit to your computer via a u.s.b. cable as if it were another disk drive. Once the books have been stored in the unit, you can immediately start reading. You don't have to use a transfer protocol to read your books.Now, that doesn't mean I have no use for the bookport, as I still like the convenience of not having to worry about the bookport's battery for about a week or more, and the bookport is still slightly smaller than the braille plus. I use them both.Marta P.S. And sorry for the ot.----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Fiorello" <richkar1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 8:55 AM Subject: [bookport] Re: Book PortHi; I know this is a bookport list but it was said that the primary difference between the braille plus and the icon is the braille keyboard? If so, what type of keyboard is on the icon? I'm impressed with the size if its really smaller than the braille n speak. Its a shame its so pricey. You could still buy a laptop for lots less but it would also be bigger. I find it difficult writing grade one or computer braille with a braille keyboard. My fingers think in grade two. Gets confusing when you try and transfer that info to a pc. Thanks everyone for all the web braille and memory card info. Richard ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Lambert" <rmlambert1987@xxxxxxxxx> To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 10:49 PM Subject: [bookport] Re: Book Port The Icon and Braille Plus are both about 1/2 the size of the Braille 'n Speak and roughly 1/4 the size of the BrailleNote (or so I've heard); however both units will definitely fit in your pocket. If you are braille savvy I'd recommend the Braille Plus because if you turn it sideways 90 degrees clockwise, you will be greeted with a full 6 dot braille keyboard and a shift & control key on either side of a central space bar. The main difference between the two units is the fact that the Braille Plus has those extra keys on it (just think of it as the Icon Plus Braille). However, you can get an external Bluetooth keyboard (such as the iGo Stowaway - formerly the ThinkOutside Stowaway keyboard) and it will recognize it immediately. You can also get a full docking station that provides extra power to the unit if needed as well as a full QWERTY (or Braille) keyboard (your choice). Sharon <mt281820@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: I'm a bit confused; what's the difference between Braille Plus and the Icon? How large are they? I'm looking for something small once my laptop dies; something I can carry around but read with, and type clinical notes on and synchronize with my desktop. Sharon -----Original Message----- From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of PAMELA RADER Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 8:47 AM To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [bookport] Re: Book Port Bertha: As Marta said, we also now have the Braille + PDA Mobile Manager, which will currently read BRF files, Daisy files from Book Share and MP3 files. As I also pointed out yesterday, if you were on the list then, we are currently testing for NLS, so it will also be able to do that format soon, as well as Audible.com books. Since it is a PDA, it does more than the Book Port. The price is $1395. I understand that not everyone can afford that, but you asked the question and currently, that is the answer. Pamela Rader, TECHNICAL SUPPORT American Printing House For The Blind 1839 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206 PHONE: 1-800-223-1839, Ext. 307missmommymomma@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 12/13/07 10:51PM >>>Hello All, Is there any other product through APH that is similar to the Book Port. I had just about made a decision to purchase a Book Port and I found out, they are no longer availible. thank You Bertha --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.2/1185 - Release Date: 12/15/2007 12:00 PM
Sandy Licht Jeremiah 29:11 - 14.For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.
