so then does that mean that a cell phone should just be a phone and nothing
more? A cell phone should not browse the web, not do email, not have a
calculator. it's a phone, and that's all it should be is a phone, not a
calculator or a clock or a web browser, just a phone. Should they take the
video ipods off the market also? I don't want the bookport to be a braille n
speak or braillenote. all I'm asking for is a simple spell-checker like that
which exists in the braille n speak. and a simple calculator. and an alarm
clock. and higher-level recording for those who want to take advantage of
it. if aph can't do any of these things because of hardware limitations,
fine. if they can? that's would be wonderful great! My point? yes it's
primary purpose is for reading. yes I think it should have a pronunciation
dictionary for changing the pronunciation of words in books. A calculator
wouldn't be too hard to implement. and a spell-checker, if done correctly
wouldn't be that hard to implement either I don't think. I'm not looking for
something complex like microsoft word or keysoft or windows ce. Just a
simple spell-checker. heck, the artic has a simple spell-checker, it's
spelling dictionary file is only...oh maybe 5 or 600k at the most? oh wait a
moment here what am I talking about? the total memory of the artic is only
700k of text notes. so the spellchecker must be about 200k if that. it's a
very simple spellchecker. Also, my fiance uses her bookport as a notetaker
full-time now since her voicenote broke on her. As an author of poetry, she
uses the bookport to write her poetry that she publishes as well as using it
to write short stories also for publishing. she writes on the bookport, puts
her notes onto the pc and just uses word to format and resave the file in a
word file format. The bookport is a good notetaker for her. and it'll have
to be for me also because my braillenote's going back to be fixed soon also.
If I want something with a serial port and braille keys and a doubletalk
voice I'll buy a braille n speak scholar to print with and write with. if I
want to have a notetaker to make microsoft word files I'll use a braillenote
or pacmate or dell pda with mobilespeak pocket. And if I want a simple
device that reads books, plays mp3s, has a usb connection, does not print to
any kind of printer or embosser because I don't need it to, records memos,
takes text notes, and hopefully someday will have a simple spellchecker like
that of the artic or braille n speak I'll get a bookport. so like it or not,
the bookport will be used by both of us for both reading and notetaking, and
mp3 playing. For us it's a multipurpose device. And if aph can't put a
spell-checker into the bookport itself then perhaps there is a free
spellchecker for the computer that can be made to work with the transfer
software. something like spellcheck notes after synchronising? checked or
unchecked. There are various ways aph could go about implementing such a
program, either on the bookport's end or on the pc side of things. because
it really wouldn't make much sense to have a bookport and not have a pc.
Josh
<<SOAPBOX ON>>
I'm sorry ... I've tried to hold my tongue, but ...
IMO the Book Port is for *reading*. Recording memos is a great adjunct but is secondary to Book Port's primary purpose. Likewise with the note-taking capability. Hence, I see no reason for the spell-check or for a myriad of recording formats to be supported. If you want spell-check, use a computer or Braille Note. If you want hi-fi recording, use a PTR-1.
All the extra features add extra battery drain (ask Apple about battery life problems with their latest I-pod!).
Itseems to me that APH engineers should "keep it simple, stupid"; simplicity means fewer software glitches and better battery-life. Let's use the Book Port for the purposes for which it was designed and leave the fancy stuff to others. And yes, I know; some of the other devices aren't accessible. But that's not APH's problem!
<<SOAPBOX OFF>>
Mike
On Sun, 27 Nov 2005, David Edick wrote:
I would like to see the book port fully support recording in whatever format
you need. Kind of like a plextalk, without the CD.
-----Original Message-----
From: bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bookport-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Josh Kennedy
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2005 11:35 AM
To: bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bookport] the holidays and bookport
Hi,
I saw over the holidays that ipods now have video capabilities on them and
other stuff, although their primary function is playing music. I would like
to see 1. better recording capabilities on the bookport using the bookport's
internal microphone. like the ability to record at 32khz or 44khz mono 2. a
pronunciation dictionary so I can change how the speech pronounces words
when I'm reading books such as harry potter where the speech says some names
and things incorrectly.
3. a spell-checker for the notetaker, similar to that of the braille 'n
speak.
4. It would be cool also if the transfer software could through use of the
options dialog optionally convert text files with spaces into rtf or word
files after synchronization. I think it would be easier to do this on the
computer end of things rather than expecting the bookport to do it.
I was told I'm getting a bookport as an early christmas present and I can't
wait to have one! I also hope to buy a language master in a month or two
here as well.
Josh
he should try out the animal before he bought him. He took the could. The
Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch-land... A RIVER carried
down in its stream two Pots, one made of pounce upon in a whole year. Evil
wishes, like chickens, come home to roost.