[gps-talkusers] Re: re forecasting the future
- From: Joseph Lee <joseph.lee22590@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:22:49 -0800
Hi,
A number of factors: cost, functionality, portability,
flexibility, role and trends. Cost, because we all know the high
cost and these devices because of market and parts (braille
display components are the most expensive). Role, because
notetakers are really nothing more than specialized terminals,
rather traditional ones are. Trend, because from observation,
people prefer smaller and wireless ways of connecting to
computers. PAC Mate, when viewed from development and usability
point of view, is just a
customized HP pocket PC with keyboard and speech on top, with
customized JAWS taylored to this new hardware and OS
characteristics. The main rival was, and still is (for now),
Mobile Speak and its partner, Mobile Geo. Orion (the newer one)
is nothing more than a conventional Android tablet with braille
input/output and speech system and customized apps suite. Other
notetakers are specialized tablets or terminals with braille
input/output and speech.
The below statement that I made came as an opinion piece after
observing the market and user groups for a while: that notetakers
are, in fact, specialized computers or computerized equipment
with braille terminal functionality, comparable to functionality
of the tablets of today; instead of touchscreen, these notetakers
use braille input and output. And when we examine tech specs and
observe functionality of these notetakers more closely, we can
discover that the specs are that of a
mid-range phone of 2010 to today, with alternative means of
communicating with the outside world. Hence the argument from
some groups that, with similar specs and with advances in
software,, notetakers are now "almost" equal to mainstream
technologies (including GPS) in hardware specs and basic
functionality. Coupled with this trend, plus flexibility with
wireless technologies would soon blur the distinction between a
notetaker of today and basic tablet of today in the form of more
portable and affordable wireless braille displays, which would be
(in my opinion) the final step in transitioning to mainstream
mode of communication, replacing almost all the roles of the
traditional notetaker (which has already happened).
Thus, in summary, some of us can safely conclude that, since
notetakers are just tablets with alternative input and output
system and since the trend says more wireless communication, then
we can say that the next mode of communication would be a tablet
with wireless braille terminal providing braille output and
"simulated" braille input (I say simulated here, because braille
input is ultimately governed by the OS on the tablet and the
braille display driver/screen reader).
In connection with GPS, a good example would be various solutions
out there for iOS devices and a range of wireless braille
displays availible. And yes, I do understand that using
touchscreen may mean approaching a screen layout from visual
point of view (which I know is hard to describe to some people).
Again sorry for all the tech rants. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Joseph
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sara Rooz" <sararooz@xxxxxxxxx
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date sent: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 19:26:41 -0500
Subject: [gps-talkusers] re forecasting the future
Hello Joseph,
What do you mean that the era of notetakers is coming to an end
and for some it has come already? I should explain to you that I
can use a computer with a screen reader and qwerty keyboard.
However,I like the fact that I can use a note taker to read books
in braille and type in braille professional information which I
can transfer into my computer and am excited about the fact that
the detailed gps program. I can't see myself considering any
apple products since you need to learn how to use a touch screen
and learn a lot of new commands. I primarily work well with
auditory and braille. I can't exist by usingauditory output. I
used the computer with a screen reader without a braille display
but ever since I've managed to connect a braille display to my
computer my horizons have expanded a lot. Prior to investing
into new note taker, I did a lot of research of all notetakers on
the market and selected my note taker based upon affordability of
price,and great customer and technical support. I am also a very
fluent braille reader and writer and can use a qwerty keyboard
with my computer. Please clarify what you mean that the note
taker era will becoming to an end? I can only state, ever since I
was introduced to a note taker and assistive technology with
computer and a braille display connected to a computer my
horizons have expanded. I was able to attain my certification a
teacher of the blind via having a braille display and screen
reader connected with my braille display computer and took all
of my courses online and I am gainfully employed.
Sara Rooz
Certified Teacher of the Blind and Visually impaired in New York
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