Any dual mode device would most likely have an on/off for the output modes it supported. The people who design these things aren't dumb or oblivious to the needs of the user groups they're going to serve. And if they're developing and manufacturing a device, they've put some time in with focus groups, alpha and beta testing teams. Give design hardware and software engineers who've been working with our community for any amount of time some credit--after all they want a device that sells to the largest possible target group of user's. Nick -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of H & C Arnold Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 4:18 PM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Research I agree about the combination of tools. My husband asked me about a talking one, but I told him that I thought that would reduce my impression of what was where and how it was laid out. Also I don't see how I could read a floor plan for an apartment with one that talked. In God We Trust, Carolyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dianne B. Phelps" <d.bphelps@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 2:50 PM Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Research I still use my slate and stylus as well and have found over the years that all of these tools work together to enable me. It shouldn't have to be one thing or the other. I was not aware that they ever finished that talking optacon. I was very interested in that researched, but stopped hearing about it after a time. Dianne -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nick Dotson Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 2:15 AM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Research It is an inaccurate observation that people don't use pens and pencils anymore. BTW, I still use slate and styli. Nick -----Original Message----- From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Fran Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 4:07 AM To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Research HI all, I admit that I've been using the optacon less and less with the advent of computers, but this is natural...people hardly use pens and pencils anymore! But even with PCs, OCR, talking phones, readily available audiobooks, and much more, the optacon cannot be replaced. There are certain tasks which only the optacon can perform, and the freedom and self-confidence it can give us has no match. So screen readers and the optacon should be viewed as complementary technologies, rather than in competition. Will Freedom Scientific or other companies ever realize that and make a profit out of this? Happy new year to all! Fran ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carrie Green" <midorikeri@xxxxxxxxx> To: "Optacon List" <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 3:04 AM Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Research > Hello Everyone, > To add my two cents to the conversation, I'd hazard a guess that perhaps > Freedom Scientific doesn't want other alternatives besides what they are > currently producing. If we have a device that can give us the ability to > view graphics and text without having to purchase a screen reader or OCR > software/hardware or a braille display, that would limit their profit > margins. Of course, only certain people can use the optacon, as those that > lose their sight later in life may not even use braille, and may not have > or be able to develop the tactile skills necessary to use an Optacon. I > know a number of blind individuals that just can't individuate the braille > dots, and surmise that the Optacon would be next to impossible for them to > use. I personally have challenges with my Optacon, as I had some very > basic training in primary school, but didn't purchase one until I was > about thirty years of age. My skills are not very good, but I still try to > use it as often as possible. They are amaz > ing tools for us, and I do hope that there is something comparable in the > near future. > > Happy New Year. > > Carrie > 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. > > > __________ Informazioni da ESET NOD32 Antivirus, versione del database > delle firme digitali 6754 (20111230) __________ > > Il messaggio è stato controllato da ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > www.nod32.it > > > 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. 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. 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.