Sorry, I meant to say they use it less. And it can't be denied...children find it hard to handwrite nowadays as they type onto pcs and IPhones all the time. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nick Dotson" <nickdotson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 11:15 AM 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. > > > __________ 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.