Peg: To tell you the truth: enough refinements exist to do with the working
technology, and documentation and such, that although I did begin to design
studies (we have some good stats people here), I decided that I can do what
I can do, and so let someone else do the studies if they so wish for them.
Notably: I have met so much idiosyncratic politics and greed and opposition
and distraction from what should be a good project (NOT FROM THIS LIST),
that I have several times considered simply dismissing the project and
returning to my more standard work. After all, the Optacon III project and
its accessories, are an "after hours" project, and it is not my
bread-&-butter. I remember in Canadian Parliament that someone was
appointed as a volunteer in a very worthy, non-political position to do a
job for which he was certainly qualified as a professional and an
humanitarian, and so he was paid a ceremonial dollar. However, there was so
much oddball partisan opposition to the appointment and therefore to him for
its own harmful partisan sake, that the guy quietly handed in his keys and
his dollar and moved on to other better things. He didn't need the
headache,and he certainly did not deserve the mis-treatment from several
partisan political parties and groups. It was like finding fault with the
Pope because he held in his arms a tiny baby and blessed the baby and then
fed the baby's family. So, much of the flak has little enough to do with
the concept of a resurrected optacon itself; it something greater, something
almost insidious, something to do with the ambivalence and the politics in
some blind communities in North America. Please do note that this is NOT
refering to the optacon list group! Let me make that clear! So, studies
likely needed, but I have almost none on the drawing board. I think I can
say that for potential new optacon users, it has to do with multi-facceted,
interactive education beyond didactics, the earlier the better. The steep
learning curve of the optacon R1X and the II need not be so steep this time
around. There's more to the statement, but that's what it comes down to.
Chuck
From: peg cummins (Redacted sender "macomeinrental" for DMARC)
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2016 12:12 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: optacon-l Digest V4 #97
do you plan to run a research study for newbies?
On Monday, December 19, 2016 1:09 AM, FreeLists Mailing List Manager
<ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2016 12:11:43 +0200
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I would like to have a device
merely for reading.
Best wishes,
Marianne
------------------------------
From: "C. Pond" <cpond@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic design andÂ
mechan
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2016 05:47:27 -0500
I must confess to being confused by the replies. On the one hand, we want
an Optacon-like device just for reading. On the other hand, we want an
optacon module which is a part of a device. All doable.
The souped up optacon III--which looked very much like the Optacon II in a
polished smooth metal case did just that. The speech was made to work
thanks to the help of a certain company. It could respond to input from
its
specialized camera of course, and from a scanner, and of course read files
in memory.
It seems now that a module as a part of a more encompassing system with
one-handed reading capabilities is what is prefered?
Just to understand, is this correct?
Personally, I liked the souped up Optacon III just fine, but the reality for
better or worse is that it might needs be a part of a greater system. Man:
I could see as the device was several features like a nifty audio-calculator
with the benefit of an optacon display working together just fine, but so be
it.
Thanks for clarification,
Chuck
-----Original Message-----
From: Marianne Näränen
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 5:11 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic design and
mechanics of the optacon III
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I would like to have a device
merely for reading.
Best wishes,
Marianne
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.
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
------------------------------
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic design and
From: Bruce Noblick <brunobrook@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2016 06:14:45 -0500
I don't know if it is too late in the process for ideas but I'll toss
this one in and see what happens. Perhaps it has already been
addressed. One of the amazing parts of the original Optacon and one of
its weaknesses at the same time was the cable between the camera and the
box. For its time, it was amazing but fragile. I carried my Optacon to
and from work and home every day for years. When I had to replace it, I
left it at work so the cable would last longer. I am wondering if there
is or could be a wireless solution to this problem. I can see numerous
problems with it but it could be implemented in a way that would not
cause or be subject to interference from other RF controlled devices, it
would be fairly useful. The camera would need a battery but if that
battery could be a double a or tripple a battery, it could be easy to
work with. It is just a thought, not a well-formed idea.
Enjoy the day!
Bruce
On 12/18/2016 5:47 AM, C. Pond wrote:
I must confess to being confused by the replies. On the one hand, we
want
an Optacon-like device just for reading. On the other hand, we want an
optacon module which is a part of a device. All doable.
The souped up optacon III--which looked very much like the Optacon II in a
polished smooth metal case did just that. The speech was made to work
thanks to the help of a certain company. It could respond to input from
its
specialized camera of course, and from a scanner, and of course read files
in memory.
It seems now that a module as a part of a more encompassing system with
one-handed reading capabilities is what is prefered?
Just to understand, is this correct?
Personally, I liked the souped up Optacon III just fine, but the reality
for
better or worse is that it might needs be a part of a greater system.Â
Man:
I could see as the device was several features like a nifty
audio-calculator
with the benefit of an optacon display working together just fine, but so
be
it.
Thanks for clarification,
Chuck
-----Original Message-----
From: Marianne Näränen
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 5:11 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic design and
mechanics of the optacon III
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I would like to have a device
merely for reading.
Best wishes,
Marianne
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.
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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.
I must confess to being confused by the replies. On the one hand, we
want
an Optacon-like device just for reading. On the other hand, we want an
optacon module which is a part of a device. All doable.
The souped up optacon III--which looked very much like the Optacon II in a
polished smooth metal case did just that. The speech was made to work
thanks to the help of a certain company. It could respond to input from
its
specialized camera of course, and from a scanner, and of course read files
in memory.
It seems now that a module as a part of a more encompassing system with
one-handed reading capabilities is what is prefered?
Just to understand, is this correct?
Personally, I liked the souped up Optacon III just fine, but the reality
for
better or worse is that it might needs be a part of a greater system.
Man:
I could see as the device was several features like a nifty
audio-calculator
with the benefit of an optacon display working together just fine, but so
be
it.
Thanks for clarification,
Chuck
-----Original Message-----
From: Marianne Näränen
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 5:11 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic design and
mechanics of the optacon III
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I would like to have a device
merely for reading.
Best wishes,
Marianne
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.
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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.
An optacon III ergonomic mechanical question if I may in order to make it
marketable, accompanied by a pre-amble for its context:
As things stand now, the optacon III’s display has evolved from a
mere
dumb display (a mere vibrotactile output device which feels something like
a fat domino)) to a stand-alone display into which the nifty camera and
power and whatever can be plugged. This way, the camera and the
smart-display can be mechanically connected to form a crude one-handed
optacon with room for improvement, or they can be used each in one hand as
we traditionally have done. Although I am still really concerned about
the power monster, and I’m working with tuflon and a few other
experimental strategies to reduce power consumption, I’m not worried
about a vibrotactile display. We have a two-handed optacon---even in its
basic formâ€â€and since Mr. Noel Runyan recommended a one-handed
option, we
now have that as well. So be it. Having said these things, it is my
“sense†or belief that a simple up-to-date small optacon simply
will
not sell, take wings and fly. no matter the zeal of present optacon
 users. I could be wrong, given proper education of blind people,
especially children, but that is how it looks realistically from this
user’s vantage. If no new optacon users come along, ten years
from now
will show a very different optacon-user landscape compared to
today. Therefore, from this line of reasoning, I have combined the basic
optacon III with a small, standard computer (around the size of a Braille
Sense U2 32-cell model; smaller than a Braille Lite 40) and a built-in
32-cell braille display (which unfortunately and to my chagrin and
sincere regret and wish for the contrary is proprietary at this time, and
this goes against Every sentiment and wish within me to have it
so!). The braille display can be built by hand for a few hundred
dollars, and likely would be less costly if produced by automation and in
numbers greater than 99 per batch. At this point, the optacon
III’s
display fits nicely behind the spacebar and between dots 1 and 4 of the
device’s perkin
 s keyboard. So, along one long edge at the front is the 32-cell
display
(built with banks of 4 braille cells per bank, smaller than bimorph-based
cells), and the optacon III’s display is right at the back edge,
between dots 1 and 4, and therefore in the middle of the edge. The
device has as many useful functions as any hand-held computer with a
robust braille display and good accessibility. However, if the optacon
III’s vibrotactile display is built into the hand-held computer
with
its inexpensive and robust braille display, several questions come to
mind for which I do need feedback.
1. Although the smart display could be made mechanically to slide in and
out of its place, like the old PCMCIA cards, when the display is removed
and connected to its camera, a rectangle-like void about the size of a fat
domino would be left in the hand-held computer with its braille
display. So, what to do in order to prevent this mechanical oddity or use
the empty display space?
2. Is there a better way to design the mechanics of the device?
The only reason why I’m evolving toward solidifying the optacon
III’s
design as part of an encompassing system is that on its own, a new optacon
likely would not sell, so other things must be added. Likely enough, most
people would use the braille display and computer more often than the
optacon III’s vibrotactile display. The only two reasons I can see
for
being able to detach the optacon III’s display from the hand-held
computer are:
1. To connect it to its camera for one-handed use.
2. To use it as a stand-alone, small, versatile optacon.
Otherwise, and if a stand-alone optacon would indeed sell, this stuff
about a hand-held computer with a built-in braille display would not be an
issue.
If the smart display were merely tacked onto one end or the other of the
hand-held computer, that would solve nothing and would make ergonomic
design and use even worse.
I doubt a market exists for two optacon III versions: a one-handed optacon
and a two-handed optacon, and also not likely for a simple, stand-alone
optacon III. If I had my way, I would build the detachable optacon III
into an encompassing system, and find a good use for that fat domino void,
or find a way so it doesn’t happen in the first place.
So, please, any thoughts and suggestions? No doubt the mechanical
solution for this is simple and straightforward.
Chuck
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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.
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I would like to have a device
merely for reading.
Best wishes,
Marianne
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.
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I would like to have a device
merely for reading.
Best wishes,
Marianne
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.
You know, we have been reading about the Optacon
3 for some years now and it doesn't seem to be
any closer to reality. Will this remain a pipe
dream forever. All the discussions and exchanges
of thoughts and ideas about it don't seem to get
anywhere. Perhaps discussions should change
direction and begin focussing on actually making
it happen. I have to ask myself: will I see a
redesigned Optacon within the remainder of my lifetime?
Kind regards
Christo
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carolyn Arnold
Sent: Sunday, 18 December 2016 5:27 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding
the ergonomic design and mechanics of the optacon III
The more bells and whistles, the more the cost
of design and manufacturing and the more things
there are to go wrong - KISS - keep it simple, smart guy.
Bye for now,
Carolyn
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of C. Pond
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 5:47 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding
the ergonomic design and mechanics of the optacon III
I must confess to being confused by the
replies. On the one hand, we want an
Optacon-like device just for reading. On the
other hand, we want an optacon module which is a part of a device. All
doable.
The souped up optacon III--which looked very
much like the Optacon II in a polished smooth
metal case did just that. The speech was made
to work thanks to the help of a certain
company. It could respond to input from its
specialized camera of course, and from a
scanner, and of course read files in memory.
It seems now that a module as a part of a more
encompassing system with one-handed reading capabilities is what is
prefered?
Just to understand, is this correct?
Personally, I liked the souped up Optacon III
just fine, but the reality for better or worse
is that it might needs be a part of a greater system. Man:
I could see as the device was several features
like a nifty audio-calculator with the benefit
of an optacon display working together just fine, but so be it.
Thanks for clarification,
Chuck
-----Original Message-----
From: Marianne Näränen
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 5:11 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding
the ergonomic design and mechanics of the optacon III
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I
would like to have a device merely for reading.
Best wishes,
Marianne
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.
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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.
You know, we have been reading about the Optaconto reality.
3 for some years now and it doesn't seem to be any closer
Will this remain a pipe dream forever. All the discussionsand
exchanges of thoughts and ideas about it don't seem to getanywhere.
Perhaps discussions should change direction and beginfocussing on
actually making it happen. I have to ask myself: will I seea
redesigned Optacon within the remainder of my lifetime?Carolyn Arnold
Kind regards
Christo
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Sent: Sunday, 18 December 2016 5:27 PMdesign and
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic
mechanics of the optacon IIIand
The more bells and whistles, the more the cost of design
manufacturing and the more things there are to go wrong -KISS - keep
it simple, smart guy.Pond
Bye for now,
Carolyn
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of C.
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 5:47 AMdesign and
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic
mechanics of the optacon IIIone hand, we
I must confess to being confused by the replies. On the
want an Optacon-like device just for reading. On the otherhand, we
want an optacon module which is a part of a device. Alldoable.
Optacon II
The souped up optacon III--which looked very much like the
in a polished smooth metal case did just that. The speechwas made to
work thanks to the help of a certain company. It couldrespond to
input from its specialized camera of course, and from ascanner, and of
course read files in memory.system with
It seems now that a module as a part of a more encompassing
one-handed reading capabilities is what is prefered?but the
Just to understand, is this correct?
Personally, I liked the souped up Optacon III just fine,
reality for better or worse is that it might needs be apart of a
greater system. Man:
I could see as the device was several features like a nifty
audio-calculator with the benefit of an optacon displayworking
together just fine, but so be it.design and
Thanks for clarification,
Chuck
-----Original Message-----
From: Marianne Näränen
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2016 5:11 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: a question regarding the ergonomic
mechanics of the optacon IIIhave a device
Hello,
I definitely agree with Noel and Carolyn, I would like to
merely for reading.(without
Best wishes,
Marianne
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"
thesending a
quotes) in the message subject.
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by
message(without the
to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe"
quotes) in the message subject.software.
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus
https://www.avast.com/antivirus(without
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"
the quotes) in the message subject.sending a message to:
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by
(without the
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe"
quotes) in the message subject.(without
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"
the quotes) in the message subject.sending a message to:
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by
(without the
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe"
quotes) in the message subject.(without
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"
the quotes) in the message subject.sending a message to:
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by
(without the
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe"
quotes) in the message subject.
