New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier

Wed Jun 27 12:14:23 EDT 2001

I know that in the U.S. anyhow, if a technology is seen as benneficial, it
usually gets into the schools and special ed. money is around to purchase.
But I totally agree -- refreshable braille is just too expensive ... I fall
right through the cracks -- I'm working 2 part time jobs which keeps me fed
and housed, but little more. Refreshable braille would be a wonderful thing
for me, but there's no way that me or my employers will ever be able to
afford it.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Dawes" <sdawes at gov.calgary.ab.ca>
To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 10:44 AM
Subject: RE: New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier

> My problem with this whole thing is the cost.  Once again a piece of
> technology has been made and a high cost is attached to it.  If students
and
> individuals are to take advantage of this innovation, then why isn't cost
> taken to consideration.  Cost is not a factor for the professionals of the
> world, as their companies are more then likely to purchase the device for
> them.  Cost becomes a problem when Little Johnny wants or needs one, and
Mom
> and Dad are struggling to keep on top of things as it is.  Refreshable
> Braille technology has been around since late 1970's / early 1980's, and I
> can't say that I have noticed a noticeable drop in the cost that is
> associated with this old technology.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I am not singing the blues for myself because cost is
> not a factor for me, but I am thinking of those who benefit from this
> technology, and won't because of the cost.  Yes, this is a limited market.
> But how long can this limited mark be continually taken to the cleaners
> before people start saying enough is enough.
>
> Well, that is my soap box contribution before the first cup of coffee
today!
>
> Steve Dawes
> PHONE:  (403) 268-5527.
> E-MAIL ADDRESS:  sdawes at gov.calgary.ab.ca
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca
> > [mailto:speakup-admin at braille.uwo.ca]On Behalf Of David Poehlman
> > Sent: 2001 June 27 8:31 AM
> > To: speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > Subject: Re: New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier
> >
> >
> > ah, but if the cdr is built in???
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Janina Sajka" <janina at afb.net>
> > To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 9:54 AM
> > Subject: Re: New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier
> >
> >
> > You miss the point, I think. DTBs will be distributed in many ways--even
> > over the net, eventually. But, even if one gets a CDR based book, one
> > would still prefer to copy it to one's hd before heading off to the
> > library, the schoolroom, the conference room, the airport, etc., etc.
> > It's
> > the same old argument I've made here before--having stuff hanging off
> > your
> > portable unit is less than optimal. The more you need to connect
> > something
> > else using a cable, the less inclined you are to do so in many portable
> > situations--like on the school bus, for example.
> >  On Tue, 26 Jun 2001,
> > Saqib Shaikh wrote:
> >
> > > surely digital talking books will be distributed on cdrom, and not on
> > hard
> > > disk, so all they need is to support a usb/pcmcia/parallel cdrom
> > drive.
> > > saqib
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Janina Sajka" <janina at afb.net>
> > > To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> > > Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 11:09 PM
> > > Subject: Re: New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier
> > >
> > >
> > > > Actually, this memory storage defect is rather serious. Digital
> > Talking
> > > > Books are really here if you're a K-12 student in a blind school in
> > the
> > > > U.S. They're also already a reality in Japan and Sweden. They're
> > coming
> > > > next spring in Canada and Great Britain. They needs hundreds of Mb
> > per
> > > > book on average, so will not be well supported in this device at
> > all,
> > > > unless Papenmeier get a real hd inside but soon.
> > > >  On Tue, 26 Jun 2001, Rich
> > > > Caloggero wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Now, can you get a hard drive in a PCCard (pcmcia) form? This
> > might make
> > > it
> > > > > truly usable. Well, actually, for a straight portable computer for
> > > personal
> > > > > organizing and business applications, it looks great. However, 16
> > > megabyts
> > > > > isn't even 4 moderately long mp3s.
> > > > >
> > > > >                     Rich
> > > > >
> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: "Gregory Nowak" <romualt at megsinet.net>
> > > > > To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> > > > > Sent: 26 June, 2001 5:33 PM
> > > > > Subject: Re: New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Enough to keep me personally entertained.
> > > > > Greg
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Tue, Jun 26, 2001 at 03:16:00PM -0400, Mike Calvo wrote:
> > > > > > How many of your best mp3 files would fit in 16mb I wonder.
> > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > From: "Gregory Nowak" <romualt at megsinet.net>
> > > > > > To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 2:49 PM
> > > > > > Subject: Re: New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Sounds like Freedom Scientific and
> > > > > > > Paulse Data just got some formidable compatition.
> > > > > > > Any word on the price of this thing?
> > > > > > > Greg
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On Tue, Jun 26, 2001 at 05:38:02PM +0100, Saqib Shaikh wrote:
> > > > > > > > Thought this may be of interest to people:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The new notetaker that works!
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Papenmeier will be demonstrating their new ELBA braille
> > > notetaker,
> > > > > at
> > > > > > > > sight Village on the 16th to the 18th July.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The ELBA Papenmeiers New Braille Assistant, combines all
> > of your
> > > > > > computer
> > > > > > > > and Braille requirements into one compact and easy to use
> > device.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > With the ELBA, you can surf the web, send and receive
> > e-mails,
> > > > > listen
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > your favourite MP3 files, and write a letter to your Boss
> > all at
> > > the
> > > > > > same
> > > > > > > > time!
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The Braille Assistant comes with a complete suite of
> > programs,
> > > all
> > > > > > menu
> > > > > > > > driven, for easy use, with the added functionality of quick
> > keys
> > > for
> > > > > > power
> > > > > > > > users.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > It includes a modem, network card, serial and parallel
> > interface
> > > ,
> > > > > USB
> > > > > > > > port and PCMCIA slot, all as standard!
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The ELBA offers its users the choice of querty or Braille
> > imput,
> > > and
> > > > > > > > provides output and feedback with excellent speech with a
> > choice
> > > of
> > > > > > > > languages, and 18 or 32 cell refreshable Braille display.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > With its multi-tasking abilities, large storage facilities
> > for
> > > > > storing
> > > > > > > > your documents and MP3 files, combined with Papenmeiers
> > > world-renowned
> > > > > > build
> > > > > > > > quality, the speed and stability of the Linux operating
> > system,
> > > the
> > > > > ELba
> > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > the Braille Notetaker that takes note of your requirements,
> > and
> > > works
> > > > > > for
> > > > > > > > you.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The full specifications are as follows:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Program Suite
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Word processor, File Manager, File transfer to and from
> > PC, File
> > > > > > converter
> > > > > > > > (read and write WinWord compatible format), Braille
> > translator,
> > > > > E-mail,
> > > > > > > > Internet browser, Scientific Calculator, MP3 Player,
> > Voicenote,
> > > > > > Spreadsheet,
> > > > > > > > Scheduler / Planner, Address book, Data base, Cellular phone
> > > > > management,
> > > > > > > > Root shell (bash) for power users allowing direct access to
> > the
> > > Linux
> > > > > > > > system.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The ELba comes with the following ports:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Serial (RS232) with standard 9-pin connector, Parallel
> > with
> > > standard
> > > > > > > > 25-pin connector
> > > > > > > > > USB Client, PS/2 keyboard, Standard Type II PCMCIA /
> > Cardbus
> > > slot
> > > > > > Ethernet
> > > > > > > > (RJ45)
> > > > > > > > > Internal 56k modem, or optionally, internal ISDN card
> > instead of
> > > > > modem
> > > > > > > > (RJ45)
> > > > > > > > > Speaker Output, Microphone Input
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Remote Braille Display capabilities
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Braille Terminal to allow Braillex Elba to act as a
> > Braille
> > > display
> > > > > > and
> > > > > > > > Braille keyboard for other computers
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Visual Display Support
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Connection via the serial port to an (optional) external
> > LCD
> > > display
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Technical Specifications
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > 32-bit Digital StrongARM RISC processor
> > > > > > > > > Linux operating system
> > > > > > > > > DRAM 32 Mbytes
> > > > > > > > > Flash Memory 16 Mbytes
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Physical Characteristics
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Dimensions:  300 x 215 x 50 mm (11.8" x 8.5" x 2")
> > > > > > > > > ca. 2 Kg (4.5 lb) for 32-cell version
> > > > > > > > > Aluminium-magnesium case
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Carry Case
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Soft carrying case with shoulder strap.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Papenmeier UK
> > > > > > > > > Telephone Number 0870 6061506   Fax 01245 231157
> > > > > > > > > E-mail  Braillex at globalnet.co.uk
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > > > > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > > > > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > > > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > > > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > > >
> > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > >
> > > > Janina Sajka, Director
> > > > Technology Research and Development
> > > > Governmental Relations Group
> > > > American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
> > > >
> > > > Email: janina at afb.net Phone: (202) 408-8175
> > > >
> > > > Chair, Accessibility SIG
> > > > Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
> > > > http://www.openebook.org
> > > >
> > > > Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper,
> > > > Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.html
> > > >
> > > > Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther
> > > > King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at
> > > > http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp
> > > >
> > > > Learn how to make accessible software at
> > > http://www.afb.org/technology/accessapp.html
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Speakup mailing list
> > > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Janina Sajka, Director
> > Technology Research and Development
> > Governmental Relations Group
> > American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
> >
> > Email: janina at afb.net Phone: (202) 408-8175
> >
> > Chair, Accessibility SIG
> > Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF)
> > http://www.openebook.org
> >
> > Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper,
> > Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.html
> >
> > Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther
> > King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at
> > http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp
> >
> > Learn how to make accessible software at
> > http://www.afb.org/technology/accessapp.html
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>