New Braille Notetaker From Papenmeier

Fri Jun 29 10:59:28 EDT 2001

Refreshable braille has not improved, nor has it come down in price,
because it's a difficult problem to solve, a costly problem to solve, and
a costly technology to create a manufacturing infrastructure for. If there
were a large enough market, it would be done already. But, there is not
now, nor is there likely ever to be, sufficient market demand to resolve
this issue.
Therefore, it will be done only by government or non-profit initiative,
and some dedicated engineers more interested in doing something important
for people who are otherwise left out than in making lots of money.

Don't think that no one has tried. That is not true. There have been
several projects, most recently at NIST. But, no one has engineered a
solution that can be proven to work well and be more affordable to produce
and market.

You asked why. I have answered assuming this was not an idle question.

 On Thu, 28 Jun 2001, Victor Tsaran wrote:

> Steve, two hands and two feet in support! $6000 is not for a student. I
> don't know why refreshable Braile hasn't improved since. Very sad, really...
> Vic
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stephen Dawes" <sdawes at gov.calgary.ab.ca>
> To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 4:44 PM
> 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
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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