[gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?

Mon Oct 8 18:12:47 CDT 2007

Thank you for this, its been extremely helpful.

-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Wayne Merritt
Sent: Tuesday, 9 October 2007 9:01 AM
To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?

Here's a brief list of the new features that will be included on the Pac 
Mate Omni, taken from the Pac Mate Gear site. No date has been given to the 
release of the new Omni. All that was said at the summer convention that it 
would be, "... sometime in the fall." At a recent convention a few weeks 
ago, the FS representative said mid October, but don't quote me on that. As 
with others, I'd recommend getting a demo of both the Pm and BN and deciding

from there. Consider first which device will meet your needs, keeping in 
mind what you want, and go from there.
Good luck: Wayne

This list will be updated with new information as it becomes available. Most

of the information in this below list comes from the July 2007 FSCast 
available from the FSCast Subscription page.

  a.. 128MB Flash Rom upgrade
  b.. Windows Mobile 6.0
  c.. Windows Live tools built-in
  d.. Windows Live messenger with push-to-talk voice memo functionality
  e.. Push e-mail
  f.. Built-in bluetooth and wi-fi drivers
  g.. Access to view power point presentations.
  h.. Softkey support for applications
  i.. A more keyboard centric interface

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "don bishop" <w6smb at donbishop.org>
To: "NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 12:21 AM
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?

> Dane,
>
> This doesn't directly address your question regarding the type of
> note taker to get, but do you think a usb to serial adapter might
> get your braille display working.  You didn't mention what kind of
> display it is.  Just a thought.
>
> I got a note taker for many of the same reasons you are considering
> one now.  I personally like the braillenote, and specifically the
> MPower qt-32 which has a 32-character display and a qwerty keyboard.
>
> It does only run applications specifically written for the keysoft
> operating system while the pac mate will reportedly run many 3rd
> party applications.  So, if this is a concern for you, you need to
> take that into account.
>
> The quality of braille on the MPower is excellent as well.
>
> I have not personally used a pacmate and really don't want to get
> into the product bashing mode which these types of discussions
> usually get to.  Both systems have their plusses and minusses and it
> probably really depends on what you would primarily use the device
> for.  I'd really suggest trying to get a serious demo of both
> products and maybe even be allowed to use each for a few days to see
> for yourself.
>
> As for gps, the Sendero gps system for the braillenote is truly a
> superior product and works extremely well.  It is also extremely
> easy to install which I've heard the gps for the pacmate is not at
> all easy to install.  But, lest the bashing begin, my reports on
> installing to the pacmate are all second hand, so don't take it as
> gospel.
>
> Finally, as if this wasn't enough, you might also wish to consider
> the notetakers sold by gwmicro, the developers of window eyes.
>
> You can get information on these machines at:
>
> www.gwmicro.com
> and there is quite a bit of detailed information there.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Don
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dane Trethowan" <grtdane at iprimus.com.au>
> To: <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 9:43 PM
> Subject: [gui-talk] A Pacmate or a Braillenote?
>
>
>> Hi Everyone!
>>
>> Ok, if I may outline my situation here, regrettably my hearing has
>> become
>> worse so I'm looking at various pieces of equipment which will
>> allow me to
>> A: make the most of what remaining hearing I have and B:, allow me
>> to work
>> and play affectively as my hearing keeps degrading, unfortunately
>> it looks
>> as though degradation will continue but not to worry <smile>.
>>
>> I have a Braille display here but it is well past its prime, that
>> is to say
>> no new computer systems will work with the thing because new
>> computers these
>> days are not equipped with serial or parallel ports so I've been
>> pondering
>> this problem, if I were to get a new Braille display then I may as
>> well pay
>> the extra and get a portable device such as a BrailleNote or
>> Pacmate and
>> yep, coming to this conclusion has meant that I've had to swallow
>> a little
>> of my pride as I've been of the opinion that these devices have
>> been "pieces
>> of over-priced trash" in the past <smile>.
>>
>> So I'm asking, what device would be better in my situation or are
>> they both
>> on a par with each other? I have to admit that the GPS features
>> that the
>> latest version of the Braillenote offers sounds most attractive.
>>
>> I'd be interested to hear from both Keynote and Pacmate users or
>> perhaps
>> from anyone who has a device which beats those two, one just never
>> knows
>> what's out there these days.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>
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