[Reader-users] Serious Reader blues

[Mike Freeman]

Debbra:

First, I don't believe we have 3.5 -- we have 3.1.5. As for why there's 
a lag time in availability, I can't say except that the PDAs are 
different so versions must be compiled for both machines. I shouldn't 
think NFB would be responsible for compiling code for the KES machines; 
it would just provide the source to KES to compile on their own systems. 
All that is speculation on my part, of course.

As for the problems with your Reader, no one would be happy. But since 
you didn't buy it yourself, you're kind of S O L, at least to the extent 
that you can only have redress thru KES.

Mike

On Tue, 14 Nov 2006, Deborah Kendrick wrote:

> Hi All,
> This isn't exactly something that should go to the list, but I'm so unhappy
> that I thought maybe all of you could offer some help.
> As you may know, I was a Reader Pioneer, and instantly took to and loved the
> KNFB Reader.  I did lots of demonstrations -- all of them successful -- and
> used it in all manner of situations.  I wanted to keep it, but couldn't
> afford it.  Under a "post employment' kind of thing, I got the VR system in
> my state to purchase one for me.  It all was seamless -- or so I thought: My
> new one arrived, and I immediately sent the test unit back.
>
> But my new unit was ordered through an Ohio vendor who orders them all from
> Kurzweil.  My first frustration was the limited amount of time it holds a
> charge -- not even a whole day frequently.  Then, I was unhappy because
> everyone else on the list seemed to be getting 3.1 and I didn't have it.
> The dealer told me it wasn't out yet!  Then my unit totally crashed -- no
> hard reset would do.  I finally got tech support (through the Ohio vendor
> again) and was told to turn the camera on and off a few times.  Strangely,
> that jump started the unit.  I was going to San Francisco for five days and
> really wanted to use it.  But alas, by the time I got there, that jump start
> was ineffective.  Nothing could persuade the unit to come to life.
> Add to this frustration that the dealer told me last Wednesday that I now
> can get 3.1 (never mind that many of you already have 3.5) but that in order
> to get it, I must first send in my SD card.
>
> If there is indeed a new company, merging the efforts of Kurzweil and the
> Federation, why then is there so much disparity between the two sources for
> the Reader?  Our state convention starts day after tomorrow, and I'm sure
> all of us who do have the Reader will be asked by others to show it.  All I
> have is what seems to be a piece of junk.
>
> Yes, I'll go back to the dealer from whence it came, but the above questions
> remain valid.  Why will the upgrades from Kurzweil lag behind those from
> NFB?  And why must I jump through hoops to get them?
>
> Anyone who knows anything or can give me direction will be my hero/heroine
> of the day!
>
> Deborah
>
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