[Reader-users] knfb reader hardware

[Gashel, James]

Hi Kevin and all:

Thank you for your comments and suggestions about expanding
functionality of the Reader.  Although the camera and PDA we use in the
Reader are separate, off the shelf components, each of these components
was chosen because of its unique qualities to perform the functions of
this particular product.  They were not chosen because of their
excellent qualities as either a digital camera or a PDA or for any other
reason whatsoever.  The goal we set out to achieve from the very
beginning was to create a reading device and develop it to perform as
many reading functions as possible.  

As you probably know, we conducted an extensive beta test prior to
releasing the Reader for sale.  The question of enabling certain PDA
functions was definitely discussed by participants across the country.
Nothing is cast in stone on this, but the prevailing view has been that
we should remain true to the original mission of creating and developing
the reading machine, rather than devoting development effort to expand
functionality of this device to do things already achievable by other
technology.  

While it is certainly true that we are using a digital camera as part of
the Reader, we are not using the camera to perform the typical function
of taking pictures of objects.  In fact, we are using the camera in its
remote mode and not in its normal picture taking mode.  Likewise, we are
only using the PDA to perform the function of a computer needed to run
the software for the Reader.  We are not using the PDA as a PDA.  Your
comments about a combination product are helpful, but this explains our
current thinking.  

Also, we are sensitive to the concerns of some that this product needs
to be as simple and straight forward as it possibly can be.  Adding new
features and functionality is definitely desireable, but this will also
add more complexity.  For example, we are presently working on changes
to add new features, but these are aimed at reading different kinds of
printed things which the Reader does not now read.  This responds to the
prevailing demand and our mission to continue to develop this product as
a reader first, rather than letting our focus drift into creating a
multifunctional information device.  

Thanks, J. G.

******************************************

James Gashel
Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland  21230
Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2227
Fax:  (410) 685-5653
Email:  jgashel at nfb.org

-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Jones
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 9:13 PM
To: reader-users at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Reader-users] knfb reader hardware

Someone wrote on this list they talked to tech support about what the
reader was made of, wonder what they learned. Here's what I learned, and
I have the newer version of the hardware. The camera is a canon
powershot sd20. It sells for about $250 has auto focus but no zoom, 5
mega-pixels.
The pda for th ereader is the loox 560n from Fujitsu-siemens, a very
nice pocket pc. The pcocessor runs at 624mhz which is the fastest
processor for a pocket pc to date. The ppc also has built-in gps, too
bad we can't use it. They picked this model because out of all the
pocket pcs only those by Fujitsu have usb host, all the rest only have
usb client. The other interesting thing is Fujitsu doesn't even sell any
of their pocket pc line in north America, you can only buy them in
Europe and Asia.
  The ppc sells for about $700. I would love if the knfb reader could
co-exist with a screen reader like mobile speak pocket, so you could
both use the pda, and use th ereader even if that decision was made
during a soft reset.
Kevin
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