[Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

[Gashel, James]

Hi Graham and all:

Please see my note to Susie about the contrasting background.  

Regarding what you say as an "external speaker," I don't know what you
are refering to.  The Reader has a built-in speaker.  Many of us use
various kinds of external speakers in circumstances when we need to do
so, but in this case we connect them by means of the earphone jack.
Most of these external speakers, which can be purchased at standard
electronics stores, are designed with on-off and volume controls.  The
speaker in the Reader itself can't be disabled by using the Reader
software.  If the internal speaker is somehow switched off, the only
thing I could recommend is to press the reset button to restart the
program.   

-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lewis, Graham
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 9:24 AM
To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

Even with white paper on a white table, ot seems to find the corners
very well but I susepct a surface a bit darker might help and also a
surface that is plain. 
 
Does anybody know how to turn the external speaker back on?  I seem to
have disabled it.
 
Graham Lewis
Centre for Academic Practice
University of Warwick
University House
Kirby Corner Road
Coventry CV4 8UW
UK
Email: graham.lewis at warwick.ac.uk
Tel.: (+44) (0) 24 765 72737
Mobile: 07703100401
Fax.: (+44) (0) 24 765 72736
Blog: http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/glewis/

 

________________________________

From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org on behalf of Gary Wunder
Sent: Tue 28/11/2006 14:03
To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions



Only try to ensure there is good light.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list"
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions


> Kimberly,
>
> I think Jan's comments about fussing too much with the placement of 
> the reader are correct.  If you hold the reader above the page, about 
> 16 inches, as the manual suggests, and don't worry a whole lot about 
> the placement (just try to hold it pretty much center), you should get

> a good picture.
> Also, be sure that the settings have the camera flash always on, and 
> resolution high.  Some people have found it helpful to place the 
> camera flat on the page and then lift straight up to the 16 inch 
> height, and then snap the picture.You shouldn't have to worry, much 
> about your surroundings when taking a picture.
>
> Cindy
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kim Morrow" <morrowmediakc at yahoo.com>
> To: <reader-users at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 3:20 AM
> Subject: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions
>
>
>            A few days ago, I had the honor and privilege of receiving 
> a KNFB Reader as a gift. Since that time, I have logged in quite a 
> number of hours reading the manuals cover to cover and experimenting 
> with the device.
> While the KNFB Reader appears to be a marvelous tool, I am 
> experiencing challenges in taking consistently effective pictures of 
> material that would render the material legible. I'm quite confident 
> that such is the case with many a new KNFB Reader user, expecially 
> those who, like me, are totally blind from birth and have thus not 
> experienced the opportunity to learn about conditions that make for 
> optimal picture-taking environments.
>
>
>
> Here is the greatest challenge I am currently experiencing: No matter 
> how clear the text I am attempting to scan may be, I am discovering 
> that there is little consistency in how the scan will turn out. I have

> attempted to always orient myself from the same portion of the page, 
> e.g. always from the upper righthand or lefthand corner or always from

> the middle), with very mixed results ranging from an almost perfect 
> scan to totally illegible. I have attempted to cover one side of a 
> text-filled book (containing no pictures), with a white sheet of 
> typing paper, so that I am sure the correct side of a page is read. I 
> have asked sighted friends to assist me in minimizing glare and to 
> assist in the location of optimal scanning environments e.g. 
> surrounding surfaces that are not too dark, Etc.)-still with extremely

> mixed results.
>
>
>
> My question, then: What are some rules of the road not listed in the 
> manuals that might make the scanning experience for a first-time user 
> more consistent and effective? My expectations for the capabilities of

> this device are much higher than what I have thus far been able to 
> achieve, since I am attempting to scan texts with no pictures with 
> very standard print.
> If
> I were attempting to scan CD covers or cereal boxes, I believe my 
> expectations for excellence would be quite out of line.
>
>
>
> Are there any consistent guidelines I can follow beyond those listed 
> in the manual in terms of taking effective pictures of material?
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Kimberly Morrow
>
>
>
> morrowmediakc at yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------
>
>
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