[Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

[Gashel, James]

Hi Kim:

We are actually working on this as we speak.  We don't have anything to
announce just yet, but the prospects are very promising.   

-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kim Morrow
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 11:07 AM
To: 'Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list'
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

A thought: I wonder if NFB has ever thought about manufacturing a
tripod-like device specifically for the KNFB Reader. If not--why not? 

Kimberly


-----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 4:02 AM
To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

Wow you have rich and or generous friends!  Please introduce me to them!
 
When it was working, I was getting quite amazing resultseven at angles
of around 10 to 12 percent off the virtical.  It struggles with low text
to backgprund contrast such as grey text or coloured text on colured
backgprunds but then a desktop scanner would too.
 
I did notice that the camera seems to have a screw nounting on the
bottom which might be useful as the device could be attached to the
bottom on a camera tripod.  Not sure why I would do that rather than use
my dektop scanner but just a thought.
 
 
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 Kim Morrow
Sent: Tue 28/11/2006 08:20
To: reader-users at nfbnet.org
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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