[Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions

Tue Nov 28 22:27:15 CST 2006

I didn't say that it wouldn't work, it will.  I am just saying that 
that is not optimally what the KNFB Reader was designed to do, so 
that in my opinion future features to facilitate such a use should be 
lower than features that facilitate its use as a portable device, which it is.

Dave

At 10:03 PM 11/28/2006, you wrote:
>I respectfuly want to argue against that the reader cannot or is not
>meant to read a book. The biggest problem is the text near the binding
>when the page curves near the inner marjins. That's why I made a table
>with glass on top and the camera in a mount on the bottom. Then you can
>slightly flatten out the binding like when using a flatbed. I'll try to
>post a scan of 2 pages just to prove it will work.
>This argument would be like saying a motorcycle couldn't possibly drive
>across the country.
>Kevin
>skype kevinrj
>
>Chad F Allen wrote:
> > I think that a batch mode would be a fine thing. I don't really understand
> > the argument that the KNFB Reader should not work for reading a book. If it
> > can read mail, menus, and other loose-leaf paper, why can't it read a book?
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
> > [mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Jones
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:31 PM
> > To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
> > Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions
> >
> > I at least want the option. I designed a table with glass on top and a
> > camera mount in the base. It has lights on it so you don't need a flash.
> > I've been scanning books with a digital camera and then transfering the
> > images to my pc for omnipage for 2 years. Even if you're in public and
> > you have a 10 page document i'd much rather have scan batch than not. It
> > would be so easy to put in. The user should decide if they want to use
> > the option I'd rather be disapointed in something I could try than wish
> > I could try it.
> > Kevin
> >
> > David Andrews wrote:
> >> I personally don't see the need, or at least little need for a batch
> >> mode.  This device is not intended to be used to read long documents
> >> like books, and I think people who do will be disappointed.
> >>
> >> Dave
> >>
> >> At 06:44 PM 11/28/2006, you wrote:
> >>> it's so basic though, you're already almost separating them when you
> >>> change the camera battery.
> >>> James was saying they're working on the next update.
> >>> Something we reall yneed is a batch mode. If the knfb reader is ever to
> >>> be efficient in scanning multi-page documents, we really need a scan in
> >>> batch mode, every ocr program has it.
> >>> I would also like to see a more automated way to update the units.
> >>> Having to send the sd card back to the dealer is very time costly and
> >>> inconvenient for many I would think? I'm sure some kind of registration
> >>> could be figured out.
> >>> hey I'll be hoping for the batch mode first; but wonder what some of the
> >>> rest of you think.
> >>> Kevin
> >>>
> >>> Mike Freeman wrote:
> >>>> I'd bet that would void the warranty.
> >>>>
> >>>> Mike
> >>>>
> >>>> On Tue, 28 Nov 2006, Kim Morrow wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> The thing is--if you're really sure of what you're doing,  then
> >>> removing the
> >>>>> camera and the PDA into separate entities is fine. . . but you
> >>> have to have
> >>>>> a fair amount of confidence that you can keep the unit functioning. The
> >>>>> manual doesn't recommend doing this. Then again--if you can do
> >>> it with great
> >>>>> results, more power to you!
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Kimberly
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>> From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
> >>>>> [mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Jones
> >>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 6:43 AM
> >>>>> To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
> >>>>> Subject: Re: [Reader-users] new KNFB reader user poses questions
> >>>>>
> >>>>> ye I wasn't lucky enough to be born into a family that rich either.
> >>>>> The reason why you would want to use a  tripod, to use the reader on a
> >>>>> large say 100 page or more document. The problem is because of the pda
> >>>>> attached, it won't fit on a tripod.
> >>>>> I actually have a special cable made so i can remove the camera from
> > the
> >>>>> case and connect the cable between the camera and the reader case so
> >>>>> that I can use tripods. Cable is new so I haven't played too much yet.
> >>>>> Kevin
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Lewis, Graham wrote:
> >>>>>> [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: mailto:graham.lewis at warwick.ac.uk 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/
> >>>>> 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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