[Reader-users] Program Philosophy Changes Needed

Wed Nov 29 11:07:39 CST 2006

I agree with Mike.  Six months ago, or so, we didn't have anything like this 
Reader.  When it came out, we were thrilled to have it for what it could 
do...something we'd never had before.  Now, it seems like people want to 
make this a replacement for a scanner or sighted reader.  That's not what it 
was ever intended to be.   Yes, there should be improvements, as time goes 
on, and I know there will be.  But, let's just remember what this device was 
intended to do, in the first place.

Cindy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list" 
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] Program Philosophy Changes Needed

Corey:

The problem is procesor power. It takes a helluva lot of power to analyze
images. So a run-of-the-mil PDA won't cut it.

As far as batch processing goes, there's an inherent inconsistency or,
rather, assumption in the thinking of many: that is that one will always get
the orientation right as one scans pages. To a certain extent, this is a
matter of practice. But there's always the odd page that doesn't scan well.
And one won't know until long afterward. And, given the limitations of the
PDA and the constraints upon the complexity of the Reader software, it's not
feasible at present to go back and edit pages on the PDA. Moreover, it's
like the old saw of not getting a job without experience while needing a job
to get that experience. One needs to analyze the image to know if one got a
good scan and this is the antithesis of batch processing.

Finally, NFB does not have unlimited time, manpower or resources; we must
put these to work in areas where other devices are not available. While
reading books with the Reader would be nice, there are other systems that do
this more efficiently. In my view, Reader development should concentrate on
making the Reader do what other devices -- yes, even money identifiers --
don't do. And the more one complicates a device, the more avenues one
introduces for errors. This is great for tech support people but not so
great for the rest of us!

That's my take, anyway.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cory Martin" <cory_martin at shaw.ca>
To: "'Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list'"
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 9:29 PM
Subject: [Reader-users] Program Philosophy Changes Needed

Hello List,
First off before I get started I would like to point out that I do
not have one of these devices so thus cannot comment on the overall
functionality of the device itself.  From what I understand of it the Reader
sounds like a very exciting advancement in the way the Visually Impaired can
access information.  Keep in mind that the Visually Impaired are not really
capable of reading or writing technically anyway and without technology such
as this that problem becomes almost unsolvable.  We finally have a device
that is hand held no longer tying one to a desk and flatbed scanner.
When it comes to features why would a batch option be anything but a
bad idea?  In all reality it's not likely one would take the time to scan a
book with the reader unless they could have a way of orienting the camera
correctly to the page with each page, but just because it might not work
doesn't mean it shouldn't be there to use if needed.
My last and final comment is directed more at the developers of the
Reader itself.  It's not really anything more than a suggestion but, for
those of us who do not need a device that is simplified down to one
interface, why not design the reader in such a way so that it can be an
add-on application to the rest of an already existing PDA?  I have a PDA and
it works fine but I know I wouldn't want to carry a PDA strictly for
scanning documents, one specifically for GPS and one for general media and
note taking functions.  Can you imagine trying to remember to charge all the
batteries?  I believe that there should be a version of the KNFB reader made
available for one who wishes to add it to a standard PDA based on a
licensing system, and then one can provide their own input device, such as a
recommended camera perhaps sold with the software optionally.  Just a
thought...A PDA should be universal.
Cory

-----Original Message-----
From: reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:reader-users-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rob Monitor
Sent: November 28, 2006 10:14 PM
To: Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] Joined today

Hi, I was wondering how the optacon worked I seen one back in the early 80's

but did not have the chants to really look at it...Some one  was using it
in a ofice and when I asked about it  they said they just got it and did not

know that much about it...
    thanks rob
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Evelyn Weckerly" <weckerly at i2k.com>
To: "Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader users list"
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 9:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Reader-users] Joined today

> Hi,
>
> I had an Optacon thanks to the Mott Foundation. I had it from 1980
> until I got version 2 of what is now k1000. I finally sold it to
> someone who desperately wanted a spare because his job depended on
> that technology.
>
> Evelyn
>
> At 07:55 PM 11/28/2006, you wrote:
>>Hi users of the new Kurzweil NFB reader, Ken Lawrence Central  Chapter.
>>Just
>>joined the list today looking forward to the dialog and the  latest news
>>concerning the reader.  I'm a bit of an old timer so I go back  to
>>the Optacon's
>>glory days.  just wondering how many users of the new  reader used to use
>>the
>>Optacon?  if you did, hope you saw the item in the  October monitor about
>>the
>>Optacon survey.  they're looking for users, and  people who don't use
>>there
>>Optacon any more.  they are thinking of putting  nonuse Optacons back in
>>to
>>circulation.  if they get enough response to it,  they may relaunch
>>the Optacon
>>with updated circuitry to make it possible for it  to read modern
>>print formats
>>and font sizes used today.  forget the email  address off hand, but
>>does anyone
>>on list remember what happened to the voice  output that was developed at
>>around the same time as the First Kurzweil readers  that was mente for the
>>Optacon?  also on a related question, oops, 2  questions, will
>>future portable
>>readers have a Braille display incorporated in  to it?  and also if a Car
>>is
>>developed for the blind, it seems a form of  the Kurzweil reader could be
>>incorporated in to it so that a Street sign could  be read or even
>>the menu at a drive
>>through.  Yeah, it's a great time to be  blind Huh?  Ken.
>>
>>I pledge to  participate actively in the efforts of the national
>>federation
>>of the blind to  achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the
>>blind; to
>>support the  policies and programs of the federation; and abide by it's
>>constitution.
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Reader-users mailing list
>>Reader-users at nfbnet.org
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/reader-users
>

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