[Reader-users] the ideal way to buy technology, especially a device that costs $3,500, is to really try it, work past the honeymoon phase, and see if the device really addresses the need. Unfortunately, such testing is difficult to impossible to do with the Reader unless somebody in the area is willing to spend some time showing the unit, or a dealer will do so. For a person with low vision, I have to wonder if a cctv, or a unit such as the MyReader from Humanware wouldn't be better, perhaps for less money. I know little about low vision and less about those devices, but believe the best solution involves investigating these options. If the mother does not need portability, it is probably possible to get a package at least as effective as the Reader for at least a thousand dollars less. For instance, a good refurbished laptop, Kurzweil 1000 and an OpticBook 3600 scanner could be assembled for around $2,000. I don't necessarily recommend that package, but as a reading system, it would be very effective. This assumes that OCR, rather than a cctv, is best for the person, and that the person is willing and able to process information auditorially rather than visually. Again, I don't claim a lot of knowledge here; much more ignorance. But in this field there is a strong tendency to grasp at straws, to hope that a solution will work, when it may or may not work, depending on visual acuity, flexibility, motivation and learning style among other factors. Dean

[Dean Martineau]

At 06:12 AM 3/28/2007, you wrote:
>I have found the reader extremely helpful.  It has helped me when I have
>been on trips and in my work.  It has also helped at home.  In my opinion
>the reader is a good thing and will only improve as time goes on.
>
>
>Loren Wakefield
>
>"The best way to predict your Future is to create it." Dr. Forress C.
>Shaklee
>
>www.ultimatehealthwithtlc.com
>
>319-433-0145 866-433-3969
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Larry & Becky Pierce" <lbpeewee at verizon.net>
>To: <reader-users at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 7:01 AM
>Subject: [Reader-users] Reader
>
>
>I am wondering how this Reader works for others.  I do not want to approach
>my mom unless I know she has a shot at it.  She has macular degeneration.
>Can anyone tell me how it it working for them?  Thanks so much.
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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