[Reader-users] An Introduction And A Question About PositioningDocument For Reading

[Cindy Handel]

Hi Pam,

The positioning of the camera isn't extremely sensitive.  But, one tip might 
be to put the camera flat down on a page you want to read, and then lift it 
straight up, about 16 inches, and then snap the picture.

Most of it will be just trial and error.  Pay attention to what you're doing 
when you snap the picture and listen to the orientation information the 
reader gives you after snapping the picture.  Then, on the next picture, try 
adjust the angle accordingly.

Cindy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pam Drake" <pamdrake at drakelroy.com>
To: "'Kurzweil National Federation of the Blind Reader user list'" 
<reader-users at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 12:59 AM
Subject: [Reader-users] An Introduction And A Question About 
PositioningDocument For Reading


Hello To All,

My name is Pam Drake, and I purchased the Reader a few weeks ago.  Due to a
small problem I got myself into and which was quickly solved with the help
of James Gashel and some sighted friends, I have not been able to practice
as much as I would have liked.  The problem was that somehow I managed to
get the camera in backwards.  No, they say it can't be done; but leave it to
me to be the first one to accomplish something weird!  <sigh>  <lol>

For the first time last Sunday I was able to get a sighted person to watch
me position the camera and text for reading.  My distance judgment is a bit
off, and I really don't want to have to buy a stand unless absolutely
necessary, as I don't want to compromise the current portability.

Dave's mother was watching me and helping me position the camera for reading
various pages; one a birthday card, the other a standard sheet.  I used the
view finder to allow her to help me position the camera.  She noticed that,
on at least two occasions, just as I was about to take the picture my hand
moved slightly and the focus was lost.  I was unaware of this.  Once I got a
very good reading, another time not so good.  Dave's mother was very
impressed, but came away with the impression that positioning the Reader can
be tricky.  With my distance judgment I know it may be a little rougher for
me than for some, but I'm determined to learn to take good pictures.

Does anyone have any suggestions to help me gauge judgment and focus?  I
have been told that the field of view report, while a good tool, isn't a
truly accurate predictor of how the picture and ultimate quality of the
resulting text will turn out.  I would really be interested in anyone's
suggestions.  I have been reading the list and know that people are using
the machine successfully, and I am a rather proficient Optacon user; so I am
looking forward to doing so myself.

Many thanks in advance, and I want to thank my friend Shannon for giving me
some pointers, and Cindy for showing me the Reader for the first time.




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