Hi Kelly,
Your comment regarding choosing ones access technology according to the
needs one has is well said, however, I would like to respond to your
comments regarding the PAC Mate which were somewhat subjective and in a
couple of instances, unfortunately, incorrect.
Let me take a moment to address the pertinent points. I will place your
comments in quotations followed by additional information which may be
useful as one considers the PAC Mate and other available personal
digital assistants.
You said: "Pack mates aren't really super rugged like how Braille and
Speaks were." You will find that the PAC Mate is not fragile or flimsy
in construction. Your comparison to the Braille 'N Speak is, to some
extent, akin to comparing apples to tangerines. They are very different
in size, weight, etc. None of the currently available pda's can be
compared to the Braille 'N Speak directly, they all differ markedly in
form from this unit.
You said: "A basic laptop can easily run programs like Microsoft Word,
Outlook Express, internet Explorer and stand-alone day planning
programs. A pack mate can't do this, so for me the blind end user's
needs should be really special and specific to justify the added cost."
The PAC Mate uses Windows Mobile 2003 (also known as Pocket PC 2003).
The PAC Mate user has full access to the features of Microsoft Outlook
with the Inbox, Calendar, Contact and Notes fully synchronized every
time the PAC Mate is connected to a pc--this includes any folders that
have been set up within outlook. If a user prefers Outlook Express to
Outlook, there is an third party application available that allows the
PAC Mate to synchronize with Outlook Express in the same way. Also,
Windows Mobile 2003 provides versions of Microsoft Word, Internet
Explorer and Excel so that you can work on your Word documents, excel
workbooks or browse the net using the PAC Mate. Applications such as
SKYPE and MSN Messenger enhance one's connectivity and communications
abilities with the PAC Mate. Other third party applications such as
AudiblePlayer, which lets you listen to books from Audible.com on the
PAC Mate or GSPlayer and Pocket Player which can play streaming audio
using a number of sources including Winamp .PLS files and the usual .wav
and MP3 types already included in Microsoft Media player (also included
on the PAC Mate) let you add new and useful applications to your PAC
Mate. Finally, the PAC Mate's Inbox, Calendar, Tasks and Contacts
features can be used to provide "standalone" email planner and
telephone/address book without connection to a pc.
For more information about the PAC Mate, including downloadable manuals
and MP3 Basic Training Modules, check out the PAC Mate links at Freedom
Scientific's website. For more info about how many people are using
their PAC Mates and what kinds of "off the shelf" applications they are
finding to use with their PAC Mates check out pacmategear.com. This is
not a Freedom Scientific website but you will certainly find useful info
there.
My very best regards
Ron Miller
-----Original Message-----
From: VICUG-L: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kelly Pierce
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 8:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Any Pack Mate fans or critics?
Peter,
it sounds like you need to assemble a circle of support to form the
basis of your adaptive technology team. with the team, an overall
strategy and purpose can be stated and specific questions can be asked
and discussed. For details on how to do all of this, see my package of
articles about choosing adaptive technology on eSight.org
often, a given piece of technology is not inherently good or bad. What
makes sense depends on the individual, his needs and circumstances.
having said all of that, Pack mates aren't really super rugged like how
Braille and Speaks were. You haven't stated your purpose or need but
realize that one can buy three or four laptops for the price of a single
pack mate. A basic laptop can easily run programs like Microsoft Word,
Outlook Express, internet Explorer and stand-alone day planning
programs. A pack mate can't do this, so for me the blind end user's
needs should be really special and specific to justify the added cost.
I encourage you to ponder the questions raised in my package and
complete the different exercises. I trust when that process is
finished, you will have your answer.
Kelly
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Seymour" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 8:37 PM
Subject: Any Pack Mate fans or critics?
> Hello All,
>
> I'm just starting to look into getting a Pack Mate instead of a new
> lap top.
>
> Can I get some informed pros and cons on this idea?
>
> Thanks,
> Peter Seymour
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> To join or leave the list, send a message to
> [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply
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> quotations. VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
>
VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
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