Ron, Your comments though cogent would have carried a great deal more
weight had they not come from a freedom science fiction company mouth
piece!
--
Jack :)
You can only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
mailto:[log in to unmask]
On Thu, 26 May 2005, Ron Miller wrote:
> 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
> > 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
>
>
> 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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