As the distributor of the Bookworm, I actually agree with the sense of
     Kelly's remarks.  Before we decided to carry it, I had a unit loaned
     to us for a couple of months for our blind staff members to use.
     Although we were all sceptical, the conclusion came back that the 8
     cell display actually worked pretty well once you got the hang of it.
     However, I think that each of our employees would have picked an 80
     cell display over a 40 cell over an 8 cell display, all other things
     being equal.  In addition, the 8 cell display took getting used to, as
     it has an auto-scroll mode you have to learn to get reading speed.

     However, things aren't always equal, and we think this is a useful
     option, especially for the user who will not get braille any other
     way.

     Jim






______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Fw:  Braille style manual
Author:  <[log in to unmask]> at INTERNET
Date:    3/14/00 3:18 PM


I hope that any libraries or others considering the purchase of a braille
display who do not have to use the technology will seek out comments from
multiple people who read braille on a braille display before making any
purchases.  I know all too well how expensive access technology is but as
someone who's been reading braille for more than 25 years, I have to point
out that an eight cell display is far too short for most people to use
effectively.  At best you get two to three words displayed on the unit at a
time and must then scroll the document to continue reading.  This is at
best and much of the time you get only one word on the eight cell display
at a time.  It just isn't comfortable for anything beyond basic computer
navigation in my opinion.

This is in no way intended to say that the Bookworm isn't a quality
product.  I believe it can be appropriate in certain settings but not for
any sort of lengthy reading.

Others may have widely different opinions.  That's why I strongly urge
people to get feedback from the people who will use the technology in
making a purchasing choice.

---
Kelly Ford
Access Technology Coordinator
Mt. Hood Community College

EASI's online workshop on Barrier-free Educational Technology,
Barrier-free Ed-Tech, begins March, 13.
Making campuses accessible is the right thing to do,
and it is the law.  For information, go to
http://www.rit.edu/~easi and click on workshops.

EASI's online workshop on Barrier-free Educational Technology,
Barrier-free Ed-Tech, begins March, 13.
Making campuses accessible is the right thing to do,
and it is the law.  For information, go to
http://www.rit.edu/~easi and click on workshops.