# notetakers

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by bermuda-triangulese (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Wednesday, 31-Aug-2011 17:28:20

Hi all,
I must prepare myself for a suitable interval of 'I told you sos' and generally merriment at my expense when I admit this, but I've been giving some thought to the world of notetakers and a business environment. The logic is simple, I needed something light, with instant on capabilities which will last effectively as long as I need it to do so. I'm thinking that having to carry a laptop, even something netbook size, from room to room or building to building might be prohibitive, and netbooks take ages to start up even from hibernation, so that's effectively out. Add to that the lack of an easy and moreover quick-access calendar on windows and I must admit to not seeing it as the best option in this case.
I thought of the macbook air, fast as hell with an ssd, light, long battery...but...productivity on OS10 is far from a pleasant experience at the best of times and I just will not have the time for that.
So I admit, I might be interested in a notetaker. the question is, which one? I've used braille/voice notes on and off or I did about 5 years ago and really disliked them. Plus they also seemed incredibly unstable and would die at any given moment. What are the collective thoughts about the packmate and also the voice sense? I think those are the big three aren't they? Are they stable? Moreover, has anyone used them and can comment?
Let it be known that I am not a fan of notetakers, but if I'm going to be employed and do well, ya gotta do what ya gotta do, I suppose.
thanks
Me

## Post 2 by synthesizer101 (I just keep on posting!) on Wednesday, 31-Aug-2011 22:15:59

The pacmate does not fit your bill. Its instant on capabilities are fine, but it is netbook sized (qx model) or slightly smaller (bx model). It doesn't have many applications and third-party programs (the thing that fs keeps boasting about) need crazy amounts of scripting to make many work. I have no experience with the sense products, but judging by the book sense (daisy player) the braille and voice senses would probably be fine.

## Post 3 by bermuda-triangulese (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Thursday, 01-Sep-2011 21:09:36

yeah. I must admit I'm drawn to those, though the apex could theoretically have its charms, too. Gotta have a qt keyboard though, so the pk is out. I suppose its too much to hope for that the stability of the bn has improved any over the past few years?
Me

## Post 4 by wildebrew (We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?) on Thursday, 01-Sep-2011 23:49:15

The neo classic question must be asked, how about iPhone/iPad with Bluetooth keyboard, or braille display.
I pair my iPhone with a BrailePen (sold for $1030 in the U.S. including shipping), 12-cell. It's good for quick and dirty note taking.
What about waiting for the fabled Orion note taker (though it was supposed to be on the market in April and it's still not there, though I believe there is an extensive webcast out on it, you can check www.flyingblind.com, their latest newsletter for a link to the webcast)?
What about just using a Daisy player/recorder like the Milestone (good calenar application), or Plextalk (can set bokmarks while recording)? If you want something quick to jot down a meeting or some such, this might be a solution for that.
Overpriced and unstble note takers are something I'd personally stay away from but, as you said, if they are the only things that do what you need, you got to go with that. At the end of the day we have to use the tools to get the job done, whatever our philosophy on assistive technology.

## Post 5 by WillieTheWoof (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Friday, 02-Sep-2011 9:44:22

Ahh! sir Brew you just stole my post so I'll just have to agree with you. I'd say definitely consider an iPod touch with a Blue Tooth keyboard. You can find some good folding ones that make the whole package fit in the bag. Also, there is the dual electronics GPS receiver x150 if you want GPS on the thing. I'd recommend navigon GPS to go withi the receiver. So, you can get a nice stable package together that will gro with you not hold you back. Also List recorder is a good app, notes, and pages although not totally accessible could work. I have no doubt it will get better. Woof,woof, back to the corner I go to get a nap.

## Post 6 by bermuda-triangulese (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Friday, 02-Sep-2011 13:19:48

hi,
I own an IPhone, so don't get me wrong, its an awesome little device. Part of the problem is simply cosmetic...using an I device in the workplace? Especially in law where the visuals do matter, I'm not sure that would be well received. Secondly, I have done word processing ETC on the I Device and I just don't think the accessibility is fast enough. Try reading tables, copying/cutting things between documents, finding a document quickly, ETC. its good, but its not amazing.
hth
Me

## Post 7 by rat (star trek rules!) on Friday, 02-Sep-2011 15:52:25

the apex is betetr than the older bn's now from my reading, the qt model does have a few issues but from what i understand it's more stable over all. if it's been years since you tried a bn you need to consider them, not just judge of what you think you know. As for not being accepted because of using an i device in a job? I think you need to ask about on that, IPhones and IPads are being more and more wide spread through jobs, even being given out by certain companies now.

## Post 8 by josl (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 06-Sep-2011 18:31:42

Hi,
To give you some updates:
* PAC Mate is about to "die" - sorry to inform you like this, but since last year, no word from FS on updates; this is because WinMo is "dead" and was superceeded by WinPhone which is not accessible.
* Apex family: Yes, it is correct that Apex is more stable than mPower or Classic; however, some small issues remain.
* Braille Sense family: Quite useful, although there were words on lack of powerful formatting features on its word processor. However, the development tools are out now, so expect some games and utils to come out for it.
* iTouch and others: The trend is more wireless functionality, so using an iTouch/iPad and Bluetooth keyboard/display would be economical. Besides, some businesses and schools started distributing iPads to its associates/students.
HTS,
JL

## Post 9 by wildebrew (We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?) on Wednesday, 07-Sep-2011 16:39:52

I think in terms of being accepted or not at a work place, in general, if you use a mainstream device, that is good news for your employer and makes you more @normal@, so the impression is definitely positive.
Not to be an Apple enthusiast, I really am not, but I am wondering if something like MacBook Air would not be a solution.
It]s instant on, takes about 3 seonds, 11 inches and almost as thin as a netbook *my wife loves these things(.
It]ll have the processor speed you require, no doubt about it, supposedly you can run Windows on it as well, so you can run Jaws on it, or your screen reader of choice, for the Word processing aspects that VoiceOver can]t handle *I had issues with VO in reading of tables, but that was Snowleopard, it may have improved since then(.
The cost, around $1150, cost of Apex, $6300, of course the cost may approach $2000 if you add Windows 7 copy, iWorks&Office, and another $1200 for a 40=cell Bluetooth braille display, you]re still at only have the cost of the Apex.
Again, I have been turned off by Apple, but I am more trned off by special purpose devices with limited lifetime, limited software compatibility, extremely high price tag, and that look @weird@ in the work place.
But I am happy to get and see thoughts on tis thread, so kepe ]em coming.

## Post 10 by season (the invisible soul) on Wednesday, 07-Sep-2011 22:09:53

hi, if iphone is a slightly out of the question for you, have you considering ipad? its something that you can pretty much out of the box, and you can get a case with build in bluetooth keyboard with it. with that, you can treate it as a laptop or such. I'm just wondering about your opinion as visual side of thing. from my understanding, and my experience, most workplaces, even at board meeting and any important meeting, you'll see at least a few, if not all have an I Devices with them as a note taker. it become a norm in the workplace to use IPad or any I Devices as a note taker, share documents and so on. i dont think it will be as crippy as having a braille note taker with you though.
i mean, i do own a braillenote, and yes, i do use it alot before i have any IDevice, now i only use it to read books.

## Post 11 by Leafs Fan (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 08-Sep-2011 12:01:26

I have a PAC Mate, and as such, I'll continue to use it for notetaking purposes. I do however use it almost exclusively as a Braille n Speak now; that is to say, I very rarely take advantage of its slow Internet connectivity and other things, now that I have an iPhone to take care of that. In one way, I feel sorry for FS on this one. Who could have predicted that Windows Mobile would die a swift death and that a mainstream cell phone would offer accessibility and take the marketplace by storm?

## Post 12 by glori (Veteran Zoner) on Monday, 19-Sep-2011 19:56:01

Maybe it is just me, but I have no desire for an Iphone. I have tried it and wasn't impressed.
I have a Pac Mate and I am very happy with it. It has never given me any problems.
On the Iphone though, I think if a person likes it, then by all means, go for it!
Happy hunting!

## Post 13 by starfly (99956) on Tuesday, 20-Sep-2011 16:14:02

Come on! stop speaking blasfmie against "all mighty apple." after Come on! stop speaking blasphemy against "all mighty apple." after all they willingly put accessibility in their products. Loll!!!

## Post 14 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Tuesday, 20-Sep-2011 16:55:59

I think what people find is not that the older device is in and of itself defective, but what they currently need is not available. So, any device running Windows Mobile is going to be at a disadvantage if you need things only newer applications provide. If not, your older device will be fine. I know my PAC Mate's battery was the envy of many of my sighted counterparts using iPAQ and other devices, with really limited batteries. I can't say that for my iPod now of course, I had to get an external to give it a fill when it needs it and I'm not at home or the office.
As awlays, it's not so much the platform but what it provides and how well in integrates. Of course, with a PAC Mate you can integrate its calendar into any Exchange-based canendar which now even means Google based on what they did in the past year. So there are still a lot of waytsto make this stuff work.

## Post 15 by CrystalSapphire (Uzuri uongo ndani) on Tuesday, 20-Sep-2011 19:00:19

Matt,
I believe I've told you this before, but pacmates are so unstable. Maybe the omney has improved them but i'm not very hopeful. I just got my braille note apex last week. I like it so far. It is taking me time to get used to since i did use a pacmate for so long, but if you want a little bit of a dimo dm me on twitter and let me know. :) I've not used the others, and I agree with you on the i phone/i pod. just not quick enough at touch screens. it'd be a pain.

## Post 16 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Tuesday, 20-Sep-2011 20:44:48

I have a Braille Note MPower running Keysoft 8. I haven't had nearly as many problems with it freezing as I did when running earlier versions. I've had this MPower for almost 3 years now and haven't had a single problem with it. So I'd say if you're looking for something simple that starts quickly, the Braille Note would be the way to go. I'm not sure how well the Apex works though but if it's any more unstable, I haven't heard about it. But I do remember how horrible the classic series Braille Notes were, ugh. I definitely see what you're saying if you haven't used one since that point, I'd be a bit put off too, but it really has gotten better.

## Post 17 by glori (Veteran Zoner) on Tuesday, 20-Sep-2011 22:44:54

Isn't that why there are several note takers out there so everyone has there choice?
If we all liked the same thing, it would be a dull world! Wouldn't it?
I made my choice and I am happy with it.

## Post 18 by Leafs Fan (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 22-Sep-2011 10:30:31

I do like the PAC Mate. It can be slow and unstable at times, for sure. But the battery lasts more than a day, which is not always the case for laptops and iPhones.

## Post 19 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Thursday, 22-Sep-2011 22:44:02

The Braille Note's battery lasts more than a day as well. I think that statement can be applied to most note-takers. Back in the day when I used a Braille Lite 40, that battery would last over a week at times.