# reading machines and products

Category: accessible Devices

## Post 1 by jess061104 (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 18-Mar-2008 22:43:43

WWhat is the best machine to get for converting text to speech? Is it better to get a stand alone one or one that can hook to a computer. Has anyone use the pin from indepent living aids.

## Post 2 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Mar-2008 4:20:17

Good question. My first thought is that it depends on the user. If the person using it isn't computer comfortable, the stand-alones are the way to go. Of those that I've seen, I like the ones from Guerilla Technologies the best. They're easy to use, and their OCR seems to be better than others I've used. If using a computer isn't a problem, I recommend computer based systems like Kurzweil or Open Book. They ar easier toupdate, have more features, and are more cost-effective. If you want to discuss further, send e a pn and we can continue via e-mail if you like.
Lou

## Post 3 by WillieTheWoof (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 20-Mar-2008 9:21:44

I have to ask what is the PIN? haven't heard of that one yet. Not much to add here but I would sugggest for a reasonably priced computer solution to look at www.readingmadeeasy.com. Chiep and it works.

## Post 4 by Harmony (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 07-Apr-2008 18:38:41

I've used the galileo machine which is one that just stands on it's own without a computer and a synthetic voice, but now I've got kurzweil and the demonstration of openbook on my computer with just a normal scanner I bought from the computer shop. I think all of those work well, but with a galileo machine, you can't save very easily, except from onto a floppy disk which most computers don't have any more.

## Post 5 by RedSoxFan (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 29-Apr-2008 3:18:26

I am unsure if I should make a new entry or not, hopefully someone can help me out.
I have the Kurzweil.
However, I need to know if they can scan check boxes and if not, how does one make a check box using ms word and how does one make edit boxes to write into?
if anyone can help me in any way, it would be most appriciated
please send a note to me, redsoxfan

## Post 6 by allisonfm (Veteran Zoner) on Wednesday, 30-Apr-2008 20:59:30

I personally prefer using OpenBook with my Canon scanner, but I agree with what someone else said earlier. If a person is completely uncomfortable using a computer, then a stand-alone reading machine might be the way to go. However, the major advantage of using an OCR software package on the computer is that you can interact more easily with the file, and save it in many different formats. You're also able to share scanned documents more easily with friends and colleagues. Most stand-alone reading machines are also really expensive from what I've seen, and a software scanning package seems signifigantly less expensive in comparison.