Category: the Rant Board
So, about a month after sending my BrailleNote in to get the display cleaned, battery replaced and flash disk checked (it had been saying the drive can not find the sector requested) I just got a call from them. My service contract expired over a year ago, I didn't know I had one, and never was notified it was going to expire, the entire Braille display needs to be replaced for whatever reason, and to replace the flash disk, I need to replace a few other things, so the final cost would be over $2000! Why do they feel they can/need to suck all the money out of blind people just because we're a minority? $1000 for a screenreader, $5000 for a BrailleNote... It pisses me off!!!
Thanks.
Ouch man, that sucks.
Yeh. I'll probably just use it 'til it dies and get an Icon or something.
It's called a nitch market learn about economys of scale. These companys don't have them that's why it's expensive.
Yes, we call it bs! I mean, paying $900 for something you could buy elsewhere for $50, that kind of thing. It's what they do.
Why does anyone need a braille note, why not get a laptop, the EEE ones and similar are lighter, smaller, run Windows XP and cost from $300, why buy some braille device with a tenth of the functionality, uncomfortable keyboard and with unbelievably expensive service contracts for 10 to 15 times more, not to mention those things don't even have a screen so you can't share work easily with sighted colleagues and teachers.
I'm all for supporting technologies that enable us to use main stream devices (screen readers, braille displays, screen readers for cell phones), but I don't like this whole blindy hardware development where it'd be perfectly as easy to use a screen reader with a mainstream device. Whtever advantages there may be to a braillenote must surely be outweight by its price tag, get a 12 or 20 cell Blue Tooth braille display, Screen reader and a laptop (heck you can even get the fanciest Mac) and I'm pretty convinced it's still cheaper than a BrailleNote, Icon etc.
There are a few cool devices out there, of course, the Victor Reader Stream, the SI device (I thik it's called), talking bar code scanners and the K-NFB reader, but those are, like Jared pointed out, manufactured for a small market and probably not in the most efficient way possible and with consderable mark ups, in other words, not efficiently.
relatively prices have come down over the years. I was actually surprised when looking at the pacmates 20 cell braille display the other day, it runs for around 1400. a display that small and compact back in the 90's would easily run for 4 or 5000.
back in the day, yes I know that makes me sound old we didn't have ebay and now we are starting to see braille and speaks, type and speaks, braille lite's etc for very affordable prices. Granted they are usually second hand but that is a huge opportunity to purchase something very useful and at an affordable price.
I purchased a versapoint a year ago for 75 off ebay, 2 days ago I got a deal on a pakmate, wireless card, and all cords and documentation for 205. I wouldn't pay market value for either but if I see an opportunity to get a good deal one I'll go for it.
Everything cost's to repair, there are millions of cars on the roads and they aren't exactly cheep if your motor brakes or your tires go flat. essentially that is what this technology is to us in the trade off.
agree with post six. I'm kicking myself for getting a damn PAAC Mate. i'd love a laptop because i"m used to beign on messenger a lot, and I can't figure out how to get the PaC Mate to work with Windows Live. Gurrrrr!
I agree with Bentley. Also, I don't thin windows live works with the pac mate.
What about using meebo.com or iloveim.com?
or ebuddy.com has both an online web messenger and a messenger app for some phones and pocket pc's. sorry for the double post, I just remembered it right after posting. HTH.
One small problem. Meebo, not accessible. I emailed them, and they r working on that problem though. The other two sites I haven't tried out.
Yes it is, if the browser can handle clickable stuff. Oh, I forgot, it's a pac mate! ha ha ha!
The PAC Mate has always been able to work with MNS/Windows Live Messsenger.
I've used the Pre-Omni and the Onmi, both a QX, and MSN Messsenger on the Pre-Onmi was a lot! easier to use. Windows Live Messwnger on the Onmi is verry awkward, but it's useable. I've done it.
HTH,
Jeffrey
I have the Omni. and, man, amI regretting getting thisdamn thing. Gur'r'r'r! i can't get in t Windows live messenger, and when I come on the zone, using an internet card, I can't hear any sounds for when quicknotes/private mesages are sent/received,or when people log in or out of ZBP or the site itself.
Well, that's not it's fault, it's Crapie Pocket IE's fault for not supporting JAVA or whateveer controls the sounds on here.
Crap Mate Omni s can go Die!