Hi Devin,
When I asked Greg privately about implementation of automatic panning, here's
what he said, and I'll comment on his reply below.
Are you saying that you want to have the display pan automatically at a certain
time interval? If so, yes this was removed intentionally. We had a huge
backlash from this feature in Apex and past BrailleNotes as people activated
it by accident and then lost their place. Or they tried it and despised the
experience because everyone reads different passages at different speeds in
braille. For example if you encounter a section of text where you are
confused by a word or spelling and the display auto pans, it becomes quite
frustrating while you are trying to figure out what you just read.
From our focus groups less than 1 percent of BrailleNote users actually used
this feature and continued to use it because they enjoyed its functionality.
This is why some displays are implementing light sensors under the display to
detect when fingers have reached the end of the display. This tech is
extremely expensive and not yet very reliable, but we are watching it closely.
I hope this helps explain the logic behind this decision.
Greg
My comment:
Since I spent several thousand dollars on a device without expecting what I
consider a prime feature to be deliberately eliminated, I'm very unhappy about
this, to say the least. This is the feature I use the most on the Apex, and it
sure beats pressing a thumb key several thousand times to get through a Braille
volume.
Maybe the real problem is that many people may not read books on Braille
devices, or don't want to spend the time tailoring the auto-read feature to
suit their tastes. Or they just don't like it, which is a valid choice for them.
But unfortunately, that choice is being made for me, too, and I never got a
vote; in fact my input was never sought. I call that the tyranny of the
majority.
The few of us who want or use the feature don't seem to matter because the
negative voices are louder.
I have this to say to people who don't find a particular feature useful: don't
use the feature. That's fine. But also try to learn how to use your device
thoroughly so that if you do accidentally enable a feature, you can turn it off.
I don't know if Humanware will be willing at any point to reconsider their
decision on this, but it may be worth dropping a note to
greg.stilson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx if you'd like the feature included on the Touch.
If I had known that auto-panning was not to be included, and known it within 30
days of buying the Touch, I'd have returned my unit for a refund and bought a
device with this feature.
--
Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: braillenote-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:braillenote-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Devin Prater
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:35 PM
To: bn list <braillenote@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [BNU] Got a Braille note touch, a few questions
Hi all. I am the proud new owner of a Braille Note Touch, with 32 cells.
I have a few questions, and a problem.
First, the problem. The USB charging cable has bent on the Micro-USB
end. I'll use another cable for now, but I really wonder how that could
have happened, as I didn't di anything strenuous with it or anything,
just had it in the Touch, my pocket, or the carrying case's pouch.
Now, does anyone know of a text adventure app like the "games" program
on the Apex and MPower? I'd love to play more than the Delight Games
library of game-books. Second, anyone play Dungeons and dragons? Anyone
know of a dice-roling app, or even a rule book app or site?
Third, will Humanware impliment the Space with dots 1-2-4-5-6 command,
read automatically panning with Braille, on the Touch? I miss that
command, and it is in Jaws. I'd forgotten how relaxing it is just to
read on and on, without having to pan all the time. Also, when I go to
the main menu from Victor Reader, playback stops. Any way to keep it
playing in the background?
Thanks for any answers!
-------------------------------
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-------------------------------
BNU: BrailleNote Users - a forum for users of BrailleNote family of products
from Humanware.
Website: www.braillenoteusers.info
IMPORTANT: By default, replies will be sent to individuals. If you feel that
your reply would be useful for others, please use "reply to all" feature in
your email client.
If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, send an email with the subject line
of "unsubscribe" to braillenote-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.
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If you have any comments or questions for list moderators, please send an email
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