[optacon-l] Re: Optacon reading technique
- From: "Natalie" <nataliej@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2013 13:27:09 -0400
I wish I'd thought of that and can't figure out why I hadn't. Have just put
a small brace under the front of the Optacon and it's so comfortable. My
finger and wrist although not crooked in any way, feel more relaxed.
Thanks.
Natalie
----- Original Message -----
From: "David" <trailerdavid@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2013 12:56 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon reading technique
> If your problem is, that your index finger for some reason cannot be laid
> flat on the array, long as the Optacon is possitioned on a flat surface -
> why don't you put a CD jewelcase or something, underneath the front-end of
> the unit. This way, the Optacon will slightly tilt backward, and you might
> get a better reading position for your finger. Sometimes I even find it
> helpful, simply because I don't strain my wrist that much, when the
> Optacon
> is slightly tilted. Angling it a bit to the left or the right - so the
> unit
> might not be positioned straight in line with the edge of the desk - might
> also help to position your finger more comfortably.
>
> As for the recognition of certain letters, this can often be a challenge.
> But usually, a G, will be rounded at the left edge, but quite straight at
> the right edge of the character. If that is of any help to you.
>
> Keeping concentrated in reading, sure it can be a challenge. Especially
> so,
> if you keep struggling with recognizing each character. There is a good
> reason for all the adjusting knobs on the Optacon. Learning to use both
> the
> thickness, intensity and magnification knobs, all will increase your
> chance
> of reading more effectively. Most users tend to turn the knobs too high,
> meaning they get big, thick characters, that almost hurt their fingertips.
> Reading a few lines, your finger is just about asleep, from the hard
> prickling of the needles, and so you discern it is time to turn on more
> thickness and intensity, so as to continue to read properly. Others tend
> to
> turn the knobs too low, meaning they will have to struggle in their
> recognition, often missing important parts of the characters. Exactly
> where
> the best setting is, will much depend on your sensitivity, the material
> you
> are reading, and how well your Optacon is functioning. A dirty array,
> might
> need higher turning of the knobs, yet still give bad reading quality.
>
> A good suggestion, also would be to try maintain as smooth and sensitive
> skin on your index finger, as possible. This can be challenging, as you
> often will be using that finger for far more than just read. But it is no
> bad idea, to use a bit of lotion on your hands, regularly. Just never use
> lotions, immediately prior to operating the Optacon, since this will
> transfer high amounts of fat to the array needles, and eventually could
> lead
> to malfunction.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Natalie" <nataliej@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2013 5:20 PM
> Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon reading technique
>
>
>>I change the adjustment knobs all the time depending on the font,
>>thickness
>> of the lines, brightness of the print etc. When I went to Boston for my
>> training the instructor said that letters like G may not always be
>> recognizable except for their size so just infer that it's a G and keep
>> going. It doesn't always work but so it goes. I tend to have problems
>> with
>> large print and prefer to make the print small as the tip of the finger
>> is
>> more sensitive. Just my way of doing things. Keep your finger as
>> comfortably set as yu can.
>>
>> Natalie
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Robert Feinstein" <harlynn@xxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2013 11:10 AM
>> Subject: [optacon-l] Optacon reading technique
>>
>>
>>>I have been using my optacon a great deal and have a question. I keep my
>>> left index finger on the array, but my finger is a bit bent, not totally
>>> flat. I find that when I read, I sometimes miss the letters that hit
>>> your
>>> finger lower down, especially the g or the q. Do any of you have that
>>> problem? Also, I am not sure if it is better to make the letters
>>> smaller,
>>> so you read more with your finger tip, and less far down? I'd be very
>>> interested if people on the list could describe how they position their
>>> index finger, and what size they make the print.
>>>
>>> I ask because I can read pretty well, but always get stuck when the word
>>> begins with a g or a q: I'm just not feeling the bottom of those letters
>>> all of the time.
>>>
>>> Also, I only change the threshold setting and not the intensity. Do
>>> most
>>> of you do that, or do you change the intensity (the top knob) at times?
>>>
>>> I find that if I am reading a simple letter I'm fine, but anything a
>>> bit complicated, my comprehension isn't good, because I'm concentrating
>>> so
>>> hard on reading that the meaning gets a bit lost. Do any of you have
>>> this
>>> problem? Especially with very long sentences and more difficult words?
>>>
>>> An optacon instructor once told me to read the first letters of a word
>>> more slowly, and then speed up for the rest of the word, but I find this
>>> difficult to do. Sometimes I try to guess at a word, and find I've
>>> guessed wrong and have to back track.
>>>
>>> Any advice or experiences of others would be most welcome, and I thank
>>> all
>>> of you in advance for your help. I truly love the optacon and want to
>>> improve, and I feel I can learn a lot from all of you, as many of you
>>> read
>>> much better than I do.
>>>
>>> I like how my serviced optacon is working: I keep it plugged in all the
>>> time anyway, so this is perfect for me. I'm glad I had the battery
>>> removed.
>>>
>>> Kindest regards,
>>> Robert in Brooklyn, NY
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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>
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>
> To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
>
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> quotes) in the message subject.
>
> Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message
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>
>
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>
> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>
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