Grant.Downey@p0.f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org (Grant Downey) (05/04/91)
Index Number: 15351
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
On Thursday, April 4, 1991 I had the pleasure of attending a
demonstration of the Arkanstone and the P C K P R presented by A
O S of Austin. Steve Brookins was the demonstrator. We were able
to switch back and forth between the PC KPR and the Arkanstone.
I went in expecting to be able to determine which reader was better
and went out shaking my head in wonderment and frustration. Every
document I brought to test with the two machines would not read on
the stand alone version of the KPR. First we used a Sales Bulletin
from S N C International, Makers of S C A radios for Radio Reading
Services. This document was typed on a typewriter where the spaces
between characters were extremely narrow. The Arkanstone had no
problem with this document sailed right on through. The PC KPR on
the other hand misread most of the document. The second document
we used was a leave statement in dot matrix print from my employer.
This time the PC KPR read perfectly and the Arkanstone got through
it but misread several numbers. However it must be said that both
machines read this most difficult document well overall but the
PCkpr did a perfect job. Next we tried a dot matrix copy of the
In-Touch program guide printed in the poorest dot matrix that our
printer in the training lab could put out. The arkanstone shown
with this document and read it perfectly. The Pc KPR had some
problems. Next we tried a bank statement and neither machine could
read the balance sheet even in dot matrix mode accurately. Our
last tough document was a hotel restaurant menu in italicized
print. The Pc KPR had a hard time with it but it read the entire
menu page. The arkanstone could only read the descriptions and
prices and not the italicized names of the individual dishes on the
menu. Both machines performed better than any reader I've seen
before. These documents were very difficult so much so that the
stand alone KPR gave the response "PAGE TO DIFFICULT MIGHT BE PHOTO
COPIED" ON EACH ONE. The arkanstone and PC KPR got through these
documents even in the worst situation to the point where you always
knew what it was you were reading. What will our agency buy?
Well, when Jim, my boss, and I left the demonstration and we both
compared notes and observations, we're going to go with Arkanstone
when we can purchase. Why? 1. More than price should be looked
at when buying a product of this kind. Arkanstone seems to be a
much more consumer oriented company than Xerox. 2. Arkanstone is
a non-profit company and their work in this field should be
supported and encouraged. 3. Both my boss and I were impressed
with the fact that a company would send out free software upgrades
to their users. 4. The design of the software and a big plus for
me is that the software gives the user an audio indicator that it
is working. 5. The length of time for scanning and reading was
impressive.
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Internet: Grant.Downey@p0.f9.n381.z1.fidonet.orgDAH@psuvm.psu.edu (Donald Hazle) (05/10/91)
Index Number: 15478 Having both the KPR and Arkenstone here at Penn State, I have made similar comparsions. Thus far I have concluded that neither machine has an advantage over the other with respect to reading all types of documents. Your experience appears to be similar. However support is another issue. With the KPR (or Zerox) techincal problems take days or weeks to solve. Messages left with the 800 number are returned 24 to 72 hrs later or never. This is very difficult since I assist users in different buildings. Also while trying to obtain KPR version 2 software, the order was not filled for several months and the sales people at Zerox could not determine why. Finally I called the person at Zerox in charge of shipping and found out that there was a delay in the actual production of the disketts. When it did arrive, several files (including INSTALL) were missing. I have not had such problems with Arkenstone due to good dealer support. In summary both companies have a good product if Zerox gets its support services in order. Don Hazle dah at psuvm 814-863-2232
David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (05/16/91)
Index Number: 15663
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
JM> I've always been of the
JM> impression that the arkanstone will not speak as it scans. You
JM> actually have to wait until it's read at least a full page
JM> before you get to hear anything. Is that correct? If so, I
JM> consider that a major disadvantage over the PCKPR.
The new Arkenstone software has a setting called Quick Speech. It allows the
speaking to start much faster. Some users like it, and some don't. It can be
very choppy and it will only read the first column of a multi-column page. The
decolumnization takes palce later in the process. All the data is there, in the
lastpare or allpages file and you can go back and read it.
The PCKPR is also choppy in its reading.
Whether or not the quick reading is important to you is of course a personal
decision. For me, the Arkenstone's ability to determine page orientation and
still read if it is upside down or side ways is more important then quick
speech.
... David Andrews
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Internet: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgDavid.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (05/16/91)
Index Number: 15691
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
GD> It leaves you wundering if there might be even cheaper ways to
GD> get the same results as the Arkanstone? I guess we will see as
GD> time goes on.
There is an article in the latest BAUD, which has been renamed Blind Access User
Discussions, (from Apple), that talks about an under $1000 hand-held scanner
that a blind person was able to use.
... David Andrews
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