Ross.Cochrane@f24.n440.z2.fidonet.org (Ross Cochrane) (05/04/91)
Index Number: 15384 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] WHO'S FOOLING WHO? Quite often we are told, usually, one would like to think, by those who know about such things, that there are many companies who are doing their best for the blind computer user - making desirable products at affordable cost. However, recently I have stumbled upon an interesting case which, in my humble opinion, casts somewhat of a shaddow on such a would-be golden horizon. A friend of mine, (currently working on evaluation of new equipment fort the blind for a certain wellknown bank), put in an order for the Eureka "Advanced" machine (made by Robotron). Upon receipt of same, a brief read through the manual pointed out one or two discrepencies which, in themselves were nothing much, after all most companys' manuals are actually at variance with their products. However, being interested in comms, he was pleased to find that he had, already fitted, a modem capable of 2400 bps maximum. Ah, he thought, cheaper phone bills: more downloads. Imagine his surprize when, on checking with the actual machine itself, it summarily informed him that in fact the modem had v21, and v23 only. Not only that, he was further puzzled to find that, although being marketed in the UK, it came with a totally non-standard phone plug (possibly Australian), (proper cable available at some BP15 extra). Being a rather persistant fellow, he decided to ring the company, (Technovision) and enquire whether or not he could in fact have the correct modem chip fitted. "Yes!" they cried but you'll have to have the advanced music composer (evaluated by several people as not over brilliant and not midi compatable) if you want the higher speeds and, furthermore, it will cost you some bP290 or thereabouts. To reach the nub of my contention, I ask why these two (music composer and comms) should only be sold together, after all these days one can acquire a decent modem for some BP150 - Ah, I hear you cry, why doesn't he do that? - thus spoiling the portability of the Eureka, but more to the point, could it be that the company are of the opinion that, as most of these machines will be more than likely financed from Government funds, or at least by some company or other, it doesn't matter too much if the price is high, and considering he had ordered the "Advanced" machine, should it not have the "advanced" software and chip set: or is there going to be an advanced "advanced" machine, once again at an "advanced" price? I understand that much money has to be spent by the developers of such products on research and development for a relatively small market, but surely, isn't the idea to sell machines that meet modern requirements, rather than to then have to buy all sorts of expensive up-grades before one can really use the machine in the way that no doubt its designers intended. I know I'm being somewhat nieve and no doubt its designers intended everyone to buy all sorts of little extras but really . . . . . -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!2!440!24!Ross.Cochrane Internet: Ross.Cochrane@f24.n440.z2.fidonet.org
Margo.Downey@f60.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Margo Downey) (05/06/91)
Index Number: 15405 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Ross, what you reported in your message about your friend who has the Eureka sounds like stuff that can happen in the U.S., also. I think that the more blind people who discuss problems with companies--the more results one will get. and, if that company doesn't change, blind epople shouldn't use them when upgrading or buying a new access system. I think some of the companies here in the past--most not so much now--have sat in a ivory tower and thought they knew what was best for the blind. The state agencies for the blind still think they know what's best for the blind, and so it goes. When we continue to assert ourselves and say, "Wait a minute--we know what's best for us." . . . Things are turning around and will continue to do so. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!60!Margo.Downey Internet: Margo.Downey@f60.n382.z1.fidonet.org
Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Diana Dawne) (05/14/91)
Index Number: 15558 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Your points are well taken. That Eureka really sounded like a very cute little machine, but a friend of mine saw it and reported several of the things you pointed out so I and she got the Braille and Speak. I think that is an expensive pad and pencil, but honestly, I think it beats anything else out there for note taking. The music composer in the Eureka is most interesting, and when I was studdingtheory harmony and other music courses in college, I would have loved it but I wonder how someone who works in a bank plans to use that feature big Grin! I probably have a good idea what the answer to that one is. * EZ 1.30 * -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Diana.Dawne Internet: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org