[misc.handicap] Well really. . .

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 . . . . .

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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.

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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 *

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