In this post I will address feedback I have received. I have not acknowledged any feedback yet, so this will be feedback going all the way back to the first post.
LeAnna says:
Glad you are up-and-running, again! Nice!
Glad you are reading!
On the post relating to the HTC Ozone with Talks, the following comments were maid.
Tyler Said:
Hi chase, I'm interested in hearing how the phone works.
Could you do a podcast and post it here?
I am not happy with my samsung intensity!
Hi Tyler,
I was planning to do a podcast, but now with the announcement of Windows Phone 7 and the lack of accessibility in it as well as the release of other accessible phones on Verizon including the Samsung Haven and iPhone I do not feel like a podcast at this point would be helpful since most people have lost interest in this phone. If anyone still would like a podcast about this phone, please leave a comment and let me know.
Patti Said:
Hello Chase,
I to, am happy with my HTC Ozone and talks. I was so happy to finally have a phone that I could do what I wanted it to do.
Having said this, I am disappointed in the fact, that although the people at Verizon are indeed helpful, I asked for the manual in Braille. I received it just today, and after going through the index, and table of contents, I have not found a list of commands relating to talks. Mostly all of the things that I have learned have either been from on my own, or through some sighted assistance.
I know how to surf the web, send texts, but as far as reading the whole text I can't get it to read correctly. I do have my phone set to the recommended layout, and did use the practice mode. I have no idea, as to how I can download media, and e-mail while I set it up, I can't seem to read the whole message.
Sorry for such a long post, but I am so happy to have found someone who I can relate to.
Having said all of this, I am so amazed with my phone. For the first time in life, I have assistive technology that does not cost thousands of dollars, and for the most part, I am extremely pleased with what I have learned so far.
Hi Patti,
I hope you are still enjoying your phone. I do not have the manual that comes with the Ozone in Braille, so I can’t help you there. However, if you go to the Talks website, which is at http://aboutus.vzw.com/accessibility/talks.html you will find other documentation about the key commands with talks. The easiest way to read a whole webpage or email is to press the talks key followed by down arrow. You then can here the whole screen. When it is finished reading, press the back key to exit reading mode. Also, don’t ever worry about leaving long comments. The longer the better!
Anonymous says: *note this comment has had the email address removed*
Hi, if you got troubles on purchasing Talks license, I can help you and give considerable
price.
Just email me at
______________________________
I am assuming that this is not legal. Beings you gave your personal address and offering a discount, I will assume that this is an illegal way of purchasing talks. Illegal material is not permitted on this blog. Talks for Windows Mobile licenses are available from Verizon for $99.
Joni says:
I am thinking about purchasing this for my dad, who has been blind for over 40 years. He has only used a cell phone for about 2 years. This was a big step. He has taken computer typing classes several years ago, but doesn't use the internet, yet. One of my worries is that he wont be able to feel the keys. We glued little pieces of plastic to a few key on his current phone so he could navigate the buttons.
I called Verizon. They said the phone is $100 and it would be $10 to add him to my account. I forgot to ask them if there is an internet charge. I looked at smart phone one time previously and they told me there is a $30 charge monthly whether you use it or not.
Joni
Hi Joni,
I believe that $30 is for the monthly data plan.
The buttons on the Ozone are fairly small, as it has a full QWERTY keyboard. If your dad has trouble feeling the buttons I would not recommend this phone to him, especially with no computer or internet experience. Verizon offers a much cheaper accessible phone, called the Samsung Haven, which allows you to make and receive calls, manage your contacts, and send and receive text messages. This phone has larger buttons with a standard telephone keyboard, so this might be easier for your dad to feel. This phone is totally accessible. I think either way you go will be great for him. Good luck!
On the post about how to comment, the following comment was made.
Anonymous says:
Thanks for showing us how to comment.
You are welcome. This is something that many people struggle with. I am happy to help anyone who still has trouble commenting.
On the post about the new NLS digital book players, the following two comments were maid.
Barbara says:
Hi, I have been downloading books from BARD for my mother and I am having trouble getting her reader to find more than one book on the blank cartridge we purchased. When I loaded the books onto the cartridge I put each in a folder. When I hold down the Play key only one book and the user manual is found. When I tried to move the files out of the folders I windup with duplicates of three files. These .dtd files appear with every book.
Can they be overwritten? Should the player recognize the books in the folders?
Thank you
Hi Barbara,
I keep all my books in folders and I do not have a problem. You might want to update the player to the newest version of the firmware. If you log onto BARD there is a link and instructions for the update. This might fix your problem. If not, try sending the comment you made here to the support address at the bottom of the site. The NLS should be able to help you. I am sorry I can not be of more assistance.
Tyler says:
Hi Barbra,
I do not own this blog, but if you put the files in the route of your flash drive, or other removable media, they should play just fine.
If you need more help, email me at tylerpolkaman@gmail.com
Hi Barbara and Tyler,
Putting everything in the root works, but if you go to delete a book you can’t tell which files go with which book. I would recommend updating your player and contacting support as I said above.
Comments from the Apple Store post:
Anonymous says:
Hi. Just wanted to point out that I think you meant to use the word model, not mottle.
Sounds like you had an interesting visit.
Regards,
Yes, it was a great visit. Thanks for the comment and correction.
Lachlan says:
Hi, I'm Lachlan.
I just want to make a few comments on your post, you really gave a fantastic description of your experiences with the Apple products, it was very descriptive and I understood everything you were talking about. My little brother who is sighted got the new iPod Nano for Christmas, he loves it. On Boxing Day my brother let me have a play with his iPod, i have some useable vision, so I was able to make some progress with using the touch screen. I eventually found VoiceOver and turned it on, I've not an iOS device user, so I'm not at all used to the touch screen gestures, but with the very scant help shown on the VoiceOver start screen I was able to use the iPod to some extent. I enjoyed using my brother's iPod and playing around with it, it's just too bad my brother listens to the kind of music I cannot stand. I've got this feeling that VoiceOver on the iPod Nano seems to really use up battery power, the iPod over half charged when I started playing with it, but after a few hours, maybe an hour and a half or 2 hours, the battery went flat. VoiceOver announced the battery was flat, so I docked the iPod into Mum's new Panasonic stereo system in order to recharge the battery. About a week ago I bought a 21' iMac with a 1 TB hard drive in it, I've been using Windows XP until now, and I really love my new iMac, it's the best thing I've bought in quite a while. Because I have some vision I mostly use Zoom when I use my iMac, that's what I'm using now. My parents bought an iMac about 3 moths ago, and when I saw it I decided that I wanted one of my own, my parents iMac has a wireless keyboard and mouse which I personally don't like very much because they naturally use batteries, and I'm the only one in my family who remembers to turn the keyboard and mouse off to preserve the batteries, so I decided that I wanted the standard USB keyboard and Mighty Mouse when I bought my iMac. Interestingly enough when I told the people at the Apple Store my wishes, they were perfectly willing to bundle the USB keyboard at no additional cost, but I had to pay extra for the mouse. Because the USB keyboard and mouse are cheaper than their wireless versions I was hoping Apple would take a few dollars off the price tag of my Mac, but they were unwilling to take the wireless keyboard and mouse out of the package and replace them with the USB ones, I'm not too fussed about that, but it means I have a set that I won't use. As for the Mac, I sometimes use VoiceOver, I like VoiceOver, I wish all screenreaders came with the interactive getting started tutorial that you hear when you first start VoiceOver. My desk is so clean and tidy now, no more clutter and cables and bulky equipment on my desk, there's so much space available to me. I used to use a monitor arm with my old Acer monitor, but I don't need it now, besides, sometimes I would bump the stand and it would move about, that would be bad for the heard drive in the iMac, so it's just as well that I no longer need the monitor arm. I hope i haven't board you with the comment, i realize my comment is very long, I'm not sure if I can post comments this long.
Lachlan from Melbourne Australia.
Hi Lachlan,
I really like Voice Over both on the iPod and on the Mac. The getting started tutorial is really nice and detailed. I do not have the new Nano, so I do not know if Voice Over drains the battery, but on my iPod Touch Voice Over doesn’t really seem to shorten the battery. I am glad you are enjoying your iMac. It is a great computer. Great comment, and it’s not too long at all. I don’t think there is a limit on this blog.
On the Refreshabraille18 podcast, Tyler said:
Hey Chase, It's been awhile since I listened to that podcast, but I really enjoyed it!
Keep up the great work!
I’m glad you liked it and that s helpful!
This is all the feedback that I have received. Feel free to comment with any comments, questions, or suggestions. I will try my hardest to answer comments in a more timely fassion.
Chase