Re: the Papenmeir device that was supposed to be coming out

[Janina Sajka <janina@afb.net>]

Tommy:

I need to respond to this last note from you. I appreciate what you say in 
this note. While I do not agree with all of what you say, I do agree that 
that the Papenmeier is probably far and away the best choice among 
available products of its kind today. As you said in another note on this 
list the other day, it comes close to a laptop computer. In fact, were I 
to get one (and I might), I would try to use it just that way.

My comments, while strongly stated, are certainly not directed against you 
personally. I sincerely hope you don't take them that way. The failure of 
the assistive technology industry to bring the price of such units down 
is, in my view, no longer acceptable. And, to my understanding, it is the 
product that takes advantage of free software which bears a greater 
responsibility to its customers in this regard. But, the responsibility 
can also be shared out among various not for profit agencies and 
governmental entities. Fortunately, price is also negotiable and subject 
to change. Market pressure is just one way it can change.

In short, the part I don't agree with is is where you say that you and I 
have no control over price. I intend to push down on the price by several 
means, which include those I have employed here in the past few 
days--where I've challenged you, as the representative of the 
manufacturer, to justify it. You, as the manufacturer's representative on 
this list, might take what is said here back to headquarters. I would 
regard that as your duty to us, actually.

 On Tue, 13 
Nov 2001, Tommy Craig wrote:

> One last post. I am not part of the development team so I'm not really
> qualified to answer exactly what went into the development. You see although
> I am fairly technical and I have been working in this field for a number of
> years I couldn't build one. I think the best way for you to get your
> questions answered is to actually spend the time and look at a unit.
> 
>     I didn't get into this discussion to start a feud. I don't control the
> pricing and neither do you. I tried to answer a question concerning the
> shipping time for the unit. I am also happy to answer any productive
> questions that people might have. I am not willing to spend my time arguing
> about something that accomplishes absolutely nothing. All I would ask is
> that if you are interested in a Notetaker with a Braille display that you
> give the ELBA a look. Compare it to the other devices that are available,
> including comparing prices and pick the one that is right for you. That's
> the real world. I feel very strongly that if you do this you'll see that the
> ELBA is a good product at a competitive price.
> Tommy
> 
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
	
				Janina Sajka, Director
				Technology Research and Development
				Governmental Relations Group
				American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

Email: janina@afb.net		Phone: (202) 408-8175

Chair, Accessibility SIG
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