I finally had time to search some more for the keyboards I mentioned— Here’s one option— the Power Chord, a 9-key Braille Keyboard. 6 Braille dots, enter, backspace, and space for $250 (US): http://touchgraphics.com/OnlineStore/index.php/ttt-applications/power-chord-braille-keyboard/power-chord-keyboard-bundle.htmlSimilarly, the BrailleKey and BrailleKey G2 priced at 189 and 286 British Pounds: http://www.portset.co.uk/braille-keyboards/(The Braille Key units appear to add some features— a few extra keys.) And this one is particularly unique— a full sized keyboard footprint (the others appear smaller by a good deal), looks like a conventional keyboard with all the alphabet keys removed (and a plate added over them, or maybe plastic formed there in a modified mold), but the f-keys, number pad, modifier keys and arrows all remain, then in the alphabet area, 8 braille keys have been situated. The link looks about 8 years old, it was then a “new” product but I don’t see who actually made it: http://cerncourier.com/cws/article/cern/29635I don’t know if the design would really be useful, but I would like to see one in person... So clearly if you hunt around there are options for a more conventional braille keyboard, and surely these all avoid the n-key rollover issue, etc., though I don’t see that spec. from my glancing at the postings. I’m sure if you search, you’ll find more options still...
On Apr 12, 2014, at 10:20 AM, Richard Holloway <rholloway@...> wrote: No, this wasn't a notetaker. It was a USB keyboard-- just the keyboard interface for a computer, but it was setup like a Braille keyboard only-- no qwerty functions.
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 12, 2014, at 9:58 AM, Mario Brusco <mrb620@...> wrote:
might you be talking about the braille edge?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway@...>
To: "The Jaws for Windows support list." <jfw@...>
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 9:20 AM
Subject: Re: Braille keyboard question. e
The problem is more complicated than it may seem at first. There is a
problem (prat least a potential limit) referred to as "n-key rollover". When
you exceed the key limit, which varies from one keyboard to the next,
unpredictable things may happen. The computer may no longer see the first
keys pressed, with only the last particular (keyboard specific number of)
keys recognized. I have read the limit can be as low as three. (You don’t
typically chord keys at the EXACT same time, there are tiny differences in
when the contacts are made.)
The result is that only the last 3 (or 4, etc.) keys down will be seen. And
there is a second problem called “ghosting” (nothing to do with ghosting
braille on a Perkins). On some keyboards, extra “ghosted” keystrokes appear
to the computer depending on the physical position of the keys you actually
push— it has to do with the wiring matrix of the keyboard. These are extra
keys you didn’t actually push.
As to why this is an issue? Partly cost, but also lack of planning for
unusual applications of the hardware. It costs more to design keyboards that
can handle more keys at once, and the need is rare for qwerty typists. You
may see a need like ctrl + alt + delete often, but usually no more than
three keys are needed at once. The common exceptions are Braille
(obviously), musical applications (like playing a musical instrument, for
example, without a conventional MIDI trigger instrument available), and
certain types of computer gaming.
So the short answer is, even if you have software to solve your problem,
your hardware setup may or may not accept the physical input from the
keyboard. This will vary from one keyboard to the next, and so forth.
Try-before-you-buy, if possible.
Read more about limitations here:
http://xahlee.info/comp/keyboard_key_ghosting.html
I did see a braille-style USB keyboard a while back— not like a Focus 40 (or
such) with a built-in display. It was just a straight row of keys to use
like on a braille notetaker but without a display. This setup had no n-key
rollover issue, but I’ll be darned if I can find it now with a web search.
If I run across it, I will post.
Good luck!
On Apr 11, 2014, at 7:50 PM, Sharon <mt281820@...> wrote:
Doesn't Duxbury allow that?
It's been a long long time since I've used it.
Sharon
-----Original Message-----
From: Jfw [mailto:jfw-bounces@...] On Behalf Of Justin
McDevitt
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2014 3:47 PM
To: jfw@...
Subject: Braille keyboard question. e
Hello to all list members:
I am a long-time braille reader and a proficient braille writer since
grade
school.
As an alternative to the BrailleNote and the other note takers, which I
cannot afford to purchase right now, as a long-time braille writer, is
there
a braille keyboard that I can purchase and connect to a laptop, using JAWS
and a braille translation program like Duxbury that I can use as an
alternative to the higher dollar braille note taking devices?
I know that I could buy a portable braille display which I believe has a
built-in keyboard, but again this would no doubt cost a couple of thousand
dollars.
On the other hand, is there a program that can convert specific keys on a
regular keyboard to the configuration of a braille keyboard which I could
connect to a laptop, for note taking?
I would appreciate any and all input.
Best regards,
Justin
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