Microcomputer Science Centre, Inc.

#26-5155 Spectrum Way
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5A1
Canada
Telephone: 800-290-6563 or 905-629-1654.
TT: 905-629-4369.
Fax: 905-629-2321.
Web: http://www.microscience.on.ca.
Email: info@microscience.on.ca.

Products distributed by Microcomputer Science Centre, Inc. (listed alphabetically)

1. DANA

   Dana is a word processor designed for use by individuals with learning disabilities. This hand-held device has a full-size keyboard, Palm OS operating system, and a wide screen display in a polycarbonate ABS case. Users can use this device to write a story, organize the week, record an appointment, or read an eBook. The units come with AlphaWord word processor software; two USB ports, two expansion slots, and an IrDA (infrared) port for sharing data and software with other devices; a CD-ROM with Palm Desktop software, applications, and fonts; a stylus for onscreen data entry; Documents to Go Professional software; Palm eBook Reader; standard Palm organization applications; and a Dana Getting Started Guide. POWER: Uses an alternating current (AC) power adapter or rechargeable battery pack (included). COMPATIBILITY: For use with IBM and compatible computers running Windows or Macintosh computers. DIMENSIONS: 1.9 x 9.3 x 12.4 inches. WEIGHT: 2 pounds.

2. KURZWEIL 3000 FOR WINDOWS

   Kurzweil 3000 for Windows is an optical character recognition (OCR) and test program with voice output designed for use by individuals with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. This OCR software scans documents and reads scanned or electronic text aloud using synthetic speech. Documents are shown on screen with words highlighted as they are spoken. This combined auditory and visual presentation of information helps increase reading accuracy, speed, and comprehension for struggling readers. This software can read documents in portable document file (.pdf), hypertext markup language (HTML), and DAISY digital talking book formats. It presents the original image, with color graphics, photographs, and columns intact, while reading the text aloud. Documents can also be opened, edited, and saved in Microsoft Word format. The program offers a suite of learning tools, including syllabification, pronounciation, text preview, thesaurus, phonetic spelling, and a dictionary. Users can choose from a variety of output voices, and can speed up or slow the pace and replay any word or phrase at will. The user may also select from continuous, self-paced, or word-by-word reading modes. The program also enables users to take notes, add them to the document, and read, print, and review them. As a test-taking program, this software allows teachers to accommodate students' Individualized Education Plan (IEP) needs for visual and auditory accommodations. The software reads questions and answers aloud, and allows students to type answers directly onto the image of a scanned test. Another feature of this software is the ability to automatically search for books by title or author on electronic text repositories such as Bookshare.org, Project Gutenberg, or the Baen Free Library, and then download and read those books. OPTIONS: Three versions of Kurzweill 3000 for Windows are available: a scan/read color version ($1,895), a scan/read black-and-white version ($1,095), and a read-only version called Read Station ($349). The Read Station program can be used by students who obtain scanned reading materials from their teachers and therefore do not need their own scanning software. COMPATIBILITY: For use on IBM and compatible computers. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: 300 megaherz (MHz) Pentium III or better processor Windows 95/98/ME/2000/NT/XP, 128 megabytes (MB) random access memory (RAM), 300 to 400 MB hard disk space, CD-ROM drive, 16-bit high color display support for color images, SVGA monitor with 800 by 600 resolution or higher, sound card and speakers, and a TWAIN-compliant scanner.

3. MATIAS 508 KEYBOARD

   The Matia 508 Keyboard is a one-hand keyboard designed for use by individuals with upper extremity amputation, stroke, or hand injury. This full-size keyboard allows both one-handed and two-handed typing. The user can touch-type with the left hand, the right hand, or both hands. The keys are built on rubber dome keyswitches that provide a quiet tactile feel, with enough resistance to hold the weight of the user's hands and reduce long-term fatigue. The user places a hand where it would normally be for touch-typing to control half the keyboard. To produce the letters found on the other half of the standard keyboard, the user types on the same side with same hand while holding down the space bar with the thumb.

4. MYREADER2

   MyReader2 is a video magnifier and CCTV designed for use by individuals with low vision. This low vision reading system scans pages placed on its reading tray, then presents the text in a user-selected format on the unit's built-in liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. Text can be presented as a wrapped paragraph (column layout), as a continuous line (row layout), or one word at a time (word layout). Readers navigate the text using a control panel, without moving the document or reading tray. This magnifier can store up to 10 pages simultaneously and 3 reference pages. The text display can be set to scroll automatically at a user-selected speed. Other display options include contrasting color combinations for presenting text; a live mode for handwriting and other manual tasks; autofocus; and automatic image deskew (straightening). The MyReader2 also can operate in split-screen mode, displaying input from personal computer (PC) via a VGA input port or an external camera through an NTSC/ PAL input port. It also have a VGA output port to display an image on a separate computer monitor. The magnifier folds for transport. POWER: Uses 100-240 volt alternating current; 50-60 hertz. DIMENSIONS (HxWxD): 20.7 x 14.5 x 19 inches. The built-in LCD screen measures 15 inches diagonally. WEIGHT: 22 pounds. WARRANTY: One year limited warranty.

5. SENSE VIEW PORTABLE (MODEL P430)

   The Sense View Portable, model P430, also called Portable SenseView, is a portable video magnifier designed for use by individuals with low vision. Images are magnified on a 480 x 272 pixel digital liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The unit can also take magnified still shots for closer viewing (for example, a shot of a high display rack). The magnification rate can be increased by pushing a digital magnification button. The display has six color modes (full color, black on white, white on black, yellow on black, yellow on blue, and blue on white) and adjustable brightness. Color mode and brightness are controlled with separate buttons. OPTIONS: External camera module (model P430-PECM) for use in handwriting. POWER: Uses internal rechargeable battery. Battery status can be checked by turning on the battery indicator on the LCD screen. DIMENSIONS: LCD screen is 4.3 inches measured diagonally.

6. TEXTHELP! READ & WRITE

   TextHELP! Read & Write is a voice output word processor designed for use by individuals with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. This toolbar-style application package offers speech feedback as the typing progresses in a choice of letter by letter, word by word, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, or by highlighted text block. Word by word speaking of highlighted text helps the user associate the written word with its sound. This software will read any onscreen text, including menu icons, Internet web pages, e-mail, and spreadsheets. Standard features include a voice-output spell checker with spelled-alike and sound-alike suggestions, a voice-output thesaurus linked to the spell checker, word prediction, abbreviation expansion, automatic correction, and homophone discrimination. Second language capabilities are available when working in Spanish. The software also offers screen magnification of text, tool bars, and help files and text and background colors can be changed to meet the user's needs. Specialized dictionaries for primary school, medicine, and geology are available. Speech fonts include U.S. male and female, United Kingdom male and female, Spanish male, French male, and others. An optional choice of four animated characters to provide speech feedback is also included. COMPATIBILITY: For use on IBM and compatible computers. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Pentium 350 Processor; Windows 98, 2000, XP, ME, or NT4; Internet Explorer 6 or later (available on the Installation CD); sound card and speakers; CD ROM drive; 128 megabytes (MB) random access memory (RAM) (250 MB recommended); 400 MB Free Disk Space.

7. WYNN WIZARD & WYNN READER

   WYNN Wizard and WYNN Reader are voice output, web browser, and text editor programs intended to help individuals with learning disabilities to read, write, study, and comprehend text more effectively. WYNN can read aloud ASCII text files, standard word processing files, digital talking books (DAISY and NIMAS), PDF files, web pages, and e-mail using RealSpeak Solo, which offers multiple voices and languages. Text is highlighted as it is read, and the user can control the speed at which text is read. WYNN can create and edit text and word processing files and convert them to PDF. It also includes word prediction and dictionary functions. WYNN offers a fully functional web browser that has pop-up blocking, and it is compatible with Java, Flash and WebCT. It offers specialized, icon-driven toolbars for specific functions, including web browsing, reading, writing, studying, and file management. WYNN Wizard includes an optical character recognition (OCR) program that can convert a scanned document into readable text that can be displayed in its original format or as text alone. Each software package includes a CD, a set of manuals, and a microphone. WYNN can be purchased for a single computer or for installation on a network. COMPATIBILITY: For use with IBM and compatible computers. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: The IBM and compatible version requires Pentium or higher processor running at least 400 megahertz (MHz); Windows 2000, XP, or Vista operating system (the network version requires Windows XP, 2003 Server or 2000, or Novell Netware 6.0); 128 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM); 400 MB of available hard disk space (1 GB if installing RealSpeak Solo voices); SoundBlaster 16-compatible or better sound card with microphone and speaker or headphones; a video card and monitor capable of VGA video in 800 x 600 resolution with 16-bit color mode or greater; an Internet connection, plus an ISP (Internet Service Provider); a CD ROM or R/W drive; and for the OCR feature in WYNN Wizard, a supported TWAIN-compatible scanner.

See Microcomputer Science Centre, Inc. products that are no longer available.