Why I Bought a PAC Mate
By Povinelli, Susan; Braille Monitor, Vol. 48, No. 3Publication Date: March 2005
Article in which the author discusses her decision to use the PAC Mate QX400, which is a personal digital assistant (PDA) from Freedom Scientific. The author is blind, yet she prefers to use the PAC Mate’s standard computer keyboard instead of a Braille keyboard. She also likes the PAC Mate’s 40-cell Braille display, which she finds to be less distracting to use during meetings than voice output. PAC Mate also uses the Microsoft Pocket Window operating system, which is very similar to the Windows operating system she is familiar with. The device can also transfer Word files and documents scanned by Open Book software, and has an excellent calendar and task program. The author also discusses a few drawbacks to PAC Mate, such as the lack of a serial or parallel interface port, and the fact that a hard reset is required when the device freezes up. Suggestions for consumers who are blind or have low vision and are interested in purchasing a PDA are included.
Assistive Products Discussed: PAC MATE BNS
PAC MATE TNS
Published by: National Federation of the Blind (Website:http://www.nfb.org)
Link to text: http://nfb.org/bm/bm05/bm0503/bm0503tc.htm
