Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!381!9.0!Grant.Downey From: Grant.Downey@p0.f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org (Grant Downey) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Arkanstone Verses PC KPR Demonstration Message-ID: <19139@bunker.isc-br.com> Date: 4 May 91 04:02:27 GMT Sender: news@bunker.isc-br.com Reply-To: Grant.Downey@p0.f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org Organization: FidoNet node 1:381/9.0 - Sky's The Limit BBS, El Paso TX Lines: 53 Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org Index Number: 15351 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] On Thursday, April 4, 1991 I had the pleasure of attending a demonstration of the Arkanstone and the P C K P R presented by A O S of Austin. Steve Brookins was the demonstrator. We were able to switch back and forth between the PC KPR and the Arkanstone. I went in expecting to be able to determine which reader was better and went out shaking my head in wonderment and frustration. Every document I brought to test with the two machines would not read on the stand alone version of the KPR. First we used a Sales Bulletin from S N C International, Makers of S C A radios for Radio Reading Services. This document was typed on a typewriter where the spaces between characters were extremely narrow. The Arkanstone had no problem with this document sailed right on through. The PC KPR on the other hand misread most of the document. The second document we used was a leave statement in dot matrix print from my employer. This time the PC KPR read perfectly and the Arkanstone got through it but misread several numbers. However it must be said that both machines read this most difficult document well overall but the PCkpr did a perfect job. Next we tried a dot matrix copy of the In-Touch program guide printed in the poorest dot matrix that our printer in the training lab could put out. The arkanstone shown with this document and read it perfectly. The Pc KPR had some problems. Next we tried a bank statement and neither machine could read the balance sheet even in dot matrix mode accurately. Our last tough document was a hotel restaurant menu in italicized print. The Pc KPR had a hard time with it but it read the entire menu page. The arkanstone could only read the descriptions and prices and not the italicized names of the individual dishes on the menu. Both machines performed better than any reader I've seen before. These documents were very difficult so much so that the stand alone KPR gave the response "PAGE TO DIFFICULT MIGHT BE PHOTO COPIED" ON EACH ONE. The arkanstone and PC KPR got through these documents even in the worst situation to the point where you always knew what it was you were reading. What will our agency buy? Well, when Jim, my boss, and I left the demonstration and we both compared notes and observations, we're going to go with Arkanstone when we can purchase. Why? 1. More than price should be looked at when buying a product of this kind. Arkanstone seems to be a much more consumer oriented company than Xerox. 2. Arkanstone is a non-profit company and their work in this field should be supported and encouraged. 3. Both my boss and I were impressed with the fact that a company would send out free software upgrades to their users. 4. The design of the software and a big plus for me is that the software gives the user an audio indicator that it is working. 5. The length of time for scanning and reading was impressive. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!381!9.0!Grant.Downey Internet: Grant.Downey@p0.f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org