ADAPTIVE APPLICATIONS:

Which One Is Better,
Which One Is Best ?

So Little Fact; So Much Opinion.

This article is written in responce to the "Eternal Question" regarding Better And Best Comparison Of Adaptive Applications. Because the majority of these requests come from "Non - Users" and the "Unexperienced" the reply has been both long and unsatisfactory. Therefore this article is presented to provide some of the background and reason to the difficult subject of Preference and Choice.

Agree - Or - Disagree, should you wish to Expand - Or - Expound on our explanation, email links are available throughout the text. adaptoid@teleport.com Your input would be appreciated.

TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC COMPARISONS:

Technical Bench Test Comparison(s) and Scientific Market Survey(s) of Adaptive Application(s) are either few and far between; or well hidden. Usually requiring the resources of a major institution. The level - of - effort and cost alone limit individual reviews and reviewer's participation. Current Hyper - and - Etexts are hard to find online; but usually are found in print.

COMPARATIVE PRODUCT REVIEWS:
Where To Go Technically And Scientifically.

Because of their Institutional origins comparative data and reviews can be sometimes less - than - current. Subject titles can be less - than - obvious, or overly - specific. Their "titles" and catalog can be creatively obscure, or overly cryptic. Not easily identified for general purposes by the unfamiliar general public.

Here are some sources to search through on the Internet. The following are only suggested search locations. However if you can find them, the data is prolific. Good luck and good hunting:

1. Government Agencies review Adaptive Technology before they buy the applications. This includes the VA, GSA, and the Department Of Defense and the Military. Search for "Access" issues, specifications, rules- and- regulations, employee and public "Access" relations.
2. Service Organizations ... Search by specific disability.
3. Institutes Of Research ... Search by specific disability.
4. Institutions Of Higher Education ... Search by departmental specialty.
5. Major Online Magazine Reviews ... Search by specific product.

Remember, scientific and technical data has its' own limitations. Even when the source and subject are specific. The reviewers may be Academics ... not Handicapped or Disabled Users.

INDIVIDUAL PRODUCT REVIEWS:
Where To Go "Generally".

Much of what is available "generally" are product Reviews. Usually based on individual commentary, testimonial, anecdote, annotation, and observation. Along with the "individual", you also get the impressions, perceptions, preferences, and prejudice, drawn from any reviewer's individual experience. This is the Not - Very - Scientific "Human Factor".

Reviews, Reports, And Pitches.

Not to mention the presentation of information that "Pitches" from those who want to Sell - To - You, the product they have just reviewed. The potential for Increased Sales, and Conflicts - Of - Interest are enormous! Unless disclosed, or disclaimed, identification is difficult when reviewers Represent, Sell, or receive Financial Benefit from the products they review.

This problem is rampant on the Internet. The flow of information is expanding daily, and initially presents itself as being mostly "free". Commercial Sales Presentations, and Public Service Information, are blending to become unidentifiable. Demonstrating once again:
1. Nothing is every truly free.
- And -
2. At best free is only a very good price.
This is specific to both "Human Nature" and the "Basic Rules Of Acquisition".

DISCLOSURE AND DISCLAIMER:
Integrity And Industry.

While you may never find a product that gave itself a bad review; there is some hope for integrity. Many independent reviews and individual reviewers maintain their own policy. Even excluding products they have Not Personally used or tested. While Maintaining Good Relations and Avoiding Litigation; there are two policies used for their protection:
1. Not Publishing by Not Mentioning the negatives within a positive review.
- Or -
2. Not Publishing by Not Printing anything about products the reviewer does not personally approve to use. Identifying Reviews from Reports posted for public information ... without the reviewer's evaluation or recommendation.
- And -
3. This article was written under the third rule ... "the reviewer takes nothing from nobody"!

However, without standards of uniformity, parity and purity, clarity has no filter - of - objectivity. The question quickly degenerates to confusion and suspicion. "Who's Agenda Is Speaking" and "Who Is Reviewing For You" ?

SO, WHAT DO USERS USE ?
Institutional And Commercial Consumers.

If the Institution or Corporation is Large Enough, purchases will be based on their own in - house Technical and Scientific Product Comparison Studies. Institutions and Corporations with lesser resource, or less able, are likely to follow - their - leader. If the information sources are available they will base their purchases on the same data.

So begins a Chain - Of - Common Practice in Purchase Selection. When small Institutions and commercial business base their purchase decisions by looking over - the - shoulder of their companions and competition. This alone explains the common trend to purchase only specific recognized Brand Name Adaptive Equipment and Applications. Even to the determent of [personal and professional] preference, unit price, and function.

While Recognized Brand Names are Nothing Less than Very Good; and some are Exceptional. The Alternatives of Other Brands can be Equally Very Good; and some are Equally Exceptional. If any Difference - In - Excellence can be found; it happens in Innovation. While Recognized Brand Names trend to support their "Tried- And True" sustaining what they have. Alternative Other Brands usually are Smaller, Newer, Quicker, with less to support, and More For Innovation.

Justified as Uniformity and Conformity this chain - of - common practice has spread. The trend can be clearly seen between Institutions of Education, Training and Vocational Rehabilitation. As they interact with local business to support access and employment. Within any locality, [with few exceptions], they all have the same Recognized Brand Name Adaptive Equipment and Applications. Although done without intent, by coincidence it has been convenient; and must be an accident. This is the "First Law Of Positive Human Dynamics"

Here again are some of the sources to search through on the Internet. The following are only suggested search locations. However if you can find them, the data is more Direct and User Specific.

1. The best source(s) you can personally survey by yourself are the FAQ's and E-Message correspondence of product and disability Newsgroup Sites. The best of these sites are those with Open - Posting, or Independent Third - Party - Moderation, to assure accuracy and quality of information; while reducing the chance to edit or tamper.
2. Service Organizations ... Search by specific disability.
3. Institutes Of Research ... Search by specific disability.
4. Institutions Of Higher Education ... Search by departmental specialty.
5. Major Online Magazine Reviews ... Search by specific product.

SO WHAT DO DISABLED USERS USE?
Choose The One You Know The Best.
All The Rest Is Just A Guess.

So, you are Disabled, and have been Trained to use Adaptive Equipment and Applications. What training you have experienced, with all knowledge you have acquired; becomes the base of Your Individual Preference. A process of availability and chance, that might as well be Cast - In - Iron. For once you are trained and experienced your knowledge base shapes your preference. Again the chain and trend are clearly seen. Along with any adaptive equipment and applications provided for your benefit; are the same recognized Brand Names.

Here the "chain" does Not end; nor does the trend. The greater your disability and level - of - technology "Dependence", upon adaptive equipment and applications, the less likely you are to change and take the Techno- Jump.

Preferences And Risk:
The Techno - Jump.

Many will stay behind the Techno - Change; they just do not have the money. Upgrades they can not afford to pay. Adaptive Computer Systems can cost thousands, and upgrades cost hundreds. Consumerism's Corporate Market Game they can't afford to play. Disability usually restricts both physically, as well as income and ability - to - pay.

Consider the level - of - effort perpetual techno - change requires of the Disabled. Aside from the Slippery Slope of the Learning Curve, are the very personal issues of Survival, Safety, Security and Financial Viability. When On - The - Machine your life and lively hood depend.

Little wonder, those disabled who depend most upon the assistance of adapted computer technology, are the least likely to chance a change. Risking all, the tried - and - true, just to try something new.

More than money, the cost can be personal and profound. When expectations are high and learning slows down. Answers are hard to find, when solutions can't be found.

Were it not for Market Pressure, and the influence of obsolescence, most would stay and avoid the chance to change. Even when their computer, or program support, faces virtual and eventual extinction.

Even if you elect to upgrade, once you are established, you will Not deviate. Rather you will perpetuate the chain and trend. Even with reluctance and resistance ... without question you will return to spend again. Purchasing as you have learned, experienced, and know to be the best - for - you.

In Marketing as in propaganda: "First we get their minds; then all the rest will follow". In technology as in business this is "The Human Factor".

Ying And Yang Of Benefit.

In the short run all will benefit. None are truly harmed. Trained Users know want what they want; and want as they are trained. Needs are met; all to "mutual" benefit. Brand Name Suppliers with "recognition" get more of everything. The rest take what they can get. In an already limited market, Adaptive Technology has been slow to make the transition, to the benefits of scale and profit from Marketing to the general population. So today, as long as competition is low and prices high ... cash flows up- hill, along the distribution lane, to feed the daisy chain.

All is well until the "Innovation" of lesser competition ends. Removing the independent outside sources of creative development, ideas, options and opportunities; upon which we all depend. Innovations do not begin. Progress stagnates into endless annually scheduled changes, superficial alterations, reproductions and replications. Bug - Fix recombinations of "The Same" old game, again and again.

In the 1950's and early 1960's it was the auto industry. One year they added Chrome; next year it was Fins. Every year they added more horsepower, and the family car got bigger. Bigger - Faster was the same as Better; while the basic auto remained the same. All was well until the roof fell; and we all needed something different. Process degeneration became "Devolutionary". Yet, in reality this is still our society; and the Auto Industry, like Ying and Yang, are really Zen.

ADAPTIVE PC APPLICATIONS:
The Unofficial Brand Name Product "Get List" Representing Nothing More Than How Some Of Us Were Trained.

DecTalk Speech Synthesizer:
Because it was a leader.

VocalEyes Speech Synthesizer And Screen Magnifier:
Because it was a leader.

JAWS Speech Access Control:
Because it is unique as a universal access tool.

ZoomText Screen Magnifier:
Because it was a leader.

Visibility Graphic Text Screen Access and Magnification:
Because it was unique.

Dragon Dictate Speech Recognition:
Because for dictation and command control they are still the best.

Kurzweil Speech Recognition: Because it is equally good. HP ScanJet:
Because they are still the best.

OCR Software:
WORDSCAN
EASYREADER
TEXTBRIDGE
TYPEREADER
OMNIPAGE
OSCAR
[You pick, there are more]

HP PrintJet:
Because they are still the best.

MS Windows 95:
Because it is the only game - in - town.

Add here what you know and use:

adaptoid@teleport.com

IN SUMMARY:
Better And Best ?

1. The better and best for Institutions and Business ... is what they already use and buy in their locality and profession. Institution and Business purchasing should include each and every Individual Disabled End User's Personal Preference. Always factor and consider the User's Training and Retraining. Don't reject considering Alternative Brands and Innovations.

If purchasing PC's as work stations; avoid buying "Dumb Terminals"; and buy near the top of the line. Try to get "Board and ROM" capacity ahead of the Techno - Curve. Processor "speed" and ROM Memory Chips can be replaced, or added, as they are needed. The long run is short enough. This may make it longer, and upgrades will cost less. Short of this try to follow your leader.

2. The Better and Best for Individual Disabled Users ... is what they have Personally Tried, Trained, and Experienced to become their Preference. Nothing Less Will Do. So, if you are disabled and purchasing for your self Try Before You Buy, and buy only items that Pass Your Own Preference Test. Consider Alternative Brands, even their innovations; the prices may be cheaper.

Try to buy "Board and ROM" capacity ahead of the Techno - Curve. Processor "speed" and ROM Memory Chips can be replaced, or added, as they are needed. Short of this buy the Biggest you can get. Big and "Used" are fast enough, and the price is always cheaper.

ALL IS ONLY
PREFERENCE !

BETTER AND BEST DO NOT EXIST !

What Works For One,
May Work For Two.
What Works For Both,
MAY NOT FOR YOU !

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY,
YOU WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO !

"Better And Best"
SuperAdaptoid 97
adaptoid@teleport.com

REFERENCES AND EXAMPLES:

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER PRODUCT EVALUATIONS
MARCH 1997

Here is an example that is representative of all the elements just discussed. All product evaluations are published in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness (JVIB) News Service. Ask for "free" Blind and Low Vision text options [including e-disks].

afbinfo@afb.org
http://www.afb.org/afb/tc_evals.html

THE KAITLIN GUIDE

Here is an example of a commercial guide providing free public information with the proper disclosure and disclaimers. This is a guide to some of the available software that may provide access to a computer for individuals with physical and/or sensory limitations that restrict their effective use of standard input and output devices (ie., keyboards, mice, monitors).

The guide does not pretend to be a list of all available products, but rather an overview of some of the possibilities. Where comparisons or end-user comments are available, they are included. Remember that these may be one individual's opinion, and that others may differ depending on their particular circumstances. If possible, test competitive products before buying. Demo versions are sometimes available and, if we are aware of them, that information is indicated.

http://www.rit.edu/~easi/resource/kaitlin.html
kaitlin@magi.com
1