In these circumstances, I'd agree with Nasser that upgrading to 8GB is the best bet, and no reason that I can see that SFE wouldn't pay.
Students who have their own machine also suffer because they do not benefit from the setup which a good ATSP will provide which will remove cr*pware and organise the machine to provide long term reliability and ease of support. (A typical retail setup is designed to sell you more things, with no care about how it might slow you down).
In addition, if the machine is underpowered, all the more reason to follow basic computer hygiene by doing such things as:
** Ensure windows update is working.
** Check that it updates at a time when the computer is on, but you are not likely to be doing serious work;
** Make sure you are only using one firewall/anti virus -- the built in Windows Defender is fine on its own for most purposes.
** Make sure that any routine scans are done at a time when the computer is on, but you are not likely to be doing serious work;
** Be careful what sites you visit and only install software that you are sure that you want;
** Don't have more applications and windows open than you need.
** Restart your computer every day or so, rather than always letting it sleep or hibernate.
** With Dragon, limit the size of files that you work with, save regularly and don't always ask it to keep the dictation files with the document files (which you can do in case you want to listen again or get someone else to edit your files whilst being able to hear what you actually dictated.)
Regards
Ian Litterick
Executive Chairman
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-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anthony Hill
Sent: 11 November 2015 15:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [DIS-FORUM] Alternatives to Dragon
The £200 contribution a student is expected to make towards a computer provided through the DSAs, was passed in regulations by the Government. SLC have no discretion to wave the contribution based on personal circumstance.
Whilst we empathise with the student's predicament, I'm afraid "arguing strenuously with SFE" isn't going to assist in this particular case. A computer bought prior to the Assessment of Need will not be considered as a fulfillment of the personal contribution. We have previously clarified this matter with BIS policy.
Technical advice could be sought from an ATSP to understand the cost and feasibility of upgrading the machines capability. This may be more affordable than the £200, but it's not in SLC's expertise to advise.
Kind regards
Anthony Hill
Targeted Support Services Manager
Student Finance England
Tel; 01325 215702
Mobile - 07827449303
The Student Loans Company Limited
Memphis Building
Lingfield point
Darlington, DL1 1RW
From: Tim Symons <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask],
Date: 11/11/2015 15:01
Subject: Re: Alternatives to Dragon
Sent by: "Discussion list for disabled students and their support
staff." <[log in to unmask]>
An interesting argument.
I would suggest this also applies to any AT, for those who have bought a very cheap laptop prior to assessment which fails the benchmark test. They have paid their contribution.
Would colleagues agree?
Tim Symons | Training Co-ordinator/Needs Assessor/AT Trainer | Access SUMMIT – Accessibility Resources and Services | St Peter's House | Oxford Road | Manchester | M13 9GH
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-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [ mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Natalya D
Sent: 11 November 2015 14:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Alternatives to Dragon
I would argue strenuously with SFE that if the student had a laptop which was otherwise suitable for a non-disabled students' study needs that the
£200 contribution for a laptop which will run Dragon is unreasonable.
Get the needs assessor to do this and don't give up, keep arguing this as I have got somewhere with this line before where the student has had a thing but not one which was good enough for disability needs. You may need to escalate this a few times and if necessary take it to the top but the £200 is supposed to be a contribution and if the student HAS a laptop they have in effect paid it!
You will need to show that the original laptop isn't fast enough for Dragon.
Good luck.
Natalya
On 11/11/2015 12:39, Helen Stocker wrote:
> Dear All
>
> I just wondered what the alternatives to Dragon would be.
>
> I have a student who already bought a laptop (they were assessed only
> a month ago) and has been told that it's not fast enough to run all of
> the software they would need.
>
> I have attached a copy of the details of their laptop and software
> requirements
>
> They'd need to pay the £200 towards the cost of a new laptop, but the
> student does not have this and neither do we. Therefore, we trying to
> work out ways around it.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Helen.
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