Hurray, this is the answer.  Use a decent external mic and Bob's your
uncle.  It has comparatively few, comparatively large buttons,
operation is a snap and blind students can use it after a bit
of training.  Providing Dragon has been trained to recognise your
recorded voice, it will operate with these sound files.  It's
good gear, in contrast to minidisks.  However, like virtually
everything else of this kind, it is not supported for working with Macs
(not that it couldn't be done, necessarily, rather that neither Mac nor
Olympus say it can).


On Wed, 26 Feb 2003 12:09:57 -0000 Elaine Eldridge
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Yet another suggestion.
>
> I use the Olympus DM1 digital recorder - it can store & record voice and can
> store  MP3 or WMA files for music.  The amount of storage depends upon the
> size of the smartmedia card you use.  It comes with 64MB which can take just
> over 20 hours of material & like the minidisks you can insert index marks.
>
> After lectures you can then download the files onto your pc and free the
> smartmedia card for more recordings.
>
> I've found it better than the tape recorder I used to use - mainly because I
> can be more organised and I don't lose track of where I've put the
> recording.
>
> When Kurzweill 3000 eventually gets the MP3 player into the software it will
> pay dividends.  Then I'll be able to be less desk bound and still be able to
> study.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Elaine
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Smith, Susan A [LSS]" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 7:38 PM
> Subject: Re: Introduction minidisk recorder v's the Apple-Mac iPOD
>
>
> > I am posting this answer on behalf of my colleague Nev Johnson
> > ([log in to unmask]).  Please contact him directly if you need further
> > information
> > Apple-Mac iPOD
> > Pros
> > *       windows and mac compatible
> > *       uses firewire (very fast 400Mbps compared with USB 1.1 12Mbps or
> > 3.35 megabytes compared to 0.77 megabytes per second) for transfer comes
> in
> > 3 sizes 5, 10 or 20 gigabytes
> > *       runs for 10 hours off a single charge
> > *       recharges through the firewire cable on macs, windows users need
> to
> > use the supplied ac adapter
> > *       has limited pda functions (calendar, calculator etc...)
> > *       supports mp3, aiff (mac) and wav (windows) audio formats
> > *       weight 214grams
> >
> > Cons
> > *       there is no line in or built in mic and therefore has no audio
> > record facility
> > *       you cannot upgrade the capacity once it is full
> > *       this is essentially a hard disk in a white case. so do not drop
> it!
> >
> > Minidisc
> > Pros
> > *       many will run in excess of 40 hours on a single charge/battery
> > *       unlimited storage as with any removable media audio player
> > *       can be used as an audio recorder either through a built in mic as
> > with the MZ-B3 or through the line in such as the MZ-N707
> > *       minidisc recorders are light and compact around 150 grams without
> > the battery
> >
> > Cons
> > *       maximum storage per disc is 320 minutes
> > *       windows only at the moment
> > *       use USB 1.1 although due to small file sizes this is less of a
> > problem
> > *       all audio to be transferred to the minidisc will be converted into
> > atrac3 (minidiscs only supported audio type)
> > *       as with the ipod it is delicate so do not drop it!
> >
> > If I assume that the devices are to be used for note taking, so the
> > student may review what was said in a lecture etc.. then the ipod is
> > useless. As I have said above there is no line in or microphone on the
> > ipod which makes recording external audio sources impossible.
> >
> > The minidisc on the other hand will have a line in for a microphone
> although
> > if the student wants to transfer what is on the minidisc to his/her
> > computer, possibly for cd-r archival purposes then the minidisc is also
> > redundant as the only way it is possible to get the audio off the minidisc
> > is to re-record the minidisc via a line out using the computers sound
> card.
> >
> > May I make another suggestion?
> >
> > Creative Nomad 3
> > Pros
> > *       windows and mac compatible
> > *       supports both USB and firewire (see ipod for stats)
> > *       has optical and analog line in (same socket, autodetects what is
> > plugged in) for a mic
> > *       10,20,30 or 40 Gigabytes of space
> > *       66 hours of wav  with the 40GB model upto 665 hours with mp3
> > (recording on the fly) 40GB model
> > *       upto 22 hours of battery life with second battery used
> >
> > Cons
> > *       large in comparison to the minidisc and ipod
> > *       heavier at 289 grams without batteries
> >
> > If you are an ipod user www.audible.com do audio books that are
> > compatible with it. they also support a myriad of other formats such as
> > windows media player and pocket pcs.
> >
> > Nev Johnson
> > IT Help Assistant
> > City Campus Learning Centre
> > Leeds Metropolitan University
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: S.D.Clayton [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > > Sent: 20 February 2003 17:04
> > > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject:      Re: Introduction
> > >
> > > Dear All,
> > >
> > > I have a challenge for the hard-core tekkies out there. This one might
> > > sort
> > > the men from the boys (or the girls, as I know one of the most able
> > > tekkies
> > > amongst you is indeed female).
> > >
> > > Could someone give a summary of the differences in capability and scope
> > > between a minidisk recorder and the Apple-Mac iPOD? Why would an Awards
> > > Officer approve one over a minidisk, and if the student already posessed
> a
> > > minidisk, why would a student with severe dyslexia benefit further from
> > > the
> > > iPOD? You would be helping me greatly if you could offer comparisons and
> > > thoughts.
> > >
> > > thanks
> > >
> > > ___________________________________________
> > > Steve Clayton
> > > Manager, Planning and Resources
> > > Disabled Student Services Section
> > > The Open University
> > > Tel: ++44 (01908 858937) Fax (01908 659044)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Sharon Perry [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > > Sent: 19 February 2003 18:04
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: Re: Introduction
> > >
> > >
> > > Hello Monty
> > >
> > > You could try http://www.jobs.ac.uk which advertises many of the Further
> > > and
> > > Higher Education posts in the UK.
> > >
> > > I hope that helps and I wish you good luck in your search for a post in
> > > Scotland.
> > >
> > > Best Regards
> > >
> > > Sharon Perry
> > > Accessibility SIG Co-ordinator
> > > CETIS (Centre for Educational Technology Interoperability Standards)
> > > Research Institute for Enhancing Learning Padarn School of Education
> > > University of Wales Bangor Normal Site Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2PX
> > >
> > > website: http://www.cetis.ac.uk/accessibility
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Monty Lilburn" <[log in to unmask]>
> > > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > > Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 6:55 PM
> > > Subject: [DIS-FORUM] Introduction
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hello list,
> > > >
> > > > My name is Monty Lilburn and I currently live in Vancouver British
> > > Columbia,
> > > > Canada.  In mid April, I will be re-locating to Scotland.  Prior to
> > > > the
> > > move I
> > > >  would like to gather  some information regarding potential employment
> > > > opportunities at academic institutions in Scotland.
> > > >
> > > > My area of expertise is information technology, with an emphasis on
> > > > adaptive technology and network design.  For the past five years I
> > > > have
> > > been
> > > > employed at the University of British Columbia as a Braille and
> > > > Adaptive Technology Specialist.  In this position, I have been
> > > > afforded the
> > > opportunity
> > > > to evaluate/use  several adaptive products as well as train students
> > > > and
> > > staff
> > > > on the use.  Over the past several years I have also been involved
> > > > with a charity where I headed/managed a project to develop and design
> > > > an Internet Service Provider from the ground up using the Linux
> > > > platform.
> > > >
> > > > In case this mailing list can not accommodate file attachments, I have
> > > > set
> > > up a
> > > > web page where you may browse or download my  curriculum vitae.  The
> > > > URL
> > > is:
> > > >
> > > > http://www.bc.cx/cv1
> > > >
> > > > I would very much appreciate everyone reading this message to take a
> > > couple of
> > > > minutes and review my experiences and learn a little bit about me.
> > > > Even
> > > if
> > > > you reside in other areas of the United Kingdom perhaps you will be
> > > > able
> > > to
> > > > recommend a contact or give me some feed-back/ideas on how I may
> > > > attain employment in the UK.
> > > >
> > > > If you can assist in anyway, please reply to this list or contact me
> > > > at: [log in to unmask]  I look forward  to the chance to be able to share my
> > > knowledge,
> > > > skills, and positive attitude  to educational institutions in
> > > > Scotland.
> > > >
> > > > Thank you for your time.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Yours sincerely
> > > >
> > > > Monty Lilburn  <[log in to unmask]>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > P.S  Although I will be located in the Glasgow area, I am willing to
> > > > travel or consider relocation to other areas of central Scotland.
> > > >

----------------------
Bernard Doherty
Student Adviser
ACCESS Centre
Anglia Polytechnic University

Tel: 01223 363271 x2534
Fax: 01223 417730
Minicom: 01223 576155
[log in to unmask]