The following is taken from: http://www.sighted.com/elba2002.html BRAILLEX ELBA with braille keyboard Also available with QWERTY keyboard. Braillex ELBA with Qwerty keyboard A Braille notetaker that works * Full Internet and e-mail access * Superior hardware with extra-large memory * Rock-solid Linux-based software * Ease of use * Truly ergonomic Braille keyboard and patented Easy Access Bar Global access and connectivity the easy way * The BRAILLEX EL Braille Assistant is a universal communications tool and a state-of-the-art Braille display for other computers, the Braille Assistant is the most versatile portable Braille device around. Send and receive e-mail or surf the web, make notes or organize your day, share information with other devices or access your Windows based PC. BRAILLEX Braille Assistant offers this with quality refreshable Braille and easily understood speech in many different languages. Full Internet and e-mail access * With the BRAILLEX Braille Assistant, you don't need a computer to send or receive messages or to surf the web. The built-in modem and friendly yet powerful software make sure that you will be connected. Superior hardware with extra-large memory * BRAILLEX Braille Assistant features a state-of-the-art CPU designed for portable use with plenty of computing power and advanced power management. The 16 MB of non-volatile flash memory and 32 MB RAM can store thousands of documents. Rock-solid Linux-based software * BRAILLEX Braille Assistant is based on the Linux operating system. Most users will never "see" the operating system, they will still take advantage of its advanced networking capability and its rock-solid applications. BRAILLEX Braille Assistant comes with a set of applications including a word processor, e-mail, Internet browser, day-planner, address book, scientific calculator, etc. Ease of use * Users of all levels will find the menu-driven control center easy to learn and navigate. Those familiar with Windows commands will find most of the shortcut keys they are used to. Text can be entered in either grade 1 or 2 Braille, translation and reverse translation are available at any time. Ergonomic keyboards and patented Easy Access Bar * BRAILLEX Braille Assistant is available with either a Braille or a QUERTY type keyboard. The mechanics of the Braille keyboard were inspired by the technology used for piano keyboards. You will feel the difference when it comes to writing long texts and you will hear the difference when it comes to taking notes. Another highlight of the Braille Assistant is the patented Easy Access Bar, a long key situated on the front of the device. This joystick-like control moves the display up, down, back and forth in a very fast and intuitive way. You issue commands without ever taking your hands off the Braille display. In the control center, the Easy Access Bar offers fast and easy navigation through the menus. Complete Productivity Suite * BRAILLEX Braille Assistant comes with a complete selection of productivity tools: From the control center, choose between the word processor, File Manager, Email, Internet browser, scientific calculator, spreadsheet, data base, day-planner, address book, MP3 player. Easy file transfer to and from a PC is a must. BRAILLEX Braille Assistant can also do file conversion (read and write Word files) and keep your data files updated with its automatic synchronization utility. Since Linux is a multi-tasking operating system, you may have several applications running at once. For example listen to music with the MP3 player while you work. Braille Access to Windows based computers * Connect your BRAILLEX Braille Assistant to your computer, run a screen reader like Jaws, Hal/Supernova, Window Eyes, etc., and you have a Braille terminal to your computer an award-winning refreshable Braille display and if you want, a Braille keyboard. All in one * BRAILLEX Braille Assistant, combines all of your communications and Braille requirements into one compact and easy to use device. Specifications subject to change without notice -- Janina Sajka, Director Technology Research and Development Governmental Relations Group American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Email: janina at afb.net Phone: (202) 408-8175 Chair, Accessibility SIG Open Electronic Book Forum (OEBF) http://www.openebook.org Will electronic books surpass print books? Read our white paper, Surpassing Gutenberg, at http://www.afb.org/ebook.asp Download a free sample Digital Talking Book edition of Martin Luther King Jr's inspiring "I Have A Dream" speech at http://www.afb.org/mlkweb.asp Learn how to make accessible software at http://www.afb.org/accessapp.asp
