* * * * * * *  Bruce Fleming's Best Of CSUN 2002  * * * * * * * 

SESSIONS

    Computer and Job Accommodations Show N Tell, modeled after the popular
    sessions at RESNA. At last--practical examples at CSUN of people putting
    AT to work on real problems.  (Jeff Symons has badgered me into
    coordinating this next year.)  

    Sorting Through Word Prediction, by Scott Marfilius and Kelly Fonner.
    IMHO this should be expanded to a half- or full-day training.  Lots of
    great info packed into a short session and a tiny conference room.  (I
    always end up sitting on the floor in sessions like this where the
    planners had no idea that 100 people would show up for a session in a
    room that seats only 50.)  

    Limits of Human Word Prediction by Greg Lesher/Enkidu Research This is
    what happens when researchers get college students (instead of computers)
    to do word prediction for money.  Initial results were lackluster, but
    some of the students demonstrated intelligence that deserves further
    study.

    RESNA Night, with 15 minute talk by Albert Cooke. This was a unique
    opportunity to hear one of our senior colleagues give his thoughts and
    perspective on the present and future of AT research and service to our
    clients, and a chance to promote RESNA to people who aren't yet members. 


NEW TECHNOLOGY

    INDE*Mouse prototype by Daedalus Technologies, Inc.
    A hardware way to do mouse pause selections.

    DynaWrite by DynaVox Systems, Inc.
    The prototypes look good, the voices nice (acoustics matter!) Until they
    actually ship, it's still a DynaWAIT. 

    Prentke Romich Inc.'s color dynamic display/digitized speech box (may
    apologies, PRC, for forgetting the name) It might give the Dynamo a run
    for the money.  But can you see the display in sun light? 

    Madentec's Tracker One USB-only head tracker ($800)
    Only one cable to connect!  Great price!  Too bad none of the dedicated 
    AAC devices have USB yet. 

    Folks Amp, distributed  in U.S. by Saltillo Corp.
    A very compact speech amplifier with great fidelity, imported from
    Sweden. Much pricier than the Chattervox and the Voicette, but more
    discrete and better sounding. 


MISSED  (stuff I missed seeing for one reason or another)

    ERICA Eye-tracking system (pre-production?)  I saw the booth, but
    couldn't get back to try out the system. 

    TASH's WinMini USB ($500 to $750)   Not yet released? 

    Don Johnston, Inc.  Sold Discover product line to Madentec. Transfer
    complete April 15th, 2002. After this date, Discover products will be
    developed and sold through Madentec.


Contributed by Bruce T. Fleming