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 What
is the CalcuScribe?
It is all of the following:
• a simple, portable wordprocessor
with spellcheck and cut, copy and paste;
• a powerful, interactive
calculator [math processor]
that lets you do math in a word-processing-like
environment;
• also, a simple 4-function
calculator;
• a simple, dual Mac or PC
keyboard;
• a simple laptop with folders,
menus and a file management system.
CalcuScribe
• Uses 3 AA batteries, AC-power,
or our NiCad rod;
• Weighs 2.7 lbs. and measures
9 x 12 x 2.2 inches;
• We have 2 models: UNO and
DUO (Duo has a large screen with zoom);
• Has a 3-year warranty -
FREE support if you need it
• Communicates, wirelessly,
with computers, printers and other CalcuScribes - perfect
for collaborative work!
• Simple, sturdy and reliable!
We
happily answer questions
How does CalcuScribe work?
It's simple as ABC!
A: Think and type;
B: Revise [cut 'n' paste] - CalcuScribe auto-computes
C: Beam your work into the active document on
a computer, or to a printer, or to another CalcuScribe!
The QuickUse procedure is on the back label of each
CalcuScribe - it's that simple!
What
does CalcuScribe do?
It augments a computer.
It lets you perform labor-intensive tasks, that require
imagination and creative thinking, while computers perform
processor-intensive, number crunching tasks.
It enhances productivity by providing a tool away from
school, or from work, during non-working hours. Compose
on the CalcuScribe and, later, either print or send
files to a computer for publishing.
CalcuScribe also has a math processor
for writing lab or science reports. It provides a word-processing-like
environment which lets you write math expressions in
between text expressions. It auto-computes the results
and displays them, immediately, to the right-side of
your document. Later, when revising, all the results
throughout the document are automatically updated. This
is particularly convenient when students breakup complex
problems into simpler ones and link the mathematical
expressions.
CalcuScribe, has full editing features like cut, copy
and paste, Find and Replace, and a spellchecker. It
has quick cursor movement to jump to various parts of
a document.
Teachers may create several folders - one for each user
(each with a separate password, if necessary). CalcuScribe
lets you create as many files as you wish. Master password,
provided only to schools, provides complete system access.
To send files to a computer, a keyboard cable (or the
InfraLink pod) is required. But, CalcuScribes communicate
with each other, wirelessly, so that students can collaborate
on projects or a teacher can beam word problems, exercises,
or story prompts to the children.
CalcuScribe has on-line contextual Help and special-Ed
features. Files are auto-saved, a back-up cell that
lasts several years protects all files. Undelete and
undo commands let you recover from mistakes. Auto-shut-off
(sleep mode) conserves power.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Why choose the CalcuScribe?
First, we build around industry standards.
Second, we use proven components. Third, our machines
are well-designed, state-of-the-art, durable, reliable,
bug-free and easy to use. Users love their CalcuScribes
and are excited and imaginative with the CalcuScribe.
What’s unique about the
CalcuScribe?
First, it’s the only laptop, under $240, that has
a math processor which lets you solve math problems
in a word-processing-like environment and explaining
the work in simple english.
Second,
CalcuScribes are the ONLY machines among the competitors
where students can 'beam' files to each other. If preferred,
this feature can be turned OFF with a master password
so that students can work independently and NOT send
missives or answers to each other. CalcuScribe is perfect
for collaborative projects or for teachers to 'beam'
different assignment to each student. Students tell
us, collaborative learning is exciting and fun!
Third,
CalcuScribe has a large screen with a zoom feature.
The swiveling screen gives an adjustable viewing angle.
With the competitors' machines, users have to adjust
their body posture to reduce light reflection from the
screen.
Fourth,
we provide prompt and the most courteous service in
the industry. We simly try harder! TEST US!
What is the MathWiz
- the Math Processor?
When performing
computations on calculators, the data is not
saved. Thus, one can't be sure if the answer computed
is correct. If one believes that perhaps it is incorrect,
he must reenter the data on the calculator to compute
the correct answer - hoping not to make mistakes the
second time around.
CalcuScribe lets you type the data in a math-file (as
if typing simple text). The data is displayed on a large
screen and saved in a file. CalcuScribe auto-computes
the results and displays them on the screen at the end
of each math expression. You can move the cursor to
any location to correct the mistakes, or to enter more
expressions, or delete some. You may also insert text
so that the reader, of your report, can understand the
methodology used in solving the problem.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Really, what’s the big deal?
What does this really
mean for the schools?
Schools have a mandate to integrate the writing
and the math curriculums. Curriculum books and multimedia
CDs with creative activities and projects encourage
integrated (interdisciplinary) learning. For example,
problems and projects are presented in text form. The
tools provided to the kids have been calculators, geometry
sets, building blocks (like Lego sets) or science apparatus
and materials. Kids solve the problems and explain their
construction, logic, results and analyses in a word
processor that runs on a desktop computer or by writing
reports by hand. They submit the report to the teacher
for review and a grade.
What has been lacking, thus far, is a simple device
on which students can compose math constructs - as if
they were writing text - and on which they then revise
their work and print.
CalcuScribe is a simple word processing and calculating
device that allows teachers to ‘beam’ word
problems to the kids. Kids open the received file, on
their machine, read the problems and, if necessary,
breakup the complex problems into simpler parts by defining
variables and expressions.
Students may write math expressions directly in the
math-editor (just like they do in a simple text editor)
to solve complex problems. CalcuScribe auto-computes
the results. Kids compose text and analysis, as a researcher
would, to explain the methodology, logic, and the results
derived. They can also write whether the results make
sense and print the preliminary draft to get feedback
from a teacher. They may revise and correct their mistakes
- as they do in a word processor - and CalcuScribe automatically
computes new results as if the student were using a
powerful spreadsheet.
The simple tool allows kids to create simulations ('what-if'
scenarios) and empowers them to answer their own questions.
It saves their work in a file for revision later on
and, therefore, reduces the time and the effort of having
to reenter the data. Portable tools, with built-in applications,
provide a stimulating environment for kids to learn,
create and express themselves. The handsomely designed
CalcuScribe ignites the childerens imagination and enthusiasm
for their work - they feel they have a real laptop all
to themselves.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Can CalcuScribe be used for keyboarding?
There is no keyboarding software on the machine.
Kids can develop keyboarding skills by typing into a
blank file. When they have finished they can press the
F10/COUNT key to see how many words and characters were
typed. They can spellcheck their work to see if they
spelled the words correctly. There is no timer but a
teacher can start the kids at a certain time and ask
them to stop at a particular time. The teacher can provide
the content (correctly spelled words) on a sheet of
paper (or on the blackboard) for kids to type into their
blank files. If kids make mistakes, the spellchecker
finds the mistakes and the total number of mistakes
can be counted.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Can data be sent to other applications like an email
document, a spreadsheet or a database?
Yes! CalcuScribe offers a sophisticated Tabset.
It can be set to skip 1 - 9 spaces each time the TAB
key is pressed - depending on the setting you have selected.
The default setting skips 5 spaces. Or, the Tabset can
be set to 0 in which case a ‘tab-marker’ is
inserted each time the TAB key is pressed. When data
is sent into a computer application, the ‘tab-marker’
from CalcuScribe forces the cursor on the computer's
monitor to behave in the manner dictated by the receiving
application.
For example, when sending data into a spreadsheet, the
tab-marker forces the cursor to move to the adjacent
cell and the Enter key forces the cursor to move to
the next row. When sending data into a database, the
tab-marker forces the cursor to jump to the next field
and the Enter keystroke starts a new data-record. When
pumping data into a word processor, the tab-marker forces
the cursor to jump to the next tab-stop and the Enter
key starts a new line. Two consecutive Enter keystrokes
start a new paragraph
We
happily answer questions, click here
Does CalcuScribe have a USB
interface?
It does not. But we supply an adapter with
which you can send data to the iMac.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Is the InfraLink IR pod required? No, but
it's cool and convenient to have. To print directly
to a printer, without first sending the file to a computer,
the IR pod is required. Our pod connects to a computer,
a printer and to the computer’s keyboard - simultaneously.
It manages data traffic between the CalcuScribe and
the desktop devices mentioned.
The PC-pod can hold several documents in memory and
serve them to the computer, or to the printer, one at
a time. The Mac pod cannot do that unless you want to
ONLY print the documents because when the Mac IR pod
is communicating with the Mac it can't communicate with
other devices. Macs need full attention.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Can documents be printed directly
from CalcuScribe to a printer using a cable?
No, CalcuScribe can print by sending files wirelessly
to OUR pod or you may send the file into a word processing
application, on a computer, and print from it there
by clicking on the PRINT button on the application's
Tool bar.
The Mac IR pod does NOT print to Apple printers (ImageWriters
or StyleWriters) but does print to the HP printers (DeskJets
and DeskWriters). It also prints to most parallel port
printers. It does not print to Windows-ONLY printers
or to postscript printers. The PC pod does not print
to serial port printers.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Why is there a significant difference
in battery life on the Uno vs. the Duo?
On the Duo unit, the batteries last only
50 hours because the screen is a large graphic screen
that draws more power. On the less expensive Uno, the
battery life is about 300 hrs. The graphic screen zooms
to a large font and allows you to see the marked (selected)
text before it is copied or cut. On the Uno, the marked
block has only block-markers.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Do you have external battery
chargers?
Yes, we do. They charge up to 8 batteries
at a time. The rechargeable batteries last a shorter
time (about 8 hrs. on the Duo before needing a recharge)
than the non-rechargeable Alkaline batteries (about
50 hrs. on the Duo). However, the NiCad can be recharged
several times over. For prices of rechargeable batteries
and the external charging unit, please see our latest
price list.
We offer two recharging solutions:
1) The NiCad battery rods that we provide recharge within
CalcuScribe by plugging our AC adapter to the machine.
You may work on the machine while the battery is charging.
2) Instead of buying our NiCad rods you may purchase
loose NiCad batteries and an external recharging unit
from us. It charges 8 batteries at a time and costs
$35 each. We also sell loose NiCads. A set of 3 NiCads
costs $6. When the battery power depletes, simply replace
them with freshly charged batteries. Your students would
put the drained batteries in a box for a lab assistant
to recharge.
When using loose batteries, you may use non-rechargeable
Alkalines whenever you wish to. Thus, if you forget
to charge the NiCads, you can substitute them with the
Alkalines. Make sure not to use the NiCads and the Alkalines
at the same time. Our NiCads are blue and the Alkalines
are yellow. The other advantage of using loose batteries
is that you would charge only the batteries that have
little juice left in them.
With the first solution, you charge 15 machines, in
each cart, every night. Thus, you would be charging
machines that don't require recharging and thus the
batteries are charged suboptimally.
If you use loose NiCads, with an external charger, you
would not need the electrical cart. The non-electrical
cart costs $85 less.
We
happily answer questions, click here
How long do the NiCad batteries
last before needing to be replaced?
About 750 cycles of recharging - which is
about 2-3 years.
What's the cost of a NiCad
rod and where can it be purchased? The rod
and the AC adapter must be purchased from us at a cost
of $15 each - we offer quantity discounts. Later, to
replace the rod, it costs $10 each. You would need to
purchase these from us too because they are customized
for CalcuScribe. The AC adapters plug into a wall outlet
or if you are storing the machines in a cart, the AC
adapters plug into the back panel of the cart and the
cart plugs into a wall outlet with a single plug.
What sort of care do the NiCads
require? Ideally, you should wait till the
battery is drained before recharging it to get the maximum
life. However, it's convenient to charge the batteries
overnight - regardless of how much charge remains. Thus,
you will be charging the batteries inefficiently and
they will have a shorter life but you will save time
and trouble by charging them each night. Overcharging
(for more than 12 hours) will not hurt the machine nor
the batteries. It takes 10-12 hours to fully charge
a rod.
We
happily answer questions, click here
What sort of a warranty do
the products have?
We offer a 3 year
warranty for the CalcuScribe and the InfraLink pod
- on parts and labor.
What sort of support do you
provide?
We offer a Unlimited Free support via phone
or email. However, you will probably not need it.
Can I format text with the CalcuScribe wordprocessor?
CalcuScribe does NOT format text! We think kids should
compose on CalcuScribe but format their work on desktops
which have powerful applications. Familiarity with desktop
applications makes kids skilled and employable. CalcuScribe's
operating system, its file management system, and its
menus and folders are like the ones on desktop computers.
Thus, kids learn computer literacy skills by using the
CalcuScribes.
We
happily answer questions, click here
Will I lose my files when the
batteries die?
What if I forget to save
the file?
What if I delete a file and want to recover it?
What if I accidentally delete text from my file?
Don’t
worry! Be happy! CalcuScribe is fault-tolerant!
You may undelete files, undo cut or paste,
or recover deleted text and YES your files are auto-saved
if the machine goes to sleep or if you go to sleep and
someone turns it OFF!
YES, your files are protected with a built-in back-up
cell and remain saved when the AA batteries are removed.
We
happily answer questions, click here
How sturdy or noisy is the keyboard?
It is quiet as a mouse. CalcuScribe
has the sturdiest and the quietest, full-sized keyboard
when you compare it to our competitors. The ON/OFF switch
is sturdy and well protected and does not accidentally
come on, when transporting the machine, as it does on
our competitors' machines. Also, random characters do
not accidentally get typed into the CalcuScribe files
as it does on our competitors' machines.
How easy is it to move the
cursor within the document since there is no mouse?
It's easy as 123! Move the cursor rapidly
by using the Home, End, PgUp, PgDn keys. Or, use these
keys, or the arrow keys, in conjunction with the Ctrl
or the Alt key, to move the cursor rapidly.
To select items from the menus, simply press a hot key.
When you see file-directories, begin typing the filename
and the cursor jumps to it. CalcuScribe also offers
the GoTo command to jump to any line in your file. The
STATUS key shows you which line and column number in
the file the cursor is at and shows the filename.
We
happily answer questions, click here
How many files does CalcuScribe
hold?
How many can you create?
It
holds unlimited number of files and folders. Create
and protect folders with passwords - one for each user
- so that students work with just their files. Passwords
can be reassigned. You have a total of 50 pages of text
available that can be used to make as many math or word
files as you wish to make.
We
happily answer questions, click here
How does the spellchecker work?
The spellchecker works in 2 modes:
a) Alt + S keys, when pressed together, give suggestions
for the correct spelling of the word, where the cursor
is, if it's misspelled.
b) The SPELL key spell-checks the entire document for
misspelled words. CalcuScribe shows you where the misspelled
word is in the document! Either type the correct spelling
(it could be a word that is suggested by CalcuScribe)
or just select a word from the list of suggestions.
CalcuScribe auto-replaces the misspelled word. However,
if you type the correct spelling, it's reinforced in
your mind. CalcuScribe remembers words (like, proper
nouns) which you can ask it to "Ignore" so
that they do not appear as misspelled words.
What special-needs functions
does CalcuScribe offer?
To
discover, click here
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