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What
is the CalcuScribe?
It is all of the following:
• a simple, portable wordprocessor
with spell-check and cut, copy and paste;
• a powerful, interactive
calculator [math processor] that lets you do math in
a word-processing-like environment;
• has a simple 4-function
calculator;
• a simple, dual Mac or PC
keyboard;
• a simple laptop with folders,
menus and a file management system
• Uses 3 AA batteries, AC-power,
or our NiCad rod;
• Weighs 2.7 lbs. and measures
9 x 12 x 2.2 inches;
• Comes in 2 models: UNO
and DUO (with large screen + zoom);
• Has a 3-year warranty -
FREE support if you need it
• Communicates, wirelessly,
with computers, printers and with other CalcuScribes
- perfect for collaborative work!
• Simple to use, sturdy,
reliable and BUG-FREE!
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
your 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, to non-working hours. Compose
on the CalcuScribe and, later, either print or send
files to a PC or a Mac for formatting and 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 break-up 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 school administrators, provides complete
system access.
To exchange files with 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, grammar exercises, reading exercises, or story
prompts to the childrens' CalcuScribes.
CalcuScribe has on-line contextual Help and special-Ed
features. It is fault-tolerant - i.e., files are auto-saved,
a back-up cell that lasts several years protects all
files and folders. Undelete and undo commands let you
recover from mistakes. Auto-shut-off (sleep) conserves
power.
Why choose the CalcuScribe?
First, we build around industry standards. Second,
we use proven components from industry leaders. Third,
our machines are well-designed, state-of-the-art, durable,
reliable, bug-free and easy to use. Thus, users are
excited and imaginative when using the CalcuScribe.
What’s unique about the CalcuScribe?
It’s the only laptop, under $240, that has a math
processor which lets you perform computations in a word-processing-like
environment. It has a large screen with a zoom feature.
It has adjustable viewing angle. It is well-designed
and exciting and brings the best out of children.
Also, CalcuScribes communicate wirelessly with each
other so that teachers can work with students on an
individual basis or students can exchange files to collaborate
on projects. Collaborative learning is exciting and
fun!
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
aby 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 you used in solving the problem.
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) or science apparatus
and materials. Kids solve the problems and explain their
construction, logic, results and analysis 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 compose,
revise and directly 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,
break up 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 wordprocessor - 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 child's imagination and enthusiasm
for their work - they feel they have a real laptop all
to themselves.
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.
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 para.
Does CalcuScribe have a USB interface?
It does not. But we supply an adapter with which
you can send data to the iMac.
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.
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.
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.
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 Alkanlines
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.
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
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.
Will I loose 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.
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.
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.
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.
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