The User Guide mentions a command that generates bug reports. Finding out how that works might be a good next step, especially if it creates core files, stack traces or similar output needed to debug application crashes.
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I am very excited to receive the Monarch this past week!
First Impressions: I agree with cohort members’ impression that the Monarch is larger and heavier than perhaps expected. Thank you for the great suggestions of travel backpacks that could accomodate the Monarch. I found the set-up instructions comprehensive and accurate (I am thankful that my wi-fi password is only 10 digits). The tutorial allowing for multiple practicings of the point-and-click feature was useful.
Expectations: I especially look forward to learning how the various editors will interact with and represent tables in commonly used file formats (Word, PDF, etc.) And, of course, graphics. My hope is to provide feedback and experience in using the Monarch to read and develop my own tables and graphics. And interact with and represent slides such as PowerPoint.
Priorities: I look forward to diving into the editor and tactile graphics applications next…
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Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll check this option out.
I am also looking forward to seeing if there is a setting to have text appear at the bottom of the membrane when writing documents, allowing it to wrap and move upwards as the user types.
There’s a command that moves the line which the cursor is on to the first line of the display.
I’ve spent more time with Victor Reader. I am really liking being able to see my recent downloads from bookshare and that the files are epub instead of Daisy. The problem with daisy is that the book is a folder with a lot of files, so epub is easier to keep track of. I know it is just a zip file, but it’s just easier to move, to send to someone else, to transfer to another device, etc.
I continue to enjoy the multi-line reading experience as well.
I used KeyBRF to take notes for two more meetings. No more crashes; I think the crashing occurs if you have other tasks running and are trying to select text.
One of the things I really love about taking notes with the Monarch, is being able easily to move back and forth to correct a mistake (Oh, the motion didn’t pass after all) or (how long was the discussion for that old business?) etc. All these were zoom meetings I attended at home, and instead of trying to type on my PC and listen to JAWS and also listen to the meeting, it was much much easier to just do all the taking of notes on the Monarch.
Though I’d tried to take notes on a single-line display with a built-in editor, it was far more cumbersome because it wasn’t as easy to skim around to quickly edit or add to a passage in real-time during the meeting. I ended up having to listen to a recording and do the minutes later, something I tend to procrastinate. But taking the notes on the Monarch was less of a chore.
I still have not been able to do simple arithmetic on the Monarch, I mean manually. You have to keep the columns of numbers lined up and that is almost impossible with either editor. It is much easier using a Braille Writer.
Keymath is great, but I have to find an accessible algebra book to do some problems with – if I can even remember Algebra!!! Bookshare has plenty but they are only semi-accessible. NLS has one but it’s UEB math and I only know Nemeth.
I pulled out my largest laptop bag from a top shelf; it’s for a 17-inch laptop and the monarch is too big for that as well. I hesitate to buy an expensive bag for a device I don’t own, but I do need to try it at work. I wish APH had provided a bag; I don’t want to carry it without good padding. It costs 17K, I don’t understand why a bag could not be included for that price!
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The startup tutorial was great; I really enjoyed how interactive it was and how I could practice learning the buttons and gestures in real-time. I agree with Jason that it did feel very similar to setting up a Smartphone; very simple and easy. One small challenge I personally ran into because I don’t have as much experience in computer Braille compared to traditional grade 2/grade 1/nemith, was figuring out how to enter my wi-fi password as it has several capitalized letters as well as special characters. I was very grateful for the screen-reader echo as I was typing as I was able to use trial and error to finally figure out all the correct dot combinations. Perhaps one thing that could be added to the startup tutorial would be just a couple practice activities of using the backspace and enter keys to create the 8-dot computer Braille.
I’m super excited to explore the tactile viewer and learn how this could enable accessible image creation and viewing for the marketing projects I oversee.
One piece of feedback I’d like to share about the device itself is that it was a bit heavier and larger than I was imagining. From a product design standpoint, it would be great if the case could support a strap for easier transport, or if a large messenger bag was included. I tried fitting into my laptop carrying bag, but it’s too big and won’t fit.
Overally, I’m very pleased with the Monarch and am looking forward to incorporating it into my everyday tasks!
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As of version 1.2 of the software, it no longer requires computer Braille to be used for passwords, Web searches, etc., if you’re using a UEB translation table. However, the Monarchs used in this project seem to be coming with older software installed, so you’ll need to use computer Braille to connect to the network and then update to version 1.2, after which the problem goes away.
I’m very familiar with computer braille, so it wasn’t an issue in my case.
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I was excited to unbox the Monarch. It was packaged well, and I had no problems getting it ready to charge. I recognized the Humanware adaptor. The hardest thing was to wait for it to be charged before getting started. 
I listened to all of the training modules. They helped to give me an idea of what to expect. I also went through the startup tutorial on the Monarch. I loved finding the butterflies and using point and click to learn about this feature. The movement of the pens reminded me of a fluttering butterfly. I am looking forward to accessing and working with the tactile graphics.
Then, I made some setting changes, which went fine. I was able to connect to the Wi-Fi using Computer Braille to enter the password with no problems.
I have a student that has some experience with other Braille displays and is preparing to go to college. She was eager to see the Monarch. Therefore, we worked together to change the time and time zone. She did some problem-solving and was able to figure it out. She enjoyed the experience.
I also updated the Monarch, which took a while to complete. I did notice that the spoken percentages were different from what was being displayed in Braille during the process.
The experiences that I have with other Braille displays did help me have a better understanding of setting up, moving through the options, and using the Monarch.
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Hey @Teisha_Gillespie - glad to hear you liked the startup tutorial! I’m excited to hear about all that you discover - the good stuff and the not so good stuff - as you incorporate it into your everyday routine! 
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@Jewel_Ardoin - Love that you’re already incorporating the Monarch into work with your students - so exciting! And I totally agree about the movement of the pins - the gentle noise that they make is so soothing and reminds me of wing beats. I’m passing along the note about the difference between spoken percentages and displayed percentages during updating to our team - they’re loving all the feedback coming form this group already!
Your First Impressions: What were your initial thoughts when setting up the Monarch? Were there any surprises, challenges, or features that stood out to you?
I like how it mimics a Perkins Brailler. I did have a little bit of a challenge finding the “enter” button, but I figured it out.
Your Expectations: How do you expect the Monarch to help your students or clients as they build skills for employment, education, or daily life?
I expect the Monarch to totally take over. I think it will replace having to carry tons of braille books.
Your Priorities: Which feature(s) do you want to explore first? What do you think will be most beneficial in preparing individuals for independence in a professional or learning environment?
Tactile images and connecting to the internet. I am hoping to be able to pull an image up on a Google search and have it show on the Monarch.
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I thought it was larger and heavier than expected too, but then I think of braille books in volumes and it puts it into perspective for me. Happy field testing Nathanael!
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I agree! It would be good to find out. That is a nice feature should anyone need to use it!
I don’t think we will ever be able to just pull up any image on the internet and “see” it on the Monarch. It’s a nice idea, but tactiles have to be specifically designed to show what sightlings get from seeing color in images. Plus the resolution of what you can feel is far lower than what one can see. I’m glad there’s a separate forum for tactile graphics designers; where the Monarch is going to really shine is helping them design tactile graphics. They will be able to see their results realistically rendered on the Monarch’s display without wasting paper or pulling out a PIAF machine or an embosser.
I have some of those carbon-based pens for drawing on Swell paper, and I’ve discovered when our tutors draw things, they don’t make the lines wide or dark enough and the tactiles they produce are impossible for blind students to decipher. Or the drawings are too complex, and I’m talking about college students, not little kids.
Where the Monarch is going to help is getting quick access to graphs and charts for higher ed. For kids, it will help them learn shapes, everything from simple squares and circles to what the printed alphabet looks like. It’s going to replace the tedium of arranging yarn on velcro or drawing with one of those tactile drawing kits with the flimsy plastic.
It’s going to allow us to find images in the TGIL without the need also to waste paper or time embossing or printing on swell paper.
But I think it’s deceptive for sighted people to think it’s going to render most images on the internet in a usable form for the tactile explorer!
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Hi Deborah,
I always defer to the APH Tactile Graphic Image Library and if they do not have something I am looking for and it is not something I cannot create myself, I use Google images. I am fully aware that Google images cannot always be used at face value. I simplify the image and edit it into just an outline. I then run it through a ZyChem machine or copy it into Tactile View. My dream is to eliminate some of these steps and be able to have the image go right to the student’s fingertips.
Wow. That would be so cool if an image could automatically be simplified to make it tactile; I wonder if AI could be trained to do it.
Of course that might affect job security for those who already make lovely tactile graphics.
I do deeply appreciate the folks who do it for our college; in California it’s a grant-funded program run by our state chancellor.
Anyway, I think APH should look in to seeing if it’s possible for AI to adapt existing images for the Monarch perhaps when quick access is needed and someone to prep the graphic is unavailable.
I am also an IOS user and not super engrained into computer Braille. I use very secure passwords with multiple special symbols and capitalized letters, including for my Wi-Fi, so to connect initially, I actually had to have my husband create a brand new network with a simple password use case until I could get the computer Braille down.
Hi Deborah, I really love your analogy of the sea, sand, and surfboard! It’s quite apt! I love exploring new things and am very excited to dive into the Monarch, but there’s definitely a reason why I’ve been adverse to traversing the Mac world as a life-long PC gal. Being super aware of these potential obstacles will likely serve you very well as you develop trainings for the students you work with.
I also found the device to be much larger and heavier than I was anticipating. For me, this likely means it will live stationary on my home office desk because I don’t like the idea of constantly transporting very lucrative equipment around. I’m so glad I work remotely!
I’ve written about this further in Express Activity 5, but it seems to me that software which generates graphics automatically (e.g., charts, graphs, or diagrams) is especially well suited to adaptation to produce quality tactile images for display on the Monarch.