Knowledgebase

General

What is the difference between icon and Braille Plus?

Icon and Braille plus run the exact same software and contain most of the same hardware but for the addition of a Braille keyboard. Braille Plus contains a keyboard layout physically similar to Icon´s, but reduced in size and centered on the unit. Along the left side are the 6 Braille keys used to make the Braille dots, and along the right side are Shift, Space, and Control. It can be used in the same position as Icon for operation with the arrow keys and number pad, or can be turned 90 degrees clockwise for Braille keyboard operation.

I´ve heard that Icon runs Linux, do I have to know how to operate Linux to use Icon?

No. Though it is possible for those who do know Linux to access and use the Linux console with Icon, you do not have to know a thing about Linux to access and use any of Icon´s applications as Icon contains its own very easy to use interface.

What applications come loaded on Icon?

Icon comes with the following applications: Address Book, Music player, Bookshelf, Newsstand, Internet Book search, Web Browser, Email, RSS Feed Reader and Podcatcher, Word Processor, planner, Voice Recorder, Calculator, Stopwatch, Journal, and File Explorer as well as additional utilities for maintenance and connectivity.

Does Icon play the new digital books from NLS, books from RFB&D, or content from Audible?

Not currently, however, development of programming to support all of these is well under way, and all should be available in the near future.

How much stuff can the Icon hold?

The icon contains a 30 GB hard drive, unprecedented in any other unit of this sort. This means that you can literally store thousands of books, songs, and documents. If one were to put nothing but normal length music files in to the unit, it would hold somewhere around 7500 songs. Large documents such as books are about a 10th of the size of a music file. The user also has 200 MB of the flash disk available for storage and can purchase mini SD cards up to 4 GB in size for additional storage.

How do I transfer files from my PC to the Icon?

Icon´s Disk Drive Mode utility allows Windows to see Icon´s hard drive as a removable disk. Before placing Icon in Disk Drive Mode, attach your interface cable by inserting it in to the slot on Icon´s bottom edge; then connect the Icon to your PC using the USB cable that came with your Icon, placing the smaller end in to the smaller rectangular port of the interface cable and the larger end in to the USB port of your computer. From the Applications Menu, type 6, 3 on the number pad to launch Disk Drive Mode. Now you may use windows to locate the removable disk that is Icon´s hard drive and copy and paste files and folders. Note: books you would like to access from the bookshelf must be placed in the Library/Books folder and music must be placed in the Music folder.

top

Music

How do I make the Icon find my music that I have transferred?

The music you transfer to the Icon must be placed in the music folder on the Icon´s hard drive. When you next enter the music player it updates the catalog if you have auto-update enabled in the options menu. If you do not have Auto Catalog Update enabled, go to the program menu and choose option 5, rebuild catalog.

What if my music files aren´t sorted correctly?

Icon catalogs music files by artist, album, genre, etc, by using information found in the properties for each file called tags. If Icon is not sorting files correctly, it is probably due to the tagged information being incorrect or incomplete. This information can be edited in Windows. To access the file properties, highlight the desired file and press Alt + Enter, then tab to the Advanced option. Here you will find Title, artist, album, and genre information which can be edited for sorting purposes. When you finish editing, tab to OK and select it.

What type of music files will the Icon play?

The Icon plays .wav, .mp3, and .ogg files as well as m3u and PLS streams.

top

Bookshare.org

Do I have to re-enter my bookshare.org username and password each time I want to download a book or newspaper?

No. After you enter the password down arrow once more. Icon asks whether or not you want to save your username and password. Press ‚Äö"select´ to switch between yes and no.

top

Bookshelf

I have previously downloaded several books to my pc. What do I need to do to read them on my Icon?

Transfer the unpacked books in to the library/books folder on the Icon. When the bookshelf starts it will identify the new content.

Can I use the Bookshelf to access books in other formats other than Daisy?

Yes. In addition to reading Daisy books, Icon´s bookshelf can read the following file types: .txt, .rtf, .doc, .brf, and .html. However, to get the bookshelf to sort these books correctly, you´ll need to first find the book using the All Books sort option, then edit the book´s title and author information by choosing the Edit Book Information option from the program menu.

top

Newsstand

I can´t access today´s newspaper, what´s wrong?

Icon receives its newspaper content from Bookshare.org, which, in turn receives the content from NFB´s newsline. Newsline sends content to Bookshare.org several times a day. If your newspaper is not available when you check for it, it´s probable that it will be coming later in the day. Wait a while and check again, and if you´d like to know for sure whether Bookshare.org has yet received today´s issue of your newspaper, check the bookshare website at www.bookshare.org.

top

File Explorer

How do I move files from one place to another on the Icon?

You first must select the files or folders you want to move or copy. This is done by pressing the # (Pound) key on each file or folder. Next using the arrow keys, go to the location where you wish to place the files. In the options menu you have two choices. Option 2 copies files to the new location. Option 3 moves the files from one place to another.

top

Voice Recorder

I made a recording, but it was saved in flash. How do I move it to the hard drive?

Using the file explorer find the internal flash disk. Next find the home/root folder. In this folder find the recordings folder. You can select any recordings you want to move and then place them in the recordings folder on the hard drive using the method described above.

top

Quick Record

All of the recordings I make are being placed on the flash drive.

The quick record function saves all recordings to the flash drive. This cannot be changed. If you want to make recordings to the hard drive you will need to start the recording from the Voice Recorder application. Note: the Quick Record function uses several other predetermined settings as well including using the internal mic, the medium voice quality setting, and the automatic level control. As with the storage placement setting, these cannot be changed for Quick Record, but if you desire to use different settings, you may do this by starting the Voice Recorder and specifying them there.

top

Browser

Can I change the default page for the browser?

Yes. While in the browser, go to the options menu. Select option 7/file menu and then option 2/settings. About halfway down, there is a setting called "start page" containing a text box with the start page URL. To change the URL, clear the text box and enter your desired start page URL using standard editing commands.

I don´t like all of the different voice changes when I´m reading through a webpage. Can I turn these off?

Yes. Voice settings for the browser are found at the very bottom of the Settings Menu, which can be accessed as described above. To change the pitch of a voice, use numbers 1 and 3. To change the rate of a voice, use numbers 4 and 6. To cycle through the available voices, use 7 and 9. Note: All of Icon´s various voices can be set to the default voice in the speech settings dialog under the settings Menu in the Utilities Menu. Type 6, 1 from the Applications Menu, then 3 for Speech Settings. Press the Menu key and choose the first option, set all Voices to the default.

What types of secure networks can I access with Icon?

Icon can access wireless networks using WEP encryption as well as WPA (both versions 1 and 2).

top

Troubleshooting

My Icon has stopped responding to any key presses.

Check the keylock switch on the Icon. It may have gotten moved to the locked position. This switch is located next to the connector port for the interface cable. If this key has been pushed to the right, then the keypad is locked.

The program I am using is locked up.

If a program hangs or gets stuck, and you cannot close it using the Cancel key, press and hold the applications key to launch the Task Manager. Next, highlight the problem program in the task list, press the Menu key, and choose option 2, "Stop" to shut down the program.

top