🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 939

                          Wednesday, June 16, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                          Kitchen Sink Programming
                          Quoting, Quoting and Quo
                       Re: any partial guide dog users
                          Re: questions from a new
                            Re: checkbook program
                                  Dblspace
                            braille code changes.
                      Re: questions from a new dog user
                      Re: questions from a new dog user
                                Re: Watches?


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Subject: Kitchen Sink Programming
From: Sam.Troia@p4.f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (Sam Troia)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2603/203.4 - The BATcave Mail On, Flushing NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 >  Hi blabbermouth! Smile first.

 > I have no problem with choosing list: I pick the one
 > version
 > that has the  most features and kill the other stuff.
 > That
 > choice is easy for me.

 > As far as QEdit goes, I think they have as many ways
 > to do
 > things as they can to make various options available
 > to people
 > with varying tastes, ways of thinking etc. The name of
 > the game
 > is appealing to as broad a user base as possible.

Yeah, yeah, yeah; and I still don't like them.  At certain times I
like bells and whistles but when I already have Wordperfect, I
don't need a cumbersome text editor.

Well, anyhow, the problem has been solved.  I looked at stuff like
Breeze and Boxer and Sedit, and no thank you to each and every one
of 'em.  Instead I have and am now using something called tinyed.*,
written by the IBM Corp.  It's real small, very fast and very
powerful.  I even figured out in no time how to configure the
sucker--great program.

And as far as List goes, I'd rather use Readit for strictly reading
and if I want a file manager, I'll use a different program.  So
that's the story.

Sam

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2603!203.4!Sam.Troia
Internet: Sam.Troia@p4.f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Quoting, Quoting and Quo
From: Donald.Roberts@f88.n119.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Roberts)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:119/88 - Madman BBS, Chico CA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Les,

Excessive quoting really is a drag.  I have used one technique
which makes it a bit more mamanageable.  This can be done using
most any modern screen reader package; and I have done it with
Vert, Vocal Eyes and Tinytalk.

With most offline readers, the quoted text appears in one color,
and the message itself in another.  I set a specific window
for each type and then configure the program to read first the
quoted and then the non-quoted text.  When the quoted text
begins to be verbalized, if I am familiar with it and do not
wish to hear it, I give the command to read the window for
the message text per se.  This will interrupt the quoted and
read only the message text.

In a few situations, some persons will quote a sentence and then
respond, after which they quote another and then respond.
For those instances, I have set a window to read everything,
both quoted and message.  By using this arrangement, I feel
that I have gotten rid of the frustration of being required
to read quoted material with which I am already familiar.

Don Roberts

... "What?!? This isn't the Files section?!?"
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!119!88!Donald.Roberts
Internet: Donald.Roberts@f88.n119.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: any partial guide dog users
From: Maggi.Ostrowski@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Maggi Ostrowski)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 BK> as a partial I'm having some problems using my dog without
 BK> taking back control of the guiding. Seeing eye has suggested
 BK> that I go back there so we can work on this aspect of my
 BK> problem.

Bill,

I was surprised to hear that you were returning to The Seeing Eye for
instruction.  Normally an instructor will come to your home town and
work with you in your own environment.

When I was at The Seeing Eye four years ago, I would wear an occluder
during training because I could see more then and was becoming very
nervous when I would spot something out of the corner of my eye go
whizzing by.  I kept thinking I was going to run into something.  When I
started to wear the occluder I was forced to trust Fudge, my black
Labrador.

I hope everything works out for you.

                                Maggi

... In the field of opportunity it's plowing time again.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Maggi.Ostrowski
Internet: Maggi.Ostrowski@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: questions from a new
From: Dennis.Bartlett@f1007.n282.z1.fidonet.org (Dennis Bartlett)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:282/1007 - DRAG-Net, Andover MN


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 -=> Quoting Bob Humbert to All <=-

 BH> things that still bother me are:
 BH> Why does everyone say, "Oh! a dog will be such a good companion for
 BH> you."  Why do I need a companion?  I am not lonely, I have a wife
 BH> and friends.
 BH> I shutter to think of the cost of training a dog person team, and
 BH> it has to be done again every eight years or so.  There is no cost
 BH> to me for the dog or the training.  On the other hand, It was
 BH> nearly impossible to get any professional training with the cane
 BH> after once being trained.  To the best of my knowledge, there is no
 BH> such thing as a free cane.  I know that I spent at least $100 each
 BH> year for new canes.  No, that is not much, but it is just the idea.

         I think once you get used to using the dog you will be just fine.
I got my first dog three years ago and I would not go back to using a cane on
a regular basis.  I have foud that I can travel much faster using a dog than
I could using a cane.  Also the dog is a good friend.  When your wife yells
at you there's nothing good on TV, your favorite baseball team is losing,
the only one who will make you feel better is your dog.

Good luck in your training.

 BH>
 BH> -!- Blue Wave/Max v2.12
 BH>  ! Origin: Blink Connection 510-276-4121 (1:215/99.0)

... I haven't lost my mind; it's backed up on tape somewhere!
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!282!1007!Dennis.Bartlett
Internet: Dennis.Bartlett@f1007.n282.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: checkbook program
From: Eric.Smith@f120.n226.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Smith)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:226/120 - Colossus, Worthington OH


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 -=> Quoting Walter Siren to All <=-

 WS> Does anyone out there know of a good checkbook program that works
 WS> fine with speech.

Walter, please check out CHAlso, if you really want to get
organized, there is a program that, as I understand it, is quite
like Quicken called Home Budget Management System.  Don't have the
file name, but am sure you can find it posted as shareware.  It
works very well with speech and registers for I think $25.00.

ECKS58.  It works great, and even has
a few games just for fun.
... "Scotty, beam me up another Blue Wave message." ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!226!120!Eric.Smith
Internet: Eric.Smith@f120.n226.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Dblspace
From: Chuck.Broome@p0.f809.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck Broome)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/809.0 - Fantasy Mountain, Golden CO


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

TG  Don't be silly.  I got good use out of the program and
TG  wouldn't think of
TG  asking for a refund.  Further more, I think when I bought it
TG  that I
TG  understood what might happen.  And besides, I was mentioned
TG  in the 1.03
TG  manual, so that's my bit of fame.

  Ok, it's your choice. But I've always felt bad about releasing
DosZilla as freeware right after some people had paid for it, my
offer stands if you ever change your mind. (I also felt bad because
I figured those who had paid for early versions shoud by all rights
be the very first to get the later upgrades, then through my own
carelessness lost my user list).
  For whatever "fame" it is worth, you should also be in the newere
manual but I can't remember for sure; things were kind of hectic at
the time I rewrote it. At one point I was in Austin for a week doing
some job hunting. I couldn't afford a motel so was camping out at a
campground. They had a "community" center that was basically a large
cement pad with a roof over it and a few concrete picnic tables. It
also had a power outlet and I had my computer along so there I was,
in 95 degree high-humidity heat, yellow jackets swarming all around
and trying to program while slapping off the Texas-sized mosquitoes
with a baseball bat (grin). Except for the blood-suckers it was kind
of fun; I kept thinking about all the nice days I'd spent inside
working, wishing I could be outside. Well, I had my wish - and the
mosquitoes had theirs.... -- Chuck

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!104!809.0!Chuck.Broome
Internet: Chuck.Broome@p0.f809.n104.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: braille code changes.
From: Cheryl.Harper@hnews.fidonet.org (Cheryl Harper)
Organization: The Handicap News, Shelton CT (203) 337-1607


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I may have no place putting my two cents worth in here, but I just
got through taking a braille class in the local University that I
attend.  The teacher of the class was a major joke.  She was
teaching a class of 25 O&M majors (with some rehabilitation maj.
thrown in, and me) that there was really no need to teach the kids
braille since they had computers that they could use now.  My best
friend (who talked me into taking the class since I'm interested in
teaching low vision) went through the roof.  His comment was "It's
because of teachers like her that I had so much trouble getting
through school."  I really couldn't believe her.

If that is the attitude of the "establishment", then I can see why
they think it will be easier by changing the codes.  My only
problem is that now that I have learned this one, what do I do???

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!Cheryl.Harper
Internet: Cheryl.Harper@hnews.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: questions from a new dog user
From: Isaac.Obie@f625.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Isaac Obie)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:101/625 - Five Point BBS, Boston MA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Bob,

I think your questions and concerns are legimate. Learning to get
around with a cane is fine, but it has it's limitations. It's
slower, you bang in to things more. If you don't use it right, you
can still end up in a hole as I once did because I didn't use a
wide enough arch. <grin> I can assure you that if you're an
excellent cane user, you're going to be fantastic with a dog.

Once you and the dog become a real team, you're going to wonder how
you did so long without it. You'll learn to trust your dog. The dog
will be patient, all you have to do is to just remember to praise
the dog.

Let it know you appreciate what it's doing and the rest will fall
in place. I had one dog and when I first went in, I was skeptical
as all heck. But I learned that what they say is true. It just
takes new users a long time to learn this. You won't be eating crow
as you say. We won't hold it against you. I wouldn't cause when I
went in, I was scared to death of dogs. Why? Because my family
instilled that fear in me. so we all have our ownn obstacles to
overcome. You're doing just fine. You will do just fine. One year
from now, you'll wonder how you ever felt this way. <grin> But I
don't mean to imply that it will be smooth sailing all the way.
It's going to be a lot of hard work.

You just need to be consistent. If you let the dog get away with
something on a regular basis it will be your own fault. Play with
the dog on a regular basis, but don't let others play with it too
much. Make sure it knows when you say no, that that's exactly what
you mean. Firm, but friendly. One last thing. When the dog gets
stubborn, tell it to sit for ten seconds. then you've got it's
attention again. Praise it and go on. You'll learn all this at
school. One of the hardest things for me to accept in the beginning
was the leash corrections. That almost killed me. I just hated it.
I never really learned to like it, but to accept it. Well, I'd
better stop. Good luck and do keep us posted, please.

Isaac

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!625!Isaac.Obie
Internet: Isaac.Obie@f625.n101.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: questions from a new dog user
From: Al.Gayzagian@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Al Gayzagian)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:101/460.0 - VI/BUG, Holbrook MA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I've been using dogs since right after graduation from high school, and
that goes back to World War II.  I can tell you one thing:
companionship
isn't the reason to get a dog, as you have already determined.  As for
what you say about help and all, I haven't found that one necessarily
gets undue assistance with a dog; in fact it may be the other way
around.  And as for comparing dog/cane costs, remember that your dog
will have to eat, and dog food doesn't come free.  Neither does veter-
inary care.  I can only wish you the best of luck.  I hope you will feel
you should have made the move years ago, because if you do feel that
way after a while, it will mean that things are going well with you and
your dog.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Al.Gayzagian
Internet: Al.Gayzagian@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Watches?
From: Ted.Filteau@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Ted Filteau)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:101/460.0 - VI/BUG, Holbrook MA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 NG>    Does anyone have any information on where a guy can buy a new
 NG> watch that will take a little more abuse than others?

Hi Norm,
I just bought another quartz braille watch, and have been very happy
with it.  It is my second "Sylvana" (check spelling) and keeps accurate
time.  It has required some cleaning, but I think that is true of any
watch that has to expose the hands on occasion.  These watches are
battery powered, and the batteries seem to last a couple of years or so.

I bought mine from the Massachusetts Association for the Blind because
they are local to me, and I could go there bug them, and handle the
thing before buying.  Say, maybe that's what happened to the girl.
<grin>

Most any supplier of blindness related products worth their salt will
have this type of watch.

Ted

--
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Internet: Ted.Filteau@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org




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                 End of Issue # 939 of the Blind News Digest

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