🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 965

                           Tuesday, June 29, 1993

Today's Topics:


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               Why can't TTY answer 300 baud caller???!!???!!
                           Re: Satisfaxtion modem
                          Manuals In accessable for
                          Speech output vs braille
                              An adverse ruling
                           Arkenstone driver disk
                          Re: Xerox Reading Edge ?
                            Mac Midi With Speech
                             Blind psychologists
                                     new


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Subject: Why can't TTY answer 300 baud caller???!!???!!
From: Richard.Stevenson@f205.n221.z1.fidonet.org (Richard Stevenson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:221/205 - Crawlin' Kingsnake, Kitchener ON


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello John!

Wednesday June 02 1993 13:50, John Cunniff wrote to All:

Hello John!

 JC> I have a very strange problem here. First of all, when I am using Telix
 JC> 3.21 to use 300, 7-E-1 to try calling a friend who uses TeleBrailler
 JC> which accepts baudot and ascii caller to be detected...

As you can see the TeleBrailler accepts both baudot and ascii
that's why you were able to connect to that one with no problem. I
believe that the TeleBrailler will automatically switch from baudot
to ascii, whereas your TTY unit may not.

 JC> Well, I tested with my Superprint ED by Ultratec, Inc. that has ASCII
 JC> built-in from N.E. Telephone company that I got it anyway, a friend was
 JC> JC>  willing to test it. Surprised me! My TTY won't seem to detect 300
 JC> baud if JC>  my friend using a modem at 300 baud!

I would think that unless you switched manually to ascii mode the
300 baud ascii unit would not be able to connect, your unit would
be looking for 300 baud baudot.

 JC>  But strange, strange, strange thing that I was surprised, well, another
 JC> JC>   woman who is neighbor just called me via PC to TTY, never had a
 JC> problem JC>   with it!

Were you in manual 300 baud ascii mode at the time?

 JC>:( :( Even, Jaimi's ZyXEL modem won't connect my TTY, too! Sounds very
 JC>CRAZY!!

I'm not sure what model ZyXEL modem Jaimi has, but on my 19.2Kps
ZyXEL you have to set the Data Rate, Data Link (DCE/DCE) setting to
"&ATN16" to enable V.21 300, otherwise it cannot automatically
negotiate 300 baud connects.

The only way that I have been able to connect to someone's TTD unit
via computer is to first make sure they are in autoanswer ascii
mode and second for me to use ASCIITDD.  I have no idea why your
neighbor can call you and connect unless you are in 300 baud ascii
autoanswer mode.

You may want to try over in SILENTTALK and see if you can get a
more definate answer.

Hope some of this helps!

Richard

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!221!205!Richard.Stevenson
Internet: Richard.Stevenson@f205.n221.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Satisfaxtion modem
From: Bill.Holton@p0.f165.n264.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Holton)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:264/165.0 - The Back Door, Richmond VA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 -=> Quoting Les Kriegler to Bill Holton <=-

 LK> I am running the 200 with Vocal-Eyes, and it works great.  I
 LK> understand that the 400 board and software are basically the

  Actually, I already have the 400, and love it.  I especially enjoy
being able to send a fax directly from Word Perfect, complete with
scale able fonts.  I am having a software problem, however, one Intel
hasn't been able to solve, and I thought someone else running the
CASMGR software might be having a similar problem.

  Does the 200 use the CASMGR.SYS, the CASMGR.EXE and the FAXPOP TSR
programs?  I have little trouble running all three of these
together.  The trouble comes when I use the FAX.EXE program for
printing or sending an ASCII fax.  Once I exit the FAX.EXE, I have a
lot of trouble receiving subsequent faxes.  If I do not load the
FAXPOP.EXE and then use the FAX.EXE and then leave that program, I
get an error message that tells me an overlay called FRIEZE cannot be
unloaded.  Intel cannot figure out what the problem is.  I have had
this same problem with 3 different MB's with different memory, so do
not think it is hardware related.  The problem seems to be some sort
of conflict between the FRIEZE overlay and VE--something to do with
interrupts, although there is no apparent conflict.  Guess I was
hoping someone else might have been having the same problem and
figured out what was causing it.  All of the obvious things check
out fine--com ports, interrupts, loading order.  A real mystery.
Intel said they only saw this problem once before, and then they had the
guy zip up all his software and send it to them.  Naturally, no
problem once it got there.

... The backup ain't over till the FAT table sings

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!264!165.0!Bill.Holton
Internet: Bill.Holton@p0.f165.n264.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Manuals In accessable for
From: Doug.Parisian@f120.n2320.z1.fidonet.org (Doug Parisian)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2320/120 - MicroTalk, Louisville KY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

KF>I simply called Lotus technical support.  Sorry I don't have the number.
KF>ionbe fair, they did it for me because I received Lotus as a prize in a
  >competit
  >for developpers of assistive technology.  I called them and asked for an ASC
  >manual and was told they didn't have one.

Excellent, I now know I can call and expect to receive the manuals for
Lotus 123r3.  It is just this ind of approach I hope more of use who
need alternative formats should be using when being nice, sweet,
subservient and all the rest fails.  After all, Borland international,
WP Corp. and an few more corporate giants seem to see the value in
providing such a service.  Let's face it, we too are consumers, and we
too tall our friends about the ood and bad things which companies do, or
don't do, for us, with us, and to us.  LOTUS--here I come--DUCK or
RESPOND.

 * OLX 2.2 * Sometimes i'm more off, others a little more on

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2320!120!Doug.Parisian
Internet: Doug.Parisian@f120.n2320.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Speech output vs braille
From: Doug.Parisian@f120.n2320.z1.fidonet.org (Doug Parisian)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2320/120 - MicroTalk, Louisville KY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

LT>I think that decision will vary depending on the needs of the individual.  I
  >think that blind people should learn speech if at all possible, because we c
  >generally listen faster than we can read braille.  Speed is always a problem
  >and anything that increases it is preferable.
Just thought I'd stick my beek in her a bit.  I have been blind since
birth, (I never say all my life since I am not planning to drop dead
during this message) and Braille was my first access to information at
age six.  I have found, in order to be competative in a seeing world,
that speech is really, for me at least, the answer.  I have placed
myself one on one with a highly competent Braille display user in
performing similar tasks and always came out much a head.  Both our
systems were optimized with highest performance with their respective
access devices.  I have recommended to many persons that a braille
printer which can accept sideways screen dumps is likely more cost
efficient. Many refreshable braille displays I have experienced
are subject to breakdowns (dots refusing to appear or disappear) and
many know too well the cosy confines of shipping cartons and repair
services.  The 80 cell versions are extremely expensive as are the 40
cell versions.  One screen dump of a screen of a lotus spreadsheet on
my romeo RB40 which can do sideways printing has cleared up many things
for me.  Of course, I also use the optacon (and have done so for 15
years) and that has been an absolutely wonderful tool in helping me to
understand the spatial relationships in a variety of print layouts.  At
least, because of this device, I have a better understanding of why
illiteracy on the north american continent is so high.  BIG GRIN!

Of course, the bottum line in all is is for the person to use the method
of access best suited to the occasion.  In canada at least, there is
little assessment by agencies or vendors of access technology to assist
the individual in discovering the most appropriate solution to a
particular access problem.

 * OLX 2.2 * Bug-free programs - rare as Rocking-Horse manure.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2320!120!Doug.Parisian
Internet: Doug.Parisian@f120.n2320.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: An adverse ruling
From: Patrick.Gormley@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Patrick Gormley)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/432 - The Idea Link, Wheaton MD


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Recently I heard on Westlink that now blind people can no longer
serve as volunteer examiners.  The finding was in response to a
complaint filed by Wd8Pof when his Ve team refused to accept his
services.  The person who made the decision which was unfortunately
backed by the Arrl was Ralph Haller N4Rh head or the Private Radio
Bureau.  I hope he appeals this adverse ruling since I've been a
volunteer examiner and have done it successfully for 5 years.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Patrick.Gormley
Internet: Patrick.Gormley@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Arkenstone driver disk
From: Peter.Scialli@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Peter Scialli)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/432 - The Idea Link, Wheaton MD


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi all,
  I just received a distribution disk from Arkenstone which contains
  drivers for almost all the synthesizers that Open Book now supports.
  This disk is available from your authorized Arkenstone dealer upon
  request.  Open book now officially supports the following:
  Accent External
  Accent Internal
  Audaptor
  Artic Transport
  Apollo
  DECtalk
  Doubletalk
  Infovox
  LiteTalk
  Echo PC
  Keynote Gold.
    Arkenstone also suggests that this disk may not  be complete and
    indicates that contacting your synthesizer's manufacturer could
    yeild an appropriate driver for one not listed here.
      By the way, the updated version of the Open Book and Open Book
      Unound software has been released.  It is just now enterring the
      distribution process.  From what I understand, Unbound customers
      will be receiving theirs first.  If you have any Open Book
      product, now is the time to send in your registration card!

     Peter

 * JABBER v1.1 * ShrinkWrap Computer Products: 800-377-0774
===
 * KMail 2.94g - The Idea Link -

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Peter.Scialli
Internet: Peter.Scialli@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Xerox Reading Edge ?
From: Stephen.Baum@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org (Stephen Baum)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:101/460.0 - VI/BUG, Holbrook MA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Bob. I am the engineer who wrote the Reading AdvantEdge, which I
suspect is the product you are asking about. Needless to say, I am
biased, and suspect you should try to find some actual users out there
to talk to, rather than developers or salespeople. Still, I'll try to be
useful.

Both scanners being sold with the Reading AdvantEdge are being sold at a
considerable discount from their original pricing. Both are available
only as long as supplies last - we do not buy or make either scanner any
more. There are only about 200 GS-Plus scanners left (that's the less
expensive of the two). I don't know how many SA4-3 scanners remain. The
GS-Plus is a perfectly decent scanner. When it was introduced (1990?) it
was selected as the best of breed by MacUser magazine. It has a
legal-sized platen, which can definitely be handy if you need to read
something which is larger than the usual 8.5 by 11 inches. The scanning
resolution is 300 DPI. I don't remember the scanning speed, but it is
roughly the same as an HP, except for the first page. There is a lengthy
delay involving a lamp warm up - nothing will happen for about ten
seconds. The SA4-3 is a 400 DPI Book Edge scanner. It also has a legal
sized platen. A lot has been bandied back and forth about book edge
scanners - I guess the most salient point I can make is that they are
considerably easier to use if what you do is scan books. Getting a
scanner to read what is near the margin of a book is tough, and its even
tougher to avoid skewing the book. Its doable with a normal scanner, for
most books. Its easier with a BookEdge scanner, and more books are
scannable with such a scanner. Beyond that, the 300 DPI mode of the
SA4-3 is quite fast, and the scanner is quite reliable. It also can be
purchased with a document feeder that (unlike most) really works quite
well. (By the way, you can't get a document feeder with the GS-Plus.)

I like the HP IIP. It is lighter than the GS-Plus, you can buy a
document feeder, and HP's support contract for that scanner is very
inexpensive. Its platen is a little small for some kinds of documents,
and many kinds of books. Its also, of course, somewhat more expensive
than the GS-Plus. I think the best argument I can make in favor of the
HP IIP is that you are more likely to find other kinds of software which
can use that scanner than you are with ours.

Vis a vis Oscar and OpenBook - a few things. On most documents, accuracy

is a wash. AdvantEdge and OpenBook are somewhat more accurate that Oscar
on REALLY difficult documents. AdvantEdge is the most accurate OCR
system you can buy for low resolution FAXes. Oscar, on the other hand,
is measurably faster than the other products - often by 30%. OpenBook
and AdvantEdge are pretty close in speed. OpenBook runs under Windows,
and has a short (but growing) list of synthesizers which it supports.
Oscar and AdvantEdge run under DOS, and will work with pretty much any
synthesizer and screen reader. Purchased as software only, Oscar is the
most expensive, followed by OpenBook, followed by AdvantEdge. AdvantEdge
is the only one that can be run directly from the command line without
further intervention, if you choose, allowing you to build it into
larger utilities. AdvantEdge also allows you more flexibility in
spawning additional applications, such as word processors, braille
translators, and the like, then Oscar or OpenBook. AdvantEdge also has
the most flexibility (by far) in terms of formatting your document.
AdvantEdge is VERY feature rich, and I should point out the flip side of
that - I have had a few people comment that it is harder for a
first-time user to use than either Oscar or OpenBook. Nonetheless, it
isn't all that hard - once you are in the program, you can scan and
recognize with one carriage return, and you can hear what is being
recognized with another. You can also type "EDGE MOBY.WPF", for example,
and have AdvantEdge scan from your scanner until the scanner is out of
paper, convert what it recognizes to Word Perfect format, write the file
MOBY.WPF, and return to the command line prompt without having to touch
the keyboard.

Before this sounds too much like an advertisement, I'll sign off. I
think you're right to ask around first. If you can get your hands on the
three products before purchasing one of them, that would be better
still.

Steph

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!101!460.0!Stephen.Baum
Internet: Stephen.Baum@p0.f460.n101.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Mac Midi With Speech
From: Richard.Webb@f8.n290.z1.fidonet.org (Richard Webb)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:290/8 - Iowa MIDI BBS, Des Moines IA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello everyone,

A friend of mine is using a mac with outspoken at a local university,
and using finale, a music printing/production program for the mac.  I've
heard verry little about outspoken, but have heard that it is not as
friendly as some other screen review products on the market.

Can anyone tell me how outspoken works with such things as Visions or
opcode, two midi sequencer progs for the mac?  Also, does anyone know if
Berkeley systems plans any improvements for outspoken which will help it
interface better with Midi programs?
Thanks in advance.

RICHARD WEBB

... If you're not the lead dog, the view can be very interesting!
___ Via Silver Xpress V3.02

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!290!8!Richard.Webb
Internet: Richard.Webb@f8.n290.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Blind psychologists
From: Peter.Scialli@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Peter Scialli)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/432 - The Idea Link, Wheaton MD


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Nancy,
  I am a blind psychologist.  I graduated about 6 years ago and have to
  deal with some of the issues you raise. I am at time difficult to
  reach by phone, but give me a try at 202-686-1383 or send me mail on
  GENIE to "SHRINKWRAP" or on CompuServe at 72456,2140.  Talk to you
  soon.

     Peter

 * JABBER v1.1 * JABBER the no meat, no oil QWK reader
===
 * KMail 2.94g - The Idea Link -

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Internet: Peter.Scialli@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: new
From: Julian.Richard.Simpson@p0.f10.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Julian Richard Simpson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/10.0 - Med TechNet/WNY Mic, Buffalo NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I am new to this confrence and hope to meet some new friends here.  I am
a blind user, and am intrested in any or all new types of programs that
work with my synthesizer.

I have a VertPlus speech package, and I still haven't mastered all of
the fetures yet after 4 years.  So any help or sugestions are excepted.

... Yes son, long ago people used to read their mail on-line.

--
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Internet: Julian.Richard.Simpson@p0.f10.n260.z1.fidonet.org




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                 End of Issue # 965 of the Blind News Digest

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