🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 977

                          Wednesday, June 30, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                                Timer Wanted
                              Re: Timer Wanted
                             Re: seiko Watches?
                          Re: Help with Calculators
                            Re: GUIDE DOG PROBLEM
                          Re: David - The Computer
                            Help with calculators
                            Braille n speak news
                               fantastic news
                              Guide dog problem


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Subject: Timer Wanted
From: Lee.Mounger@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Lee Mounger)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Greetings All,

I have what seems a simple product request but I'm having trouble finding it.
I want a 24-hour timer, one that I can program and operate myself
without any sight, which will allow me to turn on an appliance, such as
a tape recorder or radio, for a specified length of time chosen by
me, and than turn it off again.  I used to have a timer from Afb which
was a box-like device with an outlet on the back and tactile clock
hands on the front and moveable pins around the edges for setting
on and off times.  It was rather antiquated and I would have thought
someone would have come up with something better by now.  However, Afb
no longer seems to make this timer and I can't seem to find anything
that can be used by a totally blind person.  I would have thought that
by this time, there'd be something like a little box with an outlet on
the back and a keypad on top and you just punch in your times and away
we go.  So far, no luck.  I'd appreciate any information from anyone
out there who's turning on andor off regularly.  I figure there's just
got to be something out there.  After all, the last time I asked a
question
about Tv schedules, it led me to the neatest product I've just about
ever encountered.  Thanks in advance.

... Catch the Blue Wave!
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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




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Subject: Re: Timer Wanted
From: Dan.Dunfee@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Dan Dunfee)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello,

Look for sources for the "x10" systems.
Radio Shack used to have them and they may still. You may get a better
price else where.
It is a very flexible system permitting one to configure it for one's needs.
There are no wires because it uses the house wiring to control remote
devices with a "box".at each outlet used.
Best of all, there is a computer inter-face avaible which makes one's machine
the timer unit so it would talk to you.

Regards,
Dan

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Dan.Dunfee
Internet: Dan.Dunfee@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: seiko Watches?
From: Carla.Campbell@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi, Carol,

 CA> I've had mine for perhaps ten years.

I can't even begin to imagine having the same watch for ten years!  I go
through 'em about once every two years, at best.  I don't know if it's
because I buy the AFB models or if it's the way I abuse them... They
always die a terrible death with threads or hair wound around their
inner workings or they rust after accidental water exposure (I don'
t emerse 'em-- it's just splashing and the like.)

I've started buying the cheapest ones, since whether I pay $60 or $300,
they seem to die with the same rapidity.  My current watch has survived
a year now, without even having to be cleaned and I'm fairly impressed.

CA> I thought Seiko had quit making braille watches, but I think they're
CA> making them again, at least the men's model.

I just called down to the local watch store, and they said that Seiko
was still (again?) making both men's and women's Braille watches.  He
quoted me a $195 price for the women's model.

Cheers... and good luck in the job hunt!
                                                 --Carla

... Internet: campbell@well.sf.ca.us

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




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Subject: Re: Help with Calculators
From: Carla.Campbell@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 NF> What calculator options do I have?
NF> Is there anything that
 NF> comes close to the TI81 and talks?  (I know, keep dreaming.)

My suggestion, for what it's worth,  would be to find out when you will
be using the calculator.  If it will only be used for homework and as an
aid to students during exams, you might be able to find speech-friendly
computer programs which perform all of the functions you'll need.

Obviously, if there will be plotting or graphs involved, you'll have to
handle those the way you would for any other science or sociology
course-- whether that be with a reader, play dough (my own preferred
medium), raised-line drawings, Legos or whatever.  Never really saw a
satisfactory way of dealing with this, but I did survive through
statistics, somehow.  Oh, math-folks??

Good luck, and please do let us know how you wind up solving the problem
so the *next* time someone asks...

 NF> ... . <-- Grain of Salt. Take as needed with above advice.

You have the best collection of tag lines!

Cheers,
                                                 --Carla

... Internet: campbell@well.sf.ca.us

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




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Subject: Re: GUIDE DOG PROBLEM
From: Carla.Campbell@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi, Nancy.

 NF> There are very few people I know who can recommend to me that I
 NF> should retire my dog ... very few that can survive unscathed.
 NF> This is perhaps a bit strong, but the only ones who could make
 NF> such a suggestion are familiar with my situation, and would
 NF> deliver their opinion more kindly, more humanely.

That's just it.  I can think of maybe four people I'd even accept
hearing it from, let alone respond to their suggestions! And, funnily
enough, when it came time for me to make that decision, none of those
people even hinted to me what they thought I should do.  They watched
and waited while I made the decision, myself, and then were there to
support me and get me through re-training with the new critter.  One of
the very reasons I'd listen if they told me what I should do is that
they would not, unless there was an *extremely* blatent fact I was
completely overlooking or ignoring.

 NF> A dog guide is a very important aspect of a person's life, an
 NF> aspect that factors in some way, large or small, into most
 NF> decisions the person makes.

Well put.

NF> What do I do if it rains?  Barney can't sleep in
 NF> the tent?  ...

Pardon the digression, but this one sounded quite familiar and I was
wondering how you resolved it.  All the years I went camping with the
first dog, he *did* sleep in the tent, but it sure did get cozy.  And we
got lucky and never were out in a complete downpour.  Max takes up far
more room when he sleeps and I can easily imagine him flailing against
the side of a rain-soaked tent, bringing the entire contents pouring
down inside.  It's ok if we take the camper-van, but for hiking/camping
trips, I dunno how I'd handle this one.

NF> When I enter the field as a clinical
 NF> psychologist, how will my patients react to the dog?  Will he
 NF> be a distraction in therapy?)

I know this was just a hypothetical question, but if you are curious
about how this has worked for other people, you might be able to find
out through your dog school.  They might be able to put you in contact
with other graduates who're workingin fields with similar potential
situations-- either psychology or counselling or field social work.

I have a friend who is a field social worker who does home visits to
work with mentally ill clients.  She has worked two dogs during the time
she has done this job, and might be willing to share her experiences
with you, if you'd be interested. (She has e-mail, but isn't on any
FidoNet boards.) Let me know and I can get in touch with her and put the
two of you in contact if you like.

Cheers,
                                                        --Carla

... Internet: campbell@well.sf.ca.us

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




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Subject: Re: David - The Computer
From: Carla.Campbell@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Carla Campbell)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi, Walt.

WC> but I think it would be cheaper
 WC>  to buy the following:  the Navigator or Alva, Bns640, a speech
 WC> software package, and an ibm pc or clone.

 WC>      There are many nice features about David The Computer, but
 WC>  I'm not ready to spend $15000.00 for a computer.

You'd spend more than that on the equipment list you outlined above. The
Alva runs around $15,000, alone, as of about a year ago, anyway. (a
80-cell Navigator is similarly priced, and a 40-cell around $8,000.)
Add in $500 or so for a decent synthesizer (more for one which is
readily understandable by novices), $500 or so for the speech package,
$1000 or so for the BnS, $1,000 or so for the computer, itself (assuming
you don't want lots of bells 'n' whistles), and, in the case of a
university or other such center, several hundred dollars to have an
expert come in and set it all up-- and I think you'll see that the price
quickly adds up.

I haven't seen the David, so I can't comment on whether it does more or
less than all of the above equipment, but if it's "only" $15,000, it
certainly is less expensive.

Cheers,
                                                  --Carla

... Internet: campbell@well.sf.ca.us

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




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Subject: Help with calculators
From: Irwin.Hott@f120.n226.z1.fidonet.org (Irwin Hott)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:226/120 - Colossus, Worthington OH


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 NF> In a few months I will be entering a college level math course.  One
 NF> of the required purchases for the class, aside from textbooks, is a
 NF> TI81, a graphics calculator.

 NF> I am totally blind, and couldn't use one effectively.  And yet I don't
 NF> want to be at a disadvantage with regard to other students in the
 NF> class. Does anyone have any recommendations?  What calculator options
 NF> do I have?  Is there anything that comes close to the TI81 and talks?

I don't know what the capabilities  of the TI calculator you
mentioned are. If you  have a Braille 'n  Speak 640 there is  a
scientific calculator that might meet some of your needs. It needs
to be loaded in from a PC or a disk  drive. It is available from
the  Blazie BBS as CALC.BNS and CALC.DOC.

I believe Science  Products made or  modified a scientific
calculator some years ago.  I don't know if they have anything like
that now. Their phone number is 800-888-7400  or 215-296-2111. They
have a print catalog. You  can bet I  had something to  say about
that  but that is another msg.I'm sure others will have some other
suggestions.

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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Internet: Irwin.Hott@f120.n226.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Braille n speak news
From: Irwin.Hott@f120.n226.z1.fidonet.org (Irwin Hott)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:226/120 - Colossus, Worthington OH


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 -=> Quoting Ray Rokita to Chris Kiler <=-

 RR> have you heard any info of interest on the braille n speak?

Sorry for sticking  in my 2 cents worth  here. I had a long  talk
with Deane Blazie yesterday  for the July NEWSREEL. There  will be
some new products and  several new external programs  for the BNS
640  shown at the NFB  and ACB conventions this  year. One new
product  will only be shown at NFB  since the ACB exhibits close
down  on Wednesday it isn't realistic to ship the device from one
convention to another.

The  Checkbook,  Braille  Translator,  Macro  Editor,  and a
Formatter external programs should be available at the conventions.
Blazie has a new  catalog (hope it is better than the  last one) a
new BNS manual  is coming out (it  is much better than  the
previous ones) and a Type  'n Speak manual will be  out soon. I am
in  the process of recording the cassette version of that manual.
There will  be a new Serial  to Parallel converter for  $50 instead
of $125. Blazie is also selling a  talking clinical thermometer for
$69 (I think is the price).

___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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




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Subject: fantastic news
From: Paul.Nobrega@f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Paul Nobrega)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/266 - Vision Information , Ottawa ON


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

reproduced from the disabled information services of canada:
"From: jchurche.
subject: * * * WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS!! * * *
Date: Tue Jun 15 16:59:37 MDT 1993
I heard a piece of news today that really brightened my year! I'd like you
all to know that David Kostyshyn, of Syntha-Voice Computers, has received
an award from the Smithsonian Institute!  This award was for his development
of the Sare/WindowBridge program that, for the first time,allows blind and
visually imped users to operate cortably in the graphics world of the
"Windows" environment.  I was just talking to David yesterday,and he never
breathed a word about this award, so I only heard about it this morning.
Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the article from the
Hamilton Spectator
to reprint here, but I wanted to pass on this great news to everyone here!

As a uof the are/WindowBridge program myself, I could only nod my
agreement and commendation as the article was read to me, and I was just
bursting with pride to feel that I was one of the pioneer users of this
great system!

And the commendations don't need to stop at this single program,or at this
whole family of programs developed by David and his team.  We users of DISC
are all aware of the heDavid has given to us over the years, e many compuions he
 has alwayy and lucidly res
in  our questions, pand dilemmas.
ontinue? (<Enter>

Congratulations, David; your friends are *very* happy to know that your
work has been so rvedly recognised!
    Jo"

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Internet: Paul.Nobrega@f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Guide dog problem
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,
   Just another note Re. psychology:  I have been practicing for about
   six years.  All this time I have had a dog guide.  I have been in
   several settings including a state hospital, a community mental
   health center, a private practice group and an HMO.  My dog has been
   there for every bit of it.  I hope when we get to talk I can help you
   to find some answers to your concerns.

     Peter

 * JABBER v1.1 * Look its a babble fish:    ><>     <><   ><>
===
 * KMail 2.94g - The Idea Link -

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                 End of Issue # 977 of the Blind News Digest

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