🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 979

                          Wednesday, June 30, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                              Re: New guide dog
                                 re: New Dog
                                  Re: Help
                   Utility program for Reading AdvantEdge
                          Re: Blind Filing System?
                             Re: Grade 3 braille
                                 winvision?
                              Re: Timer Wanted
                                  Re: Help


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Subject: Re: New guide dog
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]

  >often enough just to know we're not alone "out here."

Though I consider myself smarter than my dog--I often wonder (or is that
wander, or both.)  When my "Booter" gave up in the middle of the
usy intersection during the initial regression period, many
people asked me why I didn't give her up.  the answer is really
quite simple, all living creagive her up.  the answer is really
Dogs.  I sometimes think too many folks get the letter in dog
reversed and are then disappointed when they learn of their
inaccuracy.

CC>Were both your current and second dogs Labs? If I may be so nosey, did
  >you request something other than a Shepherd after your initial
  >experience?

I never did request a particular breed of dog, but rather focused on my
life style which is quite varied and quite unpredictable.  Sometim
s I am in crowded busy areas with lots of noise and general
confusion--outdoor music activities, indoor concerts, etc.  Often
I like to go for long walks alone--well almost alone (with my dog
of course) in totally unfamiliar areas, sonetimes no sidewalks,
sometimes no pavement, sometimes through wooded paths, etc.

My second dog, Iggy, was a Yellow lab.  Can you immagine having to call
a dog "Iggy" for 10 years?  He was the spitting immage of Old Yeller.
Even as a tough old boot of 45, I cannot watch that movie without
crying, especially when that courageous dog, who sacrificed all for love
of master, had to be shot by one who loved him best.  Iggy had a much
more pleasant end, having been retired to our vet who is now oogling at
my present dog  Because of my high public exposure, I am sure that half
the population of 600,000 people in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I live,
knew Iggy.  He was truly a Big yellow bag of fun.

CC>There's a fine line to be walked for a lot of people with significant
  >others or family with whom they live.  They want their family to like
  >the dog and visa-versa.  they want the people around them to be as
  >interested in their new dog as they are.  Instead of going about it
  >properly, they try getting the family involved in the dog's care.  Some
  >family members pressure to be involved-- after all, the recent graduate
  >is wrapped up in his or her dog and people accustomed to being involved
  >in each  other's daily lives tend to want to share in the things which
  >are currently important to one another-- with unfortunate results, in
  >this case. Naturally, the dog is often happy to bond with the people who
  >feed it, play with it and never, ever correct it.  It's an easy trap to
  >fall into, I think.

Good points.  I am sure I cross the fine line in terms of being very
strict about taking care of the dog's basic needs myself.  As I see it,
I chose to use a dog guide to enhance my life and the investment of time
and effort is considerable.  I do allow friends and family to help out
now, but not initially until I was comfortable that I had the working
co-operation of my dog.

I actually experienced some resentment from a few friends and family on
moving from a cane to a dog--I no longer required the same amount of
assistance as was the case when using a cane and people needed to find
different reasons and ways of relating to me.  To use a nocious phrase,
we were on a more "level playing field."  I found that relationships
wich I had suspected were based on satisfying their need to be
"needed", and their interpretation of how that was to be satisfied,
died.  Happily, they were quickly replaced by those I consider to be
more egallatarian.

CC>I think those of us who got our first dogs when we were living on our
  >own had a lucky break in a lot of ways-- not least of which is that we
  >had the opportunity to learn what the relationship between dog and
  >handler could be without all that tempting interference!

If I had lived with my family, who never came close to accepting me as a
person who happened, among other things to be blind, my relationship
with the dogs would never have stood a chance.  In fact, there wouldn't
evern have been "dogs."

CC>My *next* task with my own dog is to tone down that bonding a little

While probably presumtuous to say so, you might start breaking that need
by doing it in small stages--allowing hubby, or whoever, to prepare
beastie's supper, taking them for poopoo, etc. while being "just
around," and progress from there by being less "around."  Somehow, I
don't think you would ever let someone else assume control.
With Boots, I often ignore her when were are in a group at a house party
and the like.  She still gets more than her share attention.  Of course,
I am like Hitler when people try to offer her some of the "Party
favours."  Old Garbage Guts will inhail anything closely resembling
FOOOOD!

CC>            It's really a pity when good workers  like Brut wind up
  >being over-protective (or skittish over one particular thing, etc, etc)
  >and must be retired in a short time.  That first transition for you,
  >less than two years after getting your first dog, must have been tough.

Yah, it was real tough.  I had done everything conceivable to deal with
the problem and Garry Matoon from Seeing Eye indicated that there was
absolutely nothing more I could have tried--an observation all of us
knew was true even before he came out, but we wanted to be sure.  I
still felt like a failure though. There were sooo many good things he
did that I just knew the second time around was worth the gamble, and
Iggy prooved me right.

 -- AND THE BOOTER CONFIRMS IT!!!

 * OLX 2.2 * I just bought a cured ham.  Wonder what it had?

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




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Subject: re: New Dog
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]

MM>I suggest being extreemly careful with the advise I am about to give.
  >If done incoreectly, and without a vets okay, this can make a big, big,
  >mess.
  >I finally solved the problem by adding 1 and a third tablespoons of all
  >bran (it's a name of a serial, not a description of the sort of bran) to
  >his food.

You mean both my dog and I can share something I too like?  More
seriously, I think I will try the idea.  Unfortunately, as much as I
admire and respect, she doesn't seem to understand my concern.  Think I
willgive it a try, starting out with 2 teaspoons.  Boots eats two
handfuls (I have a bit larger than average hands) of Science diet in the
morning, two Coookies at night.

My dog also rethinks the shakespearian decision, to go, or not to go,
that is the question--if she discovers that, after poopoo time, I intend
to go somewhere.  Even when she does go, I find the exercise brings the
rest out after a few blocks, depending on the amount of the first
delivery (hope you're not eating while reading this, or if so, have an
objective stomach--you know, like a labradore.)

Another method which sometimes helps, when your dog simply must empty,
and you know there has to be something there, is to VERY GENTLY insert a
match (yes, unlit) into the anus.  This will often provoke the required
delivery.  Like your method, this needs to be done carefully for
obvious reasons--and it's quite undignified.  I used this method with my
second dog for a couple of days, blended with the usual praise.  He was
so good that I could almost get him to "two" on command.  Not this
present little girl though.  I favour the all bran over the match stick
though many people involved in extensive traveling who train and show
dogs seem to use the match stick trick.

 * OLX 2.2 * Dogs crawl under gates, software under Windows.

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




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Subject: Re: Help
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 there,

I assume your friend might be using some kind of speech screen review
software.  If not, that may help him.

As to getting on-line, an off-line reader will help him access the
message bases, and as to the intro screens, usually once you've logged
into a system a few times, just ignore everything but the prompts which
ask for info, such as enter your name.
I effectively tell my speech to shut up until screen activity stops,
again as in the enter your name example.  That allows me to get more
quality time on-line.

Another good idea, if he's logging into a new system to him, is to run
an open capture file, many times called la log file, from his
telecommunications software.  This will allow him to view the opening
screens with his text editor and gain more information.

Hope this helps you out.

RICHARD WEBB

... [BRAILLE] . . PROMOTE LITERACY FOR THE BLIND
___ Via Silver Xpress V3.02

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




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Subject: Utility program for Reading AdvantEdge
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]

I have just uploaded RTIFF.ZIP to the Boston VIBUG BBS. RTIFF is a
utility which will group and then recognize all of the TIFF files in a
directory. It will observe the document and page number conventions of

the batch scanning facility in The Reading AdvantEdge, break up the

files into groups of 30 pages, and use the command line mode of

AdvantEdge to recognize them. Up to 2000 TIFF files can be recognized

with one invocation, allowing you to have quite a bit of recognition
done while you sleep.

I also uploaded RAMODS.ZIP, a rather large file I'm afraid, which
contains new versions of all of our conversions. These versions fix a
rare but nasty bug which could prevent you from being able to save the
results of very long recognition sessions. If this hasn't happened to
you, you can probably skip downloading this safely and wait for a full
release.

Steph

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




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Subject: Re: Blind Filing System?
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]

>> Quoting from Pete Cresswell to all on 12 Jun 93 09:26:45 <<

PC> I'm thinking that some sort of hand-operated braille tool along
PC> with a table of braille number codes presented not as braille
PC> per-se, but as a specific solution to marking pages might be
PC> accepted.
PC>
PC> I'd be grateful to hear from someone with practical experience in

How about using one of those little boxes that uses magnetic strips
that ypu put on the edge of cards and then record a brief message
on? I can't think of the name, but I believe it's something voice
box. I believe you can get them from AFB. One good usage of these
was to remind people how to take certain meedicines. forget the
braille business. Or you might try staples. Say one for a phone
bill, two for an electric bill etc. Or you could use tape and make
different types of tabs. Say scotch tape for phone bill, duct tape
for electric and masking tape forsay the water bill. Those are the
only three ideas I can think of. Staples, tape and that magnivox or
whatever it's called.

Isaac

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




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Subject: Re: Grade 3 braille
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]

>> Quoting from Anthony Hodgetts to All on 14 Jun 93 22:57:56 <<

AH> Hey all what is grade 3 braille used for? When I went to school,
AH> I was told it ws on the way out and not to worry about it, now I
AH> hear it can be learned, just wondering for what purpose? Well
AH> that's all
AH>
Hi Antoony,

Grade three braille is for personal notes although I've heard of a
few books written using it quite a while ago.

Isaac

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




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Subject: winvision?
From: Alfred.Puzzuoli@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Alfred Puzzuoli)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Although I dread it.  I guess I must concede that the age of
windows is finally here. Having  come to grips with that fact, I
guess it's time to deal with the issue of accessibility.  I
recently received my artic newsletter.  The letter is full of talk
about Winvision.   The article referred to winvision being
demonstrated at several national conferences.  I was just curious
as to whether or not any one here was able to attend any of these
and get a sense of how well this software works.  If this was
already talked about, please refer me back to the appropriate
thread of messages.   For some strange reason, I didn't feel like
scanning over 500 messages to find it.  Thanks in advance.

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




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Subject: Re: Timer Wanted
From: Carolyn.Sneed@f47.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Carolyn Sneed)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/47 - Tiger's Mail System, Portland OR


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Lee,

I've used a Radio shack timer which has an outlet on the back, and
movable pins on the front.  Instead of setting the time, I simply
pulled out one of the pins and turned the dial until the thing
clicked and then counted forward on the dial to as many hours ahead
of the time that I click3d the thing on.

I hope this helps.  I used to use this thing a lot when I wanted to
tape things off the radio, and I also used it with a boom box to
wake me up in the morning.

While I have your atention, please tell me how you got a hold of
that peg program, I think that's what it is, I tried to get a
message to Tandy Way about it but didn't get any results, so I am
asking yu.  How did you freq the demo?  I tried several times one
day and kept getting lost packets from Tandy's system.  I will send
him another message and see what happens.

In the meantime, please give me some info because I'm very excited
about it. I am so excited, that I joined compuserve in order to
take advantage of this program.

Well, all for now.
Have an excellent day.
Carolyn

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!47!Carolyn.Sneed
Internet: Carolyn.Sneed@f47.n105.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Help
From: Kevin.Nathan@f25.n347.z1.fidonet.org (Kevin Nathan)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:347/25 - Phantasia BBS, Boise Id


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 KW> I have a friend who is visually impaired and is legally blind,

I would suggest some kind of speech access package if his hearing is
alright.  There are several varieties around and many others on this echo
can advise you better than I concerning the pros and cons of each.  I
happen to use a package called Business Vision put out by Artic Technologies
in Troy, Michigan.  This package consists of a speech synthesizer board
which is placed in one of the expansion slots of the computer and soft-
ware loaded and run as a terminate and stay resident TSR program.

This kind of package allows good access to the screen and is quite fast
once you get used to the synthetic speech.  Also, it can be had for approx-
imately $900.00 U.S. for my package as opposed to several thousand more for
Braille displays.

There are also some large print packages out but it sounds like your friend's
vision is poor enough that these might not be of much assistance to him.
In any case, I know very little about them.

If your friend ends up getting a speech package, I would also suggest
he invest in a good communications program which works well with speech.
I am using a shareware package called Commo and am very happy with it.

Well, I intended this to be a short message and look at the length of it.
Sorry.  Hope all of this is of some assistance to you and your friend.
Kevin

... Take my advice, I don't use it anyway.
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!347!25!Kevin.Nathan
Internet: Kevin.Nathan@f25.n347.z1.fidonet.org




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                 End of Issue # 979 of the Blind News Digest

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