🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1087

                         Thursday, October 20, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                     NEW: TV2NITE-L - Daily US TV Digest
                                 asap makers
                            Outspoken for Windows
                       Macintosh as Answering machine
                         large print and free matter
                         outSPOKEN for Windows Relea
                       Laptops for Visually Impaired?
                          Text editor for the blind
                            Outspoken for Windows


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To subscribe to the Blind News Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:


UUCP:       uunet!bunker!wtm
INTERNET:   wtm@bunker.afd.olivetti.com
BITNET:     blindnws@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet:    The Handicap News BBS (141/420)   1-203-926-6168
            (300 - 14,400 baud, 24 hours)

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: NEW: TV2NITE-L - Daily US TV Digest
From: mikenist@pipeline.com (Michael Nist)

TV2NITE-L on listserv@netcom.com        Daily US TV Schedule

   TV2NITE-L is the mailing list which is used to distribute "tv2nite",
   a daily guide to America's favorite pastime -- watching prime time
   network and cable television.

   "tv2nite" has been designed for those of us who don't get complete
   cable listings in their newspaper (or don't get a newspaper), and/or
   don't want to shell out $40 a year for TV Guide.  It's also for
   people who just like the idea of having their evening's entertainment
   choices pop up on their computer screen every day when they log in.

   Every morning, you'll get a new e-mail which summarizes the evening's
   best viewing, followed by a complete programming guide for all major
   broadcast and cable networks.  This will include cable stations that
   many major newspapers don't have the space to list, such as Comedy
   Central, the Science Fiction channel, MTV, etc.  We'll also let you
   know who's scheduled to appear on the evening's late night talk
   shows.

   Of course, even those of us blessed with 70 channels sometimes
   experience an evening where there isn't a thing on the tube we have
   any desire to see.  So we'll also let you know when new videos are
   released, on the day they're due to hit the stores.  Stick with us
   and you'll never have to socialize again.

   One cautionary note: we can't provide coverage for local stations --
   at least not for the foreseeable future -- so you won't see listings
   for syndicated shows like the "Star Trek" series, or for your local
   PBS station.  We are going to explore different means of sponsoring
   this list, however, and if we are able to swing it we'll offer local
   editions of the list for major TV markets.

   To subscribe to TV2NITE-L and receive tv2nite send the following
   message to listserv@netcom.com (put the message in the body of the
   message, not the subject line):

      subscribe tv2nite-l

   To remove yourself from the list, send this message instead:

      unsubscribe tv2nite-l

   NOTE:  listserv@netcom.com is a Majordomo list server and is
          NOT L-Soft LISTSERV.

   Editor:  Mike Nist  mikenist@pipeline.com



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Subject: asap makers
From: scottr@ion.apana.org.au (Scott Rutkowski)

Hi there Bill.
Can you please post in the blind-l digest for any info on microtalk
joining the net? I just want to find out if they will be joining or if
they have a email address I could write to.
Cheers and bye for now.




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Subject: Outspoken for Windows
From: djc@crl.com (Don Coco)
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access

If your a blind person who is using Outspoken for Windows I'd appreciate
hearing from you with your impressions of the program.



          djc@crl.com Out!






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Subject: Macintosh as Answering machine
From: BLACKBURN860@delphi.com

We are looking for a way to use a Macintosh as a telephone
answering machine.  Our transcriptionist, who is blind, uses
outSPOKEN for screen access, so we need the product to be
compatible with it.  The machine we have now stores the recorded
in-coming and out-going messages on two cassette tapes.  This
equipment has proven to be less than reliable on occasion.

We have considered voice mail, but the system available to us does
not allow a user to back up ("rewind") only a few words at a time.
A transcriptionist would have to listen to an entire message just
to confirm one or two words.  Since some of our patron s order long
lists of books, lack of incremental rewind is unacceptable. I would
appreciate hearing from anyone who knows of or has used such an
application.

        Thank you for your help.

        Sincerely,
        Kathy Blackburn
        Senior Administrative Clerk
        Texas State Library
        Talking Book Program
        512/463-5458
        Internet: Kathy_Blackburn@tsl.texas.gov"


============================================================



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Subject: large print and free matter
From: HUDSON@msu.edu (Michael.Hudson)

In the most recent issue of Blindnews, someone commented on the appropriate
font size for low vision users and added a piece on free matter requiring 14
point or larger and mail being sent to a blind person.  I am interested to
knowif the free is only free for blind and physically impaired or if it
extends to learning disabled, attention deficit disorders etc.  If it does
not, why is RFB sending books to these people via free matter?  I hear time
and time again that there is a risk of us losing free matter because of
overuse and abuse. If this is the case, should we not seek appropriate
limitations on the use of free matter by groups who benefit from but do not
advocate for such a service? When was the last time you heard of LD or ADHd
students calling for the extension and continuation of free matter mail
service?

Sincerely,
Michael Hudson



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Subject: outSPOKEN for Windows Relea
From: jam@berksys.com (Josh Miele)

  REGARDING           outSPOKEN for Windows Release


INTRODUCING
outSPOKEN for Windows


Berkeley Systems, developer of the original outSPOKEN for Macintosh (1989),
is proud to announce the release of outSPOKEN for Windows. This
state-of-the-art screen reader converts the graphics and text of Microsoft
Windows to a full speech and audio interface for blind, visually impaired, or
learning disabled computer users. outSPOKEN for Windows is a powerful and
flexible screen reader able to read all windows, menus, and dialog boxes. It
can operate in any video mode or color scheme, and is able to read any font
style no matter where it appears on the screen. outSPOKEN is easy to turn on
and off, and does not modify the Windows interface, making it ideal for use
on computers shared with non-outSPOKEN users.


outSPOKEN uses the Windows mouse pointer as a screen review cursor and
provides a simple and intuitive keyboard-driven pointer navigation system
which allows the user to review even the most complex window layouts with
ease. Furthermore, outSPOKEN is able to track and announce all changes of
highlighting and focus, permitting seamless use of built-in Windows commands.
A wide array of special features and adjustable feedback settings allow the
outSPOKEN user to immediately begin working with most standard Windows
applications.

outSPOKEN supports over thirty speech synthesizers and a variety of DOS
screen readers. This makes it quite likely that outSPOKEN will work with your
current hardware and software. Our documentation is easy to use and our
technical support is extremely responsive to the needs of our users.

***In short, outSPOKEN is the most sophisticated and powerful Windows screen
reader in existence, yet the easiest to install, learn, and use.***


READING AND NAVIGATION:
The outSPOKEN user reads the screen with a set of powerful pointer navigation
commands which are issued from the keyboard. As the pointer moves, outSPOKEN
speaks the line, word, character, or graphic corresponding to the pointer's
location. To provide continuity, outSPOKEN restricts reading to the current
window, yet makes it easy to move the pointer between windows on the screen.
outSPOKEN allows the user to navigate smoothly through complex dialog boxes
as well as plain text documents. Its sophisticated understanding of layout
and structure allows the user to easily read through list boxes, group boxes,
and other graphically grouped controls. This advanced reviewing capacity is
not found in any other Windows screen reader.

KEYBOARD CONTROLS:
Although Microsoft Windows is known for its point-and-click mouse interface,
it also includes a full set of keyboard-based commands. These include the
ability to switch between controls, windows, and applications; shift
highlight from one item to another; and open and select items from menus.
outSPOKEN responds to built-in Windows commands by notifying the user of
newly activated controls, windows, and applications; reading newly
highlighted items; and announcing menus as they open and close.

CUSTOMIZATION:
outSPOKEN does not require any application-specific configuration files. It
works with all standard Windows software out of the box! At the same time,
outSPOKEN provides for a high degree of flexibility, permitting customization
of virtually all aspects of outSPOKEN feedback. This allows the interface to
be tailored to suit each individual user's taste. Available settings include:
o Four different user-adjustable voices for speaking text, graphics, system
events, and highlighted items
o Seven different options for keyboard echo, including characters, words,
modifiers, and more
o Adjustable graphics feedback to determine which graphics should be
announced
o A range of notification options for windows, dialog boxes, and menus,
including the option of turning off notification entirely
o Adjustable punctuation announcement when reading with outSPOKEN commands
o The ability to select from a variety of modes for tracking cursor movements
and speaking changes of highlight


SPECIAL FEATURES:
outSPOKEN offers a number of additional features, including:
o The ability to name and use graphics, such as icons and graphical "tools,"
without sighted assistance
o Information about font size, style, and attribute for text anywhere on the
screen
o Automatic announcement of new cursor shapes, such as "hourglass" and
"I-bar"
o A FIND command to immediately move the pointer to a specific piece of text,
text attribute, or graphic
o A hierarchical WINDOW MENU for moving the pointer to any window showing on
the screen
oA WHERE command for reporting exact pointer location with respect to the
border of the current window or the screen
oA SAY-ON feature which speaks all text as it is written to the screen, for
use with terminal emulators or DOS windows

DOS SCREEN READERS:
outSPOKEN is a Windows application. This means that it runs from inside
Microsoft Windows. Naturally, it can still read DOS sessions that are opened
within Windows. In addition, it supports a large number of DOS screen
readers, enabling the outSPOKEN user to read Windows with outSPOKEN, while
using a DOS screen reader for work with DOS applications.

SUPPORTED HARDWARE:
outSPOKEN works with over thirty speech synthesizers including Accent, Artic,
Audapter, Braille'n Speak, DECtalk, DoubleTalk, Echo, KeyNote, SoundingBoard,
and many more. outSPOKEN is extremely flexible in its handling of input and
output, allowing communication with a wide variety of I/O devices-including
Braille output and speech input. For a current list of supported hardware,
contact Berkeley Systems or your outSPOKEN dealer.

SUPPORT AND DOCUMENTATION:
Berkeley Systems is well-known for its responsive product support and
excellent documentation. With the purchase of outSPOKEN for Windows comes
unlimited free telephone technical support. Our documentation can be followed
by a user of any level of ability. We provide documentation for outSPOKEN on
disk, on cassette, in Braille, and in print. With each copy of outSPOKEN we
include unique tactile diagrams illustrating Microsoft Windows concepts and
situations. These Braille diagrams are particularly valuable to any beginning
Windows user who is blind. Furthermore, because outSPOKEN does not modify
Windows in its look or feel, sighted and non-sighted users are able to use
the same training materials and communicate in similar terms about the
Microsoft Windows environment. This makes outSPOKEN ideal for use on shared
computers in the office, in a public school or library, or in the home.

Retail Price:
$595.00 US


For more information, or a demo version of outSPOKEN for Windows, contact:
Berkeley Systems, Inc.
2095 Rose St.
Berkeley, CA 94709

VOICE: (510) 540-5535 EX. 716
FAX: (510) 849-9426

E-MAIL: osw@berksys.com







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Subject: Laptops for Visually Impaired?
From: hal@netcom.com (Hal Wine)
Organization: Hal Wine -- Mac & Windows contract programming

(Sorry if this is a FAQ, but I couldn't find a FAQ for this group.)

A friend of mine is undergoing rapid visual impairment due to MS, and
is trying to find a laptop computer that will work for her to continue
schooling as independently as possible.  Right now, she can still use
her eyes, but pays a high cost for so doing (balance loss & fatigue).

She already has a Mac, so is familiar with that operating system.  The
Mac also has some speech output and large font capabilities.  On the
service, it sounds like a good choice, but I wanted to double check
with folks who know.

One concern I have about the Mac (or any windowed) environment is how
tough it is to deal with menus, mouses, switching applications, etc.

Any and all comments or pointers to other information appreciated.
She'd like to get a system ASAP!  (I've got apple sending their
disability solutions information already.)

Thanks!
--
Hal Wine
Internet: hal@netcom.com



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Subject: Text editor for the blind
From: neil@dcs.kcl.ac.uk (Neil Faulks)

Hello.

I am contacting you because yours is the only news group I could find that
deals with blind issues.

I have developed a powerful, but small, text editor that I sell as shareware.
At least one person contacted me asking about support for blind people.

I gather that the main requirement is to print things like menu items using
the BIOS so that text-to-speech programs can read them.

I would like to investigate this further but I have no idea where to begin.
Can you point me in the right direction please?

Thanks.
Neil.



--
Neil Faulks
neil@dcs.kcl.ac.uk



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Subject: Outspoken for Windows
From: dennis@winternet.com (Dennis Bartlett)
Organization: StarNet Communications, Inc

Berkeley systems has announced OutSpoken for Windows has been released. I
have been a beta tester of this product for the last year and it looks
pretty good.

The cost is $595.00.  Berkeyley systems can be reached at (510) 540-5535.


--
Dennis Bartlett
Technology Specialist
(612) 722-8686




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                 End of Issue # 1087 of the Blind News Digest

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