🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 905

                           Monday, April 26, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                          Re: audible traffic signs
                          Re: two blink talk echoes
                          Re: Proofreading Service
                               Re: New $1 Coin
                             KTS Braille Display
                         Re: new notobook available
                          Braille labels for disks
                            Brail from Computer??
                              scanner question
                               blind and GUIs


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Subject: Re: audible traffic signs
From: mikef@pacifier.rain.com (Mike Freeman)
Organization: Pacifier BBS

In article <28774@handicap.news> dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)
writes:
>
>I think it's a good idea.
>Why should the sighted be the only ones able
>to identify locations?
>It's true the world isn't a fair place so why not stack the deck
>whereever possible?  Also in the event these tags go into use

Because then people will expect that the deck needs to be stacked
even when it does not and blind people may not get hired
because of this erroneous expectation.

>they'll have a hard time starting out.  A few consumer boycotts of
>recalcitrant merchants will help solve that problem.  If Caesar Chavez
>can do it why not the blind community?
>
And look how far it got him.  How strong are the farm unions now?


--
Mike Freeman            |       Internet: mikef@pacifier.rain.com
Amateur Radio: K7UIJ    |       UUCP: uunet!m2xenix!nipple!pacifier!mikef
GEnie: M.FREEMAN11      |       Pushing 40 is exercise enough!




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Subject: Re: two blink talk echoes
From: mikef@pacifier.rain.com (Mike Freeman)
Organization: Pacifier BBS

In article <28779@handicap.news> janina@netcom.com (Janina Sajka) writes:
>
>Two questions come to mind for me:
>
>       1.)  Is this divisive?

That depends upon how the participants act.  If the participants
on the two echos badmouth each other and the other echo, then
it's divisive -- but not because of NFB but because of the
attitude of the participants.  NFB (or Willie, for that matter)
cannot force people to participate in either echo; nor would
we (of NFB) wish to do so.  The echos are, to a large extent,
what people make of them.

Just as different ham radio repeaters in a metropolitan area will have
different crouds hanging out on them (with some overlap), so it
will probably be here.  This is inevitable and, IMHO, not only
nothing to be worried about but something that has advantages.
Let a hundred flowers bloom ...
>
>My answer is that if it isn't, why has NFB chosen a name for its echo,
>'blindtalk,' that's so close to the name of the fido echo that's been here
>for years, 'blinktalk.'  Is it intended that people, especially new users
>might become confused?  Certainly, a name with only one embedded character
>diference does not aid clarity.  Sounds a lot like obfiscation to me.

Well, people in the NFB tend to be blind.  We've only so many
characters for the name.  BLINDSPEAK?  Sounds like Orwell.
BLINDCHAT?  Maybe.  Naw ... these still have "blind" in them ...
horror of horrors.  Guess we'd hafta get "blind" out.  Now
we wouldn't want that!  That smacks of insisting upon the One
True Church {grin}.
>
>       2.)  Is this growth?

Yup.
>
>My answer is that it probably is.  When enough people start using
>telecomm technology it is probably unavoidable to have multiple
>echos for multiple reasons.
>
>Still and all, why such a similar name?  Huh, NFB?
>
What would you call it?


--
Mike Freeman            |       Internet: mikef@pacifier.rain.com
Amateur Radio: K7UIJ    |       UUCP: uunet!m2xenix!nipple!pacifier!mikef
GEnie: M.FREEMAN11      |       Pushing 40 is exercise enough!




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Subject: Re: Proofreading Service
From: Kathy.Stokes@f120.n2320.z1.fidonet.org (Kathy Stokes)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2320/120 - MicroTalk, Louisville KY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Braille proofreading wasn't what I had in mind.  I do that all day
long.  What I was thinking about is listening to diskettes with typed
material and proofing/editing the disk.  I was thinking it a good way
to maybe make some extra money.  I'm sorry dot quality is sometimes
poor, but you need to contact the braille producer and let them know.
The proofs we read are carefully checked, and so is a control copy from
the press, but it is possible that bad dots will slip bye.  Please
accept the apology of those of us who proofread magazines at APH if our
magazines have poor braille.  We are unaware of it.

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




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Subject: Re: New $1 Coin
From: Jeff.Dubois@p666.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Dubois)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/266.666 - Vision Information , Ottawa ON


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

There was a great deal of resistance to a $1 coin up here in Canada,
about five years back.  Sheesh, I'm dating myself again, but it's
got to be at least five years now.

It is a multisided coin, much larger than the quarter.  The introduction
of the loonie, so nicknamed because of it's picture of a loon on it,
replaced the $1 bill, and the Bank of Canada, or rather the Bank Note
Company, removed the bill from circulation.

I have mixed feelings about the coin, but do recognize that removing
the dollar bill from circulation in the U.S. just may not be feasible.
I can only base this on the fact that to my knowledge, and with the
exception of the liberty $2 bill which came out in 1976, the U.S.
hasn't printed a $2 since the 1954 Jefferson.
While the $1 coin works well up here, you must realize we have the
two dollar bank note.
I can not imagine buying a pack of gum, and getting four dollar coins
and some various other change for the five dollar bill.

Just some thoughts.
Regards,
Jeff

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!163!266.666!Jeff.Dubois
Internet: Jeff.Dubois@p666.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: KTS Braille Display
From: Les.Kriegler@f207.n2613.z1.fidonet.org (Les Kriegler)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2613/207 - The Recovery Room, Rochester NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Isaac, when a company is not willing to provide names of satisfied
users so that they can be contacted, it suggests to me that there
are problems with the unit.  That's what I find suspicious about
all of this.  A solid product by itself should be enough for a
company to wish to laud its positive features by its users.  How
many users of the KTS actually exist?  Is their customer base
growing?  Those would be just two questions I would ask of the
company, and they cannot avoid answering those questions based on
confidentiality concerns> You are right; let's see what develops.
Les

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2613!207!Les.Kriegler
Internet: Les.Kriegler@f207.n2613.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: new notobook available
From: Les.Kriegler@p0.f207.n2613.z1.fidonet.org (Les Kriegler)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2613/207.0 - The Recovery Room, Rochester NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 JA> I was wondering if there are Laptops with -internal- speech
 JA> synthesizers available in the US (or elsewhere).

The Toshibas are certainly the ones you hear most about with
an internal slot for a speech card.  The problem is that most
of the other brands only have a half slot for a modem, and not
a full slot which the speech boards apparently require.  One of
the major decisions to make therefore is how important an
internal synthesizer is to you.  For example, to acquire a 386
or 486-based Toshiba with speech running at least 25
megahurtz, you will likely spend about $1000 more than you
will by byying another comparable model with an external
synthesizer, at least that has been my experience from the
research I have done.  Les

... Housework seldom kills--but why take chances?

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2613!207.0!Les.Kriegler
Internet: Les.Kriegler@p0.f207.n2613.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Braille labels for disks
From: Jim.Breene@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Breene)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3602/24 - ADAnet One (tm) Net, Pinson AL


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Bob, you might try calling Brown Disc, 1110 Chapel Hill Dr.,
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920, phone (800) 654-4871 or (719) 593-1015.

Jim Breene, Atlanta

 # Origin: Rooselvelt Warm Springs, Georgia  (94:7069/1)

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!3602!24!Jim.Breene
Internet: Jim.Breene@f24.n3602.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Brail from Computer??
From: David.Tanner@f234.n109.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/234 - Braille Bank BBS, Oakton Va


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Stu, I understand there is a software that will print Braille on a
dot matrix printer. I believe the name of the software is PC
Braille.  I don't know a lot about it, but will try to find out
more. Supposedly you can buy the software and a cheap dot matrix
printer to go with it for $200.  I'll get back with more info
sometime after Easter. I will be out-of-town on business this
coming week.

    D. T.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!234!David.Tanner
Internet: David.Tanner@f234.n109.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: scanner question
From: David.Tanner@f234.n109.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/234 - Braille Bank BBS, Oakton Va


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a msg on <Mar 28 18:54>, Michael Malver of 1:282/1007 writes:

 MM> s it faster to use scanning products which have propryitary cards
 MM> which help with the scanning, as apposed to using packages which
 MM> relie on your computer's processor if you are using a 25 MHZ
 MM> 386? What if you want to use desqview-386?  Is the new
 MM> Kertzwile (sdorry abut spelling) product using the processor
 MM> or a card? Thanks

I will attempt to answer the first of your questions.  If you are
using a 386 25MHZ system you will get faster scan and conversion
using the new Arkenstone 600 card.  From what I had been told by
the people at Arkenstone the old Hot Reader card was apparently
about the same speed as scanning with the software only OpenBook
Unbound at 25MHZ on a 486 machine and the 600 card is what has
replaced both the hot card and the 400 card.  The 600 card and
scanner will run about the same price as the old Hot Reader; $4495
suggested retail.  Contact your favorite Arkenstone rep for their
price.

    D. T.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!234!David.Tanner
Internet: David.Tanner@f234.n109.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: blind and GUIs
From: David.Tanner@f234.n109.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/234 - Braille Bank BBS, Oakton Va


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a msg on <Mar 30 14:11>, I Kler of 1:141/420 writes:

 IK> Does anyone have any information on devices giving
 IK> access to blind people to graphical user interfaces.
 IK> I have heard of the following : windows bridge, D.A.V.I.D.
 IK> which is a 386 pc, Mercator project in Atlanta. I am
 IK> writing an application which is a feasibility study into
 IK> how efficiently a blind person can work in such an environment.

 IK> What I really need is views as to what would make  a good
 IK> interface. I have created a menu bar consisting of Six Large
 IK> buttons, and used variations in tone and pitch to help the user
 IK> locate objects such as the help window.

 IK> Any personal views or criticisms of GUIs much appreciated.

Window Bridge is presently the only commercially available product
for Windows version 3.1, IBM Screen Reader 2 is the only reader for
OS2, and OutSpoken is the only speech for Apple Mac System 7.
While all of these products give a great deal of informationit is
still somewhat difficult to always know exactly where text is
placed on the screen and how your document is getting formatted.

It would appear that several companies are close to releasing new
products for Windows and speech output. I am guessing that by the
end of 1993 there may be as many as 6 speech software packages for
Windows, and Window Bridge also supports Braille output on the Alva
Braille Terminal.

I believe that one of the toughest challenges of the GUI is
proving to be telling what the format is of a document, and getting
the speech to interpret what a icon is that has no text label.  If
there were some standard established requiring that all icons must
have a text label it would solve this problem very easy.  But then
I guess that would be asking a lot of MicroSoft and the other
software makers. They surely would claim that it would be such a
big expense to do that that it would cause them financial
hardship.

    D. T.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!234!David.Tanner
Internet: David.Tanner@f234.n109.z1.fidonet.org




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                 End of Issue # 905 of the Blind News Digest

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