🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 913

                           Thursday, May 06, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                            Brail from Computer??
                                     BBS
                              Scanner question
                                Smart Screens
                            Re: Braille Question
                              data base program
                               BLIND AND GUIS
                                  Re: Sleep
                             Type 'n Speakskoobe
                        Re: soundblaster and tinytalk


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Subject: Brail from Computer??
From: Guy.Winters@f1007.n282.z1.fidonet.org (Guy Winters)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:282/1007 - DRAG-Net, Andover MN


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

[Note from Bill McGarry: The program described here should be
on the ftp archives shortly.]

ST--> EK> Does anyone know if there is a computer program that types out brail
ST--> EK> dots, is, a translater?  Yes, I plan to poke a pin through the dots
ST--> EK> so I can communicate. Is there a better way without buying a
ST--> EK> brailer?

ST-->  I get the impression that you want to get a sheet of paper with
ST-->the printed dots and and then poke a pin through the ink dots.  You
ST-->are aware that braille is _raised_, not indented, arn't you?  You
ST-->would need to push the pin through the back of the paper, or print
ST-->the dots in reverse on the back of the paper.  Also, a pinhole
ST-->doesn't feel anything like braile dot, regular printer paper does
ST-->not hold real braille dots that well, and I understand quite a few
ST-->printers don't seem to like the thicker braille paper.

Ed (and Stu),
Some years back there was an interesting article in BYTE magazine.
It was written by a fellow who was hwlping his scout troop produce
braille newslatters on a standard computer printer.  What this fellow
did was to write a program which would REVERSE the order of the
braille dots so his printer; dots raised on one sside of the paper
are indented on the other.  He did also modify his printer, very
slightly:  using a "fixed-bar" platten (like the old IBM PC Graphics
printer and the early Epson printers) he used double-sided tape to
stick a strip of flock-lined rubber glove behind the paper.  This
allowed the printer to leave indents in standard 20-pound paper which
could be read 10 to 15 times.  I've also had some success with
notecard or postcard froms the the printer, if you have it make
multiple passes ofer each line.

I took Faunt's program from BYTE and (with his permission) translated
it from Apple Pascal to Turbo Pascal for the PC.  This program (with
source and a small text file) are available here as BRAILLE2.ZIP.

 * OLX 2.2 * I'm from Minnesota; I only work in cyberspace.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!282!1007!Guy.Winters
Internet: Guy.Winters@f1007.n282.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: BBS
From: Ann.Sab@f605.n322.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Sab)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:322/605 - The Lighthouse, Leicester MA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

you can call mass. assistive technology partnership 1-800-950-6287.
runs 24 hours daily at 2400 baud. anyone can use it--even
out of state.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!322!605!Ann.Sab
Internet: Ann.Sab@f605.n322.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Scanner question
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]

Michael, you asked if the new Kurzweil (that's K U R Z W E I L) product
used a proprietary board or the main processor. It uses the main
processor. Our earlier product, PC/KPR, used a proprietary board which
was a 16 megahertz 68020. Depending on the scanner, a '386 at 20
megahertz should be approximately the same speed, perhaps a little
slower. However, given DOS, we can't begin recognition until scanning is
complete - with the proprietary board we could. Consequently, the '386
will be somewhat slower for scanning and recognition.

Certainly, you can find faster proprietary solutions, but given the
current pricing of PC's, they don't really make a lot of sense. After
all, $2000 will get you a very nice PC which will do OCR quite nicely,
and which I'm sure you will find a few other chores for as well <G>.

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




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Subject: Smart Screens
From: Walter.Siren@p42.f17.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:396/17.42 - N. O. P. C. Club, New Orleans LA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

On Aprm 03m, Mitch Galloway <1:270/811> corresponding with Bill Koppelmann typed
:
 MG> Do you know if there is a way to append macros from one configuration
 MG> to another?  I get tired of rewriting macros that I use in a number
 MG> of programs.

Hi Mitch.  Unfortunately there is no way at this time to transfer
macros from one configuration to another.  I have been complaining
about this for a while now.  I suggested a good way for them to
make this available.  Now, that they have a way to put the macro
config in a text file they could reverse the process, and then with
a text editor we splice our old macros into it, and compile it back
to a macro file.  I don't know if they will ever tdo this or not.

Hey, chuck are you listening!

Walter

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!17.42!Walter.Siren
Internet: Walter.Siren@p42.f17.n396.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Braille Question
From: Walter.Siren@p42.f17.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:396/17.42 - N. O. P. C. Club, New Orleans LA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

On Aprm 05m, Richard Webb <1:290/8> corresponding with Keith Wessel typed:

 RW> HI Keith,

 RW> TO answer your question about who sets the rules for the braille code,
 RW> in north america it's done by the Braille Authority of NOrth AMerica.
 RW> Quite a few of its members are braille users, such as Dr. Nemeth, the
 RW> devoloper of the braille mathematics code.  As for others, and how many,
 RW> I don't know for sure at the moment, but will do a little research for
 RW> you.

The chairman is sighted, but he is the one who developed the
Duxberry translator.

 RW> AS to the braille code, it has been in quite a state of flux over the
 RW> last 20 years, due to the changes in technology, computers, etc.  Some
 RW> standardization would be much in order.  I've really had to crack the
 RW> book when learning computer literacy, because the computer code is so
 RW> much different than the Braille literary code.

If they would have standardized it from the beginning, it would
have been nice, but to change it all up now would cause a lot of
confusion.  It isn't everyone who needs to know the braille
computer code, and if they standardized braille to that, it would
make it harder for children to learn braille, since they would have
to learn both the old and the new.  It would be quite a while
before all the books would be changed so they would have to know
how to read the old braille as long with the new code.  For the
older braille users who don't need computer code, it would be very
confusing.

Walter

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!17.42!Walter.Siren
Internet: Walter.Siren@p42.f17.n396.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: data base program
From: Paul.Guido@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Paul Guido)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

First let me start off by saying that I know nothing about data bases.
What I want to do is put together a ddata base of all or most
resteraunts, eating places, food selling places like bakerys around my
metro area as sort of a reference for the blind.  Along with the names I
want to include the address, phone number, specialty, small review, and
general price range.  The reason I want to do this is because whenever I
was in downtown Pittsburgh looking for a descent place to eat I did not
know any addresses and I alwas ended eating at MacDonalds because I knew
where it was located. Who knows I may even become a food critic and eat
my way across the Pittsburgh area.  So if you see anybody running around
town with a pork chop in his mouth its probably me. Oh, the question is
is there a program, data base, or something that I can use that is
speech friendly.  I did upload a simular program awhile back to
blinklink called restrant.zip. Can I add to or  delete old information on
this data base or am I out of my league?

Paul

... Abstain from wine, women, and song; mostly song.

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




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Subject: BLIND AND GUIS
From: Tom.Dekker@f15.n229.z1.fidonet.org (Tom Dekker)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:229/15 - Canada Remote Syste, Mississauga ON


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I don't know if this is useful to you but apparently, at a recent show
in California, Artic Technologies unveiled a speech product for Windows.
Rumour from reliable source has it that the thing is quite impressive.
I'm not sure when it'll be out though.  You may want to contact Artic
Technologies in Troy MI and ask them.

... Tom and Casper, the floppy-eared, fRRRRiendly ghost-woof!
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!229!15!Tom.Dekker
Internet: Tom.Dekker@f15.n229.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Sleep
From: Ron.Denis@f52.n363.z1.fidonet.org (Ron Denis)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:363/52 - Central Florida Psy, Orlando FL


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Sam, Ironic that I should come across your message today as I've been
hearing about sleep, restlessness, and related things all day.  The
change in times seems to do that around here. I've not run into the
particular form of night mares you mentioned. Most of the nightmares I
hear are tied in with traumatic events and/or stress or other conflicts.
Some are related to distortions of expected future problems.  Although
none of my clients have related these in a way that has attached to
particular body positions, the triggering of specific fears and/or
associations by specific kinesthetic and tactual sensations would not be
unusual. I am afraid that I have only a superficial knowledge of Shakras
and so am not the best person to comment on this.  From a
psychotherapist's viewpoint, I would wonder what specifically causes one
to react to putting pressure on this particular shakra in this specific
way.  Again, I am not really qualified to comment on the more spiritual
aspects of this problem.

Ron

... Reality is a constant intrusion on my dreams.
___ Via Silver Xpress V3.01

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!363!52!Ron.Denis
Internet: Ron.Denis@f52.n363.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Type 'n Speakskoobe
From: Robert.Carter@f331.n117.z1.fidonet.org (Robert Carter)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:117/331 - Cyberpunk EMS, College Station TX


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Donald,

In a recent post, you wanted to correspond with someone who uses the
Type 'n Speak. I am in the fortunate position of using the Type 'n
Speak, the Braille 'n Speak, and a notebook computer on a regular basis.
Below I will briefly describe the Type 'n Speak and then make some
comparison comments between the Type 'n Speak and a notebook computer.
If you have more specific questions, please feel free to ask.

The Type 'n Speak has all of the power and flexibility of the Braille
'n Speak 640. It has the same file management system and text editor as
the 640. In addition, it has a parallel port and an alarm clock that the
640 does not have. It also has more user memory than the 640. The Type
'n Speak is about the size of the keyboard of a laptop computer. The
keyboard is very comfortable to use. It has a sturdy feel and is not
cramped like some notebooks. The Type 'n Speak gets between fifteen and
twenty hours of battery life between charges. The commands that are used
to control the Type 'n Speak are easy to learn and there is a help file
that lists all of the commands. The user has a choice of issuing most
commands either by pressing a function key at the top of the keyboard or
by entering the same command from the home row while holding down the
alt key.

Like the Braille 'n Speak 640, the Type 'n Speak cannot run off the
shelf software. People are starting to write applications software for
both the Type 'n Speak and the Braille 'n Speak 640. These include such
programs as spell checkers and checkbook managers. There will be more in
the future.

Notebooks can of course run MS DOS software. They typically require an
external speech synthesizer and they are not instantly ready to use when
the power switch is flipped on as the Type 'n Speak is. The battery life
on even the best notebooks is less than half that of the Type 'n Speak.

The bottom line is if you need to run off the shelf software while away
from your desktop machine, the Type 'n Speak is out of the question. On
the other hand, if you want a truly portable user-friendly device and
can settle for doing word processing and telecommunications with the
built-in editor that is part of the Type 'n Speak's firmware, the TNS
may be just what you want. Actually, the Type 'n Speak's editor is not
bad. It offers cut and paste and most other word processing features. At
present, using such attributes as boldfacing and underlining is
difficult with this editor. Blazie will soon release a program for the
Type 'n Speak that will take care of this problem.

Personally, when I travel, about ninety percent of the time I elect to
take either a Braille 'n Speak or a Type 'n Speak rather than a
notebook. While on the road, I do miss my off-line mail readers and
WordPerfect. Typically, however, the hassle of carrying a notebook and
associated accoutrements just isn't worth being able to run those
applications away from my desktop machine. Plus, I am usually needing to
take notes while away from home. There is no question in my mind that a
Type 'n Speak is a superior note taking device to a notebook. The
immediate start up and the long battery life make all of the difference in
the world when it comes to efficient note taking.

Finally, I had the choice of writing this post to you on a desktop PC,
a notebook, a Braille 'n Speak, and a Type 'n Speak. Because of its
excellent keyboard and the fact that I wanted to relax in my easy chair,
I elected to write this on the Type 'n Speak. I guess that says
something. If you have further questions, please let me know. I hope
this is some help as you attempt to make a difficult decision.

Robert Carter * JABBER v1.1 #90 * Jabber... The Lean, Mean, Reading Machine...

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!117!331!Robert.Carter
Internet: Robert.Carter@f331.n117.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: soundblaster and tinytalk
From: Lisa.Warner@f140.n267.z1.fidonet.org (Lisa Warner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:267/140 - Lower Albany BBS, Albany NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I found that the sound blaster locked up the computer if I typed
too fast.  Now we are experimenting on a less sophisticated machine
for a friend who needed some inexpensive speech.  I will let you
know how we proceed.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!267!140!Lisa.Warner
Internet: Lisa.Warner@f140.n267.z1.fidonet.org




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                 End of Issue # 913 of the Blind News Digest

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