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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 920

                            Monday, May 24, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                          Re: Brail from Computer??
                                 Re: CD-ROM
                          Re: Conferences Planned ?
                   Re: advice on buying a reading system?
                        Re: CD-Rom and Screen Readers
          Re: the ST John's Rehabilitation Internet Resource Center
                     Re: Up-date on RFB on-line catalog


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Subject: Re: Brail from Computer??
From: jason@merlin.demon.co.uk (Jason Arthurs)
Organization: QED

In article <29067@handicap.news> A.Stone@bradford.ac.uk writes:

>It involves placing half a bicycle inner tube instead of the
>printer's platten.  print quality is a bit crap and it does the
>paper no favours either!

I've heard of 'adaptive' technology, but perhaps this is taking that
phrase a little too far.

--
Regards,
Jason Arthurs,

"CAT (noun). A soft indestructible automaton provided by nature to be kicked
             when things go wrong in the domestic circle".




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Subject: Re: CD-ROM
From: jason@merlin.demon.co.uk (Jason Arthurs)
Organization: QED

In article <29210@handicap.news> DFKDSAS@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU writes:

>Can anyone tell me if Artic Business Vision will work with a CD-Rom player?
>If not what is needed? and If so what does it read ie text etc.

What it reads depends on whats on the CD-ROM disc, I would assume that a
product as comprehensive as Artic Business Vision should work with CD-ROMs,
see the subject : CD-Roms and Screen Readers earlier in this newsgroup.

--
Regards,
Jason Arthurs,

"CAT (noun). A soft indestructible automaton provided by nature to be kicked
             when things go wrong in the domestic circle".




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Subject: Re: Conferences Planned ?
From: jason@merlin.demon.co.uk (Jason Arthurs)
Organization: QED

In article <29068@handicap.news> Z_STAFF_CL@SOUTHAMPTON-INSTITUTE.AC.UK writes:

>Do you know of any conferences dealing with software or hardware for
>blind/visually impaired computer users that are planned in the next 18
>months or so ?
>Or where / who I can get the info from in the next few days ?

British Computer Association for the Blind have their annual exhibition in
Glasgow on 4th June.

Is their anything in particular you would be interested in seeing? I help
administrate a large display of technology for VI users in London, anyone
can visit providing they make an appointment first. Mail me if you want any
details, we also run a whole range of courses from general VI technology
awareness to training on specific items.

--
Regards,
Jason Arthurs,

"CAT (noun). A soft indestructible automaton provided by nature to be kicked
             when things go wrong in the domestic circle".




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Subject: Re: advice on buying a reading system?
From: jason@merlin.demon.co.uk (Jason Arthurs)
Organization: QED

In article <29062@handicap.news> lazzaro@world.std.com writes:

>You might want to look seriously at the Oscar scanner from Telesensory
>of Mountain View California. Oscar is MS DOS based, and uses the HP
>line of scanners.

I have one of these currently sitting in my office, waiting for me
to find time to unpack it and give it a try. I was reading an
article in the English journal 'New Beacon' which said some very
favourable things about the Oscar.

>I'd avoid the Arkenstone scanners until  they are compatible with
>programs like Window Bridge.

In what way would you say the Arkenstone scanners are non-Windows
bridge compatible? I know the original open book used a
'well-trimmed' version of Windows (to put it mildly), but I haven't
seen any of the newer ones yet.

>Also, Xerox Imaging Systems of Peabody Massachusetts has a new
>software-based OCR package that runs under MS DOS on 386 platforms
>with 8MB memory. I've heard good things about it.

Hrmm, any idea of a name/make/model for that piece of software?
I've been pretty impressed by the Kurzweil machines from Xerox,
especially the Reading Edge. If they do as well with the software
then maybe they can come up with a winner...?

Regards,
Jason.

--
Regards,
Jason Arthurs,

"CAT (noun). A soft indestructible automaton provided by nature to be kicked
             when things go wrong in the domestic circle".




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Subject: Re: CD-Rom and Screen Readers
From: jason@merlin.demon.co.uk (Jason Arthurs)
Organization: QED

In article <29123@handicap.news> nmlrc@uwpg02.uwinnipeg.ca writes:

>I was interested to read that Dennis Brown uses a screen reader with
>his CD-Rom.  I run a resource centre and have a CD-Rom set up with JAWS
>and they refuse to work together. (no I am not personalizing this!).

Judging from your computer, it is probably a memory problem. Screen
readers tend to take quite a chunk of memory when running. From
experience I know that a lot of the CD-ROMs use large bits of
memory for storing indices, etc.  The result is not enough memory
to run both at once.

>I am beginning to suspect that it is because of the the computer I am
>using rather then the software.  I have the CD-Rom on an old 8086 with
>5MZ.  Does anyone out there have any suggestions, I am willing to switch
>computers and would really like to see this program up and running.

The RNIB in the UK have been working on a project for CD-ROM as a
resoure for VI children in both mainstream and special schools. The
result is a system which uses the HAL screen reader in conjunction
with the Dolphin Apollo speech unit. This system has environment
files written for about a dozen of the most popular DOS based
CD-ROMs to enable them to speak and to display in large print
(using the LUNAR large print software). The CDs include Software
Toolworks Grolier Encyclopedia (soon to include the DOS Multimedia
version), Information Finder, Complete works of Shakespeare and
European Business Guide (and several others).

The minimum specification for this system is a 386SX with 2Mb of
RAM, this is however the minimum and in reality I would now be
recommending a minimum of 486SX 25MHz with 4Mb RAM for any serious
work.

--
Regards,
Jason Arthurs,

"CAT (noun). A soft indestructible automaton provided by nature to be kicked
             when things go wrong in the domestic circle".




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Subject: Re: the ST John's Rehabilitation Internet Resource Center
From: eyebyte@mindlink.bc.ca (Eyebyte Design)
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada

I am looking for specific information for an infant. He was born "blind"
and has finally been diagnosed here at UBC in Vancouver, Canada.
Any information, or a direction to point my nose, would be appreciated.
TOPIC: BI-LATERAL PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC PRIMARY VITREOUS
commonly referred to as bi-lateral phpv.
thanks much,
david
eyebyte@mindlink.bc.ca





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Subject: Re: Up-date on RFB on-line catalog
From: Henry@g0gku.demon.co.uk (Henry Brugsch)
Organization: Kidderminster Chaos computing at home under seige

Re. Getting the word out, just thought you might be
interested in knowing, I am a borrower of RFB, now living in
Britain. I heard about the on-line feature, and gave it a
try for a look round.
I am impressed. Now, soon, at least, may be possible to do
all library access via computer, and from this far out.
Even if it isn't available "now", to know it's coming is a
great relief.
Henry Brugsch.
Ah, bye the way, how do I find out my borrowing number?





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                 End of Issue # 920 of the Blind News Digest

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