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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 932

                           Tuesday, June 08, 1993

Today's Topics:


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                             scanners and ocr's.
                           Ms-dos 6 and no manual
                              Checkbook program
                              New on the Scene
                            braille code changes.
                             SCANNERS AND OCR'S.
                               Advantage Here!
                          Advantedge here!   <cont>
                              scanner question
                                 Front Door


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Subject: scanners and ocr's.
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 <May 06 11:39>, Bryan P. Sattler of 1:267/136 writes:

 BPS> good morning everyone,
 BPS> i'm faced with a dilemma.]
 BPS> i currently have an arkenstone scan jet plus with the latest
 BPS> colaris software. now i see the arkenstone "open book
 BPS> unbbound" is available. is there any advantage for me to
 BPS> purchase the open book and sell the scan jet? from what i
 BPS> can understand, the open book is superior to the scan jet
 BPS> plus. can i use a symphonix 215 speech card, since i already
 BPS> have one and could save some money? can i use the computer
 BPS> conversations' verbal operating system, since i already
 BPS> have it and could save some more money? any comments would
 BPS> be greatly appreciated.

Ok, here we go.  Your scan Jet Plus will work just fine with the
New OpenBook Unbound software.  To use the Scan Jet Plus with the
Openbook software you will need to purchase a Scan Jet interface
card to put in your computer since you will not be able to use  the
OpenBook software through the Calera Board  and daughter card.

At present, Openbook uses it's own speech software, and that
software will not work with the speech software you have mentioned
nor will it work with the Artic 215 speech synthesizer.

Really sorry to be the bearer of so much bad news to you, but at
this time these are the facts.  Hopefully these problems will be
resolved in soon to be released new version of the Openbook
software.  D. T.

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




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Subject: Ms-dos 6 and no manual
From: John.Sanfilippo@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (John Sanfilippo)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi David,

I'm not absolutely sure of this, and i never pursued it myself,
but doesn't RFB have some kind of arrangement with MicroSoft or
Borland where, if you present proof of registration you are
entitled to the e-text, free?

jjcs

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




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Subject: Checkbook program
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]

 PS>   The checkbook program I have been using with excellent results is
 PS>   Quicken,V6.

Peter, I checked out quicken a while back, and got confused.
Another thing I did not like about it, is that you have to use a
special check if you want it to print your checks.  Someone had
loaned me an old version to try out, but since I had problems
understanding it, I did not get it.  I would rather find a
shareware program, that I can try out first, and see if I like it
before registring it.  I don't want check free, since I can take
care of writing my own checks, and that is one expense I can
eliminate.

Thanks anyway.

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: New on the Scene
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]

Hi all.  One of our local boards here in the Boise Idaho area just began
carrying this echo.  My thanks to Ed Boston of Phantasia here in Boise for
 this.  I and several others here have been looking forward to having
access to this kind of information.

I am fairly new at computing, particularly this on-line stuff.  It sure
is fun though.  I am using a 486 with the Artic Business Vision speech package.
I am using Commo as my comm program and find it works very well for me.
I would appreciate any information out there concerning a workable speech
configuration for Artic which would work with the Pctools v8.0 package.
If anyone has such a configuration I would sure like to know about it.

Well, that's plenty for now.  Please communicate with us out here.  It
will be really nice to hear from some of you.
Kevin

... Open mouth, insert foot, echo internationally.
___ 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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Subject: braille code changes.
From: Walt.Cone@f145.n138.z1.fidonet.org (Walt Cone)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:138/145 - The Cats' Paws, Tacoma WA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Ray:

I am probably one of the many who will oppose the proposed changes
in the braille code.  There are many questions that should be
considered.  Will braille be easier to learn with the new code as
opposed to the one we are now using?  If braille is so dificult to
learn according to many professionals in the field, this must be
considered.  The question also needs to be asked:  How much would
the cost be to transfer all the books to the new code?

Just a few questions to consider.  I hope that the organized blind,
_****(both organizations) of the blind.

Take care:
Walt

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!138!145!Walt.Cone
Internet: Walt.Cone@f145.n138.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: SCANNERS AND OCR'S.
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]

 BPS> will this software work with the symphonix 215 speech card

It is my understanding that a driver is not yet available for
the SynPhonix; I am using that card on my system at home, and
was told by a representative at Arkenstome that they hope to
release a driver to support this card later this summer.
Cannot help you with VOS.  Les

... This tagline is made just for Bryan P. Sattler

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




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Subject: Advantage Here!
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]

Hi David.  I was surprised at your rather negative reaction to
Peter's comparison and review of the 2 OCR programs.  I have
not used either, so I cannot comment on specific features of
either.  However, it seemed that the Reading Advantage held up
well, other than problems with batch scanning.  I thought
Peter made it very clear at the beginning of his potential
bias, and despite that, there were certainly positive points
that were made about both products.  One thing seems clear;
both products are new, and clearly, modifications and bug
squashes will be necessary with both.  That's not unusual with
any software package, and I would suspect that both companies
will be receptive to making necessary modifications and
improvements.  I am glad that someone out there has used both,
and is in a position to review both products.  Les

... We now return to our regularly scheduled flame-throwing.

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




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Subject: Advantedge here!   <cont>
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]

I won't bother to quote your message, nor will I lower myself to
compare my experience in the field of access technology to yours.
You want to accuse me of being linked to TSI and nothing could be
further from the truth.  I have benn and continue to be independant
from influance from anybody who is a producer of any of the access
technologies for the blind.  Fortunantly that letss me say it the
way it is and let the chips fall where they may. You did not say
that you were using a HP ii C because I double checked your message
before replying to you.

Blast me all you want, but i'll bet you can't put a candle next to
me in the number of years of experience I have had working
professionally in the access technology field and using that access
technology on a daily basis myself.

At any rate I see no sense in carrying the matter any further.
Obviously those on this echo who read carefully and know much about
the technology can see why you would resort to name calling and
trying to relate me to TSI to discredit me.  If you admit that
OpenBook was a step backward it will cost you sales and you know
it.  My department has sold some Openbook Unbound systems too, and
they know what I am now recommending to them. I am recommending
that Openbook Unbound be used if the person is working in a Windows
environment for other tasks since it is very easy to flip back and
forth between Unbound and other Windows applications.

But if the person we are looking at perscribing access technology
for has no need for Windows I am staying awa from OpenBook.  As a
matter of fact the last DOS scanning system I recommended was
reading Advantage, and I am toying with the idea of recommending an
Arkenstone 600 system for someone I am working with now because I
think it's superior speed and good operation in the DOS environment
are the best choice.

See what you don't know is that I have probably been a stronger
Arkenstone advocate over the past 5 years than about anybody who
isn't an Arkenstone dealor. But it is velous salespeople like
yourself that turn me off to a company because they shade thefacts
with just enough fact and just enough fiction to make people think
they really are not biased.

    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 <May 07 09:15>, Michael Malver of 1:109/0 writes:

 MM> Is there anyone who is using something not specifically designed
 MM> for the visually impaired market, which is an ocr package?
 MM> I'm wondering why people use the products which are being
 MM> discussed here.  I am thinking of buying a scanner, and have
 MM> always assumed that I would buy open book. reading advantage,
 MM> or oscar.  It suddenly accursed to me that there are a lot of
 MM> things available for sighted people whose prices are either
 MM> comparable, or less. WOuld be interested to hear from someone
 MM> on this matter.

 MM> p.s.  I am very interested in using desqview with what ever
 MM> package I get.  I also would prefer a software only system,
 MM> as apposed to a system that does scanning through a
 MM> proprietary card.  As I understand it, reading advantage, and
 MM> oscar are the only two packages that work with desqview.  I
 MM> would be very interested in seeing a comparison of these two
 MM> products.

Mike, I have not yet compared these two systems and so I will not
approach that. Most any of the good scanning software now in the
commercial market is, unfortunantly, Windows based.  If you look at
the reviews in the major magazines such as Info World, PC Week,
etc. they list Word Scan Plus from Calera Recognition and Omni Pro
from Caere as the two best. Both of these packages are Windows
based. If you want to operate in the WIndows environment I can tell
you that I have used both and they both are quite nice.  Both
packages work very well with Window Bridge, but they certainly are
not going to be as easy to operate as OpenBook, Oscar or
ReadingAdvantage. You will also find that there will be some of
their features that you mayy not be able to effectively use at
all.

My only other comment right now would be that I think you will find
that using any of the software only based systems with Desqview is
going to slow everything down to a crawl. To this point, the system
resources required when scanning documents with a software based
system requires to much of the processor's time for it to be
realistic to think of running another task in background. I used to
use my PC KPR with my bbs running in background, but even that was
so slow that a person couldn't get a reliable download if I was
scanning at the same time they were trying to use the bbs.  D. T.

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




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Subject: Front Door
From: Sam.Troia@p4.f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (Sam Troia)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2603/203.4 - The BATcave Mail On, Flushing NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi, Richard,

 > I noticed a couple of weeks ago you were getting Front
 > Door set up.  ...
 > questions for you.

 > To  start with, are the setup menus, etc fairly speech
 > friendly?

 > What are you using for a message tosser with it?

The menus in Front Door are pretty much all highlight bars which
work very well with speech.  For a tosser I'm using Fmail.  I had
started out on Imail but Fmail is a bazillion times faster.  And
again the menus in Fmail work quite well with speech also.  In both
cases it's a question of cursoring to the choice you want and
pressing enter.  The only other thing I would say is that there are
a lot of piddling details that you have to remember to configure
but once that's done, everything works (or should work) very
smoothly.  And then you need to write some nifty batch files to
automate the whole process.  Once it does get running smoothly it's
really awesome to observe.

Sam

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2603!203.4!Sam.Troia
Internet: Sam.Troia@p4.f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org




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                 End of Issue # 932 of the Blind News Digest

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