🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1029

                           Monday, March 28, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                     Teaching statistics or mathematics?
            great news from borland for speech synthesizer users
                                 Re: Speech
                               re- WWW Access
               Re: World Wide Web access by the blind is here!
                                 Re: Speech
                Re: Radio Shack misses the blind so often...
                                     FYI
                Re: Radio Shack misses the blind so often...
                Re: Radio Shack misses the blind so often...
                              Students with RP


                                ******


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
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NVN:        ABILITY
Compuserve: 73170,1064

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: Teaching statistics or mathematics?
From: DJOHNSON@acc.jbu.arknet.edu (Dave Johnson)



I'm collecting information on teaching statistics or mathematics to
persons with visual impairments (from reduced visual acuity to
blindness).  Specifically, I am looking for the following:

1.  Experiences you have had, either as student or instructor, in a
statistics or math course.  Account of successes, failures, and/or
frustrations with the teaching/learning process would be appreciated.

2.  Resources you have found to be useful in these courses.  I am
aware of the Handicap BBS and some other Internet accessible
resources, but suggestions of "online" sources are still welcome.

3.  Specific assistive devices you found useful in these courses.

Thanks in Advance.

Dave Johnson


=========================================================
David E. Johnson                  Phone: (501) 524-7164  |
Dept. of Psychology               FAX:  (501) 524-9548   |
John Brown University                                    |
Siloam Spgs., AR 72761                                   |
                                                         |
djohnson@acc.jbu.arknet.edu                              |
=========================================================




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Subject: great news from borland for speech synthesizer users
From: dashiell@nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)

[This is from the BLIND-L mailing list]

Sender: Discussion on the use of the dBase language and related dialects
              <DBASE-L%NMSUVM1.BITNET@cmsa.Berkeley.EDU>
from: "Paul S. August" <psa@BFS.UWM.EDU>

I received this article cut out of one of those magazines, maybe PC WEEK, I
don't know.  I will type it hear for your perusal, amusement, bewilderment,
etc.

BORLAND PUTTING WINDOWS FEATURES IN DOS dBASE V.

Graphical capabilities to require at least 386 systems

By Doug Barney

Borland International Inc., despite being hammered by critics for the delay in
completing dBASE For Windows, has chosen not to ignore its DOS loyalists and
will ship dBASE V for DOS this summer.

The key to the upgrade, currentlyin alpha testing, is its support for many
Windows features, such as font handling, and its capability to paint graphical
screens and create buttons, beta testers said.

dBASE for DOS V is based upon the existing dBASE IV code base, while the
upcoming Windows version, also expected in the summer, uses all new code,
testers said.

This may present a challenge to the company's goal of interoperability, one
tester said.

Borland, however, is extending the language in dBASE for DOS to ensure
compatability.

"It will support a lot of syntax for Windows for creating GUIs, for handling
fonts, buttons, etc.," said a tester who asked not to be identified.  "With
this, you can build an application that looks similar under DOS and Windows
and runs in both.

The Borland strategy is nearly identical to that of Microsoft Corp., which
offers FoxPro for DOS and Windows.  FoxPro DOS applications can run under the
Windows version.

Although most excitement seems to focus on Windows applications, database
developers maintain a strong DOS bent.

"[DOS is] for pure performance, and [Windows is] for all the advanced
features," a beta tester said.  "There are still performance issues in going
to Windows.  All Windows databases have performance problems with large
tables."

Analysts said dBASE users remain loyal to DOS.

"There are many, many people who have major investments in dBASE for DOS and
are looking for additional features," said Rich Finklestein, president of
Performance Computing, based in Chicago.

Foir the first time, the DOS version will have a built-in compiler, testers
said.  A compiler for dBASE for Windows is expected to be sold separately and
will probably not be available when the product ships, they said.

Borland officials declined to comment.

In another change, the DOS version will require at least a 386-based machine.
dBASE IV requires only a 286.

One of the bigger changes involves swapping the current form builder for a
screen painter based on Arago technology aquired from WordTech Corp. dBase
testers, however, said the Arago Screen Painter in the latest alpha is
difficult to use.

Borland is also building a number of functions, similar to Quatro Pro's
Experts, which handle multistep operations with a single mouse click.

Also on the drawing board are Expert-like functions for building tables and
creating different types of forms and queries.

============================
Hope this helps.  Pardon any spelling errors.

Paul



jude <dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil>




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Subject: Re: Speech
From: blackburn860@delphi.com (Kathy Blackburn)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

I think you are looking for a pedometer.  While I have not heard of a
talking one, I believe Ann Morris Enterprises sells a tactile one.

I suppose you could also take a small talking clock with you and time your-
self instead.

I hope this is some help.

Kathy Blackburn
Austin, Texas
Internet: Blackburn860@delphi.com




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Subject: re- WWW Access
From: jam@berksys.com (Josh Miele)

In article <9403230930.aa18979@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com> Darrell Shandrow
writes:
>from: nu7i@indirect.com (Darrell Shandrow)
>
>
>A couple of months ago I began to notice something interesting happening
>on the enormous world of the internet.  It horrified me at first but I
>have found that there is a solution.
>
>I have been on the net for over 2 years now.  At first, email, telnet,
>and ftp were the only standards in wide use and they were great things.  Not
>only were users able to use these tools to retrieve vast amounts of
>information but there was nothing in the way of graphics that hampered
>access to the blind.  While the requirement to remember an incredible
>amount of information  necessary to keep track of the various domains
>for all of the systems was quite a pain it worked great.
>...I began to notice a
>disturbing trend on the internet.  Applications were becomming graphical
>in nature.  There have sprung up numerous internet tools for Microsoft
>Windows, Macintosh systems, and Unix boxes running interfaces like
>X-Windows.  I began to think we were going to have a problem.  "We still
>might if screen access doesn't improve faster than its current rate but
>we still have some time."

Berkeley Systems' outSPOKEN for the Macintosh has been on the market since
1989 (significantly more than 2 years), and it accesses Mosaic quite nicely.
I download files, and generally dig around on the internet using the standard
hypertexted format of Mosaic on a daily basis using outSPOKEN. Mosaic's
inherent graphical nature presents no problem for a screen reader like
outSPOKEN, which is designed to operate in such an environment.  It is true
that traditional DOS type readers, both voice and Braille output, would be
unable to access graphical interfaces for Mosaic, but there is nothing
stopping the blind Mac user from accessing graphically presented internet
information.

In the standard presentation of hypertexted Mosaic, certain words or phrases
are rendered in a special font.  Clicking on these "hyperlinks," produces
more information about that word or phrase.  In the case of Mosaic,
hyperlinks provide a quick and easy way of accessing information on a related
topic which may not even be on the same machine as the original document
Mosaic is similar in this respect to Gopher.  The outSPOKEN user is notified
of font changes while reading text.  Because the mouse pointer is essentially
the "review cursor," when a hyperlink of interest is encountered, the user
simply clicks with the outSPOKEN select key to traverse the link.

Berkeley Systems is currently engaged in developing a cross-platform GUI
Access Toolkit which is being used in our outSPOKEN for Windows development,
and which will make future implementations of GUI screen reading software
much more straight-forward.  Our low-level approach greatly accelerates the
process of implementing screen readers for other GUIs such as X Windows
(mentioned above).

Berkeley Systems has not yet released outSPOKEN for Windows, but it is
currently in late beta, and will be released quite soon.  We have tested the
beta software with Windows internet applications of various kinds, and there
are no foreseen barriers to full FTP and Mosaic access via outSPOKEN for
Windows.  For blind Mac users, however, there is no need to wait for Windows
or X to access Mosaic.  We're already doing it.


Berkeley Systems Inc.
2095 Rose St.
Berkeley CA  94709

Phone (510) 540-5535

Internet: access@berksys.com

Josh Miele -- Access Products Development.

#012#







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Subject: Re: World Wide Web access by the blind is here!
From: mattioli@panix.com (John Mattioli)
Organization: Panix Public Access Internet & Unix, NYC


Hi,

        This article on WWW and Lynx was great!  I had the same problem
... trying to figure out what WWW was, how to use it, and all that stuff
but never had the time to really figure it out.  Lynx seems to be working
GREAT for me though!

        One thing I wanted to point out though.  My version is doing
something very different with the cursor.  It's probably because we've got
different versions of curses on our systems.  For those who don't know,
curses is a bunch of software that controls how stuff is put on the
display in full-screen or text-based windowing environments.  The concept
and functionality of curses is a standard in the unix community, but the
implementation changes somewhat from system to system (and more than
somewhat if you go to non-unix based versions of curses).  Anyway, my lynx
always keeps the cursor in the bottom right corner of the screen.  This
makes using lynx somewhat more difficult, but so far I've found it worth
the effort!

                                        John





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Subject: Re: Speech
From: wtm@bunker.afd.olivetti.com (Bill McGarry)

Here is some information from the MORRIS94.ZIP file in the
/pub/info directory on handicap.afd.olivetti.com:

                 ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:
                  ANN MORRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.
           890 FAMS COURT, EAST MEADOW, NEW YORK 11554
                      PHONE: (516) 292-9232
FAX: (516) 564-9692


  TACTILE PEDOMETER: Here is your opportunity to know the distance
you are walking or running from 1 to 12 miles.  Just hang the
pedometer from your belt or waistband and walk away.  The sturdy
hand moves around the clock-like face which has notches cut in the
rim for every mile and corresponds with the numbers on a watch
dial.  Stride measurement may be set by any sighted person or by us
if desired.  The pedometer is easily reset to the starting 12
o'clock position. #GTP1 $29.95


Hope this helps!
                                Bill McGarry

UUCP:       {oliveb, uunet}!bunker!wtm
INTERNET:   wtm@bunker.afd.olivetti.com  BITNET:     l-hcap@ndsuvm1.bitnet
            (300 to 14400 baud, 24 hours)
NVN:        ABILITY                      Compuserve: 73170,1064




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Subject: Re: Radio Shack misses the blind so often...
From: jeq@lachman.com (Jonathan E. Quist)
Organization: Lachman Technology, Incorporated, Naperville, IL

Somebody wrote:
: If anyone happened to see my original post, I ment what I said about
: the jackass CEO of Radio Shack and what he could do with this.


Somebody else wrote:
>Well, let me tell you alittle story of how, the Jackasses at this "wonderfull"
>store treated me, a person who is blind and needs help from a salesman
>to get information on equipment, I went in the store, first I was and I
>mean this I was laughed at because I didn't know that the little punk that
>is working as a salesperson after school was standing right there. I kept
>saying "hello, hello is there anyone around that could help me." Well,
...


I won't attempt to make excuses or apologize for Radio Shack,
but as the spouse of a retail manager (with a different company),
I will suggest one thing:

If you have a complaint with a store, complain!

If you have a problem with they way they conduct business,
or the types of products they sell, tell someone.  If you
don't, then sure, there may be a lot of unhappy ex-customers
like yourself out there, but until the management is
made aware of the problem, things aren't likely to change,
and that means the store won't be any more likely to serve
you than before.

In the case of the products not quite meeting your needs,
a store manager may not be able to do much, but he or
she should be able to give you the name, address, and
phone number of a person to address a complaint to.
If you make it quite clear that your complaint is with
the corporation, and not that store specifically, the manager
has nothing to lose.

In the case of the rude salesperson - there is simply
no excuse for that kind of behaviour, and I'd suggest
calling in the store manager from the start.  If the
salesperson isn't capable of having a learning experience
and apologizing, then they shouldn't be working in retail
sales.  But unless the complaint is addressed to the manager,
_nothing_ will fix it, and the next blind guy who walks
in the store will face the same experience you had.

Again, I'm not apologizing for Radio Shack - just pointing
out that retail managers are human, too.  They won't know
of a problem without being informed, and once informed, they
will likely be as helpful as any other human being.


Gee.... it would've been a shame if you'd "accidentally"
knocked a computer on the floor, because the kid wasn't
helping you find your way around the store.  Though,
of course, I'd _never_ advocate such a thing.
(Big smile here...)



--
Jonathan E. Quist        jeq@lachman.com       Lachman Technology, Incorporated
DoD #094, KotPP, KotCF '71 CL450-K4 "Gleep"                 Naperville, IL
 __       There's nothing quite like the pitter-patter of little feet,
 \/                   followed by the words "Daddy!  Yay!"





------



Subject: FYI
From: MCGINNIB@BCVMS.BC.EDU (Betsy McGinnity)

[This is from the DEAFBLND mailing list]

Here are two conference announcements from
the DeafBlind Borad on SpecialNet.
Posted: Fri, Feb  4, 1994   8:59 AM EST              Msg: HGJE-6076-8848
from:   CA.SE.JOHNSON
subj:   Colorado Training

The Colorado Services for Children Who Are Deafblind
is pleased to announce its second annual Kephart
Symposium course on deafblindness.  The course is
being co-sponsored by the University of Northern
Colorado.

Please share this important information with your
colleagues.  If you have state newsletter, please
feel free to advertise the course.  There are several
slots for out of state participants.  Course
information is as follows:

The Colorado Department of Education and the
University of Northern Colorado are co-sponsoring a
second Kephart Symposium graduate course on
deafblindness.  The course, "Assessment into
Intervention:  Effective Strategies for Students with
Deafblindness," will be held in Vail, Colorado on
July 25-29, 1994.  The course instructor will be Dr.
Kay Alicyn Ferrell.  Presentation topics will
include:

"Psychological Views of Deafblindness" by Dr. Harvey
Mar

"The Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Child" by the
Colorado Hilton Perkins Early Intervention Assessment
Team.

"The School Aged Child" by Dr. Barbara McLetchie

"Social Interaction/Inclusion/Intervention" by
Madeline Milian-Perrone and Nancy Sall

"What Professionals Need to Know" by a panel of
parents and consumers.


For more information about course content, please
contact Tanni Anthony, CDE, 201 E. Colfax Avenue,
Denver, Colorado 80203 (phone: 303-866-6681).  For
information on course registration, please contact
Marsha Woodruff, UNC, Division of Special Education,
Greeley, CO, 80639 (phone: 303-351-2893).

From:   TRD
To:     DEAFBLIND
CC:     TRD
Subj:   DEVELOPING STUDENT SPECIFIC CURRICULA CONFERENCE

A conference entitled "DEVELOPING STUDENT-SPECIFIC CURRICULA
USING THE JAN VAN
DIJK LANGUAGE APPROACH TO EDUCATING MULTISENSORY IMPAIRED
STUDENTS" will be
held April 8-9, 1994.  This conference will be held at the
Florida State Conference Center in Tallahassee, Florida.
Presenters at the conference will include:
     Jan Van Dijk, Psychologist/Educator/Director of the
Diagnostic Center, Instituut voor Doven, Sint-
Michielsgestal, The Netherlands; and Professor, Catholic
University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

     John Morse, Psychologist, Clinical Associate,
Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School,
Pembroke, New Hampshire.

     Mary Morse, Educational Consultant, Pembroke, New
Hampshire.

     Pearl Tait, Professor, Dual Sensory
Impaired/Multisensory Impaired Program,Department of Special
Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.

     Connie Trent, Project Coordinator, Services for
Students with Dual Sensory Impairments, Florida State
Department at Florida State University.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROGRAM CONTENT:  Call Dr. Pearl
Tait, Conference Chair, at (904) 644-4880 or (904) 386-2439.

FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  Call Carol DeLoach, Program
Administrator, Center for Professional Development and
Public Service at (904) 644-7544.

FEES:  $210 if paid prior to March 31, 1994.  Includes all
sessions, continental breakfasts, AM and PM breaks, lunch
and dinner on Firday,and lunch on Saturday.
     $225 if paid after March 31, 1994.

LODGING:  Cabot Lodge            RATE:  $54/night for single
          2735 N. Monroe Street         $60/night for double
          Tallahassee, FL

PHONE FOR RESERVATIONS:  (904) 386-8880  OR  (800) 223-1964


Betsy McGinnity
Information Specialist
Perkins DB-LINK




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Subject: Re: Radio Shack misses the blind so often...
From: Henry@g0gku.demon.co.uk (Henry Brugsch)
Organization: Kidderminster Chaos computing at home under seige

In article <31769@handicap.news> dgr@netcom.com "David G Rhoades" writes:
>
> Tandy Corp somewhere in Texas is the parent.  They are the MacDonalds of
> Electronic Equipment and have been for as long as I can remember.
At least, MacDonalds stand behind their products, and maintain a high
standard of service, and hike as well as quality control. I don't
think the same can be said of Radio Shack aka Tandy.
To do justice to them, they have come up with some great stuff.
But, they have been equally guilty of keeping rubbish lines, and getting
rid of the best.
I site a mike which was popular in the late '80s. the 33-2011 (from
memory) a pencil-shaped electret.
This little beauty was in a all metal case, and had good response
characteristics.
Well in '91 they discontinued the line, and kept the previous model
that's recommended for cassette recorders. (from memory) 33-1511.
This item is in a plastic case, and hasn't got the same sound handling
characteristics.
But, this junk remains in the catalogs. It's a few bucks cheaper, but
hasn't anything like the performance of the pencil-shaped metallic mike.
Another example.
Here in the U.K. we continue to see products deleted from the catalogs
where they are continued in the States.
When I inquire at our local store, the word is "there isn't the demand
for what you want."
What I want is a resistive audio lead to step down an audio signal to a
sound card.
I can't find one anywhere around here.
And, Radio Shack aka Tandy continue to dominate the high street.
Maybe these messages should be compiled, and dumped on the executive
desks of this company.
>
>

--
Henry Brugsch
aka hbj elsewher, CIS: 75366.317.com
hbj@bix.com, Moderator of adaptive.tech conference, bix
telnet and internet connectivity $13 per month
(Join adaptive.tech) for info on adaptive tech for disabilities
telnet x25.bix.com
The freedom of information is a right not a privilege.




------



Subject: Re: Radio Shack misses the blind so often...
From: dgr@netcom.com (David G Rhoades)
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)

John Faircloth (jfaircloth@DELPHI.COM) wrote:
: Index Number: 31772

" Well, after some 20 phonecalls and alot of
: excuse me for this bitching later, I got my money back, I will never step
: foot in another Radioshack again, besides, I
: always have problems with there stuff, not made very well.

: Just one man's opinon.

: Regards, John Faircloth Miami.

I won't either.  Even thought that kid is worse than most at their
stores.  That you didn't get a big appology and that they didn't fire the
kid is very telling to me.  Boycots sometimes really work.  Pass the word.

dgr






------



Subject: Students with RP
From: wn640x@unix1.circ.gwu.edu (Elizabeth Hare)



I have been trying to reply by e-mail to the article from Artur Ortega
asking about RP, but my messages keep bouncing.

I have RP, and would like to answer your questions, but I am not sure what
you mean by 'what's new"?  Are you interested in adaptive technology,
medical research, low vision...?

Please email directly and maybe then my responses will work.

Liz






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                 End of Issue # 1029 of the Blind News Digest

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