🚀 go-pugleaf

                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1036

                          Thursday, April 28, 1994

Today's Topics:


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              WWW access by the blind: additional information!
                      Retinitis pigmentosa mailing list
                           Windows Screen Reading
                              VocalEyes/DecTalk
                  Computer sys. for Blind..Recommendations?
           Request for information on Outspoken for the Macintosh.
                           Re: Graphic to tactile
              Is there a Russian speech synthesizer available ?
                             Turbo Braille users
                                braille files


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thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: WWW access by the blind: additional information!
From: nu7i@INDIRECT.COM (Darrell Shandrow)
Status: RO

This article is meant to be an additional note to the article on WWW
access by the blind that I wrote last month.
It deals with the cursor tracking problems in Lynx.

On many Unix systems Lynx does not work as I stated.  Specifically, it
does not place the cursor on the first word of any of the links.  This
detracts from many of its uses by the blind.

However, there is a command line solution for the cursor problem.
Normally, one starts lynx by simply typing the word lynx on the command
line of a system where it is installed and pressing enter.  However, this
solution requires a change to this method of using lynx.  Type the
following at a shell prompt:
lynx -show_cursor
and press enter.
Lynx should now act as I have suggested earlier.  Please let me know if
this solves the problems for you.

P.S.
There is one other, small matter, that I failed to mention in my
article.  You can use the tab key to move forward one link.  This is a
feature suggested to me by several users.  Hope it helps.

Well, 73 for now.

Darrell Shandrow at Arizona State University
Mentor: Internet Direct Mentorship Program!
Member: National Federation of the Blind
(The complete information access agenda - You print it you braille it too!)




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Subject: Retinitis pigmentosa mailing list
From: lizh@GWIS.CIRC.GWU.EDU (Elizabeth Hare)

We are pleased to announce the creation of a new mailing list for
people interested in Retinitis Pigmentosa and related topics.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a generic name for several degenerative
genetic diseases that affect the retina. RP causes impaired vision,
and sometimes blindness. The list is intended for RP sufferers and
people with an interest in RP.  Discussions are welcome on any subject
related to RP, with an emphasis on issues specific to low vision and
degenerative vision; issues relevant to blindness in general are
better kept on existing blindness-related lists and newsgroups.
Medical aspects of RP are also of interest, although the list is not
intended for medical experts.

To send a message to the list, send email to:
        rplist@lri.fr

To subscribe to the list or to ask for more information, send email to:
        rplist-request@lri.fr
(your message will be read by a human being, not an automated listserver)

To obtain a copy of past messages sent to the list, send email to:
        rplist-request@lri.fr
or to:
        tania@cs.cmu.edu

Please copy and distribute this announcement to anyone who may be
interested. Thank you.

The RP list maintainer,
Nicolas Graner <graner@lri.fr>




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Subject: Windows Screen Reading
From: jam@berksys.com (Josh Miele)

  REGARDING           Windows Screen Reading
In article <9404111415.aa22949@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>,
SO94016@GSVMS2.CC.GASOU.EDU writes:
>
>Hi, my name is Eric.  My girlfriend Stephanie is totally blind....
>We are presently looking for a screen
>reader and speech synthesizer (maybe unless Braille N Speak will work with
>a program) that will allow complete screen access within Windows.

Berkeley systems is about to release a full-access Windows screen reader
called outSPOKEN for Windows.  We have an existing program for the Macintosh
which was the first GUI screen reader on the market.  outSPOKEN for
Windows will feature full support of built-in Windows commands, as well as a
rich set of pointer navigation features for reviewing any text and/or
graphics on the screen.

Although outSPOKEN is not yet on the market, it will be released quite soon,
and I recommend it highly over what is currently available.  If you can wait
a little longer, I think it will be worth your while.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via
phone or e-mail.

Sincerely,
Josh Miele -- Berkeley Systems Access Products Development
<jam@berksys.com (510) 540-5535 x702>

________________________________
COMING SOON!

outSPOKEN for Windows

The Windows screen reader from Berkeley Systems, Inc.,
the makers of outSPOKEN-the Talking Macintosh Interface

Berkeley Systems is proud to announce the forthcoming release of outSPOKEN
for Windows. This new screen reader converts the visual interface of Windows
into an auditory interface accessible to blind users. outSPOKEN's keyboard
commands allow easy navigation of the Windows environment, and speech output
presents all the text and graphics on the screen.

outSPOKEN for Windows is rich in features, yet easy to learn and use.
Listed below are some of the features that will be included.

o       Keyboard control of mouse for quick, easy access to any screen location.

o       Support of all built-in Windows commands in addition to outSPOKEN's
enhanced navigation features.

o       Complete access to windows, menus and dialog boxes.

o       The ability to rename graphics with multiple graphics dictionaries which
can be easily shared among users.

o       Font, size and style information available for all text.

o       Commands for finding text, graphics, or attributes within the current
window.

o       User-controlled levels of outSPOKEN feedback including punctuation,
keyboard echo and graphics.

o       Distinctive voices for text, graphics, system messages and other
information.

o       dentification of graphical controls such as buttons, check boxes, slider
s
and scroll bars.

Compatible with:        o       over thirty speech synthesizers
        o       all DOS screen readers
        o       all Windows video modes

Please contact us for more information about outSPOKEN for Windows or any of
our other access products.

Berkeley Systems, Inc.
2095 Rose Street
Berkeley, CA 94709
Voice: (510) 540-5535
FAX: (510) 540-5115
TTY: (510) 540-0709
Internet: access@berksys.com
AppleLink: D0346
America Online: BrklySystm
CompuServe: 75300,1376







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Subject: VocalEyes/DecTalk
From: daveharv@clark.net (Dave Harvey)
Organization: Northern Virginia Apple Users Group, Falls Church VA

Does anyone have experience using voice and screen enhancement software
on computers (MS DOS) that are accessing windows based mail applications
on a LAN (cc:mail on a Novelle network 4.0)? Our problem is that in order
to use cc:mail, users have to unload either Zoomtext or VocalEyes. (This
means a visually impaired person has to chose whether they will see the
cursor and menues, or read (hear) the text of the mail message.) The
documentation for VocalEyes/DecTalk software says it can't be loaded into
High Memory. Lockups are occuring when we try to use DECTALK with
VocalEyes on the LAN.

--

----
Internet: daveharv@clarknet.clark.net
UUCP:     clarknet!daveharv






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Subject: Computer sys. for Blind..Recommendations?
From: djhu@prairienet.org (David J. Hunt)
Organization: The East-Central Illinois Free-Net

Our local CIL is upgrading/updating computer intended for use by blind
and/or visual impaired.  Also used to braille documents.

Current sys. is IBM AT with 1989 version of Lyon large print, ancient
1987 version of Artic Bvision, newest update of Duxbury braille
translator, and old (1987) but sweet Romeo braille embosser, and finally
1990 version of Arkenstone scanner (HP scanner plus card and Calera
Truescan software plus card).

Arkenstone said if we traded in our current scanner they would sell us
their newest scanner and a 486DX 66 computer.

I have three problems with their offer:  scanners not that old, would a
new one provide markedly better performance  2. reliable sources tell me
that a 486DX66 could possibly cause conflicts, especially since this will
need to be a multi-function computer.  3. they are a vendor giving advice.

So besides the Duxbury, everything can go or get updated.  I need your
opinions on reliable products that do what they advertise.

What do you use, what would you *like* to use.

Thanks
--
   0
  <|>   David J. Hunt
  / \   djhu@firefly.prairienet.org




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Subject: Request for information on Outspoken for the Macintosh.
From: jimfett@delphi.com (James Fettgather)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

I'm a blind PC user but am very interested in hearing from people
who use the screen access software called Outspoken.  Of special
interest would be the possibility of accessing graphically based
online services such as America Ohnline and Prodigy,  and the
effectiveness of the software with modern Macintosh applications.
Thanks very much.




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Subject: Re: Graphic to tactile
From: mattioli@panix.com (John Mattioli)
Organization: Panix Public Access Internet & Unix, NYC

Hi,

        Last week I got a look at a system for putting tactile images onto
capsule paper.  In the U.S. it's being sold by a guy named Daved
Skrivanek.  His company is called Reprotronics.  They're located in
Westwood New Jersey and can be reached by phone at (201)722-1880.

        The system is really very simple.  The first trick is to get a
good clear image onto the capsule paper.  This image can be done on a
laser printer, copy machine, fax or even a dot matrix printer if the
ribbon is good.  NOTE: this process can not begin with an ink-jet printer
such as the HP deskjet because of the special coating on the paper.

        The image must be black and must be reasonably uncluttered so that
the blind guy looking at the picture doesn't get all confused.

        Once the image is on the paper (via printeng, faxing, copying or
hand drawing) you simply run this paper through a little machine.  The
machine is primarily made up of a heat lamp.  What comes out is viry solid
raised lines.

        Note that note conversions of any kind are done in this system.
If a page has print letters on it, they'll be raised just as is.  They'll
almost certainly be indistinguishable clutter unless they're 24-point type
(about a third of an inch high ... 72 points equals one inch).

        We saw the system last Thursday and we're beginning the purchase
process.  For those who want to see the machine it will be shown at the
ACB and NFB conventions this summer.

        Prices: (this is not an official price sheet)

        Machine: $795.00
        Paper:  $1.05 per sheet.

                                        John




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Subject: Is there a Russian speech synthesizer available ?
From: jim.breene@atlwin.com (Jim Breene)
Organization: The Atlanta Windows BBS - Atlanta, GA  404-516-0048

TH>from: timaham@cc.jyu.fi (Timo Hamalainen)
TH>subject: Is there a Russian speech syntethizer available ?
TH>Message-ID: <31930@handicap.news>

TH>I wanted to get any information on speech processing of Russian language.
TH>Are there any syntethizers or other equipments available and what is the
TH>quality and price of the products?

Timo, if you are in the U.S., you can call the IBM Special Needs
Information Center in Boca Ratorn, FL at 1-800-426-4832.  I believe I
remember a version of IBM Screen Reader that worked for the Russian
language.  They could also tell you what speech synthesizer it used.

If you are not in the U.S., write to:
IBM Special Needs (Attn: Rosemary Cherney)
IBM Corporation
1000 Yamato Road, MS 5432
Boca Raton, FL 33431

Jim Breene, Atlanta, GA
---
. SLMR 2.1a . Helping people with disabilities is good business!!

----
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| The Atlanta Windows BBS   (404)516-0048    9 high-speed USR nodes   |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+




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Subject: Turbo Braille users
From: dperez@eis.calstate.edu (David Perez)
Organization: California Technology Project of The Calif State Univ

Hi, I just started to use Turbo Braille. I have some question of a more
experienced user than I.
I've got a play in text file format. The characters names are lines up
with the margen and the lines are indented five spaces. Unfortunately,
when it is formatted for braille, some of the lines are to long so they
spill over to the following line. Then, Turbo Braille does not indent the
overhanging material from the previous line. HMMMMM, help!!!
Thanks
Rusty


--
I refuse to disclaim anything!
Anything and everything I say is a product of  everything and everyone I
have ever been  associated with
David (Rusty) Perez (dperez@eis.calstate.edu)
. "Oh wind, if winter comes, can spring be far
behind?" -- Shelley




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Subject: braille files
From: dperez@eis.calstate.edu (David Perez)
Organization: California Technology Project of The Calif State Univ


I've had this idea rolling around in my head for a while. Those of us
with embossing equipment must have files which others might like. Would
any one like to swap files that we have for embossing? Please post or
send your responses along with files.
This is not selling the information. We would be aiding one another in
getting information in a comprehensible medium. Let's swap.
Rusty


--
I refuse to disclaim anything!
Anything and everything I say is a product of  everything and everyone I
have ever been  associated with
David (Rusty) Perez (dperez@eis.calstate.edu)
. "Oh wind, if winter comes, can spring be far
behind?" -- Shelley




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                 End of Issue # 1036 of the Blind News Digest

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