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Date:         Wed, 2 Sep 1992 02:01:59 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2912
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2912

                        Wednesday, September 02, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******

                           Blink Talk Digest # 703

                        Braille N Speak Vs Notebooks
                    from the president of syntha-voice 4
                          Re: Braille N Speak Compl
                          Re: slimware window bridg
                       window bridge and syntha-voice
                              Re: Screen Reader
                             Re: Access to GUI's
                                  Australia
                            Re: Art and the Blind
                                  about BNS


                                ******


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Subject: Braille N Speak Vs Notebooks
From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message of <08 Aug 92  19:47:00>, Juan Mojena (1:2603/203.2) writes:

 >It is true that notebooks are a bit on the heavy side.  I own a ten pound
 >laptop that I keep at work.  However, I saw a Zeos ad in pc magazine that
 >shows the "Pocket PC."  It looks like a very small notebook that weighs
 >1.3
 >pounds.  Its an XT that has Ms Dos 5.0 and Microsoft Works installed in
 >rom with 1 meg of memory.  They claim that the keyboard is large enough
 >to
 >be used with both hands.  Their is 384 k (expandable with either 512 k or
 >1 meg cards), available for running or creating files.  How would this
 >compare
 >in price to the braille and speak with the addition of speech software
 >and
 >synthesizer?

By the time you add a 12 ounce or more synthesizer and pay what you
will pay for the computer and RAM cards you will pay lots more than
for the Braille 'N Speak. And, I think you will find it difficult
to find a very wide variety of software on RAM cards.  The versions
of WordStar and Lotus on RAM cards are watered down versions with
much less power than the full blown versions.  That technology will
eventually come of age, but it is still to expensive and to limited
in capacity for storage and memory.

        D. T.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!168!David.Tanner
Internet: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: from the president of syntha-voice 4
From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I can understand a part of your concern about offering a demo of
your Window Bridge product, but the fact is that it still does not
all add up.

1. You assert that you do not want to be flododed with calls from
people who have demo versions of the software.  Ok, place a
disclaimer on the copyright screen of the demo and in the
documentation stating that only callers with a valid Syntha-voice
registration number will be given  customer assistance on the toll
free line.  WordPerfect and Borland certainly get by with that why
shouldn't you.  I believe Artic Technologies generally also follows
this rule.

2. In your demo documentation all you need to do is list what is
necessary to run Windows and the Windows software.  If a person
really wants to use it they will have to go out and buy Windows and
a cheap mouse.  That total investment will cost them somewhere in
the neighborhood of $100 if they have to buy both Windows and the
mouse.  The fact is they will need them both if they ever plan to
use Windows, so it's a case of buy it now or buy it before they
successfully use Windows.

3.   It is my belief that had your person giving demonstrations at
the ACB convention have allowed users to actually give the software
a try for themselves that there would be less questions about how
well the software really works.   The ball is in your corner.  You
have the field of speech for Windows all to yourself right now; if
you want to take best advantage of that fact you would be well
advised to make a demo available; even if you only make it
available through bulletin board outlets you will be surprised how
much it will gain you to have it available.

4. What do you have to loose if you don't make a demo you will
probably have a lot of people who will not buy that might buy if
they had a chance to see what the software really will do for
them.

        D. T.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!168!David.Tanner
Internet: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Braille N Speak Compl
From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Gary, comparing the Eurica to a Braille 'N Speak is not a fair
compairison.  Most of the people I know who own or have owned
Euricas feeel that they got taken to the cleaners.  Yet, I think
you will find it tough to find many Braille 'N Speak owners that
don't like their Braille 'N Speak.

The people selling the Eurica plainly lied about some of its
capabilities, and it was far too expensive.  The Blazie people
never made any of the kinds of claims about Braille 'N Speak that
were made for Eurica.

        D. T.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!168!David.Tanner
Internet: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: slimware window bridg
From: Paul.Nobrega@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Paul Nobrega)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/266.0 - Vision, Ottawa ON


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

>maybe there is no need for syntha-voice. i don't know if you realise it
keith, window bridge is a breakethrough  and blind people should be
proud that it was developped by a firm that has a blind person as
president. again, i say that such remarks as yours are sad, and do not
do anything for the cause of the blind. when one of us does something
good or should i say great, it should be recognized as such and
encouraged. it is unfortunate that our community tends to knock each
other down when there is so much energy and resources to build whatever
 we need. take care ,
paul

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!163!266.0!Paul.Nobrega
Internet: Paul.Nobrega@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: window bridge and syntha-voice
From: Jim.Thatcher@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Thatcher)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/49 - Calliope's Den, Garrison NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

As another Screen Reader/2 bigot (and developer) I have tried to
restrain myself, but I could not resist Paul's question.  Absolutely,
they would be willing to risk their reputation.  I know that for
positive with one of my friend Joe Lazarro's articles in Byte.  They
get paid for articles, not truth.

Jim Thatcher  (thatch at watson.ibm.com)

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!49!Jim.Thatcher
Internet: Jim.Thatcher@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Screen Reader
From: Greg.Pike@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Pike)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/49 - Calliope's Den, Garrison NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Gary,

I'm replying to your post directly just in case you missed my other
messages about a demo.  There's no official word on when or even if
a demo of Screen Reader will be available.  It is being discussed
internally, but right now everyone is very busy getting the product
ready for release, so I can't make any promises.  There are a lot
of concerns that have to hashed over before a demo can be
considered.  David Tanner pointed out two very good ones, and there
are others.  I've got some ideas about how to build a demo, and
I'll keep you posted as to what's going on inside IBM.

/Greg

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!49!Greg.Pike
Internet: Greg.Pike@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Access to GUI's
From: Greg.Pike@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Greg Pike)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/49 - Calliope's Den, Garrison NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Rick,

I certainly understand your concern about no demo version being
available for either Screen Reader/2 or Window-Bridge.  Personally,
I would have a hard time shelling out my own hard earned money for
something I had never had a chance to experiment with, or had only
used for a few minutes at a conference where everything is rushed
and there wasn't enough time to really get a feel for it.  The
conference demos are nice, but naturally the only applications that
get demonstrated are the ones that are known to work with the
system.  It's a different game when you get the software home and
try to use it with the applications you use every day.  That's why
I'm pushing a demo.

If you're wondering why I'm a little verbose in pointing out the
obvious above, you should know that BlinkTalk also filters into
IBM.  It apparently filters into SlimWare too, so this is a good
opportunity to get to some of the people in charge, and let them
know exactly why things should be.  <grin>

 RA> environment.  Because of this unique situation, I feel that a demo of
 RA> this type should have some other type of restriction other than a time
 RA> limit.  Perhaps disabling a few features on the demo would be better

Many thanks for the input, I can use all the ideas I can get!  I
understand what you're saying, and there's no question that it's
true.  There are problems going either route.  Any GUI will take a
while to get used to, so a demo with a time limit might be worse
than no demo at all.  On the other hand, disabling features can
also inhibit the learning curve, and doesn't fully demonstrate the
product.  It's a difficult issue to resolve.  I've got some ideas,
and we'll see what happens with them.

 RA> just my thoughts and I wanted to share them with you.  Please keep me
 RA> informed of any progress with respect to a Screen Reader demo...

Will do.  Thanks again for your ideas, and if you get any more,
please let me know.  Like I said, we need all the ideas we can
get.

/Greg

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!49!Greg.Pike
Internet: Greg.Pike@f49.n272.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Australia
From: David.Woodbridge@f455.n711.z3.fidonet.org (David Woodbridge)
Organization: FidoNet node 3:711/455


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi all

I just started receiving this conference on my system.
For those people who wondered if Australia was still hanging in, well
at least one BBS system in Sydney is receiving/transmiting lound
and clear (or as clear as my current synthesizer will allow).

I'd be glad to chat to any folks who would like to correspond
on how technology on this side of the pond is "progressing".

David

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!3!711!455!David.Woodbridge
Internet: David.Woodbridge@f455.n711.z3.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Art and the Blind
From: Ann.Lemke@f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Lemke)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:381/9 - Sky's The Limit BBS, El Paso TX


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hello Cindy,
While I have never specifically had access to a project such as you
described, I've always had an interest in sculpture and other art forms.
Whether exhibits such as what you described are necessary is probably a
moot point.  We can't fully appreciate things we can't experience in
some direct fashion, no matter how well objects may be described to us.
I am reminded of visiting the Hemis-fair in San Antonio when I was a
child; there were many models of Mexican antiquities.  I'm sure the
models weren't designed for blind people, but it made Mexican
anthropology come to life for all of the visitors, yes, including a
visually impaired child.
I would be interested to learn more about what has been done nationally
to make art accessible to the blind.

Ann

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!381!9!Ann.Lemke
Internet: Ann.Lemke@f9.n381.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: about BNS
From: Rollie.Hudson@p0.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Rollie Hudson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/15.0 - St Joes Hospital, Phoenix AZ


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Greetings David,
Concerning the BNS in insert mode, with the June 24 revission, one can
read the line being typed with the command dots one four chord. I have
found this helpful. Best wishes!
Rollie

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!114!15.0!Rollie.Hudson
Internet: Rollie.Hudson@p0.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2912 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU