HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck Hallenbeck)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: turbo braille
Date: 28 Jul 92 17:12:20 GMT
Reply-To: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23424

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 KB> Hello Chuck, I did an interesting experiment with Turbobraille
 KB> last night.
 KB> I translated an ASCII file of
 KB> 253358 bytes.
 KB> with version 3 I got just 9.2 lines per   second, but with
 KB> version 2.7 I got a faster rate of 13.4 lines   per second.

Hi, Keith.
That sounds about right. Version 3 has nearly 1100 translation rules
compared to about 550 for version 2.7. Most of the extra rules are for
Grade 3 braille translation, but they are there and must be sifted
through. Also we are now using a "large memory model" instead of a
"small memory model" C program, so function calls and data references
involve more software overhead. Finally, there is a lot more processing
going on. We decided to use some of the incredible speed of version 2.7
and put it to good use. Your figures are correct and that is what I
        would expect to get on an XT system.
I am back now from Washington, and will be in touch with Steve shortly
to get his help with the Q&A Write problem. Don't give up on us. ...
Chuck.

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From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Talked to xerox yest
Date: 28 Jul 92 17:07:31 GMT
Reply-To: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23411

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 * Reply to msg originally in Blinktalk

 -=> Quoting Christopher Hill to David Tanner <=-

 CH> I had an interesting conversation with Xerox yesterday.
 CH> You were right on the discover software not supporting the
 CH> mod25 scanner.  I also found out some more interesting
 CH> news.  Discover had been out since last year, and the lady
 CH> there (sales) told me that they planned on producing a
 CH> Windows version at the beginning of next year.  Oh boy, I
 CH> bet that'll do some fast scanning :-(

 CH> I wonder how the new ver of Arkenstone would work under os/2?
 CH> Later..
 CH> Chris

Chris, from a number of people I have talked to since the recent
conventions I am beginning to wonder whether the best idea is to buy
Window Bridge or Screen Reader for OS2 and get Calera's Word Scan software
at a much cheaper price than the Arkenstone software.  Since Arkenstone
has decided to hang their future on Windows then we may as well go buy
their commercial product for windows and use it with Window Bridge that is
already out or with Screen Reader, which will soon be out.
     Who knows, until all the new products are out on the market for a few
months and get put to the real test I don't think anyone knows how this
thing is all going to pan out.
     I spoke with another producer of one of the top speech packages
around who indicated that his company is getting very close to having a
speech software for windows.  That brings to 6 the number of speech
producers that I know of that are now actively working on solving the
access to windows problem.  The person I talked to today seems to feel
that by this time next year we will all be using Windows.  I don't know,
but the race is getting real interesting.
     D. T.

... The last thing I saw was this Big Blue Wave!
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.10

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From: Nikos.Voulgaropoulos@f6.n410.z2.fidonet.org (Nikos Voulgaropoulos)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Expectations
Date: 21 Jul 92 16:06:14 GMT
Reply-To: Nikos.Voulgaropoulos@f6.n410.z2.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 2:410/6
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 23213

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 >      I think he needs to get up to speed on the current
 > thinking.  However, his advice might be based upon European
 > statistics.

As far as I know there are not too many differences between the
medical/rehabilitation models. The european paras and tetras can
live as long as the abled bodied does. I think that the disabled
puplications must choose their contributors according rational and
disability orientated criterions. Actually, I don't complaint but I
think that the disability related publications are too
conservative.

Nikos.

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From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Acb/nfb Feud
Date: 28 Jul 92 16:55:03 GMT
Reply-To: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23379

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 -=> Quoting Isaac Obie to David Andrews <=-

 IO> I am sitting up here in Beantown laughing cause you took it in the
 IO> context which I meant for you to. It was only a joke. I can't take all
 IO> this serious stuff all the time. But, at least we all live in a great
 IO> country and can agree to disagree about how things ought to be done.

In all honesty, I have to tell you that I was tempted to not answer
your question.  I don't check into Blink Talk for weeks, I look in
and you are taking another shot at me.  You guys just can't leave
it alone.

But, because I am a good guy, here goes.

IO> Now let me ask you a question. At the braille technology center you
IO> have a device from Germany. It's supposed to be the CTs. It's
IO> supposedly is like the Versabraille and has ten routing cursors. Is
IO> this device working? Have you had time to check it out? I wonder if it
IO> would help me with finding light bars and highlighted materials?

I think you mean the KTS Brailleterm from Germany and imported by
American Thermoform.  I have used it some and it is working.  It is
hardware based, so you have access to the PC from when you turn it
on.  It is a Braille display like the Navigator, or the Alva, it is
not like the VersaBraille which is a free-standing Braille
computer.

It does have the capability to define ten "soft cursors" which
could be using for tracking highlight bars.  I have not used this
capability extensively though, so can't comment on whether or not
it would meet your needs.

IO> I am
IO> going to write a letter to TSi soon about their speech programs having
IO> the ability to read highlights and light bars, but their braille ones
IO> do not! Grave omission, I think. Thanks..

The TeleSensory system for the navigator does have the capability to use their
Track program which should help you with highlights, etc.
David Andrews

... Blue Wave! Not just for FIDONet anymore!

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From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: PROCR200.zip
Date: 24 Jul 92 13:42:55 GMT
Reply-To: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23292

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Well Larry, Someone told me you had this file on your board and
they wanted me to test it out.  Since I couldn't think of who the
person was that I got the call from I will address this message to
you.

Have you tested this ocr product and what kind of results did you
get?

I tested it with our HP Scan Jet Plus at work.  Although I haven't
had a lot of time to try a lot of different stuff with it, it
didn't look like this particular version was going to be reliable
enough for most reading, but it certainly might work for converting
PCX fax files into textfiles.  I do think it it would be good if we
could contact the author of the software and see if a newer version
of the software has been released since it certainly did work with
speech and supported two scanners.  Considering the software is 2
years old a newer version may be enough improved to do a decent job
of recognition.  I am guessing that the average percentage of
correct recognition on the three documents I tried was somewhere in
the 50% to 70% range; not nearly good enough to really know what
was being read with any real degree of reliabilit y.

It is products like this one that give me the feeling that the time
will come in a year or two that we will be able to download a
shareware ocr software that will have a high level of accurecy and
will support a wide range of scanners.  As this technology
continues to grow in popularity among both sighted and blind users
it is sure to happen.

If you can get any more info on this package please pass the info
along.

        D. T.

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From: Do.Barrett@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Do Barrett)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: music composition
Date: 24 Jul 92 13:45:33 GMT
Reply-To: Do.Barrett@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23301

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hey out there in the big wide world:

Does anyone know of a music writing program that is accessiblt in either
speech or braille.  I am not so much interested in playing music on the
computer, but in actually writing down compositions in musical notation
that is good enough to be publishable.  Any ideas would be vastly and
greatly appreciated.  Thanks much in advance for any help!  By the way,
I signed on incorrectly and my name is Don, not Do. Oh well, it could be
worse.

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From: Steve.Richards@f101.n277.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Richards)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Flipper Moves Ahead Of Th
Date: 24 Jul 92 13:44:49 GMT
Reply-To: Steve.Richards@f101.n277.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:277/101 - House Of Pancakes, Morgantown WV
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23298

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message  07-15-92 (20:20) from Keith Bucher to ALL:
KB>I say that just a few years ago Flipper led the pack in the
KB>Screen REader industry.  Well, it just may do so once again!

Uh, your bias may be showing a little, but who am I to quibble?  I like
Flipper, too.  Like you I'm quite excited about the soon to arrive
upgrade.  Ok, ok, the strongly rumored upgrade.  But, then, I don't
really need to tell you that, as you already know well that I've been a
devoted Flipper user for three years or more.  Why, I'd almost sooner
give up my right arm than give up my cursor beeps!
Steve R.

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From: Jeff.Dubois@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Dubois)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Tee Shirts
Date: 21 Jul 92 15:34:33 GMT
Reply-To: Jeff.Dubois@p0.f266.n163.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:163/266.0 - Vision, Ottawa ON
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23181

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Recently there has been some discussion about blind persons telling
the time, that is, braille watches versus talking watches.

Now some might not find blind humour all that funny, but personally,
I feel that if I can't laugh at myself, then I just can't laugh.
Besides, some of the best blind humour comes from blind persons.

So here's another suggestion for the T shirt logo:

"Smart as a braille sun dial"

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From: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org (Arthur Saus)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: PAIN MEDS
Date: 28 Jul 92 17:13:09 GMT
Reply-To: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:376/72.160 - Windows of the Worl, Columbia SC

Index Number: 23426

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hello Connie!

17 Jul 92, Connie Crum writes to William Herrera:

 CC> TORODOL WORKS GREAT AS A PAIN MED. I WORK IN AN OUTPATIENT FACILITY AND
 CC> USE TORODOL ROUTINELY POSTOPERATIVELY. IN 12 MONTHS TIME I HAVE
 CC> NOT ADMINISTERED A NARCOTIC OF ANY KIND. WE ALSO WILL USE DALGAN ALONG
 CC> WITH THE TORODOL. WE GET TREMENDOUS RESULTS AND WE HAVE EXPRIENCED NO SIDE
 CC> EFFECTS.

I did not see the original message, so I may be reading your
message totally out of context.  If so, you may feel my comments
are out of place, but your experiences are certainly interesting.

I agree with you that I have also been pleased with these
medications, but I'm not so sure I'm willing to say Torodol "works
great as a pain med"... "fair" to "good" maybe, but not "great" in
the immediate postoperative population I'm accustomed to seeing.

Yes, the combination appears promising, but this is a pretty
expensive approach currently, when you compare this to the more
traditional approaches.  Of course, there are a lot of advantages
in providing good pain control while not using narcotics or
controlled substances of any kind.  Remember however that both
medications are available by prescription only, so most readers of
this echo will not have access to these drugs, except as hospital
inpatients.  Again, I'm glad to read of your experiences with these
relatively new drugs.

Arthur

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From: Phil.Scovell@p0.f810.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Phil Scovell)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Spanish
Date: 24 Jul 92 13:44:03 GMT
Reply-To: Phil.Scovell@p0.f810.n104.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/810.0 - Electronic Library, Denver CO
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23295

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I've heard that Hadley no longer offers language courses and I was wondering
if anyone knows where I can get some Braille Spanish instruction courses.  I
took it in high school and we had braille books there so I know some must be
around but I'm not sure where to look.

Phil.

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From: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: cruise travel
Date: 21 Jul 92 16:07:38 GMT
Reply-To: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 23215

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a missive of <Jul 13 16:35> Joe Chamberlain (1:150/175.1)
writes to All:

 JC>      Two passengers on a cruise ship returning from Jamaica were
 JC> arrested in West Palm Beach for allegedly trying to smuggle 58
 JC> pounds of marijuana in their wheelchairs.

That would've controlled their spasms for years!  *adh*

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From: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Chuck Hallenbeck)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: "blind loyalty"
Date: 21 Jul 92 15:54:32 GMT
Reply-To: Chuck.Hallenbeck@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23201

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 JM> Hi Tom!  Yes, I'm glad that this exposee of the NFB appeared in
 JM> a mainstream publication.  It's about time sighted as well as
 JM> blind folks started learning the truth about how this
 JM> organization has been operating.

Hi, Jamal.
Thanks for sharing that article. My only problem is that I do not
exactly see it as the exposee that you suggested it is. It seemed pretty
fairly balanced and even-handed as far as I can tell. There have been
rumors about that article circulating for many months, and some of us
expected more facts concerning current high salary levels, current fund
raising abuses, and the like. Amy kept most of those issues relegated to
"alleged past offenses." I have seen some investigative reporting
exposees, but I would not describe this article as one. I guess Amy may
have observed the frequent use of law suits by the organization, and
tried very hard to strike a balance in her profile. Many thanks for
sharing it.. Best regards. ... Chuck.

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From: mcfarlin@mmedia.uucp (David McFarling)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: driving?
Date: 23 Jul 92 15:22:50 GMT
Reply-To: mcfarlin@mmedia.uucp (David McFarling)
Organization: Midwest Multimedia
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference

Index Number: 23233

In <23092@handicap.news> Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess)
writes:

>Index Number: 23092
>
>In a missive of <Jul 04 20:53> Rich Veraa (1:135/907)
>writes to Alan Hess:
>
[portion of quote deleted]
>
> AH>> Total                                     17949.00
>
> RV> Good grief.. do you _need_ all that stuff? I'm a C-5, and the '72
> RV> Chevy van I drove for 13 years had only the stuff I've marked
> RV> plus plain Gresham hand controls for a couple hundred bucks. I

[portion of quote deleted]

> RV> stabilize my position. You're getting ripped off big time. My
> RV> whole conversion cost $1500.
>
>If it's a ripoff, the taxpayers are getting shafted, not me.  I was
>evaluated by instructors, and the above list is what they decided I
>need.  I'd rather have less stuff.  *adh*

Then don't get it!  More stuff to have problems with.  I'm a C5/C6,
with a '79 Ford and the same equipment as Rich plus a lift.
Suggest you talk to someone who adapts vans on a regular basis (not
part time!).

-Dave
mcfarlin%mmedia@tssi.com   <--- Preferred
or
mmedia!mcfarlin
From: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Low cost ocr system
Date: 28 Jul 92 17:06:30 GMT
Reply-To: David.Tanner@f168.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/168 - Braille Bank BBS, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23408

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message of <20 Jul 92  21:54:00>, Tandy Way (1:377/6) writes:

 > > >david I am trying to get a friend in to an ocr system as cheaply as
 >possible but still fully functional. the arkenstone system is out of the
 >question. if he has a 386 what  would the cost of the discover package
 >and scanner cost? tandy

I have been quoted $379 for the Discover 386 software locally here
in Pittsburgh, and I am guessing it could be found a little
cheaper.  And, if you used the same scanner Arkenstone is using,
the HP 2P it would probably cost around $1,200.  So, I would guess
the whole thing will come out somewhere around $1,600 to $1,700.  I
am finding that scanners can be a lot different prices in a lot of
different places so shopping around could very easily save several
hundred dollars.  I recently baught a Panasonic Model 506 scanner
for around $500, and am now finding that the suggested retail on
that scanner is over $1,200 and is selling most places for $900 to
$1,100 with it's interface card.

        D. T.

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From: sbill@informix.com (Bill Stackhouse)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: When Placards Travel
Date: 29 Jul 92 17:47:10 GMT
Reply-To: sbill@informix.com (Bill Stackhouse)
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

Index Number: 23442

I have never had a problem using my placard in another state and I
have traveled a lot.

The bigger problem for me is when I fly, I park in a handicaped spot
at the airport but want to have my placard with me for use in my
rental car. Seems like I need 2 placards but I can get only one. Any
one else have similar problems ??

Bill
sbill@informix.com
From: Keith.Bucher@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Bucher)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Braille n speak complaint
Date: 28 Jul 92 16:56:01 GMT
Reply-To: Keith.Bucher@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 23381

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 Quoting Tandy Way to Tim Cumings 21 Jul 92 20:17:00

 TW> I have never thought much of th
 TW> device although people rant and rave about what a great piece of
 TW> dquipment it is. to me it is a seventeen hundred dollar note taker or
 TW> a portable perkins braille writer with speech and much more porbable
 TW> than a perkins. but if I were personally faced with a choice of what
 TW> to buy for on the go note taking and modem access and the other things
 TW> it will do I prefer my toshiba laptop any day and twice on sunday.

And twice on Saturday, I might add. I must agree with you on this one,
Tandy, as a former owner of a non MS-DOS machine, the Eureka A4, I
have little patience with high priced non MS-DOS note takers.  For
over $1,300.00 what do you get?  True, you do get a note taker, but one
which can't run commercial software, can't run any of your MS-DOS
programs, has no user replacable ni-cads, and which has no built in disk
drive-hard or floppy.  Sure, for another $500.00 you can get an external
3.5 floppy, but for this price one could buy an external hard drive for
any other computer. Another example of the high price of this drive is:
that for less than $300.00 I can buy an external 3.5 inch 1.44 drive
which will work through the parallel port of any computer. No, it isn't
battery operated, but it isn't $500.00 either. With small notebook 386,
and soon to be 486 computers coming down in price every day, and with
more external synthesizers coming out all the time, its my opinion that
with each passing day, the braille 'n speak continues to lose what
little ground it may once have had in the quest for a portable note
taker.  There's just too many items out there to choose from these
days which offer more flexability, and many more features and at a
competitive price to boot.  Keith.

... Nothing is so smiple that it can't get screwed up.

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From: CHLUNNEY%ECUVM1.BITNET@VM1.NoDak.EDU (David Lunney)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Cheap, accurate voice entry system
Date: 24 Jul 92 20:11:20 GMT
Reply-To: CHLUNNEY%ECUVM1.BITNET@VM1.NoDak.EDU (David Lunney)

Index Number: 23351

I am looking for a cheap (under $1500) voice entry system that
would be accurate enough to process simple spoken commands in a
laboratory setting.  Anybody got any suggestions? Thanks.

David Lunney
Department of Chemistry and
Science Institute for the Disabled
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858 USA
CHLUNNEY@ECUVM1.BITNET
VOICE: 919-758-6453  919-757-6713
FAX: 919-757-4263