X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Wed, 19 Aug 1992 11:00:10 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2884
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2884

                         Wednesday, August 19, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******

                           Blink Talk Digest # 694

                          Re: Windows access maybe
                                 Re: CD_ROM
                           Re: NFBNET Censorship?
                               Re: jaws stuff
                           Re: Braille translators
                               Re: Jaws macros
                          Re: Braille N Speak Compl
                               Braille Manuals
                               Library Problem
                               GUIDE DOG BLUES


                                ******


To subscribe to the Handicap 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.shel.isc-br.com
BITNET:     l-hcap@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet:    The Handicap News BBS (141/420)   1-203-337-1607
	    (300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours)
Compuserve: 73170,1064

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



------



Subject: Re: Windows access maybe
From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I ordered the Windows Bridge right after the NFB convention and haven't
 gotten anything yet.  We have a nice machine waiting, 486/50 Compuadd
with 16 megs.  It is going lonely.

David Andrews

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




------



Subject: Re: CD_ROM
From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

If you are going to get into CD-ROM heavily, I would take a serious
look at ASAP as a screen review program.  It often gives you a leg up
at accessing complex, unfamiliar applications.

David Andrews

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




------



Subject: Re: NFBNET Censorship?
From: David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

NFB NET on its opening screen clearly states that it is the "official
BBS voice of the NFB."  Your discussion of TV stations does not apply.
TV stations are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to
"serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity."  They have a
legal obligation to air both sides of a controversial issue because
they are using the airwaves which are public.

Newspapers have no such obligation.  I am not familiar with the Supreme
Court ruling to which you refeer.

David Andrews

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




------



Subject: Re: jaws stuff
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 am tempted to respond to your saying that Jaws would read nothing
on one of your programs when you first brought it up by saying that
if Jaws wouldn't talk with that software that it probably would
have been the same with any other speech software that you would
have tried.  The fact is that there is no perfect speech software
and when you find one that is going to automaticly speak just what
you want with every software package you throw at it then I
wouldn't think you would want it because it will talk far too much
with a majority of the software you use with it.

As far as macros goes with Jaws; I would suggest that you get to
know the menu system of Jaws well before starting with macros.  You
will find that your macros can get much more sophisticated in terms
of use of macros to do really advanced speech things with Jaws if
you know your menus well enough to incorperate things like color
searches etc. within macros.

I found learning to use the macro editor was a lot easier when I
started out by doing some simple things with it first.  Simple
things like setting up a macro to start a couple of software
packages that I use on a regular basis, a macro to turn off
punctuation when I am doing scanning of materials I simply want to
read, but have no interest in checking punctuation - like memos
from the boss - etc. After you are confortable with the editor for
doing those kinds of things then you can start experiminting with
more wild and crazy types of things.  The language is powerful and
relatively easy to use once you understand the speech functions
within the speech package.  The real problem for a lot of new
speech users who try to start using macros in Jaws is that they
really don't understand the different speech functions well enough
to know what to do manually so there is no way they can begin to
write a macro to automate the function

Again, while macro languages etc.  are great and provide tons of
flexability to a speech software; they are built upon an assumption
that the user understands the functions of their speech package
well enough to use them effectively.  Unfortunantly, I think you
will find that the majority of speech users really don't totally
understand a lot of the real power of the speech package they are
using and thus can't really put the package to work for them like
they should be able to.  And, a person using a different speech in
a work situation than at home usually doesn't have the time on the
job to learn the software well.  So, the person muttles through
using the speech commands they understand and that don't require
writing a lot of macros etc.  Then the typical response is that the
speech package is OK, but would be a lot better if it would do this
or that thing that it really would do, but the user hasn't had the
time or taken the time to learn to use.

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




------



Subject: Re: Braille translators
From: Warren.Figueiredo@f6.n3800.z1.fidonet.org (Warren Figueiredo)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3800/6 - CompuChurch (tm) IH, Baton Rouge LA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Stew

The word processor in MegaDots in not intended to be a full-fledged
word processor. Rather it is inteded to be an environment where
braille/print file can be edited quickly.

I've pulled in many a Word Perfect, Word Star, and Microsoft Word file
into MegaDots and formatted them for braille output in record time.
Jobs that used to take me hours of coding were a snap.

Both the Duxbury and BEX were somewhat cumbersome to use. MegaDots
makes formatting much easier.

I do believe that MegaDots will be more popular with braille
producers--those persons who produce textbooks and the like should take
a serious look at it. The person who does only a bit of brailling will
certainly not need it.

Warren

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!3800!6!Warren.Figueiredo
Internet: Warren.Figueiredo@f6.n3800.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Jaws macros
From: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:396/5.18 - Pontchippi, New Orleans LA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 RA> The last version of Jaws I took a look at was around 1.75 or something
 RA> like that.  Am I going crazy, or wasn't there indeed a macro editor

Rick, in jaws 1, the macro editor was different than it is in jaws
2.  However, I don't understand what they are saying about needing
a macro editor in jaws 2.  It is easy enough to go into the macro
menu and edit the macro.  Of course you do have to go into the
config file to do it.  If I remember right, in jaws 1 you could
edit them without being in the config file.

Walter

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!5.18!Walter.Siren
Internet: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Re: Braille N Speak Compl
From: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:396/5.18 - Pontchippi, New Orleans LA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 CH> Hi, Walter.
 CH> I use a LiteTalk on my notebook for $500, which is the same as what
 CH> Blazie charges for the BNS floppy drive, and I use a copy of the screen
 CH> reader I use on my desktop. The BNS 640 with a floppy comes in at $1800,
 CH> and my notebook with LiteTalk and borrowed screen reader comes at $1500
 CH> retail.

Again, Chuck I am not taking sides.  If we are going to compare
prices however, then let's don't borrow a screen reader.  We have
to include the cost of the screen reader since the braille n speak
has a screen reader.  Frankly, I don't have either, and I really
don't have use for either, but if I were to want one, I might lean
toward the notebook, but I would have to really look at both before
buying either.

Walter

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!5.18!Walter.Siren
Internet: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Braille Manuals
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]

You speak of not receiving a Braille manual with some Braille
displays.  The first Braille manual we got with the Alva Braille
Carrier had been printed using the Carrier and was largely in
poorly formated Braille and if I remember correctly was strictly
Grade 1 Braille.  I'm not sure whether I would have prefered tape
to that kind of a manual as the page numbering was even screwed
up.  The fact is that it was a poor excuse for Humanware who
certainly could have done better.  But then again I think your
Humanware rep is the same as ours and he ain't nothing to brag
about.

        D. T.

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




------



Subject: Library Problem
From: Gary.Petraccaro@f12.n2610.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Petraccaro)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2610/12 - Post Road Inn, Greensburg PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

     Two things:

1.  My spacebar has gone so, things may sound and look strange.  Sorry.

2.  (And this is the reason for my message.)  It turns out that the
people in my regional library just killed All my magazine
subscriptions.  Every one, except the braille which they don't
handle.  I was able to call them and they did agree to restart
these subscriptions.  I am not, unfortunately for them,willing to
meekly wait for the mailings to recommence.  I politely asked if I
could talk with the people at CMLS.  They not only refused to tell
me that it would be ok given the circumstances, they would even
tell me what the initials signifyed. Now, I face the task of asking
them to send extra copies for two months because they don't have or
won't use emergency procedures to correct their error.  Can anyone
please suggest a constructive approach which will get me the issues
I'll otherwise miss during August, and most or all of September?  I
don't feel like playing roulette with my reading material.  Lloyd?
anybody?

       This situation contains considerable irony.  Just this past
       week I received a "3RIVERS NEWSLETTER" which they publish,
       and it contained a notice that their budget had been cut.
       Wouldn't I like to talk to my State legislators about
       restoring the money?

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2610!12!Gary.Petraccaro
Internet: Gary.Petraccaro@f12.n2610.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: GUIDE DOG BLUES
From: Gary.Petraccaro@f12.n2610.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Petraccaro)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2610/12 - Post Road Inn, Greensburg PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Kris,

Thanks for the positive info on Triple A, and may I suggest calling
the National NFB people in Baltimore?  Perhaps they will have some
constructive suggestions.  I suggest, if I may, that you do not
tell them about your experience with your local chapter until you
near the end of your conversation. Please get back to us with any
results, and, I'm sorry that your trip has been tarnished, not
beyond repair, I hope.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!2610!12!Gary.Petraccaro
Internet: Gary.Petraccaro@f12.n2610.z1.fidonet.org




------






                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2884 of the Handicap Digest

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