But don't forget that there are people without computers. Natalie ----- Original Message ----- From: "J. R. Westmoreland" <jr@xxxxxxx> To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 2:20 AM Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Lesson Book > The CRT, or video display, for the computer was still pretty rare at that > time as well. > The CRT lens was there but it was much later before they modified the > Optacon to handle the different refresh rates used for display screens. > If a new manual is written there should be a whole section devoted to the > display screen and how to deal with the differences you will encounter. > > J. R. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] > On Behalf Of Catherine Thomas > Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 12:02 AM > To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [optacon-l] Optacon Lesson Book > > Sadly, the Optacon lesson book is not as wonderful as it was when it was > first designed. The book can still be used but not for everything. In the > 70s when the book was created, print was mostly uniform and > straightforward. This is because most documents were produced by > professionals. Layouts were generally uniform. Even complex layouts tended > to be consistent. Since the arrival of personal computers and individual > desktop publishing, all that has changed. There are infinitely more > colors, type styles, type faces, fonts, etc. being used--unfortunately > often without rhyme or reason. > > The earliest lessons in the book which aid in practicing tracking with the > camera and in locating items on a page are still very relevant. Once you > get past the first couple of little stories, I'm not sure that the > remaining material is all that useful. > > I received only a few private lessons with the Optacon and once I passed > the second story in the book I never used it again although I have looked > at it as a matter of interest. > > If there are users on the list who would have the time and inclination to > update training materials, we could establish a committee and work on it. > > Consider for instance that when the book was printed, the at sign, greater > than and less than signs etc. were not a part of everyday life. I don't > think they are even in the book. If they are, forgive me but I don't think > so. > > Anyway, those who might find this type of thing fun, can contact me > off-list if they like and we can set up a work-group. > Catherine > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > -- > -Catherine Thomas > braille@xxxxxxxxx / > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > --- > to view the list archives, go to: > > www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l > > To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: > > optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the > quotes) in the message subject. > > Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message > to: > > optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the > quotes) in the message subject. > > to view the list archives, go to: > > www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l > > To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: > > optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the > quotes) in the message subject. > > Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message > to: > > optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the > quotes) in the message subject. > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature database 5108 (20100512) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5108 (20100512) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject.