Oh man your right I could not live without my Braille cards. See I knew people on this list could come up with things that I could not do without Braille there is two now, Playing cards (unless I want to scan each with a p barcode to find out what it is puke) and the other so far is dramatic reading or reading in front of a group. I will say though I have been able to do speeches just fine without Braille but I do only take down notes so the speech will say something like "Jerk info" and I will do a 30 minute talk on my past. Ken -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jacob Kruger Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 2:07 AM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical perspective Ok, while I also don't personally use braille for anything more than labelling things, and while I can literally write braille faster with a slate and stylus than I can generally read it, and while I can only read basic braille, I do actually have braille tattoos inside both forearms - and they're done so that they stand out a bit. Honest truth is how many sighties write things physically nowadays...? Apart from notes, etc., I honestly don't think I wrote too much using a pen on a piece of paper 5 years ago, when was still sighted, so even then, I pretty much did/handled everything on electronic devices/units, but during my adaptation process in 2006, I still learnt at least basic braille, and during at least one power failure, I played solitaire using braille cards, so will also say that while nothing is necessarily more important than anything else, maybe, at least for some people, all things have their time/place. Stay well Jacob Kruger Blind Biker Skype: BlindZA '...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...' ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dale Leavens" <dleavens@xxxxxxx> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 4:48 PM Subject: Re: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical perspective > Ken, > > I didn't mean this to be personal and I don't deny the benefits of > technology. I bought my first HP125 with speech to assist my practice in > 1982 when I couldn't really afford it and began programming because there > really weren't the applications back then for it. I also keep an address > book on my phone and of course I don't carry my notes about with me any > more than do my sighted colleagues. I take my notebook computer traveling > with me where ever I go and sometimes even a little note recorder though I > prefer a small slate and paper. > > This discussion always seems to get personal and defensive. As I said I am > not a really good braille reader but sure glad I am a functional braille > user. > > What your buddy cannot do technologically isn't a discussion of braille > use. It is a technologically illiterate presumably in a situation where > that disadvantages him. That is not the same thing. I worked with many > technologically disadvantaged persons, with increasing use of PDF and > other non screen reader friendly applications in the Health Industry I was > often technologically disadvantaged and braille was of no benefit to me > there either. these are not the same issues. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ken Perry" <whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 9:16 AM > Subject: RE: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical > perspective > > >> You are wrong those of us who read Braille at a low level totally agree >> that >> reading Braille would be nice. What offends me though is people jumping >> the >> shark and calling anyone who can't read a story or a menu fast enough to >> order illiterate. As I said in my first email I agree that Braille >> should >> be taught in school and those who have the ability to learn at a young >> age >> should but not knowing how to read Braille at a fast enough page to read >> books is not an end all. I don't feel robbed because I can't. Whereas I >> would feel robbed if I couldn't read text in the sighted world as a >> sighted >> person. It's a total different ball game. You have signs in the sighted >> world. Braille signs are not only hard to find but when you find them >> sometimes they are just stupid I found a Braille sign on a fire hydrant >> once >> that said it was a fire hydrant. You mentioned taking notes. I have 3 >> devices that instantly turn on if I need them and can take notes not only >> faster than I could with a brailler but I could search and call them up >> faster. For that matter one of the devices I edit notes on my server >> with >> in almost any place because its 3G so do you carry those volumes of notes >> around with you in Braille? That would be a site. All I am saying is I >> agree that Braille is good to learn. So that makes a middle ground I do >> not >> agree that I lose greatly by not knowing how to read Braille at a level >> where I can read books. >> >> I tell you what though. I know a person that I work with that still to >> this day cannot use a computer. He is trying to learn right now. I find >> him at a much larger disadvantage and he is a Braille expert. He uses a >> Braille note and has no idea of things he could do if he understood >> technology. I find him at a much larger disadvantage than I find myself. >> You can't individually shop without getting help if you know only Braille >> but you can if you know technology. You can't create documents for the >> sighted world if you know only Braille but you can with technology. >> Braille >> doesn't help you if you have to create those pill labels for other >> customers >> but technology does. I find that technology is a much more important >> tool >> than Braille when interacting with the rest of the world. Braille has >> made >> it possible for the blind to get started and to self organize while >> Technology has opened the world like nothing else has for blind people. >> >> Again I will finish this by saying I believe Braille should be taught but >> it's time to stop telling our kids they are something less if they don't >> read at the rate needed to read books in Braille. They are not something >> less they are something different. Even the sighted world is starting to >> have to come to terms with what the new technology age is bringing our >> kids >> into. It used to be you could not be a programmer in the sighted world >> if >> you cannot learn a language. Not so with programming languages like >> scratch >> kids are learning to code visually. When coding languages get to the >> point >> where you can tell the computer what to do and it will do it and create >> an >> application for others to use will they no longer be programmers. No >> they will be programmers in a different way. We have to use the tools >> that >> give us the best life style possible and Braille is only a very small >> portion of that life style unless you have multiple disabilities. >> >> Ken >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens >> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 8:55 AM >> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Subject: Re: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical >> perspective >> >> But surely that is the point. >> >> I too came to braille somewhat late and never was a really good braille >> reader nevertheless Janet and I have three braillers around here, I >> always >> had one on the corner of my desk at work for banging down notes or >> telephone >> >> numbers, getting correct spellings for patient names and organizing lists >> for placing orders or any number of other things. Nothing like the random >> access to bits of information offered by written notes. We label things >> with >> >> braille dymo tape, so convenient though we don't do it enough. >> >> Computer voice has certainly sped some things up and much recreational >> reading I would never do without talking books. >> >> Certainly one can get along without being able to read or write braille. >> remarkably large numbers of sighted people cannot read or write print >> adequately either and many function so well that people don't know they >> cannot. all that notwithstanding those who do not read braille adequately >> for function really cannot appreciate the value and benefit of braille >> literacy and those of us who do don't like to think of getting along >> without >> >> it. >> >> Interestingly, neither has anyone ever asked me if I use braille when >> applying for work. Many make assumptions that I would use a dog guide or >> that a spouse drives me about or that I would be counting steps, I don't >> think those questions have much to do with what is required. >> >> What computers have done for us more than anything else is add another >> channel of literacy of a sort for us. As with braille they give us a >> better >> random access to what we read than we had with tape and a currency we >> could >> never have with tape or braille and in some situations more instantly. >> >> I don't know why this debate always seems to get defensive. It is like >> the >> dog/cane thing somehow there doesn't seem to be any neutral ground. >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Jamal Mazrui" <empower@xxxxxxxxx> >> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> Cc: "Bob Kennedy" <intheshop@xxxxxxx> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 7:55 AM >> Subject: Re: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical >> perspective >> >> >>>I agree that braille is generally a valuable skill for a blind person to >>>have. I think all rehab programs should include braille instruction, and >>>all blind kids should be taught braille at an early age. Unfortunately, I >>>have also concluded that it is extremely difficult for someone to become >>>efficient in reading braille if he or she did not learn it as a young >>>child -- perhaps similar to the way that languages are much harder to >>>reach >> >>>fluency level when learned later in life. >>> >>> So, I read braille, but despite much practice during my late teens and >>> early 20s, (I lost my sight as a junior in high school), I never >>> achieved >>> a speed that made it practical to use braille except for things like >>> menus >> >>> and labels. I have met many blind adults who are similarly situated. >>> We >>> have to make the best of speech or other techniques besides braille. >>> >>> Jamal >>> >>> On 12/22/2010 4:18 AM, Bob Kennedy wrote: >>>> Wow I didn't know there was so much passion for Braille. Having gone >>>> blind >>>> at age 12, I had to learn Braille, just later than most. Never could >>>> read >>>> fast and the careers I've had have left me with a small spot that is >>>> smaller >>>> than a full Braille cell of sensitivity on one finger. >>>> >>>> I've never had a problem finding work though, and no one has ever asked >>>> me >>>> if I can read Braille as a part of a job interview. >>>> >>>> No need for that when I built transmissions I guess. I have been asked >>>> many >>>> times about my computer skills since I've left the garage business but >>>> still >>>> no concern for Braille. >>>> >>>> I better hope it stays that way or I'll have to get the Think Green >>>> people >>>> involved. What is the ratio now? Four pages of Braille to one of >>>> print? >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> From: "Sina Bahram"<sbahram@xxxxxxxxx> >>>> To:<programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 10:40 PM >>>> Subject: RE: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical >>>> perspective >>>> >>>> >>>> What Ken said. >>>> >>>> Take care, >>>> Sina >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ken Perry >>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 12:44 PM >>>> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> Subject: RE: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical >>>> perspective >>>> >>>> You said , >>>> "Take away your tech, your electricity, your computer, your gadgets, >>>> your >>>> willing friends to read to you, hand you a greeting card >>>> from a friend, a recipe, a medicine bottle with a braille label on it, >>>> and >>>> what happens? Go to a nice restaurant with a sighted >>>> friend, have the waiter hand you a braille menu which they have gone to >>>> the >>>> trouble and expense of providing you, have that friend >>>> step away to go to the restroom, the waiter approach you and ask: >>>> "What >>>> will you have today?" What happens? "Sorry, can you read >>>> me your menu? I can't read this." Litterate or illiterate? You tell >>>> me." >>>> >>>> >>>> You assume a lot of things in the above. I have been blind 20 years >>>> and >>>> got >>>> one Braille Christmas card, I have only recently >>>> started seeing any Braille menus. If you took the tech from most >>>> sighted >>>> people they would be lost as well. I have never got one >>>> bottle of pills with a Braille label. Most of the Pill bottles I get >>>> come >>>> with barcodes though and read fine. As for Cards my son >>>> and daughter have given me audible ones. Hell I got one this year with >>>> actual letters I could feel true this is like brailed so >>>> don't really count. The point is Tech is here to stay and if it went >>>> away >>>> then maybe it would be worth me gaining speed with >>>> Braille. It is like saying you don't know how to ride a horse so you >>>> won't >>>> be able to travel more than 20 to 40 miles a day >>>> because you will have to walk if you don't have a car. . When I want >>>> to >>>> read a menu I download one and I do that on my Braille >>>> plus and or Iphone both. I actually take pictures of menu on my >>>> IPhone >>>> and >>>> read it that way many times. I am sorry but my brother >>>> has started going to restaurants in Atlanta only if they have online >>>> menus >>>> does that make him illiterate? Kids in college now >>>> couldn't do Calculus if you took their calculator away but I could does >>>> that >>>> make them lost in the world of business because they >>>> use a tool? >>>> >>>> I never said that my way I s the best way. What I said is to call them >>>> illiterate is asinine. If they can write and read and spell >>>> they are literate. You might not call them fully self sufficient but I >>>> would argue that until every written word is in Braille then >>>> no blind person is self sufficient when it comes to reading but then it >>>> looks like Google will fix access to text long before paper >>>> Braille ever catches up. >>>> >>>> Ken >>>> >>>> The funny thing is you say take your tech away and yet what you were >>>> talking >>>> about originally is reading with a Braille display. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Find yourself in a place with no new batteries for your machines, no >>>> power, >>>> access to a PC ETC. Hand you a slate and stylus or, >>>> heck, just a sharp pin and some paper. Instruct you to leave a note >>>> for >>>> a >>>> friend that you stepped out for an hour and will be back, >>>> and what happens? >>>> >>>> Take pride in your abilities, do. Even boast about how well your >>>> memory >>>> works, your accomplishments in programming, your >>>> mathematical prowess, whatever you like but, don't tell me there is no >>>> value >>>> in reading and that implying that if some can't >>>> actually interact directly with text for themselves, know that letters >>>> on >>>> that page are forming themselves into words and so forth, >>>> that this is an assinine thing to say. For one thing, it's rude, >>>> discourteous, ETC. for another, it's not true. Do as many studies >>>> as you like, ask as many people as you like, whatever. You are not >>>> illiterate because you learned to read and write as a child. >>>> You used print. You have some knowledge of braille. If you can't do >>>> grade >>>> II, it is probably because you chose to deny yourself >>>> this skill. If you can learn computer code, you can learn braille code >>>> be >>>> it Nemeth, computer braille, musical notation, whatever >>>> you like. If you can learn alternate keyboards, you can train your >>>> mind >>>> to >>>> learn the feel of different symbols. The only reason >>>> you couldn't is if your sense of touch is not working for some reason. >>>> In >>>> spite of this, the fact that you were taught your letters >>>> and how to read and write them as a child and learned them makes you >>>> literate. You just haven't fully transferred those skills to >>>> another medium because you chose to rely on tech instead of putting >>>> forth >>>> the time and effort it took to master them. There are >>>> those who never really truly learn their letters unless they are the >>>> ones >>>> doing the writing, output, not input. Their knowledge of >>>> letters is more akin to their ability to put words together in a spoken >>>> sentence. They know how to type out letters on a computer >>>> keyboard to get the computer to say what they want. A lot of them >>>> write >>>> ate >>>> when they mean eight, break when they mean brake, >>>> speach when they mean speech and so forth because the computer speaks >>>> them >>>> out just the same and their mind never skips a beat when >>>> they hear it spoken and when their friends hear them spoken from a >>>> screen >>>> reader. They can write, they can not read. ugly? >>>> Unyielding? Yes, the world often is. Yes. Uncomfortable? You tell >>>> me. >>>> Fact? >>>> Absolutely. It is immutable, uncontradictable, inarguable. >>>> >>>> Sorry about the rant. I will stop since this has gotten off topic. >>>> It was never my intent to offend anyone. >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> Alex M >>>> >>>> On 12/21/10, Ken Perry<whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Well I agree that Braille should be taught and is good to know. I >>>>> have to put my 3 cents in. I went blind at 20 and in my now 20 years >>>>> of being blind, I have only been able to learn to read Braille to the >>>>> see dick run levels. That means I read enough to be able to code >>>>> Braille output >>>> methods >>>>> (i.e. My unique way of Braille scrolling on the Braille+ and Icon) and >>>>> I >>>> can >>>>> code games like Sudoku for the same devices. I can also read labels >>>>> but >>>> if >>>>> you give me a Braille book be ready to age before I finish a >>>>> paragraph. >>>> Now >>>>> I realize if I would have learned Braille when I was young it would be >>>> much >>>>> faster but I have said all this to say this. >>>>> >>>>> The idea that someone is illiterate because they don't read Braille >>>>> and >>>> are >>>>> totally blind is just stupid and asinine. I have Taken High level >>>>> math classes with no Knowledge of nemeth, True I would not have had >>>>> to use a reader if I knew nemeth then but I also could have done it >>>>> alone if they would have let me use the tools I can use for example I >>>>> could do all my calculus by hand with my Calculator/ worksheet called >>>>> xplore. It of >>>> course >>>>> is not really that accessible now that it's a windows app but when it >>>>> was >>>> a >>>>> dos app it was awesome for doing math by hand on the computer. Yes >>>>> the computer did some of the work when I wanted it to but hell seen a >>>>> sighted person take calculus without an hp48 in hand lately? Now I >>>>> will say when >>>> I >>>>> took Calculus I could and did do five page problems in my head. My >>>> teacher >>>>> actually insisted I do this for him once because he thought my reader >>>>> was doing the math. Little did he know I did the stuff better than he >>>>> could >>>> do >>>>> on paper in my head. I definitely couldn't do that now but back then >>>>> I could. Ask Sina I am sure he has that same ability. >>>>> >>>>> Now you say there is a difference from reading something by hand to >>>>> listening to it? Hell yeah the thing don't always pronounce things >>>>> right and you can read a hell of a lot faster and retain more when >>>>> listening. >>>>> Doubt me? Test me against anyone who can read Braille at what would >>>>> be considered 100% give us 10 books to read in the same amount of time >>>>> and >>>> test >>>>> us on it. True this would really need to be done in a large group to >>>>> make sure the people involved just were not stupid but I will >>>>> guarantee the person listening to the text will retain more. >>>>> >>>>> You say yes but what about graphics and table. Um sorry but getting >>>>> graphics and tables into Braille still takes translation of >>>>> information >>>> and >>>>> you will lose something there as well. I actually found my Calculus >>>>> books on tape from RFBD very well read and well described in fact the >>>>> guy >>>> correct >>>>> the text book like 3 times that I remember while describing the >>>>> graphics. >>>>> >>>>> Note I have lived in both worlds a world where I had to read and do >>>>> math >>>> on >>>>> paper and now one I do everything in my head or on a computer. I find >>>> using >>>>> my brain a much better exercise than writing everything down. I call >>>> paper >>>>> whether it be sighted paper or Braille a disability in itself. I >>>>> don't >>>> whip >>>>> out a book to take down a phone number I either remember it or poke it >>>> into >>>>> my phone. Most of the time I remember it just because that works for >>>>> me. >>>>> >>>>> Now am I saying people don't need to learn Braille no. As I started >>>>> out I think people should learn Braille from the beginning and even >>>>> if they >>>> lose >>>>> their site it's a useful tool but I fully disagree that a person is >>>>> illiterate just because he or she cannot read Braille well. >>>>> >>>>> I want to end by saying my wife who has a Kendil, and and IPad still >>>>> loves to listen to Audible books and find she gets more out of the >>>>> books when >>>> she >>>>> listens because her mind can both listen to what she is reading and >>>>> assimilate the information without having to do the work of actually >>>> reading >>>>> the text and if you think that doesn't make a difference again I think >>>> some >>>>> studies should be done. >>>>> >>>>> Ken >>>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alex >>>>> Midence >>>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 9:14 AM >>>>> To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>> Subject: Re: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical >>>>> perspective >>>>> >>>>> Hi, Don, >>>>> >>>>> For someone like you, braille isn't a viable solution. Your case is >>>>> special and understandable. You can't read braille unless you can >>>>> feel your way across a line. About the most sensitive organ remaining >>>>> to you short of your tongue for this purpose is probably the tip of >>>>> your nose and, that would be ... well ... Let's just say that audio >>>>> tech is a wonderful thing. We can't have folks giggling at us when we >>>>> read, you know. =) I'm talking about kids who grew up blind and have >>>>> two perfectly functioning index fingers (never could read with my >>>>> pinky, can anyone?) and a mind to go with them. They should be able >>>>> to use both braille and audio to good effect. >>>>> >>>>> alex M >>>>> >>>>> On 12/20/10, Don Marang<donald.marang@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >>>>>> My older sister was upset at me because I was unable to learn >>>>>> braille! >>>> My >>>>>> remaining fingers are just too insensitive now from nerve damage and >>>>> endless >>>>>> blood tests. She has been a teacher at a blind school for at least >>>>>> 20 >>>>> years >>>>>> and is a huge advocate for braille litercy. She even reads braille >>>>>> while she is driving! >>>>>> >>>>>> Don Marang >>>>>> >>>>>> There is just so much stuff in the world that, to me, is devoid of >>>>>> any >>>>> real >>>>>> substance, value, and content that I just try to make sure that I am >>>>> working >>>>>> on things that matter. >>>>>> Dean Kamen >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -------------------------------------------------- >>>>>> From: "Alex Midence"<alex.midence@xxxxxxxxx> >>>>>> Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 6:03 PM >>>>>> To:<programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>>>> Subject: Re: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical >>>>>> perspective >>>>>> >>>>>>> Glad you liked it. I was hoping someone on this list would have >>>>>>> personal recollections of this time and the tech available. Neat >>>>>>> how there was braille output as far back as the 50's. It's a shame >>>>>>> that that stuff is stil as expensive as it is. Perhaps, some day, >>>>>>> as happened with speech technology, blind people will see the price >>>>>>> of a braille display drop to something affordable as in, under a >>>>>>> thousand dollars? Same for a braille printer/embosser. I am >>>>>>> enormously concerned at how many of the blind kids I have met >>>>>>> recently have poor braille reading skils and don't really seem to >>>>>>> care that they are bordering on illiteracy. Having something or >>>>>>> someone read to you is not the same as direct input from a written >>>>>>> document to your mind without an intermediary. In this age of >>>>>>> electronic texts, you would think that braille would explode in >>>>>>> popularity since you no longer have to fill a room with tomes of the >>>>>>> stuff. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Alex M >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 12/20/10, Rasmussen, Lloyd<lras@xxxxxxx> wrote: >>>>>>>> That was fascinating. Dr. Stoffel worked at NIH for a period after >>>>>>>> he wrote that article. I could go on and on about this ancient >>>>>>>> technology, but had better do it off-list. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> People had produced braille from computers since the 50's. The >>>>>>>> first speech for a blind computer user was for Jim Willows, an >>>>>>>> engineer at the Lawrence-Livermore Laboratories in 1968 (letters >>>>>>>> and numbers played out through a digital-to-analog converter). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The context of this article ... Votrax devices had been on the >>>>>>>> market for several years, but the SC-01 chip was put into the Type >>>>>>>> 'n Talk in >>>> 1981. >>>>>>>> This device had built-in letter-to-sound rules, so you didn't have >>>>>>>> to send phonemes to it as you did the earlier V S A and VSB boards. >>>>>>>> These >>>> three >>>>>>>> devices took RS-232 data and either acted like terminals or >>>>>>>> interpreted terminal sequences and sent the data along through >>>>>>>> another serial port >>>>> to >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> be >>>>>>>> displayed. They were not screen readers running on the computer >>>>>>>> whose screen was being read. It was revolutionary to think that >>>>>>>> you could >>>> buy >>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>> $300 Type 'n Talk instead of a $5,000 talking terminal to speak the >>>> data >>>>>>>> coming from an RS-232 device. The Echo II synthesizer (using the T >>>>>>>> I >>>>>>>> technology) was added to the Apple II at about this time. By the >>>>>>>> end >>>> of >>>>>>>> 1983 there were screen readers for the Apple II and for the IBM PC. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I worked a little bit with the FSST-3 and the VERT terminal, and >>>>>>>> heard Deane Blazie demonstrate the TotalTalk at various >>>>>>>> conventions. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Lloyd Rasmussen, Senior Project Engineer National Library Service >>>>>>>> for the Blind and Physically Handicapped >>>>>>>> Library of Congress 202-707-0535 >>>>>>>> http://www.loc.gov/nls >>>>>>>> The preceding opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect >>>>>>>> those >>>>> of >>>>>>>> the Library of Congress, NLS. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>>> From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>>>>>> [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alex >>>> Midence >>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 3:24 PM >>>>>>>> To: programmingblind >>>>>>>> Subject: Screen readers and how to develop them: A historical >>>>> perspective >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi, all.. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I thought this was rather interesting. It is an article written in >>>>>>>> 1982 about some of the techniques used back then to write screne >>>> readers >>>>>>>> or >>>>>>>> "talking terminals" as they called them. I was struck by some of >>>>>>>> the predictions the author made with regard to the future, some of >>>>>>>> wich >>>> came >>>>>>>> true and others which did not. There was also a very interesting >>>>> section >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> on >>>>>>>> speech synthesis and how to get the hardware and software to do >>>>>>>> many of the things we take for granted nowadays like starting and >>>>>>>> stopping speech, repeating previously spoken text, deciding what to >>>>>>>> say as an acronym >>>> and >>>>>>>> what to speak as a word, punctuation levels and so forth. It was >>>>>>>> fascinating stuff. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >> http://web.archive.org/web/20060625225004/http://www.edstoffel.com/david/tal >>>>> kingterminals.html >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Oh yeah, and get a load of the prices for that stuff! Keep in mind >>>> that >>>>>>>> was >>>>>>>> in 1980's money too. Put like a 33% markup on it and you might >>>>>>>> approximate what it would cost in today's money. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Alex M >>>>>>>> __________ >>>>>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> __________ >>>>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> __________ >>>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> __________ >>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>>> >>>>> __________ >>>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>>> >>>>> >>>> __________ >>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>> >>>> __________ >>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>> >>>> __________ >>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>> >>>> __________ >>>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>>> >>> __________ >>> View the list's information and change your settings at >>> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >>> >>> >> >> __________ >> View the list's information and change your settings at >> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >> >> __________ >> View the list's information and change your settings at >> //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind >> >> > > __________ > View the list's information and change your settings at > //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind > __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind