Well, Warren, you have wrapped up this package beautifully and I applaud your views. Even I find myself using ascii or six-key entry comfortably, and I appreciate the technology that allows me to choose. Ann Foxworth, Braille Consultant Div. for Blind Services 4800 N. Lamar BLVD Austin, TX 78756 PH: 512-377-0471, E-mail: ann.foxworth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of WarrenDFig@xxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 8:02 AM To: duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [duxuser] Re: Why Six-key Entry? Remember when we were going to totally abandon conventional ovens in favor of the microwave? Now it is true that many people's cooking habits center on the newer technology, but it's also true that conventional ovens still sell. There's a place for either or both devices in the modern kitchen. It's the same thing with ascii braille and six key entry. Both techniques are available for use in any combination. But I'd guess that the use of ascii braille is on the rise as people become more comfortable with its use. I learned to use ASCII braille in the 80s when I had to write a daily Braille Corner for the print edition our school bulletin. At first it was difficult for me. It felt really wrong to type a comma or a 4 and get a capital sign or a period on the screen--my fingers and my brain wanted to rebel. In time the uniquely strange became comfortably familiar and I got used to it because I had to. Now, it is simply another skill I possess. (While I can type in ascii braille, I don't like to look at it in anything but a braille font.) I suppose that's because I read braille with my fingers, too. However, I know quite a few transcribers who work exclusively in ascii braille and do quite well.) I like to use six key for spatial things and appreciate features that make using it easy. In MegaDots, you can set an editor preference that automatically flips your keyboard into 6-key mode when you have chosen the Translate Exactly style. So when I input something like a crossword puzzle, I 6-key it in the print side and move on. I hope the next braille production program can do this and even change that portion of the text to a braille font on the screen. I am happy that Susan Jolley brings up these and other thought-provoking issues for I believe that her open mind and willingness to explore different avenues makes her a strong advocate for braille. She is more a part of braille's future than its past. And that's not always appreciated in our insular and super ultra conservative braille world--we guard our traditions and practices aggressively sometimes to our own detriment. Warren * * * * This message is via list duxuser at freelists.org. * To unsubscribe, send a blank message with * unsubscribe * as the subject to <duxuser-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>. You may also * subscribe, unsubscribe, and set vacation mode and other subscription * options by visiting //www.freelists.org. The list archive * is also located there. * Duxbury Systems' web site is http://www.duxburysystems.com * * *