[optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers

  • From: Judy Jones <Judy.Jones@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 19:12:43 +0000

Wow, I have never been able to do that either.  Anyone who can do it, please 
give us the info to try it out.

Judy


-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Edmonds, Lucy (LARA)
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:56 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers

I used the Optacon once to put together a cross-country ski machine when they 
were popular. I was so proud of myself when I did it with no sighted 
assistance. I used to Braille decks of cards by reading with the Optacon also. 
I have done so many cool things with it, I can't even remember them all. One 
thing I could never do though is read paper money with it. I know lots of folks 
can.
Lucy Edmonds

-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 1:31 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers

Oh yeah, (smiles), when we got married those years ago, we received those 
quilted place mats that were so popular then.  One side had a seed pattern, the 
other a flower pattern, and I used the Optacon to distinguish the patterns.

BTW, I have also used the Optacon back then to read instructions on putting 
together our first gas grill we ever had, instructions for changing chimes on a 
battery doorbell, assembling kids' equipment, assembling anything from 
furniture assembly instructions, cupboards, and swing sets.

You gotta love the Optacon.

Judy

-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Carolyn Arnold
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:03 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers

True enough about Optacon diversity. In the 70's, I used it to separate black 
from white lingerie.

Smile, God loves you,

Carolyn
Sanford, NC
919-718-0700
----- Original Message -----
From: "Judy Jones" <Judy.Jones@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:19 AM
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers


> Oh yeah!  :)  I think the biggest downfall for the Optacon was the 
> lack of marketing.  Too many sighted promoters who did not really 
> understand what the Optacon can do.
>
> When the scanners came along, I'm sure everytone thought this was the 
> total answer for blind people, just as they did the Optacon.  They did 
> not stop to think that any device is going to have its downside.  In 
> the case of the Optacon, it was the slower reading time.  Too much 
> ignorance and not enough research by marketers in to what the oOptacon can 
> really do.
>
> Judy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of MikeD
> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 8:59 AM
> To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers
>
> Possibly the Bill Gates Foundation
>
> MikeD
>
> On 2015-02-26 10:52 AM, Judy Jones wrote:
>> Agree with everything you are saying.  Does anyone know of any entity 
>> with the money and power to resurrect the optacon?
>>
>> I also have used mine to check a computer screen when for whatever 
>> reason the system would not start up properly
>>
>> Judy
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
>> [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Linda Yacks
>> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 8:45 AM
>> To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, Optaconers
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I love my Optacon and I really missed it. Thanks to a member of this 
>> list, I now have a battery charger and it is working again.
>>
>> The first thing I did when it got fixed was to read recipes out of my 
>> Vitamix book. If I find something that isn't too long that I need to 
>> work with, I read it to a recording, then I can use the recording to 
>> accomplish my goal, or type it into my computer. I can now use my 
>> scanner to scan the recipes in the book because I was able to "look"
>> at them to see how the page is laid out. I find that looking at the 
>> layout of a page is most helpful prior to scanning.
>>
>> I used the Optacon daily when I was working.
>>
>> One of the places I missed it was to print labels and to make sure 
>> they were aligned correctly. I also use it to ensure that an envelope 
>> printed correctly and to check if something is right side up.
>>
>> So, I think they should resurrect the Optacon.
>>
>> Oh yes, I knew my capital print letters and numbers before training, 
>> but had to learn lower-case letters. Ok, I'll go. Linda
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
>> [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>> On Behalf Of Robert Feinstein
>> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 1:54 AM
>> To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [optacon-l] Hi, Optaconers
>>
>> Just wanted to make a few comments.  this is Robert in Brooklyn.
>>
>> I had one of my optacons made to work only on electricity by Richard 
>> and it works beautifully.  I have been using it quite a bit, and 
>> getting back to my former optacon using self.
>>
>> I am convinced that we who use the optacon are truly lucky because we 
>> have a really excellent idea not only of what print is like, but how 
>> things are arranged on a page, or how a check is laid out, etc.
>>
>> I find that when I get mail, I read at least half a page with the 
>> optacon, and then use my sara reading machine.  That way, I keep in 
>> practice, and take advantage of both systems.
>>
>> I received a check today, and it said "only valid with two authorized 
>> signatures".  I could read where it said "authorized signature" and 
>> it said it twice, and I could feel that the check had been signed two times.
>> This really was incredible for me to be able to do.  Is this piece of 
>> information important, probably not, but I truly got a kick out of 
>> knowing it.
>>
>> I think that if the optacon had been marketed by explaining what one 
>> could read, instead of concentrating on speed of reading, it might 
>> have done better.
>>
>> I had no idea of what print was like, but thanks to the optacon, I 
>> know my letters, numbers, and can read things that are underlined, 
>> and even a bit of italics, although that is very slow and difficult 
>> for me, and I don't usually spend the time to try to decipher it.
>> But regular, clear print, I can say I am doing quite well.
>>
>> By the way, I tried to use other fingers besides my index, but can't 
>> make anything out.  I also discovered that I was keeping my letters a 
>> bit too large, and making them smaller, so they take up less room on 
>> my finger, enables me to read better.
>>
>> Do many of you use your optacons on a daily basis?  Do you think it 
>> would be harder to manage without an optacon?  Are you glad you 
>> learned it?  Do you use it in conjunction with a scanner or reading 
>> machine?  Did you know print before getting your optacon, or did you 
>> have to learn the letters like I did?
>>
>> Warmest regards,
>> Robert in Brooklyn
>> PS: I remember one question from the optacon manual: What time is it 
>> when an elephant sits on an optacon?  time to get a new optacon.
>> When I was learning to use the optacon, that took me about 8 minutes 
>> to read.  (sad
>> smile)
>>
>> to view the list archives, go to:
>>
>> www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
>>
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>>
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>>
>
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> the
> quotes) in the message subject.
>
> Tell your friends about the list.  They can subscribe by sending a 
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> to:
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>
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> To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
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