I can tell you that I couldn't do without my Optacon to read bills,
bank statements and checking the format of a letter and envelope.
It is important to have letters properrly formatted so that sighted
readers know and have an understanding that you know how to format and
write a business letter. When applying for a job they would be looking
at how professional your letters.
I find that some kids now do not learn how to properly format a letter
as the student depends on letter templates.
There are enough apps for reading and getting access to printed
material, some are free and others you have to pay a nominal fee which
won't break the bank.
By the way a couple of years ago there was a guy name Charles Pond who
was working on a new version of the Optacon but If I remember he
suddenly passed away. He lived I believe in Canada.
Original message:
Thanks, Dan,
I believe number 30 covers reading foreign language characters, and you are
right.
Regarding slate/stylus, I first learned to use them in the second grade,
kept up with that skill, along with Perkins brailler, and all through four
years of college, I took notes in every one of my classes with the slate,
using it in spiral notebooks, purchased from the bookstore. Braille still
holds up, even after several years.
I went on from there to teach, and used the slate daily for my own notes at
work and in the classroom.
I continued with heavy slate use, until 1996, when I got my first notetaker,
the Braille Lite. I still keep my slates, and have one tucked in a small
spiral notebook, the kine one can drop in their purse. I can write with one
as fast as someone else can write with a pen.
I've ended up purchasing more styluses to have them around and available,
although I primarily use my Polaris now.
Judy
Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of dan.tevelde@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, January 1, 2020 1:11 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
Thanks for the information Judy. I would compare the situation with the
optacon to that with the slate and stylus. I never liked using a slate when
I was growing up but recently changed my mind after I was given one for
Christmas. A few years ago my Braille Lite broke and the only way I could
write down information was to use a slate and stylus. It was really useful
and gave me the incentive to improve my writing skills. People were
impressed when they saw me writing backwards to get the information to
display correctly on the other side of the page. I still use a slate and
stylus once in a while and think every blind person who knows Braille should
try to learn how to use a slate.
I ran into an issue not documented here where there were foreign language
symbols in a Braille magazine which I couldn't interpret because the new UEB
code has changed them. Having a new type of optacon which could be used
with a computer there might be a way to synchronize Braille and print to
help the user deal with what I consider the ambiguities of UEB. If anyone
wants to talk about UEb write me off of this list.
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of Carolyn
Sent: Wednesday, January 1, 2020 2:22 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
Thanks, Judy. Interesting.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 9:18 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
Oh so sorry, I will paste it in below.
USES OF THE OPTACON
The contributors to this list are from persons who have used, or are
currently using the Optacon in daily life, and are regular contributors to
the Optacon mailing list.
Developers on this list envision a next generation device, that will, along
with current OCR technology, further enhance the quality of life for blind
persons, enabling the blind to live the life they want with greater
independence.
The new tactile device may be smaller, less expensive, could possibly have
the ability to store data downloaded from the computer, and also allow the
user to read the actual computer screen, as a sighted person would.
Approximately three times the amount of tactuators may fit into the display,
allowing the user to view a sharper, crisper raised image of what the camera
is scanning. For more information, go to
//www.freelists.org/archive/optacon-l/
For now, below is a list of some of the most common tasks performed by the
user of an Optacon, and are tasks that current OCR technology has difficulty
in performing.
1. Ability to read printed material with less than sharp contrasts or
intricate color schemes and shading difficult for current apps and cameras
to decipher. This could include hollow letters.
2. Ability to read print in non-standard layout, such as in a curved line
of a post-office date stamp or on a CD or DVD.
3. Ability to read cursive.
4. Ability to read round items such as bottles and cans.
5. Accurate reading of graphs, charts, tables, data sheets with
coordinates, flow charts, and schematics.
6. Ability to read embedded text among images, or graphical print..
7. Ability to view font styles for the purpose of creating attractive
layouts that can also be checked for proofing.
8. Ability to read label and tags with print too small for an app and
camera, or otherwise positioned in spots where a camera cannot reach, such
as labels on power supplies and price tags, or other stickers.
9. As with braille, the ability to skim a print book for the proper page
number, skim down a printed page to find the right paragraph, or down a
column of items to find the desired item.
10. Ability to view document arrangement and placement on a page.
11. Ability to quickly make sure ink and toner cartridges have not run out,
by making sure documents are printing.
12. Ability to Read text on colored paper, in shaded boxes, and on red HICF
forms that current scanning software cannot handle.
13. Ability to read computer screens when screen reader has gone silent, or
is not available.
14. Ability to read many appliance displays, and text on a tv screen, and
for the fun of it, detect movement on the screen.
15. An accessory can allow the blind person to use the computer mouse.
16. An accessory is also available for those who still use a typewriter, in
order to fill out printed hard-copy forms.
17. Ability to read dials and gauges.
18. Faster than a camera for spot reading, such as checking mail, sorting
brochures, page numbers, etc.
19. Ability to locate signature or date line so it can be marked and filled
out without sighted assistance.
20. Checking ink date stamps that an app and camera cannot handle.
21. Ability to read buttons and dials on a newly-acquired device, enabling
the blind person to familiarize themselves to that device without sighted
assistance.
22. Ability to read controls on home appliances for marking without sighted
assistance.
23. Ability to read musical scores and create and read chord charts for
proofing, and the accompanying words, without use of specialized software or
sighted assistance.
24. Ability to read guitar tablature.
25. Ability to Read mathematical drawings and symbols, where the layout
has a particular meaning, such as in multi-line expressions.
26. Ability to recognize logos and icons.
27. Ability to read some engraved text on textiles, such as plastics and
metals.
28. Ability to read a cell phone screen, should speech go silent.
29. The ability to recognize and distinguish features in a picture.
30. Ability to read foreign language characters, such as Japanese,
Chinese, or Cyrillic characters.
31. Ability to identify paper currency.
Judy
Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Carolyn
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 5:24 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
I found no attachment. Most list will not allow them.
Happy New Year, everybody!
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 7:01 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
Hi, Dan and All,
Attached is the Optacon Task List we all created back in 2016, in hopes that
people had the wherewithall to move a new optacon project forward, along
with optacon awareness.
What's needed is to connect people with the expertise to people with funding
connections, with interest being a commonality.
Judy
Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of dan.tevelde@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 2:44 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
I think at one time there was a survey from this list where people could
document how they use the optacon and what features they would like to see
in a new device. Would it be a good idea to send out this survey again to
gather more data? It's unfortunate that both national organizations for the
blind here in the U.S. don't seem at all interested in the optacon. I guess
all we can do is try.
Dan
Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Carolyn
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 4:39 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
I check any check I write plus the pen I sign with before I start my
signature and then check my signature - couldn't do it any other way than
with the Optacon.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Pluml ;(Redacted
sender "knobman" for DMARC)
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 2:24 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Where did all the Optacons go ??
Hello, Optacon users,
I'll start the answers on this one by a reason I heard from a friend I knew
years ago. He said that he received an Optacon from a local agency, and he
used it for awhile; then he put it on a shelf in his closet and left it to
collect dust. Friends, I suspect that the previous sentence could be
repeated many times by different folk, and I wouldn't hazard a guess on how
many times it would echo if folk are honest. Your mention of 1998 triggers
an important thought in my mind: At that time, I think many blind and
visually-impaired folk were enamoured with the thought/hope that synthetic
speech would solve most, if not all, of our need for reading print.
Accordingly, some folk, including some agencies, probably thought that the
Optacon is not needed nor important as a gateway to printed material for us.
The proliferation of reading and recording services and the books and
material they made available for the blind contributed to that idea. We all
know that the Optacon has a rather steep learning curve; when I received my
Optacon from a local foundation, I was required to attend FIFTY HOURS of
private instruction - yes, I said FIFTY HOURS! The agency would not have
given me a machine unless I successfully completed the course with a reading
speed of at least 19 words per minute, and I was actually tested on that
point by reading something to the instructor and/or answering a few
questions about the material I read. He also watched on a display during
the test.
Another important requirement of this foundation was that each Optacon they
gave had to go to a verified optacon user, NOT TO AN AGENCY! This
requirement was extremely wise and important because the director of that
foundation knew that an employer or government agency owning the Optacon
could keep it if the user left that job, or if the agency wanted to assign
it to a different user for any reason regardless of that new user's training
or ability to use it. Also, if the Optacon is presented to the user by the
foundation, the user could use it at work or at home for both personal and
job-related usage. If the Optacon belonged to the employer, the employer
could - and often did - require that it be used only at the job site and
only for job-related purposes. I am sure, however, that a goodly number of
Optacons were bought by employers or other agencies and "locked down"
(figuratively) to the job. When the blind user left that job, then that
Optacon likely went into a supply room somewhere to collect dust and quite
likely even be lost from the inventory after a few years.
I think that our list members could account for a goodly number of Optacons
we own. I have four of them - two converted to AC/only operation to serve
in fixed locations at our home and the other two used here and there around
our house where a portable machine is needed. I alternate those two
machines so that each one gets quite a bit of use when it is in active
service, thus keeping the bateries in good condition.
Pardon me if I ramble a bit in my thoughts, but I want to do my best to give
a good foundation for discussion by other members on our list.
Moving on to other ways to read information: Debbie and I recently bought
an ID Mate barcode reader which we frequently use to identify products in
our home. Granted, I could have gotten much of a product's information
through the Optacon, but the barcode reader often gets information quicker
and in more detail than I could easily get by reading with the Optacon. A
problem with peanut butter comes to my mind; we noticed that a jar of peanut
butter we opened tasted different from the ones to which we are accustomed.
Using the ID Mate, I quickly found that our friend had inadvertently gotten
a different brand while I was shopping for groceries with him. Further
reading revealed to me that I had a low-salt crunchy type rather than the
standard-salt creamy type which we liked. Having two or three jars in
question, the ID Mate was very handy for me.
The smart phones of Apple and Android "flavors" have also fulfilled many of
the reading needs of blind and visually-impaired persons, thus giving them
less need for an Optacon.
Finally, I hate to say this, but many of our young folk have become a bit
lazy when confronted with something with a high learning curve. Many of
todays young people have totally bought in to the idea of instant
gratification and immediate success. In my opinion, we in America anyway
are more and more being "dummed down" in many aspects of life. Examine many
of the commercials you hear on radio and TV. You'll find a crop of
nonsequiturs and statements that do not relate well to the product being
advertised but serve only at the emotional level to move you to buy that
particular product. Where is the reading level of many kids in school these
days? One school district's test scores as a whole fall short of state
accreditation. In that environment, you won't likely find a heavy emphasis
on detailed instruction of a unique skill with a steep learning curve even
if an Optacon were available.
For my part, I consider my Optacon as one very important tool in my
figurative toolbox for gathering information and other tasks where
interaction with printed material is needed. I favor the idea of teaching
students - whether children or adult - the pros and cons of several reading
tools - smart phones, barcode readers, computers - and wow do I wish - the
Optacon. At the end of the day, there are many tasks which cannot be
handled by any reading device other than the Optacon when a blind user needs
to perform that task. Two tasks which I only mention here are the reading
of electronic schematics and the calibration of placement of fields on my
Money Talks software without sighted assistance. Completion of that task
allowed me to fill out checks accurately.
I hope that the above ramblings will stimulate more discussion on this
topic, since the use and continuing existence of an Optacon-type device is a
passion of mine.
By the way, I wish all of you a happy and blest new year; perhaps you might
even find a knob or two to turn on a new piece of equipment during the
coming year (this is a tongue-in-cheek wish from the "ole knobman").
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Keith Shaw (Redacted sender
"scitech200" for DMARC)
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 11:47 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Where did all the Optacons go ??
The recent posts related to replacing Optacon batteries brought up the issue
of AT equipment being returned to an agency, or other distributor, and then
quite possibly being disbanded.I remember an extensive survey undertaken at
Blazie Engineering, around 1998, as part of an NSF grant to evaluate designs
for a lower cost "new Optacon". Of the reported 10,000 Optacons shipped by
TSI, as best I recall, we could not locate - worldwide - more than about 200
units!
Needless to say this startling data did not bode well for soliciting
additional funding, estimated to be at least two million dollars, to
actually get a proposed new Optacon into production. As a discussion for a
replacement array of tactile pin actuators, the critical component for any
new Optacon, comes up from time to time with qualified engineers, I wonder
if the avid Optacon users on this list can come up with reasons for this
situation?
Thanks, Keith
PS. Although at least two actuator designs looked to be very promising,
neither was acceptable in terms of long term reliability and/or acceptable
estimated manufacturing cost. to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
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