[Ham-Computers] Linux

Sat Oct 23 10:10:49 EDT 2004

Dale, 	

I am an experienced programmer. I started back in 1980 with Texas Instruments on
the 99/4. 	

What most people do not realize, is that any software that is capable of reading
a cRT display, allowing the user full interface and total interaction with said
screen, able to convert the GUI into a form that can be spoken by application of
the forty-four phoneme sounds humans are capable of making with their vocal
cords, applying algorithms to convert said noises into human speech in a pattern
recognizable by the human brainand so forth, is extremely complex. It is not a
simple program. Which is why this software costs $795!	

You can use the sound card as a 'software' synthesizer or install an internal
card or an external peripheral device on the serial port COM#1 that actually
produces the synthetic speech as directed by the screen reading software. Two
distinct and totally seperte items!  	

The hardware synthesizers range in cost from $400 for the very robotic Sounding
Board to the approaching human quality DECTALK PC for $1195. It is what is heard
on the NOAA wather stations. 	

Now this is only part of the set up.	

If you use DOS applications, and many of the programs for the handicapped do,
you need a completely different screen reading program. DOS uses ASCII
characters with numeric values associated with each symbol, whereas Windows uses
graphic characters that have no direct translation. Sort of like that old rock
singer Prince who changed his name to the unspeakable graphic symbol. You saw
it, but could not say it. 	

The DOS screen reading programs did sell for about $400-$550, but no longer.
Most are free these days. DOS is a vastly superior system for the handicapped,
especially the blind and print handicapped, as it affords the user almost total
control over what the computer does. Unfortunately today's technology is making
DOS not useable. Windows is the worst thing a boind person could ask for when it
comes to a computer! If the intense graphic orientation continues, and I fully
expect it will, it is very possible that blind people will no longer be able to
use a computer in the future. Unless speech recognition is perfected. Then, made
affordable to a populous that lives at, generally below, the national poverty
level.      	

This brings us to the Arkenstone Openbook Unbound software package for $995that
requires a B/W flat bed scanner with at least 300 dpi. This allows the blind
person to lay aprinted, not hand written, sheet of text on the scanner and have
it converted into a spoken format. The scanned document may then be saved into
any one of several word processing program formats.  	

Now this particular program is of great benefit to the print handicapped. (A
print handicapped person has normal eyesight but is unable to read due to
neurological issues.) As each word is spoken, it is also highlighted. The print
handicapped reader can watch the CRT and see the word highlighted as it is said.
This does help with word recognition for the brain and in learning how to read
in the correct orientation, such as left to right. For those with failing
eyesight, macular degeneration and others, the color of the foreground and
background can be changed, including inverse video. 	

Additionally, the size of the text can be increased up to 1.5 inches per letter
or number for those with vision issues.	

It is a very good program that can help many people with a wide variety of
issues.	

I will stop at this point. I think you now understand how complex this screen
reading business truly is. It is very expensive, requires a fair amount of
learning and a dedicated computer system. Now how much of this can be performed
by the non-Windows based operating systems, I have no idea. However, because the
third party software manufacturers who develop this software must sell to a
narrow market, I am pretty sure it is all based on MS OS and so forth.	

The last I discussed this topic with Freedom Scientific and G.W. Micro they had
no plans to use any operating system other than Windows.	

I appreciate your interest and am certainly interested in your suggestions.	

Duane W8DBF	

----------
From: Dale Miller <stpatrick3 at twlakes.net>
To: Computers or other used for amateur radio communications or experimenting
<ham-computers at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Linux
Date: Saturday, October 23, 2004 3:22 AM

Duane,
    There is one or two not sure off the top of my head Linux distros 
for blind.
They cater to them. I've never set one up so I don't know how easy or 
hard etc it would be.
If Jeff is upto it, he and I can research it.
I've never researched it so I really can't put a plug in for you in 
particular.
I do agree with Jeff Linux is very stable.
The only time my machine get rebooted is if I go to Win2k to play a game.
I've tried Wine, and CrossOver Office and can't seem to get them working 
so I can completely do away with Windows.
I love my Electronic Arts games (Sim City, etc)

73's
Dale Miller, KC2CBD

Duane Fischer W8DBF wrote:

>Jeff, 	
>	
>When you can get Linux to support Arkenstone Openbook Unbound, JFW 3.7, DECTALK
>PC and Vocal-Eyes so that a totally blind person can use it, let me know.	
>	
>Windows 2K/ME has more holes than Swiss cheese on steroids. XP Home Edition is
>OK, but replacing the adaptive hardware and software that won't work because of
>the changes in the design, costs about four grand.	
>	
>If you can make Linex work Jeff, let's do it.
>  
>
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