[Ham-Computers] Know A Blind Person Who Needs To Make Their Computer Talk?

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hello All,

I have two external speech synthesizers that use the COM#1 serial port for 
their interface. They will work with either Windows or DOS. Provided that 
the computer being used has the Windows or DOS screen reading software 
installed on it! Such as JFW - JAWS For Windows by Freedom Scientific Inc. 
or Windows-Eyes by G.W. Micro.

If the user wants to run in DOS, I can supply the screen reading software 
N/C, as both the JAWS For DOS and Vocal-Eyes DOS screen reading programs are 
no longer being sold. They are free. Not bad, since I paid $495 and $450 for 
them!

Before you ignore DOS, remember this! For the blind there are NO limitations 
as to what they can do using a DOS OS, more or less, and there are thousands 
of programs for little or no cost available. Hence, this can reduce the cost 
of making their computer talk by at least half or more.

Since DOS and Windows involve two totally different constructs, the user 
needs one screen reading program for Windows and a different one for DOS. 
While you can use a 'software synthesizer', with Windows, you can not with 
DOS.

FYI: A software synthesizer uses the computers internal soundcard to 
generate the synthetic voice. DOS uses either an internal ISA or PCI card or 
an external device off a serial port.

Since I operate in both the Windows and DOS environments, I use the software 
synthesizer called "DECSoft", AKA Access32, by the former DEC Inc. for my 
Windows speech. I use the external DEC DECTALK Express for the DOS speech. 
However, it is possible to use the DECTALK Express synthesizer for both 
Windows and DOS speech! This being ture for a machine using Windows 98 
Second Edition and back, but NOT for any Windows OS from 2000 forward! There 
DOS no longer exists as such. It can be done via a plug in USB Flash Memory 
card, however!

If you know a person who is either totally or legally blind, has a computer, 
and needs adaptive technology, I am willing to donate my time, talent and 
extra software/hardware to them N/C.

Now please understand this. I am NOT interested in someone who has a 
computer that already talks and desires to upgrade etc. I want to make this 
available to someone who needs help and does not have any way to make their 
computer talk. The software and hardware are 'very' expensive.

Please contact me direct if you know someone that might be able to benefit 
from my offer. Thanks.




Duane Fischer, W8DBF/WPE8CXO
dfischer at usol.com

HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
http://www.w9wze.net

HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
hhrp.w9wze.net