[Blindmath] Nemeth questions and results of Using the Perkins

[Susan Jolly]

Hi Ben,

I think I'm the Susan you were thinking of.

To answer your question as to why Nemeth doesn't use some of the symbols you 
refer to, the reason is that Nemeth is a comprehensive code that handles 
mathematics all the way from arithmetic to advanced calculus and set theory 
with a single consistent set of rules.  If, for example, Nemeth were to use 
dots-1246 for a dollar sign that braille cell would not be available for 
much more important uses.

I think some of the confusion in some of the previous posts is related to 
the difference between a transcribing code and a table. (I realize most of 
you know this.)

Braille displays have built-in so-called computer braille tables or 
transliteration tables.  Different brands have different tables and 
sometimes you can choose more than one table.  All the table does is tell 
the display which braille cell is supposed to pop up when you type a 
character on a standard computer keyboard. It doesn't necessarily have 
anything to do with what that braille cell means. What it means depends on 
what transcribing code you are using, if any.

You can tell which computer braille table your braille display is using if 
the display is hooked up to your computer by pressing a key on your computer 
keyboard and checking which braille cell pops up on the display.  Of course 
you need to be sure that you don't accidently have some software in between 
that is changing things.

You can also do this in reverse by using the braille keyboard on your 
braille display to enter the ASCII keyboard characters according to your 
display's computer braille table.  Of course you need to make sure that 
your notetaker is set for computer braille entry. If you save the braille 
file as "plain braille" and print it out or send it to someone it will have 
exactly the ASCII characters you intended.

If  you want to enter a mix of contracted braille and Nemeth braille on your 
braille display you can just save the file as braille and read it whenever 
you feel like it.

However if you want to print out a mix of contracted braille and Nemeth 
braille for a sighted person you will need to remember that every time you 
are typing Nemeth symbols and numbers in your document, you will need to 
enter the command for your particular display that changes the grade of 
Braille for keyboard entry to computer braille and the switch back when you 
are done. (If you don't know how to do this either read the manual or ask 
someone. I don't have a braille display.) That way the build-in 
backtranslator will correctly backtranslate the contracted braille text and 
leave the Nemeth braille alone.

HTH,
SusanJ