[Blindmath] Creating braille math for a refreshable braille display

Wed Apr 23 15:33:05 UTC 2014

Hello from Duxbury Systems.

Over the past few years we have expanded the range of LaTeX that our math importer can handle. I have spoken with people using DBT to open Scientific Notebook files, LaTeX files from InftyReader, and other LaTeX files including chapters from textbooks.

I would encourage people who need this application to give DBT a try. The current version is DBT 11.2 SR1. New versions and service releases for DBT generally include some improvements in LaTeX support. For example, in DBT 11.2 we added support for commands like \begin and \end{matrix}, \begin and \end{pmatrix}, etc. In DBT 11.2 SR1 we changed the support for \begin{align*} and \end{align*} so that the parser doesn't complain when there is a row without any ampersand. 

If you run into things that cause problems, please let us know, with a sample file if possible.

Another new capability in DBT 11.2, still somewhat experimental, is translating from math notation in Nemeth Code braille to DBT print math and then exporting to LaTeX. Exporting to LaTeX can also be used after translating from UEB braille including math.

All the best,
Caryn

Caryn Navy
Duxbury Systems
Phone: (978) 692-3000, ext. 310
E-mail: caryn at duxsys.com
Web: www.duxburysystems.com

From: Michael Whapples 
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 10:31 AM
To: john.gardner at oregonstate.edu ; Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics 
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Creating braille math for arefreshable braille display

Hello,
My memory of Duxbury and Scientific notebook is that scientific notebook 
produces a flavour of LaTeX, it may even have added some of its own 
command definitions. 
This is the thing with LaTeX, there normally is so many different ways 
of doing things, one may define their own commands, etc, so it is very 
unlikely that any software will support all LaTeX files.

When I was doing my physics degree we had a whole list of LaTeX which 
Duxbury understood and another list of LaTeX which did not agree with 
duxbury.

I know that even some of the LaTeX from scientific notebook did not 
agree with duxbury, so normally the LaTeX was hand edited with the 
typists paying attention to the above mentioned lists.

So I think my comment is that it supports LaTeX in a limited form, not 
necessarily restricted to what scientific notebook produced.

Also it is worth noting that I am speaking of my experience of obtaining 
UK Braille from Duxbury and it was about 2006 when I last used it. 
Things may have improved and may be different for Nemeth output.

Michael Whapples
On 23/04/2014 15:14, John Gardner wrote:
> Hello, I am surprised by this exchange.  My understanding is that Duxbury
> translates files made by Scientific Notebook but not "real' Tex files.  I
> know that there are Duxbury people on this list.  Please confirm if Duxbury
> can translate regular LaTeX.  If so I agree that it would be awesome.
>
> In case Duxbury cannot translate LaTeX, there are several ways to get Latex
> to conventional braille.  I confess I am not sure I know all of them.  One
> that works quite well is the Tex2Word application available from
> http://www.chikrii.com/products/tex2word/tex-to-word/ for about US$50.  Then
> use the methods I described earlier for MS Word.
>
> John G
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Littlefield, Tyler
> Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 6:39 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Creating braille math for a refreshable braille
> display
>
> hello:
> What are the chances of getting a math book in TeX? This is an awesome
> solution if it's viable, but I'm thinking it's not due to publishers.
>
> What sorts of solutions exist for reading brf on a pc?
> Thanks,
> On 4/22/2014 7:53 PM, Sarah Jevnikar wrote:
>> If math is authored in TeX, it can be opened in Duxbury and saved as a brf
> file. Then it can be read on a Braille display.
>> HTH,
>> Sarah
>>
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Blindmath [blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Lynn Reed
> [iamlvr at yahoo.com]
>> Sent: April 22, 2014 3:30 PM
>> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Creating braille math for a refreshable braille
> display
>> Sorry guys.....sent to wrong address.
>>
>> Peace and Love to all!
>>
>>
>>> On Apr 22, 2014, at 12:28 PM, Lynn Reed <iamlvr at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> This may be helpful for Ellie? Not sure.......
>>>
>>> Peace and Love to all!
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Apr 22, 2014, at 11:23 AM, "McNamee, Bridget" <mcnameeb at wit.edu>
> wrote:
>>>> Does anyone have step by step instructions on how to author accessible
> math that can be used with a refreshable braille display?
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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