[Blindmath] Math Computer Program

Sun Mar 2 20:16:16 UTC 2014

John,

I think I would make some use of braille input of the notation. I'm 
projecting as to how I plan to use tools I don't have yet, but being 
able to use the onboard keyboard of the display is something I would 
like to have.

Watching others tackle the complexities of context-dependency, I'm 
realizing typing braille input in various flavors won't be as simple as 
I used to imagine it would be. Maybe a psychic display would help? /lol/ 
Still, a lot more is possible in math and science accessibility than 
there used to be, and it is exciting to see new tools coming in to play.

Tami

On 03/02/2014 11:21 AM, John Gardner wrote:
> Hi Tami, yes it is easy to put in braille input for LEAN Braille, which is
> more or less a braille equivalent of the LEAN notation.  If there are people
> who will use it, I could do that easily.
>
> Composing in Nemeth or other official braille language is infinitely more
> difficult, partly because all math braille languages have ambiguities (which
> could be accounted for in various ways - in fact easily for Nemeth), but
> more particularly, all are context-dependent, and that is a real killer.
> Truthfully I don't know how to incorporate Nemeth equation composition, and
> other braille math languages are even more difficult.  It is something I'm
> trying to understand better and might someday be able to do.  But not
> imminently unfortunately.
>
> Be well all.
> John
>
>
> John
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tami
> Jarvis
> Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2014 2:45 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Math Computer Program
>
> John,
>
> Great work, and congratulations on your progress!
>
> You say presently one can't compose the equation using braille. Is this a
> feature that will be added in the future? I'm asking more out of curiosity
> than anything. By the time I do get back to taking math classes, LEAN Math
> will be one of the exciting new programs I plan to explore! Even if I have
> to use nasty old MS Word. /grin/
>
> I like the idea of being able to type in braille while I'm working in
> braille, especially on complex tasks. It's not as big a deal for me to
> switch back and forth as it was at first, but I still like to think in dots
> when I'm using dots, if that makes sense.
>
> Keep up the good work!
>
> Tami
>
> On 03/01/2014 08:56 AM, John Gardner wrote:
>> Hi, I will soon be releasing the final beta version of LEAN Math.  If
>> you'd like to join the beta list, you are welcome to do so.  Just send
>> me an e-mail requesting it.
>>
>> LEAN Math will soon become a commercial product from ViewPlus, but it
>> will basically be free.  ViewPlus will sell it to companies and
>> agencies along with a support and training package, but blind
>> individuals can get it free without support.  I hope that this list
>> will become a LEAN support center for blind people.  I'll be doing
>> what I can personally to answer questions and provide guidance.
>>
>> LEAN Math is an editor and interface to applications that accept MathML.
>> The first edition is as an interface to MathType in MS Word.  So if
>> you have MS Office and MathType, for you it is free.  And you will
>> have a nice way to read and write standard scientific documents in MS
> Word.
>>
>> I have designed LEAN Math to work as efficiently as possible with
>> audio feedback, and it works with any screen reader.  It also shows
>> several kinds of braille (including Nemeth), though presently you
>> cannot compose the equation by typing braille.  There are also lots of
>> functions supporting equation manipulation permitting one to solve
>> algebraic equations almost as easily as sighted people can do with a
> pencil.
>>
>> LEAN Math comes with two apps that install short cuts on your desktop.
>> One is the LEAN Editor.  You must have a Word file open.  If the
>> cursor is on a MathType equation when LEAN_Edit is opened, it opens in
> that editor.
>> Otherwise the editor opens with a blank equation.  It takes an hour or
>> so to read through the documentation that is within the editor to
>> learn how to read and write equations, then you just do it.  When
>> you've finished composing an equation, press CTRL+s to save it, and
>> presto you have a MathType equation with alt text, something readable
>> by sighted or blind people.
>>
>> The other app is LEAN_In, an app that will insert alt text in MathType
>> equations that can be read by any screen reader.  Alt text can be
>> words or braille.
>>
>> John Gardner
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Elise Berkley
>> Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2014 4:01 AM
>> To: BlindMath
>> Subject: [Blindmath] Math Computer Program
>>
>>
>>
>> Hello, everyone.  I am a new subscriber and I love this list already.
>>
>>
>>
>> I am a new math student in college (even though I am 49 years old).  I
>> have been totally blind for 19 years so I still have visuals of
>> numbers, etc.  I have Jaws on my laptop and we all know it does not
>> work that well with numbers.  I am looking for a software that will
>> work to speak math better to me because I am a math major and have a
>> long way to go.  I can't afford anything too expensive.  Thanks for
>> your help and, again, I have learned new things from all of you
>> already.  Elise Berkley
>>
>>
>>
>> Elise Berkley
>>
>> "The joy of the Lord is my strength."
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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