[Blindmath] Math Computer Program

Mon Mar 3 02:52:22 UTC 2014

Count me in too! I can perhaps work with you on the UX with a multitude of access tech.
I use a focus40 for 8dot input so could test some ideas out for you.
ATB
Muzz

Sent from my iPhone

> On 3 Mar 2014, at 01:53, "John Gardner" <gardnerj at onid.orst.edu> wrote:
> 
> Hi Tami, if we can find a good way that works for users who need totype in
> braille, I'll do it.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tami
> Jarvis
> Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2014 12:16 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Math Computer Program
> 
> 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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> 
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