[Blindtlk] devices RE: introduction
David Andrews
dandrews at visi.com
Mon Sep 10 08:10:47 UTC 2012
I am not sure what you question is -- yes, Lynville did die
recently. The Optacon came out in the early to mid 1970's, and was
made for maybe ten years -- I don't remember exactly. Maybe a few
years more then that, but not past the 80's.
Dave
At 12:41 AM 9/10/2012, you wrote:
>Hi, Dave,
>
>I too am intrigued by this machine bbut am confused, I understood
>that information the opticon rendered, nonvisually,, accessable was
>only around long enough to be read and not like, saved, right? I
>understand the opticon predates the integrated circut, so
>therefore the PC, and the ability of saving? Smater of fact, we
>just lost john lindville, one of the opticon's creator/develoopers,
>at 97 or so.
>?
>for today, CarDavid Andrews wrote:
>>Technically speaking, the optacon doesn't read the handwriting --
>>the person using it does. There is a small camera, about the size
>>of a pack of chewing gum that you run across the lines of
>>print. It is attached to a main unit into which you put your other
>>hand. There is a grid of pins that vibrate in the shapes of what
>>is on the page, and you read them by putting your index finger on those pins.
>>
>>It took a good deal of practice to become good, which I think is
>>why it was not more successful. There were some good users though,
>>who swore by it, and are still using one.
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>At 05:22 PM 9/5/2012, you wrote:
>>>Hi,
>>> Until now, I've never heard ofan Opticon. It actually
>>> reads handwriting? What actually is an Opticon?
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net
>>>To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>,"'Blind Talk
>>>Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>Date sent: Mon, 03 Sep 2012 18:56:46 -0700
>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction
>>>
>>>Hi, Chris,
>>>
>>>I am 28 but have many a blind friend who love their opticons, for
>>>those many, many applications such as reading handwriting and other
>>>things that OCR, frankly pukes on.
>>>
>>>Name me a digital divice that reads handwriting. so No, the opticon
>>>is not obsolete and, so far as I'm concerned never will be despite
>>>Telesensory's haveing gone under. At 06:45 PM 9/3/2012, Mike Freeman wrote:
>>>Hi, chris.
>>>
>>>The Optacon was the subject of a lot of hype. In fact, the fastest Optacon
>>>users never got much beyond 100 or 120 words per minute.
>>>However, the only
>>>real limit to what an Optacon could read was the comprehension of the human
>>>brain. So I would argue that we didn't *have* many of the accessibility
>>>concerns we do today because if the Optacon could display it and "it" --
>>>whatever it was -- was relatively uniform (handwriting is not), one could
>>>read it. So I disagree that the Optacon is obsolete.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
>>>Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 5:28 PM
>>>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction
>>>
>>>Hi Mike,
>>>
>>>I agree with you about the Stream. As far as Humanware's tech support, ugh;
>>>don't remind me! Thank God I've got a local Humanware distributor in my area
>>>that actually provides good tech support. Once I found out that I'm their
>>>customer, not Humanware's, and they're the ones who are supposed to provide
>>>me with technical support, I don't even bother calling Humanware when I have
>>>a problem with either my BrailleNote or my Stream.
>>>
>>>As to the Optacon, you may be surprised to know that although I'm a
>>>14-year-old freshman in high school, I do actually know what the Optacon is
>>>and have seen one in action! The concept of it sort of reminds me of an
>>>older KNFB Reader, although it conveys the information in a very different
>>>way. I personally found it very difficult and tedious to read
>>>with, probably
>>>because I'm a Braille guy and always have been. However, I'm sure that with
>>>time and practice one can get relatively fast reading with the Optacon. I
>>>can definitely see where it was a great piece of technology in the time when
>>>it was new, but I think newer and better technology such as Braille
>>>displays, scan-and-read software and screen readers has made the Optacon
>>>obsolete.
>>>
>>>Chris
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>Behalf Of Mike Freeman
>>>Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 8:12 PM
>>>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction
>>>
>>>Jasmine:
>>>
>>>I use a fancy windows 7 laptop with multiple sound cards and also an
>>>external DECtalk USB synthesizer; the machine runs Windows 7 Home Premium.
>>>Screen-readers are JAWS 13 and NVDA. I use a BraillesensePLUS B32
>>>note-taker
>>>from HIMS as well as a BookSense from HIMS. I use a Victor Reader Stream
>>>which IMO overall is still the best portable DAISY player on the market even
>>>though I'm not enamered of HumanWare's tech support other than for the
>>>Stream at the moment. I use an iPhone 4. I also still have a working
>>>Optacon. I suppose that about does it.
>>>
>>>Mike Freeman
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>Behalf Of Chris Nusbaum
>>>Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 4:21 PM
>>>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>>>Subject: [Blindtlk] devices was RE: introduction
>>>
>>>Hi Jasmine,
>>>
>>>For me it's a BrailleNote Apex, a laptop running Windows 7 and JAWS 12, a
>>>Victor Reader Stream, and (my favorite) an iPod Touch!
>>>
>>>Chris
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>Behalf Of Jasmine Kotsay
>>>Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 4:38 PM
>>>To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>>>
>>>Hi,
>>> No, I didn't expect it, but I'm
>>>glad that this is a place both to talk seriously and have fun.
>>>:)
>>> I was wondering what types of
>>>devices some of you use, such as BrailleNotes, computers with JAWS, or any
>>>others. I've already asked a couple of you this question, and I know some
>>>are on the BrailleNote list, but I'm curious.
>>>
>>>Sincerely,
>>>Jasmine
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>From: Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net
>>>To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Sun, 2 Sep 2012
>>>19:18:46 -0500
>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>>>
>>>Wow. I bet Jasmine didn't expect this when she joined us.
>>>
>>>Again, welcome.
>>>
>>>
>>>Sincerely,
>>>The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>
>>>Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>>>
>>>Skype name:
>>>barefootedray
>>>
>>>On Sep 2, 2012, at 7:14 PM, "Nikki" <daizies304 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Oh yeah! I'm really not afraid of anything. Haha. I'll even walk
>>>outside in the snow barefooted, if I had to. My dad is the same way.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Ray Foret Jr
>>> Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2012 6:53 PM
>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>>>
>>> wow, Nikki, that's very cool!!! Do you go barefooted outside still?
>>>
>>> Way back when that person asked whether or not blind people should go
>>>barefooted, I answered that it depended on many things, but, never ever ever
>>>blindness.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>
>>> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>>>
>>> Skype name:
>>> barefootedray
>>>
>>> On Sep 2, 2012, at 6:40 PM, "Nikki" <daizies304 at gmail.com
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>> Hey Ray, I have been considered a barefoot kid all my life and now I'm in
>>>my 30's loving it. LOL!
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Ray Foret Jr
>>> Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2012 1:51 PM
>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>>>
>>> Hey, another one.
>>>
>>> Well, whether or not, welcome anyhow.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>
>>> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>>>
>>> Skype name:
>>> barefootedray
>>>
>>> On Sep 2, 2012, at 10:20 AM, Jasmine Kotsay <jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>> That sounds great! I look forward to seeing some of the conversations that
>>>go on.
>>> As to going barefooted, as long as it's not freezing cold, I'm always
>>>barefooted in the house. Outside, though... Not so much.
>>>LOL!!
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Jasmine
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net
>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Sat, 1 Sep
>>>2012 17:02:28 -0500
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>>>
>>> Oh, let's see.
>>>
>>> One time, somebody asked the question as to whether a blind person should
>>>go barefooted or not. Guess by my signature what I said.
>>>
>>> Actually, I said that, whether or not a blind person does that may well
>>>depend on many things; but, never should it depend on blindness.
>>>
>>> Well, that's the lighter side. We do, however and very very often,
>>>discuss some very serious matters here. Somebody wants help with something,
>>>for example, we try to offer the best advice we can on the matter.
>>>Important NFB news updates with respect to the NFB are posted here. IF our
>>>help is needed with respect to various legislative matters, such requests
>>>can be found here.
>>>HTH.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>
>>> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>>>
>>> Skype name:
>>> barefootedray
>>>
>>> On Sep 1, 2012, at 3:02 PM, Jasmine Kotsay <jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi!
>>> That's great! What kinds of topics do you discuss? I think they had some
>>>examples on the website, but I'm curious as to what other things are talked
>>>about. :)
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net
>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Sat, 1 Sep
>>>2012 14:29:00 -0500
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] introduction
>>>
>>> Well, Jasmine, welcome to the list. My name is Raymond; but, please call
>>>me Ray. I insist.
>>>
>>> Anyhow, we tend to have some interesting times on this list; by which I
>>>mean, we usually all get along quite well and have discussions the like of
>>>which you will find quite stimulating.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>
>>> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>>>
>>> Skype name:
>>> barefootedray
>>>
>>> On Sep 1, 2012, at 2:18 PM, Jasmine Kotsay <jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello,
>>> I wanted to introduce myself to this list. My name is Jasmine.
>>>When I came upon the name of this list on the NFB website, I was immediately
>>>interested. I have no sight, and I'm always curious to find out new things
>>>about blind people.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Jasmine
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