[nabs-l] Question concerning slates and styli

[Jorge Paez]

I don't use a stylus and slate that often.
However, I think I'm quite a lot better at the index-card then the line slate.

As far as the stylus goes, I've only ever seen and used the round one, so that's the one I like.
But like I said, I've never heard of or used any of the others you talk about, so can't say.

Jorge



On Nov 15, 2010, at 4:30 PM, Jewel S. wrote:

> The saddle stylus is the one with the T at the top, with a curved,
> lowered section in the middle. According to my former Braille
> instructor, you're supposed to put your index card in the lower
> portion and grip the rest with the thumb and middle finger. But with
> my joint and nerve problems, leaving my finger in that position for as
> long as it takes me to write just doesn't work.
> 
> Which stylus do you use? What are your thoughts on it versus other styli?
> 
> On 11/15/10, Jorge Paez <jorgeapaez at mac.com> wrote:
>> Jewel:
>> Just wondering, what's the saddle styli?
>> Is that the one that has one flat side at the top?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Nov 15, 2010, at 3:13 PM, Jewel S. wrote:
>> 
>>> My personal preferences:
>>> 1. Pins on the bottom if it's a regular slate (20-30 cells). This is
>>> because it makes lining the paper up easier, something I have trouble
>>> with. If the pins are on the bottom, I can push the pins through the
>>> paper before lowering the top. Of course, I guess you could do that
>>> with a top-pin slate. The advantage of a top-pin slate is that you can
>>> read the Braille without removing the paper from the pins, by opening
>>> the slate and reading underneath the top. I'm not good at this, and
>>> don't find it easy, but some do.
>>> 2. I use a Jannus (sp?) slate a lot more than a regular slate. This is
>>> an interpoint index card slate. I carry this slate, a stylus, and a
>>> box of index cards (a plastic one with snaps bought at the bookstore),
>>> and I'm good to go if I need to take a note. Big plus is that you
>>> slide the index card in from the side and there are no pins.
>>> Disadvantage, sometimes the index card slides a little, so you gotta
>>> hold the end if that happens, so your Braille isn't skewed. I like to
>>> leave a card in the slate so I can just whip it out with the stylus
>>> and I'm good to go.
>>> 3. If I'm doing a long letter or lots of writing, like for an essay, I
>>> prefer a full-page slate. This allows me to write without the skew
>>> that inevitably happens when I move the slate down (I'm bad at
>>> alignment). I can also do pretty decent Braille pictures on a full
>>> Braille slate that would be skewed a lot using a four-line slate.
>>> 4. Styli do matter! I much prefer the round stylus because the saddle
>>> stylus hurts my finger joints, but most people like the saddle stylus.
>>> There are other styli out there (like the pen stylus, which I do *not*
>>> recommend), but the saddle and round styli are the most popular.
>>> 5. Reading the Slate Book is a great way to get back in practice with
>>> the slate and stylus. It's available from Bookshare, or you can order
>>> it in Braille, I think from APH?
>>> 
>>> Hope that helps! And I'm going to be a TVI also. Where are you doing
>>> your Graduate work?
>>> 
>>> On 11/14/10, Hope Paulos <hope.paulos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi there. I haven't used a slate and stylus for a very long time. Can
>>>> someone recommend a good type of slate and the difference from having the
>>>> pins on the top and the bottome? Which type of stylus do you prefer and
>>>> why?
>>>> I have to get one because am going back for my masters to become a TbVI.
>>>> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>>>> Thanks.
>>>> Hope Paulos
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>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> ~Jewel
>>> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
>>> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> ~Jewel
> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
> 
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