[NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus

Wed Jun 9 13:22:49 UTC 2021

Tony,

Regarding labeling, I was not sure if you had tried the labeling options using a slate or not.  In case you haven't, there are one line slates specifically for use on labeling tape, and there are many slates that have a little slot at the beginning and end of the second line through which you can thread labeling tape.  If you already know and have tried this, sorry for stating the obvious.

Regarding security at airports, I always carry a slate and stylus in my computer bag.  When things were really tense, I did have trouble occasionally, but I have not had any trouble now for years.  Since most slates are metal, they will probably show up on the X-ray scanners, so I usually put mine where it can easily be found in case a question is raised.  The stylus doesn't seem to raise much of a concern any more in my experience.  Of course, this could vary if an alert level is raised.  I have gotten more questions about my braille display.

Best regards,

Steve

From: kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) <kg6sxy at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 5:02 AM
To: NFB Braille Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus

Hello Steve,

So far the easiest tool I've found to braille with is a Fiskars Dual Tip Embossing Stylus because of the spongy barrel:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YZ413I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsmile.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB000YZ413I%2Fref%3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00%3Fie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf7bc6269494640d196c308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637588297176258057%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=PM8fF6ue6%2BEJQhXwOVcT95jpNYYao3aZzn1VvWjt7BI%3D&reserved=0>

I also found these clear label protectors they use for books a lot easier to use than plastic label tape and it appears to hold the embossed braille pretty well:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B081LM97P5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsmile.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB081LM97P5%2Fref%3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00%3Fie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf7bc6269494640d196c308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637588297176268043%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YzI3UwOKcMKceZO%2FtFvofJwE4WwNpUiHSV%2FdlSSbFYY%3D&reserved=0>

I've been experimenting with different weights of paper too.  I've never used official Braille Paper. I've tried post-it notes which fade pretty quickly.  I have some light card stock index cards that have been laying around for ages that work pretty well.  Junk mail is always in abundance and a lot of them work well when cut down to pocket size.  I used to use my junk mail for origami.  There's always way too much junk mail.

I've seen a few of the ready-made labeling tools but I didn't like the limitations unless you are willing to pay $800 for an electronic one with a Perkins keyboard so you can use contracted braille.

I've made voice recordings at times but they are not always the most reliable.  I've returned home to find that the recording was unintelligible because of the background noise so I feel more comfortable with a physical note that I can quickly verify before the information evaporates into the ether.

All this experimenting is definitely giving me a lot more practice with a slate and stylus which is great.

Has anyone had any trouble getting through TSA with a slate and stylus?

Take care,
Tony

On Jun 8, 2021, at 11:34 PM, Steve Jacobson via NFB-Braille-Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Tony,

It sounds like you are already experimenting with different styli, and that is great.  I have a stylus with a broader flatter top that I find useful, but I have no idea where I got it.

Another thing that you might find helpful, though, is to use a lighter weight braille paper,  for writing quick notes, the use of the normal weight braille paper isn't that essential.  In a pinch, I have put two sheets of printer paper together to give more weight, but even one sheet of printer paper will hold dots for a while and work fine for temporary notes.  If you use printer paper, you may notice that more dots break when embossing them, but they are still readable.

I would add my concern to that of others regarding sharpening a stylus.  It can result in more broken dots, but obviously some have tried it and been happy with the results.

I have used a slate and stylus a lot in my life but readily admit I use it less now.  However, I have found it to be the most reliable and most flexible way to write on labeling tape.

Best regards,

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Braille-Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) via NFB-Braille-Discussion
Sent: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 5:19 PM
To: nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
Cc: kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) <kg6sxy at gmail.com<mailto:kg6sxy at gmail.com>>
Subject: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus

Hello,

I just joined this list today and didn't a little looking through the archives but didn't see anything in the past few months about slate and stylus use.

Does anyone still use a slate and stylus that has found a comfortable stylus to use with arthritis or neuropathy?  I'm working on getting my brain to properly flip braille for a slate but I find that the couple of styluses I have are hard to use after a line or two.

Take care,
Tony
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