[NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus

Wed Jun 9 16:34:32 UTC 2021

When I make labels with my slate and stylus, and I use dymo tape, I peel off
the backing before I cut the label off. Then I always leave a "tail" of the
backing . Therefore, the only time you need to struggle is the very first
time on a new roll. After that, it's a matter of pulling off the label from
the backing tail.

I also use a very wide dull stylus to make dymo tape labels. For me the dots
come out better with less work.

Take carae.
Debbie Gabe
Hawaiiu

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Braille-Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> On
Behalf Of kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) via NFB-Braille-Discussion
Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 3:51 AM
To: NFB Braille Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>
Cc: kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) <kg6sxy at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus

Hello Steve,

Never worry about stating obvious things.  It's hard to know what someone
new knows or doesn't know.  I'm thankful for all the advice I've gotten from
various mailing lists.  Plus, there may be others on the mailing list that
will learn something new just by reading other conversations going on.  I
used to read a lot more than I wrote until I felt comfortable enough to
write but that's slowly changed over the years.  I once did nothing but read
in a discord server for over a year before I said anything to anyone.  I'm
"much better" now. :)

I have two slates that have slots for labels, one plastic and one aluminum.
The problem I've had with the plastic label tape is the pressure required to
make consistent dots and then trying to get the backing off the label
afterwards which can sometimes be slighting rage inducing. lol  I have a
habit of scolding inanimate objects when they don't want to cooperate.

I guess it's not surprising that there would be more questions about a
braille display.  It's probably something they don't see very often.  These
are good things to know since I haven't traveled anywhere yet since losing
my eyesight and getting more and more frequent bouts of deafness from
tinnitus.  Looking forward to my first in-person Virginia State Convention
in the fall.  It's supposed to get easier once you get the first trip out of
the way.

Take care,  
Tony

> On Jun 9, 2021, at 9:22 AM, Steve Jacobson via NFB-Braille-Discussion
<nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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 <mailto:kg6sxy at gmail.com>>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 5:02 AM
> To: NFB Braille Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org
<mailto:nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>>
> Cc: Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at outlook.com
<mailto: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_o0
5_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_as
in_title_o05_s00%3Fie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf7bc6269494640d196c
308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C63758829717625805
7%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haW
wiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=PM8fF6ue6%2BEJQhXwOVcT95jpNYYao3aZzn1VvWjt7BI%
3D&reserved=0>
<https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YZ413I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o
05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1%3Chttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=ht
tps%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%7Cf7bc6269494640d1
96c308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C63758829717625
8057%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1
haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=PM8fF6ue6%2BEJQhXwOVcT95jpNYYao3aZzn1VvWjt7
BI%3D&reserved=0%3E>
> 
> 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_o0
4_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_as
in_title_o04_s00%3Fie%3DUTF8%26psc%3D1&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cf7bc6269494640d196c
308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C63758829717626804
3%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haW
wiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YzI3UwOKcMKceZO%2FtFvofJwE4WwNpUiHSV%2FdlSSbFY
Y%3D&reserved=0>
<https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B081LM97P5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o
04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1%3Chttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=ht
tps%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%7Cf7bc6269494640d1
96c308d92b2d91b4%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C63758829717626
8043%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1
haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=YzI3UwOKcMKceZO%2FtFvofJwE4WwNpUiHSV%2FdlSS
bFYY%3D&reserved=0%3E>
> 
> 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><mailto:nfb-braille-discussion at nfb
net.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><mailto:nfb-braille-discus
sion-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><mailto:nfb-braille-discussion at nfb
net.org <mailto:nfb-braille-discussion at nfbnet.org>>
> Cc: kg 6sxy (kg6sxy) <kg6sxy at gmail.com
<mailto:kg6sxy at gmail.com><mailto: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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