[NFB-Braille-Discussion] Slate and Stylus

Wed Jun 9 16:36:55 UTC 2021

I have never had any TSA agent question my stylus going through airport
security -ever!. TSA agents have found my folding scissors that folded up
into a circle. Don't know how they recognized that one. But I always have a
slate and a couple of styluses in my carry on backpack.
Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: NFB-Braille-Discussion <nfb-braille-discussion-bounces at nfbnet.org> On
Behalf Of Steve Jacobson via NFB-Braille-Discussion
Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 3:23 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

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_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>

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>

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-bou
nces 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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