[nfbcs] new open source Braille translation software for the blind

Sun Oct 11 15:00:52 UTC 2009

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Robert,
The translator will be written either in portable C/C++ or Python.
Python has the advantage of being extremely fast to develop in, not to
mention being very portable. The translator would be much easier to code
using Python constructs which is not an insignifficant consideration.
The disadvantages would be the speed since it's an interpreted language,
the fact it depends on a Python interpreter to be installed, and the
fact that if I write it in Python I can't code the engine in the form of
an API which other programs can use. I can see reasons to do it using
either solution, and reasons not to do so. I'll make the final dicision
once I've decided whether or not to attempt the project and once I've
recruited a couple developers to help me.
- - --
Those of you who think they know everything are very annoying to those
of us who actually do.
Joseph C. Lininger, <jbahm at pcdesk.net>
Robert Jaquiss wrote:
> Hello Joseph:
> 
>     I am writing in response to your post. I am sure there is a need for
> the project you have in mind. There is a project known as the
> Braille-in-DAISY project that has as a goal the creation of software
> that can convert DAISY text files into braille. The project has been on
> hold for a while because the DAISY specifications needed updating. If
> memory serves me, you can learn more by going to
> http://www.daisy.org and look for the projects section. What language do
> you have in mind to write a braille translator in?
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Robert Jaquiss
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph C. Lininger" <jbahm at pcdesk.net>
> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 4:45 AM
> Subject: [nfbcs] new open source Braille translation software for the blind
> 
> 
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>> Hi all,
>> Please forgive the cross-post, but I wanted to reach the students since
>> it's the group of the NFB that I know the largest number of, as well as
>> the computer science people in hopes of eliciting a response from them.
>> I will warn you now that this message is a little long, but I'd
>> appreciate if as many of you as possible read it and provide me with
>> your feedback. Whether or not I attempt this project will be directly
>> influenced by how much feedback I get on the idea.
>>
>> I've been kicking an idea around in my head for a while and I want to
>> know if there would be a large enough group that would find it of use.
>> I'm thinking of possibly writing a completely extensable, flexable, and
>> open source Braille translation package. I know about the nfbtrans
>> software already, and it's a good peace of software, all be it a little
>> dated at this stage of the game. What I'm thinking is a translation
>> package that takes a different aproach. The major features would be as
>> follows.
>>
>> * Modular design, allowing for Braille formats to be easily supported.
>> Grade 1, grade 2, Nemith, and even foreign language Braille should not
>> require complete rewrites of the software. All that need happen for a
>> new format to be supported is for someone to write a module for it.
>> Depending on what my research reveals, I might even be able to provide a
>> generic module that allows for simple one to one print to braille
>> mappings for some of the simpler Braille codes.
>>
>> * Modular design allows for a wide variety of Braille printers to be
>> supported. At first, all that will be supported is to print a document
>> directly to the serial or parallel port, but in the future support for
>> the advanced features found on individual printers will be supported.
>>
>> * Command line interface at first, with the eventual goal of having a
>> fully featured editor with Braille translation such as that which you
>> find in commertial translation packages.
>>
>> * Software is able to be used directly, such as by a student or
>> professional wanting to translate a document into Braille, or as a back
>> end solution, being called by some other program to perform translation.
>>
>> * Licensed under the GPL or similar license. This allows people to use
>> the software, free of charge, as well as to modify it. It is insane that
>> translation software is so expensive.
>>
>> * High quality. Performance, features, etc. should be as good or better
>> than that available in the commertial products.
>>
>> So, here are my questions to you all.
>>
>> 1. Is there still a need for such software, or have devices like the
>> braille note made it something that is no longer strictly necessary?
>>
>> 2. If such software existed, would you use it personally or do you know
>> anyone who would?
>>
>> I'll look forward to hearing back from all of you!
>> - --
>> Those of you who think they know everything are very annoying to those
>> of us who actually do.
>> Joseph C. Lininger, <jbahm at pcdesk.net>
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> 
> 

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