              Computer Training & Sales/Disability Consulting

464 Sylvania Avenue                                    phone (215) 572-5882
Glenside, PA  19038-3629                                 fax (215) 572-6045

                            September 20, 1997


                            OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

     Once again it is time for that informal document I call a newsletter. 
It is fall, a time when adaptive technology fans anticipate the Closing the
Gap conference with its unveiling of the latest company offerings.  We will
do our best to bring you previews of what you might see if you attended that
august (I did say it is fall) gathering.  We will also endeavor to bring you
various tidbits that you may find interesting.  There is much to cover so
let's get started with those updates.


     AI SQUARED

     You will recall that the February issue of this technological melange
carried an in depth report on the forthcoming upgrades to ZoomText.

     ZoomText Extra was released and started shipping on the 8th of
September.  Level 1, which is magnification only, sells for $398.  Level 2,
which includes a screen reader, sells for $595.00.  If you see the word
"Plus" after the Level number it means that the DOS version is included. 
Level 1 plus sells for $595, and Level 2 Plus sells for $795.  

     The company is working on a version for Windows NT which will be the
next release, after which level 3 including scanning options will be
released.

     Ben Weiss, company president, advises that the company has just released
a newsletter to all of its registered users.  In addition, it has printed a
catalog which pulls all of the product information together.


     ARKENSTONE

     Arkenstone advises that it will soon be coming out with an upgrade to
OpenBook 3.0 which will include faster scanning and incorporate a find
feature.  That upgrade will continue to support Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. 

     The company is also coming out with a simplified version of the OpenBook
program--not named as of the time of this writing--that will utilize a
modified keyboard with fewer and larger keys with an improved layout for
persons with motor difficulties.  

     The first significant upgrade to Atlas since the product has been
released can be expected in October.  It will include automatic route finding
and a number of other things that users have requested.  Upgrade cost is
likely to be around $40.00.

     The Arkenclone computers, discussed in depth in my last newsletter, now
use a 16x CDrom drive.  The price remains at $1595.00 for this 166mhz pentium
computer.  
 .   
     The price of scanners has come down.  There are now three options
available:  

     1.  While supplies last, a refurbished HP 3p with optional automatic
document feeder (ADF)-lowest cost at $150 for the scanner, $150 for the ADF
($99 if purchased with Open Book software).  

     2.  HP 4p with optional ADF - $399 when purchased with Open Book, $465
if purchased without Open Book, and $849 if bundled with the automatic
document feeder.  The 4p has a larger scanning surface which scans legal size
documents, larger books and has the document feeder option.  

     3.  HP 5p - available for $365, has a smaller footprint than the 4p and
is less expensive.

     In my last newsletter, that last repository of technological
information, you will remember reading about the Arkenstone financing
program.  It has been such a success that the funds have been depleted. 
Therefore, the program is on hold until further notice.


     ARTIC TECHNOLOGIES

     Although it did not begin shipping when projected, the new Advest for
the Artic 210 and 215 synthesizers has been shipping for over a month. 
Advest for the P27 should be available by the Closing the Gap conference.

     Artic has been shipping WinVision 97 and is scheduled to shortly release
an upgrade which, among other improvements, will include support for software
speech synthesizers.  It also includes new, powerful internet features
including the ability to search for text strings.  The upgrade will be free.

     The softkey version of copy protection referred to in my last newsletter
is still under development.

     The company has a new web site which you can reach at www.artictech.com. 
There you can get information about products, product demos, and shortly a
wave file which you can download from the site and play on your computer.
 

     GW MICRO

     The cost of Window-eyes has gone up by $100 to $595.00, as of August
first.  If you own Vocal-Eyes and want Window-Eyes, or Window-Eyes and want
Vocal-Eyes you will receive $100.00 of the cost of the purchase.

     The upgrade to Window-Eyes 2.0, which is Window-Eyes 3.1, will be coming
out at the end of September or early October.  It will be free to users of
2.0 or cost $75 for those who have not upgraded from Window-Eyes 1.0.  

     Among its features is support for active accessibility which means that
it will support MS Office 97.  Tests indicate that it will work well with
Windows 98.  It will let you use the system tray, it has improved tool tip
support, and the ability to switch synthesizers on the fly.

     There is work being done on software synthesizers but they will probably
not be done for version 2.1.  The company believes that it will work with
pulse data's software synthesizer since it looks like the Pulse Data voice
card.


     HENTER-JOYCE

     It is really shipping.  That's right, your humble author has just
received his copy of Jaws for Windows 3.0.  

     A list of features listed on the JFW 3.0 Features Presentation Tape
include: it is now a true 32 bit application which assures faster response
and support for software speech synthesizers; support for active
accessibility is included; one can now run the DOS window without the need to
buy a separate DOS screen reader; there is a keyboard manager which will show
all the relevant keys in an application with a description of those keys;
there is a keyboard help mode in which when you press a key it tells you
about the key instead of implementing that key stroke; a dictionary manager
that enables one to quickly and easily change the way words are spoken; a
frame manager which enables you to set speaking or silent areas on the
screen; and a script manager which is a replacement for the macro language;
the ability to switch speech synthesizers "on the fly"; and support for many
of the popular Braille displays.

     As mentioned above, the new JFW 3.0 supports software synthesizers.  The
first synthesizer that will be shipped by Henter Joyce is the DECtalk Access
32 Software.  The current plan is to sell it with the purchase of JFW
upgrades and new copies of JFW for $150 plus shipping and handling.  It will
cost $200 if you order it later as a separate item for use with a specific
JFW serial number.  This low price is made possible through and OEM licensing
agreement with Digital Equipment Corporation.  All currently registered JFW
users who want it will have some time to purchase it at the $150 price.  The
company hopes to have support for other software synthesizers available by
mid October. 

     A loud hurray from us Braille users!  The company will now ship a
Braille JFW 3.0 quick reference guide, at no extra cost,  with each order.

     Finally,  Jaws for Windows NT will begin shipping in early October.  It
will, of course, support the DECTalk software synthesizer.  Look for more
news about it in my next issue.


     MAGNISIGHT

     Magnisight has totally redesigned its mini system with first shipments
expected by the end of October.  The system is so new that it has not
officially been named.  New features include the focus control being on top
of the camera where it is easier to adjust, an infinity focus of one inch to
infinity so that one can look across the room for materials; on a 20 inch
monitor it has one to fifty times magnification with less on smaller screens. 
The brightness and contrast controls and an RF adapter are on the control box
which makes it easier for persons to plug it into the TV set.  

     Complete with carrying case, battery pack and 7 inch monitor, the cost
is $995.00, down from $1200.00.  Under development are table stands for
persons to mount the camera if they wish to do so.

 
     MICROTALK


     Microtalk has just released version 1.33 of ASAW that supports software
speech synthesizers, and a version of ASAP that lets you use them from DOS.
 
     Larry advises that he expects a version of ASAW to support active
Accessibility within the next several months.  The company is working on
Windows 98 and Windows NT versions.  Upgrades are free to any user and can 
be obtained from the Wed Site at http://www.screenaccess.com.


     RAISED DOT COMPUTING

     Within a week or so the company will be releasing its Nemmeth Translator
program as an add on to megadots.  This program makes it easy for someone who
doesn't know much about Nemmeth code to produce mathematics in Braille. 
There are a lot of short cuts for data entry.  To use it you will need to
have the add on installed and to be in the Nemmeth style sheet.

     Also, to be upgraded soon is the Beginner Braille which is a tool for
helping a student who is in the process of learning Braille.  You can use a
menu to select which contractions to use.  New in the update is a Braille
teaching program called Braille 2, which is a teaching tool for middle and
upper school students.  The course was developed by two itinerant teachers at
the Grantwood Education Agency in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  This upgrade also
fixes some previous bugs.

     Megadots 2.0 will probably be released within the next quarter.  It will
most likely incorporate a demo of the Nemmeth Translator.  In addition it
will let one use a new add on called the Braille Interliner which lets you
run a sheet of paper through an ink jet printer then through a Braille
printer in order to make Braille and print evenly lined up on the same page. 
Also, TinyTalk will be available as an add on for version 2.0 since the
company is getting calls from people who have windows screen readers but no
screen readers for DOS.  Finally, the icon installer has been improved.  No, the company is not ignoring a Windows version, it is in their long range
plans.


     SIGHTED ELECTRONICS

     The Index Basic S and Basic D has a new upgrade which makes them run
quieter.  The acoustic cabinet has also been improved to allow for more noise
reduction.  

     Also, new from Index is the 4x4 Braille printer that produces interpoint
Braille on 11x17 inch paper, collates, and creases the pages.  If you, loyal
reader, are too embarrassed to ask why one would want to print on paper that
size, fear not.  Your previously uninformed but assertive correspondent asked
the question for you.  I can now tell you that it is for magazines, and small
books.  When the paper is folded it produces two 8-1/2 by 11 pages.  It is
reported to produce 300 pages per hour.

     A price decrease will be in effect for all Papenmeier products as of
October 15, 1997.  In fact it will apply to orders placed after October 1st,
since they won't be filled before the 15th.  The discount is expected to be
between 10 and 15 percent.  

     So Ted, queried an eager reader, what is the Impacto.  Well, ok, no one
really asked, but they would have had they known that there was such a thing
as the Impacto.  Fear not, diligent pursuer of knowledge, the time for
enlightenment has arrived.  The Impacto is a Braille printer capable of
producing 600 pages of Braille an hour.  This heavy industrial type Braille
printer sells for $37,000 which includes, delivery, installation and on site
service for one year.  Although you might not want one in your bedroom, if
you want to see one I understand that the National Braille and Technology
Center just had one installed.
 

     DUXBURY SYSTEMS

          For this version of the newsletter I spoke with Neal Kuniansky,
from the company who provided a great deal of information in  such a well
delivered manner that I have decided to run the interview in its entirety. 
Here it is:

     Neal, "This is perfect timing because we are getting ready to come out
with some very exciting things.

     Your humble correspondent, "Good tell me about them and let me write
about them.

     Neal,  "The next version of Duxbury will be DBT Version 10.2, should be
shipping at the end of the month.  It has three huge major new things.

     "The first, and probably the most exciting is that it has built-in
Nemmith translation facilities.  Also, it will have a Braille graphic
Importer, and direct importation of Microsoft Word files."

     Correspondent, "Ok, let's talk about the braille graphic importer.  Tell
me a little bit about how I can describe that to people."  

     Neal,  "Ok the Braille graphic importer is for bringing a Braille
graphic into your Duxbury document.  For example, if you were talking about
a cathedral, and you had done a Braille graphic of the cathedral, you can
bring it right into your document and Duxbury imports it and saves it right
in the Duxbury file.  So when you Braille it and you're talking about the
cathedral, there is the cathedral Braille graphic.  If you electronically
mail that document to someone else, and they go to emboss it they will get
the same thing."  

     Correspondent,  "Now, where does one get the Braille graphic?"

     Neal,  "Well, there are a number of programs for creating Braille
graphics.  Basically, we import the images from them.  Everything from VP
Graphics from Telesensory, ET Graphics from Enabling, the tag programs from
Reprotronics, etc.  There are a number of Braille graphic programs."


     Correspondent,  "Now what about the Microsoft Word Importer?"

     Neal,  "The translation is just direct importation.  Even now you can
cut and paste from the MS Word document: Ctrl-A to highlight the whole
document in Word, Ctrl-C to copy it, Alt-Tab to the Duxbury document, Ctrl-V
to paste it, Ctrl-T to translate it and Ctrl-E to emboss it.  Under the new
system you will simply open your file, choose a word document and it will
bring it in and translate it."

     Correspondent,  "Ok, do you have anything else to tell me?"

     Neal,  "Yes, the Nemith translation which is built into it.  So it has
full Nemmith context, so that the newest rules that change some of your
literary formatting are taken into consideration.  It will do anything from
arithmetic to the most complex scientific technological Braille you want to
produce.  All of this is included for free, no extra cost for it."

     Correspondent,  "When is this scheduled for release?  What version will
it be, and what will be the pricing on it?"

     Neal,  "It should be released at the end of the month or very early
October.  It will be DBT Version 10.2.  There will be a DOS version, a
Windows version, and the MAC version.  The cost for an upgrade if your DBT is
less than a year old will be $0.00, if its older than a year and you are
staying on the same platform it will vary from $175.00 to $195.00, and the
cost for a new version is; DOS $550.00, Windows $595.00, and the MacIntosh
$645.00.  We also have the dual package which is the complete windows and
complete DOS package for $850.00."

     "Now, we also have another big announcement which is that we are going
to begin shipping the Nemmith Production package, which is a separate piece
of software.  It is a compilation of many different things.  It includes DBT
for Windows.  It is just for Windows 95 and Windows NT.  The cost of that is
$900.00, and it includes all the facilities as developed at Perdu University
in their visions lab, and evolved with us, an equation editor, etc.  The big
advantage of this system is that it will let you see your math on screen as
math.  In other words a sighted person can see the equation on the screen,
look at it in the book, and say that equation is the same as this equation
and know it's good.  It makes it very easy and has been extremely popular at
universities as it allows you to utilize students to do the input.  It
includes a guide book and work book on Nemmith production that is almost
worth the whole cost just for that book."  

     Correspondent,  "Now that book would be for sighted persons who are
translating?"

     Neal,  "Yes, in using the translation package.  It has a lot on
introducing the concepts of Nemmith itself, and pointing out variations
between Nemmith and literary.  It also includes exercises.  This workbook
evolved out of the last two years at Perdu with all the lessons learned from
training staff to work on the system.  This was really born out of use.  It
has been done in a way that is user friendly, just really well done."

     "DBT always includes the complete user guide in Braille and electronic
format.  The Windows products support Windows 3.1, 95 and NT.  It also
includes Grade II English, French and Spanish Braille translation, Grade I
translation in numerous other languages, and computer Braille."


     MY ONLY COMMERCIAL

     DON'T FORGET! Young Opportunities carries all of the above products at
below market prices and provides excellent technical support.  Visa, Master
Card and American Express orders are accepted.


     SOME THOUGHTS ON EUDORA AND E-MAIL

     I can remember when I started exploring bulletin boards, joining
conferences or message areas and reading from message to message.  It was all
on line, my phone was tied up, the household was unhappy.  Then came the QWK
packets which you could down load, put into a mail reader and read and
respond to off-line.  Things were looking up.

     When I first got my shell account on the internet I found that I could
read my messages in a mail reader called Pine, but I was back to that on line
stuff, and, yes, once again the household became unhappy.  Searching for a
way around this problem I discovered UQWK which worked like the old QWK
packages, and peace returned to the household until my provider didn't carry
UQWK any more.  Back to Pine, back to on-line.  Back to unhappy campers in
the household.

     Moving to Windows solved the problem since the mail readers I use and/or
used were capable of down loading the messages and letting me respond to them
off-line.  

     I have worked with two such mail readers, Internet mail, and Eudora. 
Internet Mail by microsoft is more speech friendly when reading messages, and
in the menu areas, although I have had difficulty getting screen readers to
work well when replying.  By "friendly" in the menu section I mean that the
headings are clear and they are easy to navigate.

     I now use Eudora although I do not believe that it is as speech friendly
in many ways, it is much more powerful.  It does read messages well, and it
does make responding to messages easy, but the menus are not clear and easy
to interpret.  The address book is very unfriendly if you want to enter an e-
mail address from scratch, although you can lift an e-mail address off the
message you are reading and put it into the address book with one keystroke. 
You can also lift an address from the address book and put it into the "TO:"
field of the message you are writing with a key stroke to get to the address
book, cursoring down to the name you want and pressing enter.  You will,
however, need guidance in putting the first few addresses into the book until
you get used to it.

     Other features that Eudora has that makes it my e-mail program of
preference are:  It is relatively easy to e-mail a group of persons; you can
spell check your messages; you can have the program sort messages from
various sources and put them into separate mail boxes that you can read in
the order you prefer.  You can also have Eudora sort messages assigning
priority to the sorting; you can set up a signature that is put on each out
going message; and many other features.

     Knowing that some of my readers are not yet on the internet, let me tell
you about list serves.  These are topic areas that receive e-mail from
persons with questions, answers or comments on the topic and send those e-
mail messages out to any one who wants to subscribe to the list.  There are
listserves on a huge number of topics and the volume of e-mail can be
intense.  There are also moderated and unmoderated listserves.  In the
moderated listserve the person running the list decides what will be
permitted to become part of the e-mail you get.  In the unmoderated list
serve the mail just comes into the site and is sent out to the subscribers. 
Either way, if you get on an active list you can get scads of e-mail, in
which case you will be glad for the sorting or filtering functions of Eudora.


     CLOSING TIME   

     Time, cost and postage tell me that it is time to end this newsletter. 
Address any comments to me at the address on the front page or contact me by
e-mail at Youngopp@voicenet.com.  Also, visit my home page at: 
http://www.voicenet.com/~youngopp.


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