Hi all.

I have used both braille and speech.  I currently use speech because not
only braille watches but braille displays are more expensive than speec for
PCs.  I find it difficult to imagine why peole believe that the modern
computers are to complex for speech.  I and many user of speech manage to
beat the odds every day and certainly when it comes to a long document
speech leaves braille for dead.

Having said that, I consider that braille does have a place and I would
certainly own a display if I could afford one.  To important things which
stand out in my mind which give braille its importants.  the first is
checking format, and the second is spelling.  No speech user can get
information as quickly on these 2 important issures as can a braille
reader.  This was probably behind screen powers idea of combining braille
and speech.  I know that as a windows/w95 user, I use sound events to give
me more information about my desk top and the state of applikcations, which
saves me time.

I could wish that windows or W95 had incorporated more sound events into
the program but not being able to afford braille this is the best
compromise I can come up with.  As far as braille goes it is good, but for
people with recent sight loss or those denied ann education in braille and
finally those on the southen end of the income scale, speech is more thaan
just a viable alternative.

Warm regares to all.

Mark.


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> From: Glen Nielson <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: all braille displays
> Date: Monday, 7 July 1997 23:30
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm definitely an avid braille user. The history of the
> displays I use is abit complex, but suffice it to say
> I don't really use anything more sophisticated
> than the talking calculator unless it has braille. I
> do believe speech is superior to braille for some simple
> applications--e.g. talking clocks are cheaper and
> more reliable than braille watches. I believe
> present-day computers are too complex for the
> speech medium. I believe this may change in the
> future. As computer technology becomes more
> pervasive in our environment, the devices will
> become more specialized to particular uses--e.g.
> web TV is generally less fleixble than a desktop
> computer. Web TV may be a bad example because it's
> so unusable. However, more user friendly
> specialized devices will probably exist, and they
> will probably work better with speech.
>
> I agree with the reasons other have given for
> the relative popularity of speech. I would add
> one additional reason: incompitent sighted
> professionals.
>
> Glen