Please look at www.touchthearts.org/fashion.htm and let me know if the men
and women web links are speech friendly. This is a project we are working
on and need feedback. Send response to [log in to unmask]
Thanks
-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Pierce <[log in to unmask]>
To: Date: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 10:41 AM
Subject: computer user network news #18
> The following is the eighteenth newsletter of Digit-Eyes:
>the Chicago Blind computer Users' Network. The initiative is
>built on the principles of self-development, mutual aid,
>cooperative learning and peer mentoring. For back issues and to
>learn more about us, check out our home page at
>http://homepage.interaccess.com/~b_b
>to join us online, subscribe to the visually Impaired computer
>User group List at [log in to unmask] In the body
>of the message, simply type "subscribe vicug-l" without the
>quotations.
>
>Kelly
>
> COMPUTER USERS NETWORK NEWS
>
> Adaptive Technology
> for the Blind and Visually-Impaired
>
>
> Vol. IV, no. 2 Spring, 1998
>
>
> Published quarterly by
> Digit-Eyes
> Blind Service Association
> 22 West Monroe Street
> Chicago, Illinois 60603
> voice-mail: 312-458-9006
>
> Copyright 1998
>
> Editor: Cindy Brown
>
> Project Coordinator: David Porter
>
> MISSION STATEMENT
> Our mission is to provide a vehicle for our consumers to
>share information with each other. This is accomplished by
>stimulating the pro-active involvement of our readers.
> CONTENTS
>
>TITLE PAGE
>
>SUBSCRIPTION/MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION .................. 3
>CHECK US OUT ......................................... 3
>
>WHAT CAN I SAY . . . ?
> by Cindy Brown .................................. 3
>
>COGNOSCENTAE NEWS .................................... 3
>
>DIGIT-EYES: ANNUAL REPORT
> by David Porter ................................. 4
>
>WINDOWS 95 EXPLAINED by Sarah Morley
> reviewed by Cindy Brown ........................ 9
>
>TEAMWORK ............................................. 10
>
>JUSTIFICATION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
> contributed by Steve Zielinsky .................. 12
>
>THE CHIP by T.R. Reid
> reviewed by Nate Branson ........................ 13
>
>VIRUSES CAN BE FUN!
> contributed by Steve Zielinsky .................. 14
>
>FYI .................................................. 17
>
>DATES TO REMEMBER! ................................... 17
>
> SUBSCRIPTION/MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
>
> A subscription for the Computer Users Network News is
>included in the Digit-Eyes annual membership donation of fifteen
>dollars or more. The newsletter is available on cassette tape or
>in print. It is also accessible on-line. Each annual membership
>entitles you to all issues for that particular calendar year.
> To begin or renew your membership in our network, please
>send your contribution along with your name and address to Blind
>Service Association, indicating your intention to join Digit-
>Eyes, and specifying in which of the above formats you wish to
>receive your newsletters.
> --------
> CHECK US OUT
>
> You can check us out on the web page made available to us
>through Vipace. You'll find current and back issues of this
>newsletter. That's at
>http://www.city-net.com/vipace/friends/chicago.
>
> You can also check out our upcoming events by listening to
>the message on our voice-mail line: 312-458-9006.
> ----------------
> WHAT CAN I SAY?
> by Cindy Brown
>
> Yeah--I know--this issue is w-a-y overdue! It has not been
>for lack of trying. But again we have had problems with this
>wonderful apparatus which we pay homage to in our newsletter.
>Oh, well--each problem brings new opportunities for learning.
>So--one thing I've learned is that Windows 95 won't run with a
>DOS version less than 7.0. And the second thing I've learned is
>that I should not use a boot disk for DOS 6.2.
>
> We also want to apologize for the blank space in the middle
>of the last taped version. Those involved with the taping will
>do their best to avoid such occurrences in the future.
> --------
> COGNOSCENTAE NEWS
> by CindyBrown
>
> At the May 13 meeting of the Cognoscentae, the following
>decisions were made:
>
> The annual membership directory will be reinstituted, with
>Anna Byrne in charge of the project.
>
> The voice-mail announcement will be updated every 2 weeks,
>and will include information for the next 4 weeks.
>
> A committee is studying the possibility of developing a
>library of technology-related materials, available to Digit-Eyes
>members only.
>
> The newsletter will reduce the number of issues from six to
>four per year. Thus there will be only two more issues for
>1998. --------
> DIGIT-EYES: THE CHICAGO COMPUTER USERS NETWORK
> 1997 ANNUAL REPORT
> by David Porter
>
> I have been the project coordinator of Digit-Eyes, the
>Chicago blind computer users network, for three exhilarating,
>challenging, engaging, and sometimes frustrating years. I have
>seen initiatives kick in and faze out. I have seen many people
>sift through our bevy of projects and come out more confident,
>purposeful, sometimes confused, and perhaps more focused. It has
>been an enlightening, intriguing, and exciting experience. A
>look at the past year's happenings will best tell our story.
>
> Over the past year, 186 of us engaged in a blizzard of
>network projects. We held 12 general seminars. They continue to
>occur on the First Saturday of each month. In January we
>conducted an Opening Windows-95 overview and training session.
>In February we held a Computers from the Beginning seminar which
>included
>installation of programs, what various components are, look like,
>feel like, and do. In March we had a Lynx based online seminar.
>April saw an adaptive low vision equipment technique show&tell.
>In May we took our first stab at audio on the Internet. It
>included a Posse computer-repair workshop, and a peer training
>Windows presentation. In June we conducted an Internet Web tour
>using Commo, a site show&tell and a peer training strategy
>workshop. In July we had a Computers-for-Kids day--Pathways to
>Careers: High School Internet as a Tool. August saw an advocacy
>presentation called Adaptive Technology and the Rehabilitation
>System. In September we held an intensive advocacy seminar--What
>Do You Want? What Do You Need to Know About Manipulating
>Information About Adaptive Technology? and a Note-Taking and
>Personal Information Coordination Organization chautauqua. In
>October we had a JFW W95 access to windows seminar. We also made
>two off-site presentations at the Discovery97 Low Vision
>Conference--Casting the Net (about getting on the Internet) and
>Opening Windows Using W95 with Speech and Low Vision Aids. Our
>November event was a discussion of products and observation about
>the Closing the Gap conference and a scanning and Braille-output
>training seminar. We wound up the year with our December end-of-
>the-year open house.
>
> Our seminars included guest speakers from the fields of
>rehabilitation, adaptive technology, employment, and high school
>administration.
>
> In this last year our teams were busy.
>
> The All-Write team, under the able guidance of editor Cindy
>Brown, wrote, produced, duplicated, and distributed 6
>newsletters. That makes a total of 16--all the articles
>submitted by network members.
>
> Our Posse computer repair team, led by David mcClain,
>procured, refurbished, and circulated eleven computers (seven
>less than last year), five printers (one more than last year),
>and numerous miscellaneous computer parts to network members or
>other people who needed them for work or school.
>
> Our Preview Crew coordinated our beta-testing program try-
>outs on various adaptive software and hardware.
>
> Our Membership team, led by Tom Jones and Carlos Hranicka,
>set up and managed a phone tree and network information
>distribution initiative to keep us all on top of what's happening
>and when.
> Once again I had the honor of guiding our peer training team
>through nine training seminars and five college lab tune-ups. The
>Computers for Dummies miniseminar series has introduced a new
>tier of users to the wiorld of adaptive technology. I assisted
>eight people with full-time job placements and eleven job
>expansions (using adaptive technology enhancements to achieve job
>promotions), and eight job retentions using advocacy and adaptive
>technology to retain jobs.
>
> Our Lynx Squad online team, ably coordinated by Steve
>Zielinski, has established a commendable presence on the
>Internet. Steve assisted scads of members in getting connected
>to Internet Local bbs's, etc., and working with our advocacy
>coordinator, Kelly Pierce, expanded the local conduit for the
>emerging Internet linking to other forming networks around the
>world.
>
> Over the past year our Cognoscentae, the network governing
>board, met every second Wednesday of the month. Here is where we
>made all the decisions that Digit-Eyes followed through the
>course of the year. In 1997, under the excellent leadership of
>Dan Neuwelt, We drew on each other's strengths, experiences, and
>insights to further shape the network's progress, operations,
>programs, and policies. we gave the network a new name
>(Digit-Eyes), and established a voice-mail calendar-of-events
>line. We chose Larry Bickhem to facilitate us in 1998. Our
>minutes are now posted on the Internet and are included in the
>newsletter mailings.
>
> The network has seventy-eight paying members and four
>honorary members.
>
> We now produce seminar tapes (available to members only),
>provide a speakers bureau for conferences and other gatherings,
>and set up other area satellite networks. We have started a
>vibrant senior team for our senior citizen members headed by
>Doris Berry.
>
> Our Advocacy team, energetically headed by Kelly Pierce, has
>worked with the Chicago Tribune to make its Website text
>accessible. Now the full text of the print edition is available
>to us online.
>
> We have played a role in making a major state university
>accessible, expanding computer information and access for all
>students there. We assisted in shaping policies for accessible
>textbooks and course materials in alternative formats, and
>assisted network members there in gaining networked computer
>screen
>magnification on the entire network and speech on one third of
>the labs on the university campus.
>
> Finally, the Cognoscentae is currently working up a complete
>set of by-laws to serve as a template for other network
>initiatives.
>
> By tapping in to each other's strengths we are continually
>measuring information prudently and making exciting decisions.
>We are using the networking infrastructure to convert threatening
>problems into challenging opportunities.
>
>We are assisting our public library to coordinate its programs to
>our benefit, planning a research and information library summit,
>and opening a library of our own, lending technology-related
>materials, recycled speech and low-vision devices, software,
>hardware, and tools to our members.
>
> So what about this next year?
>
> Last year in this report I put eight challenges on the
>board.
>
> 1. Do what ever we can to convert our image as grateful
>consumers of services to resourceful providers of services for
>ourselves.
>
> well, we now have our Advocacy team chief on the Techwatch
>committee of the National Council on Disability, a federal
>disability policy planning body. We have produced Brailled
>information for the Chicago Public Library information service
>and several local banks.
>
> 2. Change our relationship with other service providers
>from their willing subjects to able peers.
>
> We now have a speakers bureau that goes out and touts the
>network's doings. We expect to see that expanded greatly this
>next year. Experience plus mastery of techniques divided by
>focused energy = expertise.
>
> 3. Get more directly involved in the development of
>research standardization and marketing of adaptive technology
>products and services.
>
> Any adaptive technology artifact can be effective if it can
>be efficiently operated by an end-user. The network model
>provides the best stable of end-users I know. We are about to
>unveil our own help desk for members--another product of the
>Cognoscentae.
>
> 4. Become involved in developing training curricula for
>hardware and software use by blind end-users.
> If I really want to learn something, I seek out people who
>are doing it. Those who can do can teach by example. So we are
>now unveiling our virtual vision seminar series--intensive
>seminars targeted not only towards consumers but also employers,
>teachers, and service providers.
>
> 5. Pool our resources with other worldwide network
>initiatives. There is power in numbers, strength in a
>concentrated sense of purpose, and wisdom in divergent
>experiences. A goal is a dream with a deadline. We are now
>working to promote the actualization process to assist other
>groups in organizing and carrying out their goals.
>
> 6. Tap into the individual talents of network members to
>provide opportunities for each other. From idea to
>actualization, expert witnesses, adaptive technology consultants,
>small business administrators,newsletter to magazine, Lynx Squad
>to web-page, phone tree to conference, and peer training to
>school and
>job-support venue. We have it within us and we have the tools to
>bring it out in each other.
>
> 7. Expand the network to embrace senior citizens, kids,
>parents, teachers, and anybody else who feels lost in a computer
>quagmire.
>
> We have a vibrant senior team in place now and are
>establishing an after-school kids team. We've been there, done
>that, got there by trial and error, and wished we had a resource
>like this one to get us started. Lucky for them--they do. If we
>play our cards right, it's win for them, win for us.
>
> 8. Expand the concepts in the adaptive technology arena to
>embrace other facets of the rigors of our daily lives.
>
> We have seen that the idea is catching on and we continue to
>see new people in many different places mirroring what we're
>doing --skill building, job placement, political advocacy, etc.
>Digit-Eyes is not about numbers but about end product and about
>things coming together and working out right over the long haul.
>We are continually breaking new ground. It's about determined
>people working hard, being persistent, and reaping satisfying
>results. It's about choosing battles wisely and carefully and
>fighting them strategically and rigorously. It's also about
>people adopting and maintaining convictions and sticking to them.
>Through 32 seminars, 16 newsletters, and 24 Cognoscentae
>meetings, we have kept this baby afloat.
>
> We need an intensive web initiative next year. We will need
>to get more people on line to nurture our ongoing projects and
>the projects proposed here. And one more project--in order to
>expand our income we plan to offer Braille output.
>
> Over the next year, a trove of new technologies will be cast
>upon us. The Internet will become an audio- as well as video-
>text-driven resource channel. Windows 98 Nt and a myriad of
>other operating platforms will further cloud, crowd, and confuse
>the marketplace.
>
> Furthermore, takeovers, mergers, bankruptcies, greed, and
>mismanagement will continue to obliterate the adaptive technology
>landscape and seep into the entire retinue of agencies and
>service providers for the blind. Changes in funding, structures,
>policies, and politics, will diffuse and demoralize social
>service delivery systems into chaos.
>
> By continuing to do what we've been doing for the past 3
>years we will continue to impact this frenzy. And the more we as
>individuals put into it, the more we will get out of it.
>
> As coordinator I will provide as many opportunities for
>people to do things as I possibly can; and with the help of the
>whole network we'll get the job done.
>
> (Dave Porter is president of Comp-Unique, an adaptive
>technology development and consulting firm. He is coordinator of
>Digit-Eyes.)
> --------
> A BOOK REVIEW:
> WINDOWS 95 EXPLAINED
> A GUIDE FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY-IMPAIRED USERS
> by Sarah Morley
> (produced and published by
> Royal National Institute for the Blind
> Peterborough, 1997
> distributed in the U.S.A. by
> National Braille Press
> 88 St. Stephen Street
> Boston, MA 02115
> tel: 617-266-6160
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Available in Braille (3 volumes, 270 pages),
> on disk or tape--$13.00.
>
> Reviewed by Cindy Brown
>
> I don't know about you, but I find accessing Windows 95 by
>speech a struggle. Yes--I found the Henter-Joyce taped tutorial
>(JFW 3.0)very helpful in getting started, but I could only get so
>far with it before looking for additional resources. Maybe I
>tried to make too great a leap from DOS directly to Windows 95,
>skipping over other versions of Windows. Nonetheless, spurred on
>by the changing computer environment at my job in the mental
>health field, I did it--and here I am--feeling, at times, like a
>lost lamb.
>
> But I have been very excited to find Morley's windows 95
>explained and the companion (in Braille only) windows 95
>explained: tactile diagrams ($10.00).
>
> This book is written in plain English including detailed
>descriptions to help those of us who cannot see the layout of the
>screen. Then the companion book (well worth the extra ten bucks)
>gives tactile representations of the various configurations which
>appear on the screen. Morley's narrative includes much
>repetition which I found very helpful in understanding, and also
>in developing a sense of familiarity with the subject.
>
> In the Introduction, the author indicates that the book is
>not meant to be a how-to manual, but its primary purpose is "to
>provide you with a firm understanding of the basics of Windows
>95,
>following a logical progression of topics." Nonetheless, how-to
>instructions are included.
>
> We learn in the first few pages that the reason access
>technology programs have such difficulty reading the screen is
>that, the shift from ASCII (pronounced, askey) to GUI (pronounced
>gooey) means a shift from characters with finite coded values to
>tiny color-coded dots called "pixels." She explains that the
>screen is a grid of 480 by 640 pixels, and that the color
>groupings are what determine how images are displayed. Those of
>us who cannot see the screen depend on verbalizations to prompt
>appropriate responses; but interpreting the non-numeric codes is
>understandably more complicated.
>
> But she lists "three main reasons for working in the Windows
>environment:
>
> "1) To reduce memory load and make working easier,
> "2) To run multiple applications at the same time, and share
>information between them,
> "3) To use standardised applications."
>
> She even suggests (perhaps with tongue in cheek) that
>keyboard users have an advantage over mouse users
>because "... in well developed applications many ... icons
>represent the most common commands such as New, Save, Open, and
>Print which generally have keyboard hotkeys ..., and keyboard
>users don't even have to waste time taking their hands off the
>keyboard!" This may be true for the really advanced keyboard
>user, but my own experience tells me (and I have heard it voiced
>by others) that memorizing the seemingly endless number of
>keystroke combinations takes much practice, and may require
>frequent referring to
>reference cards.
>
> However, whether we can accept her positive observations as
>absolute truth, Windows 95 does seem to be taking over the
>workplace, and it probably behooves us to attempt to keep pace.
>Morley's book makes this easier to do. She not only details the
>layout of the screen (including menu bars, toolbars, cascading
>windows, status bars, icons, etc., but she describes the
>functions of the above, as well as of radio buttons,
>checklists,sliders, spinners, and many more features. The
>Braille reader of her book is likely to need to take time to
>adjust to the British version of Computer Braille, but in most
>cases it is not too difficult to figure out.
>
> The book includes a glossary, a list of keyboard commands,
>and a reference to Resources.
>
> (Cindy Brown is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the
>Community Counseling Centers of Chicago and has a small private
>practice.)
> --------
> TEAMWORK
> by Cindy Brown
> with updates by Nate Branson
>
> The Computer Network is made up of teams. The word network,
>for most of us, connotes a system of interactive parts.
>Interaction among peers is meant to be the fuel that keeps this
>network alive. The teams are the parts of the Network which
>address specific tasks. Become involved by joining one of the
>teams described below. To express interest, leave your name,
>phone number, and the name of the person you wish to contact on
>our voice-mail line: 312-458-9006.
>
> Outreach. "You-all come!" is the motto of this team. Its
>job is to spread the word to youth and adults in the community-
>at-large about our activities--Jim Ferneborg, chairperson.
>
> Membership. Welcoming, orienting, and hooking in new members
>is this team's raison d'etre.--Tom Jones, Chairperson.
>
> Tom and his committee are continuing to develop a membership
>survey.
>
> Preview Crew. "What's new?" That's what these computer
>veterans are asking, as they are eager to beta-test new
>technology products.--Dan TeVelde, chairperson.
>
> Lynx Squad. It seems the whole world is talking about the
>Internet, the World Wide Web, and e-mail. To join in, sign up
>with this team. Reasonable word processing and typing skills are
>helpful. Meetings are held the second Thursday evening of each
>month.--Steve Zielinsky, chairperson.
>
> Steve informs us that Ripco, a text-based ISP, offers a
>trial membership free for three months with up to two hours of
>Internet access a day. After that, one hour is free daily. The
>trial period includes an e-mail account and access to US Net.
>Full membership includes such services as TelNet, FTP, IRC, and
>Lynx.
> Peer Training. "Each one teach one." Planning and executing
>monthly seminars for novices and the advanced is the focus of
>this team. Ideas for events as well as volunteers to help are
>welcome. --Dave Porter, chairperson.
>
> Larry Bickhem reports that in the February meeting of
>Computers for Dummies, Dave Porter dissembled a computer,
>explaining the different parts. The topic for the March meeting
>was Setting Up Documents.
>
> All-Write! "All I know is what I read in the newsletter."
>We think this is a cop-out! We hope you will add what you know
>to the pages of future newsletters by contributing technology-
>related articles.
>
> Between now and the upcoming newsletter, we will be
>changing editors. Our new editor will be Steve Zielinsky. I
>enjoyed being your editor for the past three and a half years and
>I am grateful for all those who have supported me with articles,
>technical assistance, and suggestions for improvements.
>
> Steve is approaching his new post as editor with energy and
>creativity, and I hope you will join me in supporting him
>enthusiastically.
>
> Submit articles to Steve Zielinsky at [log in to unmask]
>(preferably as a file attachment), or on audio cassette to the
>will-call drawer on the eleventh floor at Blind Service
>Association, 22 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603. Articles
>should not exceed about 1100 words or 7500 print character
>spaces. The deadline for the next issue is Wednesday, July 15,
>1998 at noon. The Newsletter cannot come out on time unless you
>get your articles in.
>
> Then, that evening at 5:30 we will have our meeting of the
>All-Write team. We hope you'll join us if you have ideas for the
>newsletter and/or talents to lend us.--Cindy Brown, Editor.
> --------
>Justification for Higher Education...
> submitted by Steve Zielinsky
>
> In answer to the eternal question "Is it better to be a jock
>or a nerd?":
>
> Michael Jordan will make over $300,000 a game: $10,000 a
>minute, assuming he averages about 30 minutes per game.
>
> Assuming $40 million in endorsements next year, he'll be
>making $178,100 a day (working or not)!
>
> Assuming he sleeps 7 hours a night, he makes $52,000 every
>night while visions of sugarplums dance in his head.
>
> If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $7.00, but he'll
>make $18,550 while he's there.
>
> If he decides to have a 5 minute egg, he'll make $618
>while boiling it.
>
> He makes $7,415/hr more than minimum wage
>(after the wage hike).
>
> He'll make $3,710 while watching each episode of Friends.
>
> If he wanted to save up for a new Acura NSX ($90,000) it
>would take him a whole 12 hours.
>
> If someone were to hand him his salary and endorsement
>money, they would have to do it at the rate of $2.00 every
>second.
>
> He'll probably pay around $200 for a nice round of golf, but
>will be 'reimbursed' $33,390 for that round.
>
> Assuming he puts the federal maximum of 15% of his income
>into his tax deferred account (401k), he hit the federal cap of
>$9500 for such accounts at 8:30 a.m. on January 1st, 1997.
>
> If you were given a tenth of a penny for every dollar he
>made, you'd be living comfortably at $65,000 a year.
>
> He made about $19.60 while watching the 100 meter
>dash in the Olympics.
>
> He made about $15,600 while the Boston Marathon was being
>run.
>
> While the common person is spending about $20 for a meal in
>his trendy Chicago restaurant, he'll pull in about $5600.
>
> This year, he'll make more than twice as much as all of our
>past presidents for all of their terms combined. Amazing isn't
>it?
>
>
> JORDAN WILL HAVE TO SAVE 100% OF HIS INCOME
>FOR 270 YEARS TO HAVE A NET WORTH EQUIVALENT
>TO THAT OF BILL GATES.
>
> NERDS RULE! NERDS RULE! NERDS RULE!--author unknown.
> --------
> A BOOK REVIEW:
> THE CHIP
> by T.R. Reid
> Simon and Schuster, 1984, 207 pages, $7.95
> rc 23393
> Reviewed by Nate Branson
>
> December, 1997 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the
>invention of the point contacttransistor. The transistor freed
>the electrical world from vacuum tubes and their innate problems
>such as heat and bulkiness. But freedom from tubes allowed
>another tyranny to impose itself--the tyranny of numbers.
>
> Electronic devices became increasingly complex with more
>resistors, capacitors, and transistors being wired together,
>space and the work of putting them together by hand made them
>expensive.
>
> Reliability was also a problem. A broken wire in a multi-
>unit device could stop the entire device. Scientists knew in the
>early fifties that the solution to this problem would be a great
>benefit to society.
>
> The solution would come from two American inventors--Jack
>Kilby of Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce of Fairchild
>Semiconductors. The solution was the monolithic idea: carving
>the circuit out of a single piece of semiconductor material. The
>use of semiconductors was not a new idea. It was known to early
>electrical researchers such as Michael Faraday in 1883. Reid
>muses that if Faraday or one of his contemporaries had made
>sylicons work, would the semi-conductor revolution have come
>fifty years earlier? Electrical research followed the line of
>vacuum tubes, though, and all the problems with bulkiness, heat,
>frgility, etc. that were connected with them.
>
> Reid lays his foundation in the past. Recounting the
>discovery of the Edison effect and the discovery of the electron,
>he introduces the reader to the inventors of the diod and of the
>amplifier. Readers will learn that the threat of World War II
>led to the invention of radar, and radar's development led to the
>re-emergence of semiconductors. William Shockley wrote in his
>lab notebook in December, 1939, that an amplifier using
>semiconductors, instead of vacuums, was possible in theory.
>Shockley, along with Walter Brattain and John Bardeen, received a
>Nobel Prize for their invention.
>
> After meeting the transistor inventors, Reid introduces us
>to Jack Kilby. Kilby left a job in Wisconsin to work at Texas
>Instrumentsin 1958. His new colleagues were trying to solve the
>tyranny of numbers problem that Kilby's previous company had had
>no success with. In July of 1958, with other employees on
>vacation, Kilby wrote in his lab notebook: "The Monolithic Idea".
>When the others returned, Kilby persuaded his immediate boss to
>allow him to manufacture a circuit made entirely of sylicon.
>
> The engineer's basic job is to solve problems, and Kilby
>believed he had solved his. Still he had trepidation. The
>following month when, with colleagues standing around, Kilby
>tested the circumit made of sillicon. It worked! Kilby had
>solved the problem.
>
> Reid frames the book in such a way as to hold the reader's
>attention, though his divergence into the foreign takeover of the
>Ameridan electronics industry does not fit with this book's
>theme.
>
> While the book is not recent, it is informative about the
>history of the computers we use today, and I recommend it highly.
>
> (A graduate of Roosevelt University, Nate Branson has worked
>for The Chicago Tribune and for the Chicago Sun Times. He is a
>freelance writer.)
> --------
> VIRUSES CAN BE FUN!
> submitted by Steve Zielinsky
>
> Beware of the following computer viruses...
>
> Federal Bureaucrat Virus--Divides your hard disk into
>hundreds of little units, each of which do practically nothing,
>but all of which claim to be the most important part of the
>computer.
>
> Dan Quayle Virus--Their is sumthing rong with your
>compueter, ewe just can't figyour out watt.
> Gallup Poll Virus--Sixty percent of the PC's infected will
>lose 38% of their data 14 percent of the time (plus or minus a
>3.5% margin of error)
>
> Paul Revere Virus--Revolutionary virus doesn't horse around.
>It warns you of impending hard disk attack once if by LAN, twice
>if by C:
>
> Politically Correct Virus--Never calls itself a "virus," but
>instead refers to itself as an "electronic micro-organism."
>
> Right to Life Virus--Won't allow you to delete a file
>regardless of how old it is. If you attempt to erase a file, it
>requires you first see a counselor about possible alternatives.
>
>
> Ross Perot Virus--Activates every component in your system
>just before the whole thing quits.
>
> Mario Cuomo Virus--It would be a great virus, but it refuses
>to run.
>
> Oprah Winfrey Virus--Your 200 MB hard drive suddenly shrinks
>to 80 MB, then slowly expands back to 200 MB
>
> AT&T Virus--Every three minutes it tells you what great
>service you're getting.
>
> MCI Virus--Every three minutes it reminds you that you are
>paying too much for the AT&T Virus.
>
> Ted Turner Virus--Colorizes your monochrome monitor.
>
> Arnold Schwarzennegger Virus- Terminates and stays resident.
>It'll be back!
>
> Government Economist Virus--Nothing works, but all your
>diagnostic software says everything is fine.
>
> New World Order Virus--Probably harmless, but it makes a lot
>of people really mad just thinking about it.
>
> Texas Virus--Makes sure that it's bigger than any other
>file.
>
> Adam and Eve Virus--Takes a couple of bytes out of your
>Apple.
> Congressional Virus--The computer locks up, screen splits
>erratically with a message appearing on each half blaming the
>other side for the problem.
> Airline Virus--You're in Dallas, but your data is in
>Singapore.
>
> Oedipal Virus--Your computer becomes obsessed with marrying
>its own motherboard.
>
> PBS Virus--Your PC provides you with wonderful service, but
>stops every few minutes to ask for money.
>
> Elvis Virus--Your computer gets fat, slow and lazy and then
>self destructs, only to resurface at shopping malls and service
>stations across rural America.
>
> Ollie North Virus--Turns your printer into a document
>shredder.
>
> Nike Virus--Just Does It!
>
>
> Sears Virus--Your data won't appear unless you buy new
>cables, power supply, and a set of shocks.
>
> Jimmy Hoffa Virus--Nobody can find it.
>
> Congressional Virus II--Runs every program on the hard drive
> simultaneously, but doesn't allow the user to accomplish
>anything.
>
> Kevorkian Virus--Helps your computer shut down whenever it
>wants to.
>
> Imelda Marcos Virus--Sings you a song (slightly off key) on
>boot up, then subtracts money from your Quicken account and
>spends it all on expensive shoes it purchases through Prodigy.
>
> Star Trek Virus--Invades your system in places where no
>virus has gone before.
>
> Health Care Virus--Test your system for a day, finds nothing
>wrong, and sends you a bill for $4,500.
>
> George Bush Virus--It starts by boldly stating, "Read my
>text....no new files!" on the screen, proceeds to fill up all the
>free space on your hard drive with new files, then blames it on
>the Congressional Virus.
>
> LAPD Virus--It claims it feels threatened by the other files
>on your PC and erases them in "self-defense."
>
> Chicago Cubs Virus--Your PC makes frequent mistakes and
>comes in last in the reviews, but you still love it.
> Maddona Virus-plays OK, but odd music at boot up. Removes
>$14.95 from your on-line bank account for each song. Modifies
>your word
>processor and desktop publishing applications to write and layout
>pornographic books and fills the hard drive free space with dirty
>limericks. After completing this procedure it them alters its own
>code to appear as if it was an entirerly new virus. Can not be
> removed using regular procedures - requires a tire iron to the
>CPU.--author unknown.
>--------
> FYI
>
> The following radio and television shows may be of interest
>to our readers:
>
>Sundays--11:00 AM, "TV.com," ABC, channel 7 in Chicago;
>
>Sundays--3:30 PM, "Life on the Internet," WYCC, Channel 20,
>Chicago;
>
>Sundays--4:00 PM, "Computer Chronicles," WYCC, Channel 20 in
>Chicago;
>
>Tuesdays--9:00 PM, "Real Computing," WDCB, 90.5-FM, Glen Ellyn;
>
>Fridays--8:30 PM, "Computer Chronicles," WYCC, Channel 20,
>Chicago;
>
>Saturdays--10:00 PM, "WGNradio.com," WGN Radio, 720-AM.
>
> If you know of other technology-related shows that are not
>included here, please contact Steve Zielinsky through the voice-
>mail: 312-458-9006.
> --------
> DATES TO REMEMBER!
>
> All of the meetings listed below take place at Blind Service
>Association, 22 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Il 60603. For
>current updates, consult voice-mail announcement line:
>312-458-9006.
>
> Prospective members and new members are encouraged to show
>up at Saturday seminars a half hour early, or stay after the
>meeting, to get answers to your questions about Digit-Eyes.
>
> PLEASE NOTE CHANGES (IN JULY, ONLY) OF COGNOSCENTAE AND ALL-
>WRITE MEETINGS.
>
> Sat., July 4, 1998--nNO SATURDAY SEMINAR! ENJOY THE
>HOLIDAY!
>
> Thurs., July 9, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Lynx Squad meeting;
>ninth floor; (Internet activities).
>
> Wed., July 15, 1998, noon--DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER ARTICLES;
>highly preferred file attachments in an e-mail
>([log in to unmask]), or or on audio cassette (in will-call drawer,
>eleventh floor at BSA).
>
> Wed., JUly 15, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--newsletter team; ninth
>floor; (for those who are interested in helping out with the
>newsletter).
>
> Thurs., July 16, 1998, 10:00 AM-noon--Senior team meeting;
>ninth floor.
> Wed., July 22, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--Cognoscentae meeting;
>ninth floor; (governing board, all are welcome).
>
> Thurs., July 23, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Computers for Dummies;
>ninth floor; (for beginners).
>
> Sat., Aug. 1, 1998, 9:30 AM-noon--seminar, topic TBA; ninth
>floor; (all are invited).
>
> Wed, Aug. 12, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--Cognoscentae meeting;
>ninth floor; (governing board meeting; all are welcome).
>
> Thurs., Aug. 13, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Lynx Squad; ninth
>floor; (Internet activities).
>
> Thurs., Aug. 20, 1998, 10:00 AM-noon--Senior Team; ninth
>floor.
>
> Thurs., Aug. 27, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Computers for Dummies;
>ninth floor; (for beginners).
>
> Wed., Sept. 2, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--All-Write team; ninth
>floor; (for those interested in helping out with the newsletter).
>
> Sat., Sept. 5, 1998--NO SATURDAY SEMINAR! ENJOY THE HOLIDAY
>WEEKEND!
>
> Wed., Sept. 9, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--Cognoscentae meeting;
>ninth floor; (governing board; all are welcome).
>
> Thurs., Sept. 10, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Lynx Squad; ninth
>floor; (Internet activities).
>
> Thurs., Sept. 17, 1998, 10:00 AM-noon--Senior Team; ninth
>floor.
>
> Thurs., Sept. 24, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Computers for Dummies;
>ninth floor; (for beginners).
>
> Sat., Oct. 3, 1998, 9:30 AM-noon--Seminar, topic TBA; ninth
>floor; (all are welcome).
>
> Thurs., Oct. 8, 1998, 6:00-8:00--Lynx Squad; ninth floor;
>(Internet activities).
>
> Wed., Oct. 14, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--Cognoscentae meeting;
>ninth floor; (governing board; all are welcome).
>
> Thurs., Oct. 15, 1998, 10:00 AM-noon--Senior Team; ninth
>floor.
>
> Thurs., Oct. 22, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Computers for Dummies;
>ninth floor; (for beginners).
>
> Wed., Nov. 4, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--All-Write team meeting;
>ninth floor; (for those interested in helping with the
>newsletter).
>
> Sat., Nov. 7, 1998, 9:30 AM-noon--Seminar, topic TBA; ninth
>floor; (all are welcome).
>
> Wed., Nov. 11, 1998, 5:30-7:30 PM--Cognoscentae meeting;
>ninth floor; (governing board, all are welcome).
>
> Thurs., Nov. 12, 1998, 6:00-8:00 PM--Lynx Squad; ninth
>floor; (Internet activities).
>
> Thurs., Nov. 19, 1998, 10:00 AM-noon--Senior Team; ninth
>floor.
>
> Thurs., Nov. 26, 1998--THANKSGIVING DAY; NO COMPUTERS FOR
>DUMMIES; ENJOY THE HOLIDAY!
>
>
>List Archives http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
>Index of Vicugs http://trfn.clpgh.org/vipace/vicug/vicugs.html
>Subscription Form http://trfn.clpgh.org/vipace/vicug/subscribe.html
>Mail Contact [log in to unmask]
>
>
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Accessible web site test
Date: Friday, November 13, 1998 3:54 PM
my name is Denise Lasprogata and I am working on a speech friendly web site featuring fashion, art and other related topics. This site has tactile images which can be printed out and raised or translated into a Braille picture. I need help checking to see if the GAP clothing portion is speech friendly. You can access it by going to www.touchthearts.org/fashion.htm and look at the men and women lines. Please send e-mail response to [log in to unmask]
Thanks,
DLL
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