From: "Susan Thompson" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: FW: speech friendly cd cataloguing program and Braille Graphics
design tool (DOS based).
- -----Original Message-----
Dear All,
I would just like to draw your attention to two programs
which most blind
people have not heard about but which have been designed by
a blind person
for blind users.
The first is a music cd cataloguing program called Cd Scan.
It comes with
configs for Mastertouch 2.0 and I also have configs for
Vocal Eyes 3.0 and
Jaws for Dos 2.31 and JFW 3.2. This program is very simple
to use and yet
extremely powerful. I wrote it for my own needs but decided
to release it
as shareware several years ago.
You can find a demo at http://joedunn.mtx.net where you will
also find the
Braille Graphics program specifically designed for users of
screen readers.
I only have a Mastertouch 2.0 config for this one but it is
easy to create
others.
The details from the Cd Scan and Braille Graphics manuals
follows for your
info. These programs cost $50 US or $75 Australian or what
ever you can
afford if you are truly unable to afford them.
For more info, don't hesitate to contact me at either this
address or my
home email which is [log in to unmask]
Cd Scan info:
Introduction
Cd Scan is a powerful music cataloguing system
specifically designed for cataloguing a compact disc
collection. Up to 4000 cds each containing up to 99
tracks may be accommodated by this version.
The program includes a powerful and flexible search
facility. You can locate cds by a particular artist, or
with a particular title. You can locate tracks which
contain certain words in their title, whose length is in
a specific range or which have lyrics files associated
with them. You can also search for words appearing in the
comment field for each cd.
A browse facility allows you to quickly locate cds in
your collection. The index may be sorted by the artist
name, cd title or a unique ID code at the press of a key.
A cd's contents may be displayed, and you may even browse
the lyrics of a given track if they exist or if they do
not, you can import them from a text file or jump into
your favourite text editor to add them.
If you have a CDROM drive and sound card, you may play
cds directly from Cd Scan.
Preparation of recorded material is made easy by Cd
Scan's ability to accumulate selected track times and
generate a list of these selections, which perhaps could
be used as a cassette label.
The print facility allows you to create title or artist
lists as well as a complete record of your whole
catalogue and much more. These lists may be printed
directly or exported to a word processor for further
editing.
A Utilities Menu offers maintenance features like
Optimisation to ensure the most efficient access to your
cd collection, an option to recover deleted cds, a
facility to merge two catalogues together, the ability to
select a different colour scheme and a function to
calculate some statistics about your collection like
average track time etc. For your peace of mind, you can
also backup your valuable data files without leaving the
program.
Other features include the ability to lock Cd Scan so
that if you are using it in a library or other public
display, data may be protected from unauthorised
modification. Cd Scan will also do its best to protect
your data by automatically detecting a missing or corrupt
index and attempting to rectify the problem if it is ever
needed.
To ensure that you get the most out of this cataloguing
system, the User Manual may be called up from any of the
menus at the press of a key (or the click of a mouse
button).
Braille Graphics info
Introduction
Braille Graphics, BGR, is a unique software package which
enables both sighted
and blind users to generate braille graphics on a variety of
commercially
available Braille Embossers. By using Grade 0 braille
symbols, which will be
discussed later, one may create braille pictures, tables,
charts and just
about anything you can imagine, simply and efficiently.
BGR displays the graphics in such a way that a blind
operator using a screen
reader can easily navigate his/her way around the graphics
screen. Braille dot
patterns, blank cells and blank columns are automatically
displayed in a
window as a cursor moves around the work area. The whole
picture may be moved
around on the page, inverted, flipped vertically or
horizontally with ease. A
unique Block Commands Menu enables "Objects" to be defined
and moved around,
turned upsidedown, reversed, saved and retrieved into other
pictures.
Unlike other graphics programs available for generating
braille images, BGR
doesn't use graphics mode during picture construction. To
sighted users this
may be a disadvantage but to blind users this is what makes
it possible to
generate attractive and meaningful tactile images without
assistance from a
sighted user.
A sighted user may view the graphics as braille dot patterns
on the screen at
any time at the press of a key.
Joe.
Joseph Dunn
Adaptive Technology Specialist
Royal Society for the Blind of South Australia Inc.
230 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Australia
Tel: +61 8 82322444
Fax: +61 8 82322111
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
WWW: http://www.rsb.org.au
Susan Thompson ph: +61-2-9552-2121 Email:
[log in to unmask]
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