I couldn't agree more. All OCR can do is give its best guess, and is often
wrong.
Judy
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Lisa-Maree
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2019 1:03 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, listers
When people say the optacon is old technology they are missing one very
important point. No matter how well technology does, it will never beat or
come close to the cleverness and potential of the brain. And reading with
an optacon, just as reading with vision, the brain does the work of
understanding what we are reading whether it be through fingers or eyes.
And you absolutely can't beat that!
With the size of chips and circuit boards these days, it would be workable
enough, and certainly possible enough, to have such a device available, and
very likely in a much smaller capacity.
Lisa-Maree
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of David Moore
Sent: Friday, 22 February 2019 7:07 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, listers
Hi Lisa-Maree!
I used my Optacon to read my math and science books to get my degree in
math!
I could trace the graphs and all of that.
It breaks my heart, to see so many blind people on the math NFB list,
talking about how to access their math texts.
Technology went backward when the Optacon stopped being made.
It is sad!
I could not have done the school work in the 80s that I did with my Optacon.
When I went back to school in 2002 to get my masters, I still used my
Optacon along with JAWS, My Openbook software to do OCR, and all of the
latest technology.
A powerful tool was taken away, that is a better way to say it.
All technology has its place, but not pursuing a new, cheaper, and much
better Optacon with the latest technology, is a tragedy!
David Moore
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Lisa-Maree
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2019 11:19 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, listers
Hi,
Without the optacon in my life since I was about 15, I would not have had
the independence of reading my own mail all these years, or the ability of
reading necessary print books in school and further study.
It will read displays like microwaves and air conditioner screens, which
remain constant. Such digital based screens are somewhat clearer with a crt
lense, which I was fortunate to get hold of.
Mobile phone OCR apps and scanners are good, have their place, and so does
other available technology, but the optacon has been my saviour in many a
situation, and given independence and privacy as well.
Lisa-Maree
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Friday, 22 February 2019 4:31 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, listers
The problem with the optacon on a touch screen is that the movement of the
camera can easily change the screen, say, on a cell phone screen. However,
I have used the Optacon successfully on touch panels like the microwave with
success, as they are not a panel that you swipe, so it should work with
those.
Judy
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Mallard
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2019 9:17 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; Fran
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, listers
Hey there Fran,
Nice to see your name again!
Unfortunately, Seeing AI by Microsoft isn't available on Android, and they
don't seem to be interested in porting it... Pity indeed.
I suppose you do need hearing though, unless it supports Braille, because
texts and all the other functionalities it can handle are spoken.
I have a question for those who use tablets or other touch screen
devices. Is it possible to use an Optacon on them?
My e-reader isn't touch, so I can read very well on it, but a friend,
who just got an Optacon, can't fine any newer e-readers without a touch
screen. Before buying one, he'd like to know if they can be used with an
Optacon.
Thanks to anyone who can provide this info.
Ciao,
Ollie
Il 21/02/2019 17:25, Fran ha scritto:
Hi all,when
there are so many solutions out there nowadays, so that I hardly use my
optacon anymore. But none of them will ever replace the feeling you get
you just grab a book, magazine, bottle label, or even a handwritten note,accurate.
and just go ahead and read it yourself. None can replace the thrilling
sensation of feeling (actually seeing) the shapes of the letters, and the
page layout.
I've just come across a wonderful app called Seeing AI, which is totally
amazing. It reads everything, including displays! And it is fairly
Plus, it is free! (Maureen, check it out, I don't think it requiresthe
hearing). In my daily life, the optacon is not so practical compared to
easier solutions (audiobooks, screen readers, apps like Seeing AI). But Iso
will always miss that feeling...And I'll keep optacons as long as I can,
I won't forget what it feels like. Also, growing up using the optacon has[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
given me many advantages over my peers blind from birth, who often don't
know what print looks like.
Fran
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Behalf Of Maureen Hoggto
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2019 2:44 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Hi, listers
Aira is only valid if you have a vision loss but good hearing, David.
For those of us who have both vision and hearing losses, there is nothing
replace the Optacon. Let's get the 21st century edition on line!Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã Ã
Thanks!
Maureen
On 2/17/2019 6:07 PM, David Moore wrote:
Hey Bob!Straight up regular text is best by far!
I use my Optacon as well, just to practice!
I have the same trouble you do with different types of formatting.
Just the other day, I read a pill bottle and read something on my TVscreen, when the cable went out.
People are paying $200.00 for services like AIRA,that money, just to ask them over an app what something says that we can
Where they use their phone, and the camera on the phone, and pay all of
read with our Optacon!
Life is pretty funny!
David Moore
à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à Ã
à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à à Ãà Sent from Mail for
Windows 10know
From: harlynn@xxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2019 5:46 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Hi, listers
Hi, Optaconers: it's Bob in NY.
I have been using my optacon on a regular
basis to keep up my skills. I
find if I don't I lose a great deal. right now, I'm reading information
about our paratransit system, and I'm doing pretty well. I find if I
messagethe subject, I do better. I often anticipate words, but sometimes getquotes) in the message subject.
them wrong.
I still have trouble with fl, fi, tr, the letter s and the number 5 in
certain contexts. Italics is very hard for me. but straight, good print
I really do pretty well. Very bold print is hard.
Warmly,
Bob
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