Hi Carolyn!
I suppose we are getting maybe too off-topic. (smile).
The Echo doesn't find residential numbers, though. One cool thing is that
you can ask her about different restaurants in your area.
Debby
At 03:56 PM 7/30/2017, Carolyn Arnold wrote
That is good to know. I am thinking about getting an Echo,
when I get my tablet money.
Best from,
Carolyn
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Debby
Franson
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2017 4:06 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Task List
Hi Judy!
I quit using 411 a year or two ago, because I got several
wrong numbers.
That was frustrating. Alexa is much better about giving
correct numbers and addresses to businesses.
Debby
At 09:57 AM 7/30/2017, Judy Jones wrote
I haven't used a hard-copy phonebook in years, nor have Iused 411 for
quite sometime.become a
Judy
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Carolyn Arnold
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 7:56 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Task List
True about OK Google. Phone books eventually probably will
thing of the past.Jones
Best from,
Carolyn
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Judy
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 7:49 PMthe phone
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Task List
Hi, Debbie,
More than likely, people today will get OK Google to get
number or dictionary definition on their phone, althoughyou are
correct, of course, about the optacon uses.more things.
Judy
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Debby Franson
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 3:17 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Task List
Hi Judy!
Thanks for your explanations below.
I thought of another thing to add to your list, no a few
a
33. Reading guitar tablature.
34. Looking up numbers in a phone book.
35. Looking up a word in the dictionary.
Debby
At 02:42 PM 7/29/2017, Judy Jones wrote
See below.[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Behalf Of Debby Franson
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 1:06 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Task List
Hi Judy!
After readint more carefully, I have some questions about
few itemsof
onthe
list and one suggestion.
Does "graphical print" mean letters made up of a series
lines drawnmagazine
close
together in such a way that they form the large lettersthat make up a
word that is maybe a main book title or title of a
article, orthat
does it mean that the letters in a title are so large
we need tothis
trace them to read each letter? I have never heard of
term.either
had images on
Graphical print is an image of text. In my work, I have
the computer where I knew they represented text, but
had to findsign
it on the computer screen, or print out the image, thenread it. Also,
if you had, for instance, a photo of two people with a
in thewould
background, you could possibly pick up the lettering byusing the
optacon, whereas it is highly doubtful OCR technology
pick it up clearly, if at all.handle.
boxes, and on red
What are "HICF forms"? Number 12 says:
HICF forms are red forms medical offices use for billing
12. Ability to Read text on colored paper, in shaded
HICF forms that current scanning software cannot
because
I have never been able to read the computer screen,
I never hadfeel
the computer lens and the normal lens makes everything
shaky.up.
The shakiness is actually the pixels the optacon picks
It is hardcalled
to do, but possible.person to use a
I have not heard of the accessory that allows a blind
computer mouse. What is it called, and is it stillavailable?
from someone
I don't know about this either, but took the information
who had apparently had some experience.
I was told years ago, maybe in the mid '80s, when I
TSI that thetalking
typewriter lens would only work with the IBM Selectric. Iused that
lens in optacon training on their IBM Selectrick, and sowished I could
have had that lens, but my typewriter is a manual that Ihaven't
touched in many years..background.
My suggestions:
31. Reading inverted text: light letters on a dark
does, but you
I believe OCR can do this to the extent it does what it
are right.
32. Reading hollow letters.
Shaded letters can be "hollow," I know what you are
about,the
though, and can correct that phrase to say shaded and/orhollow.
will be glad
Debby
At 12:31 PM 7/29/2017, Judy Jones wrote
Oh! If you have any additions you would like to see, I
to add them and repost.
Judy
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Debby Franson
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 11:28 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Task List
Hi Judy!
Thanks for pasting the optacon task list. I wasn't on
list whenread
it was posted before. This is the first time I have
it.have
Debby
At 10:49 AM 7/29/2017, Judy Jones wrote
Thanks for letting me know. I am pasting it below.
Judy
USES OF THE OPTACON
The contributors to this list are from persons who
used, orare
are currently using the Optacon in daily life, and
regularthe
device, thatcontributors to the Optacon mailing list.
Developers on this list envision a next generation
enhance thewill, along with current OCR technology, further
to live thequality of life for blind persons, enabling the blind
tactile devicelife they want with greater independence. The new
may be smaller, less expensive, could possibly have
ability toallow
store data downloaded from the computer, and also
the user tomay
would.read the actual computer screen, as a sighted person
Approximately three times the amount of tactuators
fit into thedata
raised imagedisplay, allowing the user to view a sharper, crisper
tasks performedcamera is scanning.of what the
For more information, go to
//www.freelists.org/archive/optacon-l/
For now, below is a list of some of the most common
OCRby the user of an Optacon, and are tasks that current
sharp contraststechnology has difficulty in performing.
1. Ability to read printed material with less than
current appsor intricate color schemes and shading difficult for
such as in aand cameras to decipher.
2. Ability to read print in non-standard layout,
DVD.curved line of a post-office date stamp or on a CD or
cans.
3. Ability to read cursive.
4. Ability to read round items such as bottles and
5. Accurate reading of graphs, charts, tables,
sheets withwhere
graphical print..coordinates, flow charts, and schematics.
6. Ability to read embedded text among images, or
creating
7. Ability to view font styles for the purpose of
proofing.attractive layouts that can also be checked for
small for an
8. Ability to read label and tags with print too
app and camera, or otherwise positioned in spots
a camerabook
price tags, orcannot reach, such as labels on power supplies and
stickers.other
9. As with braille, the ability to skim a print
for theplacement
the rightproper page number, skim down a printed page to find
desired item.paragraph, or down a column of items to find the
10. Ability to view document arrangement and
on a page.text
cartridges have not
11. Ability to quickly make sure ink and toner
boxes, and onrun out, by making sure documents are printing.
12. Ability to Read text on colored paper, in shaded
handle.red HICF forms that current scanning software cannot
reader has gone
13. Ability to read computer screens when screen
silent, or is not available.
14. Ability to read many appliance displays, and
on a tvthe
screen.screen, and for the fun of it, detect movement on the
15. An accessory can allow the blind person to use
computer mouse.still
16. An accessory is also available for those who
use acan
forms.typewriter, in order to fill out printed hard-copy
checking mail,
17. Ability to read dials and gauges.
18. Faster than a camera for spot reading, such as
sorting brochures, page numbers, etc.
19. Ability to locate signature or date line so it
be markedto
cannot handle.and filled out without sighted assistance.
20. Checking ink date stamps that an app and camera
newly-acquired device,
21. Ability to read buttons and dials on a
enabling the blind person to familiarize themselves
that devicesoftware
markingwithout sighted assistance.
22. Ability to read controls on home appliances for
thewithout sighted assistance.
23. Ability to read musical scores for proofing, and
accompanying words, without use of specialized
or sightedsymbols,
assistance.
24. Ability to Read mathematical drawings and
where themulti-line
layout has a particular meaning, such as in
expressions.speech
such as
25. Ability to recognize logos and icons.
26. Ability to read some engraved text on textiles,
plastics and metals.
27. Ability to read a cell phone screen, should
go silent.features
28. The ability to recognize and distinguish
in a picture.such
29. Ability to read foreign language characters,
asby
we putJapanese, Chinese, or Cyrillic characters.
30. Ability to identify paper currency.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Richard Turner
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 8:58 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Optacon Task List
No attachment came through.
I suspect the list doesn't allow attachments.
Could you paste it into the body of a message?
Thanks,
Richard
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 7:21 AM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Optacon Task List
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hi, Folks,
I am going to here again attach the Optacon Task List
promote thetogether, in case anyone wants for documentation to
"unsubscribe"comeback of theOptacon.
to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
by sending a(without the
quotes) in the message subject.
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe
"subscribe" (withoutmessage
to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
"unsubscribe"the
quotes) in the message subject.
to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
by sending a(without the
quotes) in the message subject.
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe
"subscribe" (withoutmessage
to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
"unsubscribe"the
quotes) in the message subject.
to view the list archives, go to:
www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l
To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
by sending a(without the
quotes) in the message subject.
Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe
"subscribe" (withoutmessageto:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
"unsubscribe" (withoutthe
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to view the list archives, go to:
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To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
the
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Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe
sending a"subscribe"
message
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optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
(withoutby
"unsubscribe" (withoutthe
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to view the list archives, go to:
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To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to:
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the
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Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe
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(without"unsubscribe"
the
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(without"unsubscribe"
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to:
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(withoutsending a
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messageto:
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