robertj@tekgen.bv.tek.com (Robert Jaquiss) (05/13/91)
Index Number: 15510
FLIPPER BY OMNICHRON
Flipper is a program which allows full access to
IBM and compatible personal computers (PC, AT or
PS/2) by blind or visually impaired persons. Flipper
uses a voice synthesizer to explain what is on the
computer's screen, verbally. Flipper is designed to be
very responsive, and makes fast, efficient use of the
computer easy.
Flipper makes ordinary software accessible to
blind persons, the same software which is used in
business offices, by sighted professionals, by lawyers,
etc. Flipper does not change the way programs are
run on the computer, to a great extent, so the use of
ordinary instructional materials and classes is
practical.
Flipper is written for speed, in assembly
language. Flipper even stops on a dime when using
a Dectalk. Flipper is also efficient, for example, it
can also use less than 52 kilobytes of RAM.
Flipper also allows access to difficult programs
like mainframe communication software (IRMA and
similar products), spreadsheets, database programs,
as well as the broad range of word processors and
other programs that are available.
Flipper's features are available right out of the
box, with no programming or macros necessary. For
those who wish, however, Flipper has a powerful
feature (AUTOKEY MODE) which allows the writing
of very sophisticated scripts which can control both
it and the application program.
Flipper is organized logically, so it is easy to
learn and use. If something is forgotten, specific
help is available with a keystroke. Basics like the
built in keyboard learning feature can become
important even to advanced users when using an
unfamiliar keyboard.
Flipper is inexpensive ($395 US), especially
when the increased efficiency of the user is
considered. It can be a powerful tool for writers,
secretaries, computer programmers, students, and
other blind professionals. There is a full 30 day
money-back satisfaction guarantee on Flipper when
purchased directly from Omnichron.
Omnichron
1438 Oxford St.
Berkeley, CA 94709
PHONE: (415) 540-6455
SELECTED FEATURES
Built in, on line instructions.
Powerful screen searching, with wildcards.
Spreadsheet compatibility built in.
Automatic pull down menu handling.
Tracking enhancement cursers.
Automatic repeated character counting.
Loads into high memory on 386 computers.
Reads the entire IBM character set.
Read sentence by sentence, live, right in an editor.
The Flip in Flipper is for flipping from configuration
to configuration, which Flipper makes especially fast
and easy.
When using Flipper and an electronic Braille printer,
a line or a portion of the screen can be Brailled with
a keystroke.
You can also transfer information from the screen to
soft braille devices, for example, the VersaBraille.
Flipper also cooperates with large screen display
programs, for low vision users who want dual access.
PRICE LIST:
Flipper software. $395
Includes documentation in large print, Braille, audio
tape, and on disk, with an electronic indexing
facility.
Educational use site licence. $1500
Includes a license to install an unlimited number of
copies of the Flipper software at a single site,
5 copies of the Braille and print documentation, and
10 copies of the audio tape documentation.
Artic Synphonix 210 PT. $395
Inexpensive, responsive synthesizer, for PC and AT
compatibles. Uses approximately 17 kilobytes of
memory. Needs 1 available hardware interrupt.
Aicom Accent. $745
Quality synthesizer for PC, XT and high speed AT
compatibles. Very accurate pronunciation and
responsive, smooth, high speed speech synthesis.
Contains its own processor, so it does not use
hardware interrupts or any computer time. Uses less
than 2 kilobytes of main memory.
Aicom Accent SA. $945
External serial synthesizer for IBM and compatible
computers, including PS/2 computers. Very accurate
pronunciation and responsive, smooth, high speed
speech synthesis.
Other Aicom Accent models CALL
Accent synthesizers are available for the Toshiba
laptop computers including the Toshiba 1000SE, and
PS/2 microchannel computers.
Artic Synphonix 220 PT. $495
Inexpensive, responsive synthesizer, for Toshiba
laptop computers. Uses approximately 17 kilobytes
of memory.
Flipper also supports the following synthesizers:
Audapter from Personal Speech Systems, Dectalk,
Votrax Votalker, Votrax PSS, Echo, Braille and Speak,
Pocket Braille, Sounding Board, and Speakeasy.
Please inquire about availability and support of other
voice synthesizers.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMMER:
Dr. John Stephen Smith is an Assistant Professor at
the University of California, Berkeley, in the
department of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science. The program was developed in association
with Cynthia Lowe and Jay Yi. Many of Flipper's
users have also contributed valuable ideas, especially
the following:
Peter Cantisani Marc Sutton
Dennis Fantin Curtis Chong
Vicky Winslow Nelson Hinman
Karen Navy John Cunningham
Robert Larson Auggie Chuma
Noberto Salinas Audrey Klose