Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Stu Turk) (02/01/91)
Index Number: 13312
HS> needs such that he could speak into and the computer could
HS> translate/type it into the screen and hence files. He has lost
HS> most his vision and this would open doors of opportunity for him
HS> as he is a writer. Thank you, Hal
What you are asking for is on the dream list of every computer using deaf
and hard-of-hearing person. Research is being done on such programs but they
are not available yet.
However, since you did not say that your friend cannot type, I believe what
he wants is actually the opposite of what you describe. Hardward
(specifically, a speech synthesizer) and software (speech prgm's) are already
commonly available for the blind and persons with low vision. This equipment
and a speech prgm will speak what he is typing or reading off the screen.
I would think that a association for the blind in his area might be able to
give him more information on speech synths or even have one he can listen to.
Also you might check the BBS you are on and see if it carrys the BlinkTalk Echo
as there is usually quite a few msg's about speech synthesizers and programs
there.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Stu.Turk
Internet: Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.orgFrank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney) (02/01/91)
Index Number: 13315 >I am posting this for a friend who could benefit very much from the >follwoing software. I am not sure if it exists and if it does the name and >cost. Perhaps someone may help me locate it. He needs such that he could >speak into and the computer could translate/type it into the screen and >hence files. He has lost most his vision and this would open doors of >opportunity for him as he is a writer. Thank you, Hal There is a product but it's expensive. It's called the DragonDictate 30K speech recognition system. It requires a 386 with 8 megabytes of RAM. I know of some people that have used the system with a speech synthesizer for voice output. There is one gentlemen that is using the system that is completely blind with the loss of his hands in an explosion. He is doing very well but you're not looking at small change for a system like that. If you're interested please leave a message and I can get you more information. Frank. -- Via Opus Msg Kit v1.11 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Frank.Whitney Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
Bill.Higgins@p17.f9.n249.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Higgins) (02/01/91)
Index Number: 13345
Hi Hal,
Allow me to quote the letter you mailed on 13-Jan-91
HS> I am posting this for a friend who could benefit very much from the
HS> follwoing software. I am not sure if it exists and if it does the name
HS> and cost. Perhaps someone may help me locate it. He needs such that he
HS> could speak into and the computer could translate/type it into the screen
HS> and hence files. He has lost most his vision and this would open doors of
HS> opportunity for him as he is a writer. Thank you, Hal
I believe that Tandy computers has a voice input board. Thing is though
that it would be a memorey pig. You would in all likleyhood have to
outfit him with a Tandy, I suspect the board would be of a proprietory
design exclusive to Tandy.
I hope this helps!!! Also look at writting some of the trade mags.
They may be able to steer you in right direction as well.
TTFN!!!
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Internet: Bill.Higgins@p17.f9.n249.z1.fidonet.orgEric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman) (02/01/91)
Index Number: 13346
HS> and cost. Perhaps someone may help me locate it. He needs such that he
HS> could speak into and the computer could translate/type it into the
HS> screen and hence files. He has lost most his vision and this would open
HS> doors of opportunity for him as he is a writer. Thank you, Hal
It looks like there are two issues here. Is he physically able to use a
keyboard (for these purposes, "unable to see the keys" doesn't count)? If so,
his main need is what's called a screen reader, which is a program that allows
the computer to work with voice OUTPUT. Most screen readers provide the
following services:
Speaking whatever is written to the screen
Echoing keystrokes in speech
Reading the appropriate area of the screen when the user moves the cursor
Automatically reading certain parts of the screen when they change
Screen readers need to be used with a speech synthesizer.
If he is physically unable to use the keyboard, there are voice input
programs. Probably the best one is Dragon Dictate, which is quite expensive
(around $7000). Less expensive voice input systems exist, but they generally
recognize a rather small vocabulary (you practically have to spell everything
out) and each word has to be trained.
There are also programs that let the user use a mouse, joystick or trackball
to point at an on-screen array of words and letters instead of typing. They
probably wouldn't work too well with speech output, but they might be worth a
try.
If he can use the keyboard some, but not efficiently, there are programs like
abbreviation expanders and word predictors that can speed up the typing.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman
Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgWilliam.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson) (05/03/91)
Index Number: 15283
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
AP> Well, I dunnow how much Jaws is but when last I checked,
AP> Flipper was at $295.
Ann,
Boy, you havn't been checking recently on what it would cost you to
register your Flipper, have you?
Flipper has been up to $395 ever since the release of 3.00, and it
is still a bargain in the speech game, as the only program I know of
which costs less is Eric's TinyTalk, which is of course an even better
bargain!
Willie
... BlinkTalk, Dr. Deb and Silver in Pittsburgh!
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