I think someone way back mentioned the Keynote Companion. I still have one of those. The screen is cracked and broken, but the rest of the unit would work fine if the backup battery had it's charge and the watch battery was replaced. I never got too much out of it - the word processor was a lot cooler than that provided with the braille 'n speak, but the device was a little more complicated. I got it when I was 7 or 8. I never did anything useful with it. The one cool thing about it was that it could run DOS apps, so I could play old PCS games like Mobius Mountain or Shooting Range (without sound support of course). It didn't have a ton of internal memory; I think it used battery-backed ram and a ROM chip (these were the days before affordable solid-state storage). At one point I considered buying a modem for it, but that was around 2000 when BBSs and other telnet things were hard to come by (it didn't have a web browser or anything fancy like that). I did use outspoken as a child and more effectively when I was 11 - it worked really well on the old system 7 computer we had at school, but it always froze on the then-new iMacs. I learned to dislike mac as to me it was unstable platform. I hadn't a need for a new computer when tiger came out iwth Voiceover, but when my mother got a Mac Pro for the businesss and I started using Tiger's voiceover more and more I saw how convenient it was to just be able to step up and use a computer. Mac shouldn't replace PC entirely as a Mac is it's own packaged product while PCs are flexible machines.
On 6/7/09, Tiffany D <tiffani...@gmail.com> wrote: > > The thing I really want is an Opticon... but wouldn't we all? Too bad > they're not modernising it and don't sell them anymore. > > On 07/06/2009, ben mustill-rose <bmustillr...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> I have a eureka; there pretty boring machines really. Most interesting >> part of them is there 14.4k modem. >> >> On 07/06/2009, Tiffany D <tiffani...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> I think I saw a Eureka for sale online once but never got it. It >>> would be interesting to play around with one of those. I never never >>> knew pc/m was accessible. I'm actually trying to sell my Versapoint >>> Duo right now. So if anyone wants it, please let me know. >>> >>> As for the Blazer, on the XP desktop, I have it plugged into the >>> parallal port (using a regular cord not any kind of usb conversion) >>> and it works as an embosser with no problem. But I've neverd used a >>> synth on my dos machine through the parallel port. I'd use the serial >>> and avoid all this but the port on my Blazer is broken. lol I have so >>> many cables that I could open my own store. >>> >>> On 07/06/2009, arthur gindin <ryoanji....@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> "a house is not a home" and a "null modem" is not a modem. it is a >>>> small device that reverses the connections to the devices it connects >>>> (no power supply). i have attached a more accurate description from >>>> Wikipedia. so my connection will use a USB to serial connector, a null >>>> modem, a serial to centronics connector which plugs into the Brailler. >>>> i can't say this works yet as i have just ordered the null modem, but >>>> that was Kearney's suggestion. the null modem was $13.81 from >>>> cablestogo. i'll let you know if it helps. there may be other >>>> problems, but at least there are two us trying to solve this. >>>> >>>> art >>>> >>>> Tiffany D wrote: >>>>> Why would I need to use a modem? Couldn't I just instruct JAWS to use >>>>> lpt1 and use a straight parallel connector? Hmm. >>>>> >>>>> On 06/06/2009, arthur gindin <ryoanji....@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Greg Kearney is helping me hook up a Braille blazer. check his recent >>>>>> previous emails. it start with a USB to null modem to parallel plug. >>>>>> cablestogo.com has null modems among other cables and voice and email >>>>>> support >>>>>> >>>>>> art >>>>>> >>>>>> Tiffany D wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> This is truly fascinating and thanks for sharing. As it is, I'm >>>>>>> trying to learn Quickbasic and am looking for 4.5 so I can load it >>>>>>> onto my Keynote Gold running Dos 6.22. I was born in 1983 and went >>>>>>> blind at two-months-old. In elementary school, I remember they had >>>>>>> an >>>>>>> Apple IIE (probaly e+), an Apple IIc and an Apple IIGS. My >>>>>>> classmates >>>>>>> used to play Number Munchers and Origon Trail. My first computer >>>>>>> That >>>>>>> we got was an Apple IIC in the early 90's. We picked it up at a >>>>>>> garrage sail and I could remember my mother was so excited cause it >>>>>>> was so small. She kept clicking the keys in the car (she doesn't >>>>>>> drive so it was safe). Oddly enough, she never used it and hasn't >>>>>>> touched a computer much until last year or so. I never got to use >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> IIC that much but kept it. Soon afterword, we got a Tandy 1000, >>>>>>> which >>>>>>> I loved but couldn't use cause I was told there was nothing >>>>>>> accessible >>>>>>> for it. Finally, we entered Windows in 1996 with my IBM Abtiva. I >>>>>>> didn't use it for a few years and still wanted to use dos and the >>>>>>> Tandy. I eventually gave that amazing machine away to someone who >>>>>>> didn't appreciate it and who sold it. Needless to say, I was >>>>>>> furious. >>>>>>> But it was that or the Apple IIC and I chose to keep the IIC. It >>>>>>> was >>>>>>> only afterword that I found out I could use Vocal-eyes and play all >>>>>>> the games I loved... My IIGS, as I said, was given to me by my high >>>>>>> school cause they knew I adored vintage tech. Now if only I could >>>>>>> find a Keynote Companion. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> That printer story made me laugh. I have a dot matrics printer from >>>>>>> Apple that reminds me a little of my Epson for dos. I'm sure it has >>>>>>> all the capabilities one would expect from a regular printer, >>>>>>> printing >>>>>>> both cases etc. I never knew that there was one that didn't do this. >>>>>>> I was actually looking for a Doubletalk to replace my Echos for both >>>>>>> my pc (LT there) and Apple and found them here >>>>>>> http://www.rcsys.com/order.htm >>>>>>> but the prices are too high for me right now. I'd love to hear one >>>>>>> so >>>>>>> I could decide if it's worth the purchase. The mouse, in my opinion, >>>>>>> was a disaster and the beginning of the end of all good things >>>>>>> incomputers. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Some quick offtopic things and please feel free to email me offlist >>>>>>> so >>>>>>> there's no trouble. I've asked everyone and you guys are the only >>>>>>> ones who answer me. Has anyone here ever used Freedos? If so, is it >>>>>>> accessible and with which screenreader? Can I use my Braillenote as >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> synthesizer with JAWS for Dos if I tell it that it's a Keynote gold >>>>>>> standalone, an accent or a generic serial one? If I can't find the >>>>>>> Echo or the cord to my Keynote Voicecard (if anyone has one I'll pay >>>>>>> you for it), can I use my Braille Blazer through it's parallel port? >>>>>>> Where can I find ASAP and how difficult is it to use? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 06/06/2009, Josh de Lioncourt <overl...@lioncourt.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I'd be happy to reminisce about the old Apple 2 and early outSpoken >>>>>>>> days. :) My II GS is in storage, so can't do any demos for a few >>>>>>>> months, but would be happy to talk about it. I loved those machines. >>>>>>>> I >>>>>>>> used the Apple 2E, 2C, 2C+, and 2GS. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Josh de Lioncourt >>>>>>>> …my other mail provider is an owl… >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lioncourt >>>>>>>> Music: http://stage19music.com >>>>>>>> Mac-cessibility: http://www.Lioncourt.com >>>>>>>> Blog: http://lioncourtsmusings.blogspot.com >>>>>>>> GoodReads: http://goodreads.com/Lioncourt >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jun 6, 2009, at 9:43 AM, Scott Howell wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hey this reminds me. WOuld anyone out there who has experiences and >>>>>>>>> possibly some stuff they could demo from the Apple II days or even >>>>>>>>> the days of using OutSpoken on different Mac machines? If so, would >>>>>>>>> you consider being interviewed for a podcast? I'd like to >>>>>>>>> facilitate >>>>>>>>> such an arrangement with the RetroMac Podcast since they cover all >>>>>>>>> things Mac that are from back in the day if you will. If you would >>>>>>>>> be interested and can provide some info about your experiences etc. >>>>>>>>> I'll gather all this together and approach the gents that put that >>>>>>>>> podcast on with the idea and the background in hopes they'll >>>>>>>>> consider doing it. I figured I could just toss the idea at them, >>>>>>>>> but >>>>>>>>> if I give them as much as possible, they may be more likely to do >>>>>>>>> it >>>>>>>>> since the leg-work would be greatly reduced and I wouldn't expect >>>>>>>>> them to have a vast network or such to find all the info on >>>>>>>>> accessibility. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> tnx, >>>>>>>>> On Jun 6, 2009, at 11:43 AM, Josh de Lioncourt wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Wow… >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> With as into Apple 2's as I was in the 80's and 90's, I can't >>>>>>>>>> believe I've never heard of this. If you get it working, please >>>>>>>>>> record some samples for us. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I have an old II GS that still works. It's fun to dust off and use >>>>>>>>>> now and then. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Josh de Lioncourt >>>>>>>>>> …my other mail provider is an owl… >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lioncourt >>>>>>>>>> Music: http://stage19music.com >>>>>>>>>> Mac-cessibility: http://www.Lioncourt.com >>>>>>>>>> Blog: http://lioncourtsmusings.blogspot.com >>>>>>>>>> GoodReads: http://goodreads.com/Lioncourt >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Jun 6, 2009, at 7:47 AM, Tiffany D wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> So I was looking for used replacement synths for my Echo and Echo >>>>>>>>>>> PC >>>>>>>>>>> (preferably Doubletalk and Doubletalk LT) and found something >>>>>>>>>>> very >>>>>>>>>>> interesting. I've never heard of this. Can anyone help? I'm >>>>>>>>>>> seriously tempted to buy it. Is it compatible with Textalker? >>>>>>>>>>> This >>>>>>>>>>> thing has got to be rare and I can't wait to hear what it sounds >>>>>>>>>>> like... Below is the text, since the link will go dead in about >>>>>>>>>>> two >>>>>>>>>>> hours. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>>>>>> Eleni >>>>>>>>>>> "This auction is for a Mountain Computers Supertalker for the >>>>>>>>>>> Apple II. >>>>>>>>>>> "This is a rare voice digitzer card, I can find almost no >>>>>>>>>>> information >>>>>>>>>>> about it. It looks to be in good condition, you will get the a >>>>>>>>>>> card >>>>>>>>>>> Just like the one shown in the pictures. I tried to cut the glare >>>>>>>>>>> so >>>>>>>>>>> you could read it well. If anyone has information about this >>>>>>>>>>> card, >>>>>>>>>>> please let me know and I will add it. This item is sold as is, we >>>>>>>>>>> did >>>>>>>>>>> not test it. (obviously) :)" >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> > >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> > >>>> >>> >>> > >>> >> >> >> -- >> Kind regards, BEN. >> >> email: bmustillr...@gmail.com >> msn: benmustillr...@hotmail.com >> web: http://www.bmr.me.uk (under construction) >> >> > >> > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
