BASIC ADAPTIVE
COMPUTER HARDWARE FOR HOME, CLASSROOM OR WORKPLACE.
Text By SuperAdaptoid
When you don't have an answer, those Age Old Questions just don't go away.
HP Scanjet because it is heave duty and still the best.
So this is my idea of an ideal "Must Have Computer Equipment List".
This is my list ... if you disagree ... send me your list.
Email: adaptoid@teleport.com
1. IBM Compatible/Clone PC:
Minimum 486+/66+ mhz/or Pentium+ [the bigger the better]
Invest in the latest Motherboard [to up grade and stay current longer].
MMP chip [usefull but optional]
16 to 32 meg Memory [the more the better]
1.2+ gig hard drive [the bigger the better]
Quad-Speed CD Rom Drive
14 to 19 inch VGA/SVGA Monitor
Soundblaster Pro Sound Card
FAX/Modum [28.8 to 38.8 baud rate and higher].
PC Clones Are Recommended Over All Other Computers:
Because the IBM Clone is the most common and dominates the business, commercial, institutional market for [desk - top] computers in current use.
The IBM Compatible Clone PC has the greatest variety of third party software development and options.
Big Blue And OS2:
IBM OS2+ Warp PC's are recommended as an alternative because the basic computer has an established business, and commercial, [desk-top] market acceptance.
Additionally IBM OS2+ offers it's own IBM Package of Adaptive Applications for Speech, Voice Command and Dictation, Optical Character Recognition , Magnification, [etc].
For those transitioning from MS Dos, without MS Windows, the OS2+ Warp system is quicker to set - up and may be easier to learn.
To Bit Or To Byte The MAC Apple:
Having never established a strong business, and commercial, market position ... The MAC has problems.
While MAC's excel in graphics, available and variety of third party software applications have always been limited, compared to IBM PC Clones.
As for MAC Adaptive Applications, the MAC excels in speech processing; yet lags behind in Voice Command and Dictation software options.
2. In The JAWS of JAWS:
JAWS Speech Control with DecTalk Speech Synthesizer.
While there are a variety of computer systems and speech synthesizer products, it is JAWS that provides uniformity and compatibility of operation.
Once you know how to operate with JAWS you can use any JAWS equiped computer, regardless of system and [most] speech synthesizers.
The DecTalk Speech Synthesizer was selected ... because it was one of the first and the best.
At one time DecTalk was the "standard" in speech synthesis.
DecTalk's competition now is equally good, or better.
For low vision users there are less expensive [under $50.00] alternatives.
Windows "clipboard" Screen Reader Speech:
Winkline
Learn2
Pam, Sam and Reader.
3. The Screen Magnifier:
Zoomtext screem magnifier offers the most options and function levels.
Zoomtext is compatible with a wide variety of applications.
The full Zoomtext package offers the most versitility ... including limited speech output.
Zoomtext has moved to counter third party alternative screen magnification programs,
by offering its' own variety of options and function levels at lower prices.
4. The Mouse:
Stationary Trackball Mouse [usefull for limited desk top space and hand mobility]
Kensington Programmable Mouse Interface ... [usefull to plug in alternative pointing devices]
MetaMouse Enhanced Cursor ... [useful but optional].
5. The Scanner And Optical Character Recognition OCR Software:
HP Scanjet Scanner with WordScan OCR Software.
HP Scanjet Document Feeder ... [usefull but optional].
HP Scanjet was selected because it is heave duty and is still the best.
WordScan OCR because this is what I have.
These are what I have experienced.
Oscar
TypeReader
ReadingEdge
EasyReader
Recognita
CharacterEyes
TextBridge
OmniPage.
6. Visability:
Scan Graphic and Manipulate Text [with magnification].
Visability allows printed form documents to be scanned and text added, adjusted, and reprinted.
Visability enables "form filling" in lines, in boxes and in spaces.
A lazer printer is required to reproduce the finished document.
HP Printjet was selected because it is heave duty and is still the best.
7. The Operating System:
MS Windows For Workgroups 3.11 with MS DOS 6.2+
Or ...
MS Windows 95+
8. MS Windows Access Pack Software:
Although limited it is Adaptive, and it's FREE.
9. Voice Command And Dictation:
Prices vary from Free Beta Research Software* to under $100.00 and higher.
The leading companies are competing with low prices to introduce the "First Time Buyer".
Additionally the industry is introducing new technologies for current users.
These new products represent a substantial improvement over previous applications.
For some, recent purchases are being applied to the purchase of further up grades.
Watch for previous programs to dump on the secondary market, classifieds, trade magazines, newsgroups, and BBS sites.
You will be able buy more than you think of last year's and past year's products.
Microsoft*
Verbex
Kurzweil
IBM
Dragon Dictate
Philips.
10. Software Program Applications:
TextAssist, TextHelp, MathAssist
DataMenu [text based drop menu] for Windows Program Manager.
MS Windows System Word Prediction Utility
MS Windows System ASCII Text NotePad
MS Windows System Spell Check Utility
CD Rom Encyclopia and Desk Reference Texts
CD Rom "The Windows [technical] Bible"
Microsoft Word or Corel Wordperfect
Microsoft Excel or Lotus
Or ...
Microsoft Office or Corel Office.
11. Internet Web Browsers:
Prices vary from Free Beta Test Software* to shareware under $50.00.
Microsoft Internet Explorer* or Netscape Commander*
[with/or without WAB3 "speech friendly blind" proxy].
PwWbSpeak "speech friendly blind" Browser
Emacs "speech friendly blind" Browser*
NetTamer "speech friendly MS Dos/Windows" Browser
Opera Low Vision Browser [with magnification]*
Verbex Voice Command Browser*
VIPinfoNet Voice Command Low Vision Browser* [with magnification]..
For low vision users there are Free Beta Test* Windows "clipboard"
Screen Reader Speech alternatives for Microsoft Explorer and Netscape.
SoundScape*
And ...
Read To Me.*
12. The "All- In- One" Adaptive Computer Application:
The IBM OS2+ with its' own Adaptive Package comes closest to the Adaptive Computer "In- A- Box".
Limited choice supports standardization ... "One- Size- Fits- All".
Open the box and Plug-It-In.
The PC Clone's Adaptive Applications have evolved as separate components.
There are several third party Adaptive Programs which [attempt to] combine all the Adaptive Components.
Most are technically successful ... while some are more successful in one function over another.
These "All- In- One" programs are in the minority ... against the greater market of individual component applications.
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