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From: laurae@ATTUNIX.ATT.COM (Laura Eaves)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Questions on technology
Message-ID: <13758@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 3 Sep 90 04:44:26 GMT
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Reply-To: laurae@ATTUNIX.ATT.COM (Laura Eaves)
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Index Number: 10021

[This is from the BLIND-L mailing list]

> - A low-vision person has to work with a UNIX machine (Siemens version
>    Sinix). Is there any character enlarging software available that works
>    with the standard terminal (not a PC as terminal)?

I am legally blind and have been working on UNIX since '82.
I use either of two systems:

1) Since grad school, I've been using a closed circuit video system
   designed for enlarging terminals.  My system consists of a Vtek
   Voyager II with external camera that sits on a stand with mirrors
   over the terminal.  (This configuration has since been discontinued.
   However, TSI does have a similar product called a "CRT Readout System"
   in which the camera sits on a stand in front of the terminal.)

   The nice thing about this type of setup is that it can be used on ANY
   type of terminal (graphics terminals, workstations, etc), and even on
   other large objects.

   The camera is maneuvered and focused manually.

2) A couple of months ago, I also purchased TSI Vista.  This is the
   enhanced graphics card for DOS machines that enlarges both print
   and graphics.
   The main advantages to using Vista are
	1) cursor tracking (you don't have to hunt for the cursor),
	2) color (TSI now has a closed-circuit color video system,
	   but as yet, it can't be used with an external camera.
	   However, I understand this will change soon.)
	3) no need to focus.
   Although Vista doesn't run on a UNIX machine, it is quite simple
   to use a PC as a terminal.  All you need is terminal emulator software.

There are other character enlargers on the market, but I don't have the
information handy.  You may be interested to know that MacIntosh computers
come with a utility called "Close View" for low-vision users that lets you
zoom in on any part of the screen, track the mouse icon, view in reverse
video, etc.  I used it once briefly, but since mouse-driven interfaces are
quite awkward to use when enlarged, I tend to shy away from them as much
as possible.

Sorry -- I have no info on music systems for low vision, but my guess is
that general enlarging systems (such as Vista) could be used effectively
with standard software/hardware packages, and there would be no need to
adapt them specifically for low vision users.  At least that SHOULD be the
case.

Hope this helps...

-- Laura Eaves, AT&T Bell Labs, Warren, NJ