[DECtalk] decTalk on IOS with TestFlite beta app?

[jake mcmahanCharles Mcmahan]

     Normally I don't say much on these type things but I think this 
whole thing is quite unnecessary.  We all use products and technology in 
our own way, think in our own way, that's what makes the world what it 
is.  While I personally use dectalk for some things, eloquence for 
others, I don't think it's a bad idea for an old product to be invested 
in if proper permission is given.  Last I heard, Jake Gross did get the 
source from someone who actually worked at the company, so really the 
legal thing is complicated and I wouldn't do well exploring that one.  
Point is though, we're all people who function in different ways and 
have our own ideas. Lots of this stuff is very informative and it's 
interesting to see what others think but I don't think it's necessary 
for anyone to be hostile or get worked up when there really is no need 
for it.

Both of you (Don and Karen) are very great  people, and I'm sure you 
contribute in your own way.

No harm meant.

On 11/15/2022 10:43 PM, Don wrote:
> On 11/15/2022 8:11 PM, Karen Lewellen wrote:
>> And you know this how exactly?
>
> Know *what*?  Your comment is without reference.
>
>> I use dectalk, because other forms of synthesized speech trigger  
>> health issues.
>
> Then all the more reason for *you* to want the owners of the DECtalk IP
> to invest in improving THAT technology!
>
>> My goodness, i dare  say you gleam a sense of self by judging the 
>> choices of others as if you were  an authority on all aspects of the 
>> human condition.
>
> Wow, what an overreach on your part.  You know jack shit about me
> yet feel like you can characterize my personality, motives, etc.
>
> Can you tell me what color shirt I'm wearing, too?  And, what
> I had for supper??
>
> I am one of the few developers who have expressed an interest in the
> *needs* of folks with disabilities *or* invested development effort
> in addressing them.   (Feel free to ask how many other list subscribers
> are designing products to address these needs)
>
> I know this because I TALK TO OTHER DEVELOPERS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
> And, because you see so many devices created without their concerns
> in mind (microwave oven?  washing machine/dryer?  home stereo? TV?
> irrigation controller?  I guess blind users don't *have/want* these
> devices...)
>
> They care little about whether you can read the fine print on
> the front panel of their product.
>
> Or, can distinguish between the blue and green knobs; or green and
> red.
>
> Or *hear* the "default keyclick".
>
> Or, "dejitter" the manual controls so someone with essential
> tremor (or Parkinsonian tremor) could use their device.  Or, the
> smallness of controls and the tightness of their placements.
>
> Or, have fits induced by the blinking indicators on their displays.
>
> Etc.
>
> I was speaking with a neighbor who is responsible for developing 
> curriculum
> for the public school children in our district.  In the course of the
> discussion, I commented that "at least one kid in each classroom is
> color-blind".  She disputed this.  I qualified it as "one in 15 males"
> and, if you assume a nominal class size of 30 with equal numbers of
> males and females, that translates to one child.  She continued to 
> dispute
> this.
>
> After all, I'm just a silly ENGINEER... how would *I* know these things!
> Hint:  It is not taught in engineering curricula.
>
> Two months passed before I bumped into her again.  And, she was
> surprised to discover that I was, in fact, correct!  Gee, yet *she*
> is the one charged with deciding what and how those kids are taught?
>
> One of the first persons I interviewed when working on this project said,
> "Don't make it look blind!" which left me at a complete loss: "What?"
>
> "Products for blind users LOOK like they were designed for blind users.
> Make it sleek and sexy.  Like something folks would be interested in
> wanting to know about, own, etc."
>
> "Ah, well, that's likely because quantities are so low that manufacturers
> don't want to invest in custom tooling to make a fancy case..."
>
> "And, make it easy to clean and easy to *keep* clean!  If I'm going
> to be handling it, the oils and dirt from my hands will quickly get it
> dirty.  And, a sighted person nearby would be grossed out to see me
> handling something that THEY can SEE as dirty... and then shaking my
> hand or accepting a cookie from me, etc."
>
> I quickly learned from the deaf community that they don't *want*
> to speak (per se).  They would *tolerate* devices that convert
> ASL to spoken word and vice versa.  But, have no inherent desire to
> "join" the hearing/speaking world.
>
> I learned form caregivers of alzheimer/dementia patients that the
> voice of a friend or family member carries more clout than words from
> that caregiver (so, if you can speak in a family member's voice, that
> has more value than a generic voice -- DECtalk? -- issuing directions)
>
> You know these things by talking to people and hearing their stories.
> You have to expend effort to do so -- which suggests concern for the
> needs of others (quite the opposite of your allegations, here). You
> don't get PAID for that effort.
>
> [And, my final product is FOSS so *I* won't get any remuneration
> from it, either!  Gee, I guess that's what "authorities on the
> human condition" do, right?]
>
>> those commenting positively about my dectalk when compared to tts, 
>> are using commercial products, amazon   kindle fire for example.
>> But of course the 8 billion on the planet are second to your personal 
>> experiences.
>
> And, apparently, YOURS, as well.
>
> But, hey, if you're happy with your 8 tracks, go for it!  I'll be sure to
> let my colleagues know that the vision impaired community doesn't need to
> be accommodated in any of our designs...
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