[wilhelmtux-discussion] Fw: [Net-Gold] Software : For handicapped

Claude Almansi claude.almansi at bluewin.ch
Fri Jun 11 14:07:06 CEST 2004


Hi Zäme

The vocalizing software described below is under Free/Libre Open Source
license. The URL for the article seems to have been cut somewhere in the
transit between Bytes for All and Net-Gold, though. Here it is
http://www.express-computer.com/20040607/indiacomputes01.shtml

Cheers

Claude

Claude Almansi
claude.almansi at bluewin.ch
www.adisi.ch
----- Original Message -----
From: <...>[N.S. Soundara Rajan]
To: <Net-Gold at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 4:00 AM
Subject: [Net-Gold] Software : For handicapped


SOFTWARE FOR A GENIUS, FROM INDIA, COULD ALSO HELP THE HANDICAPPED

How do you operate a computer with a single button? Ask Dr Stephen Hawking
about that. Or better still, ask the small but determined group of Indian
techies who helped him work out a solution to his crippling handicap.

Aptly named eLocuter, this software allows usual text editing functions. But
since the input is only via a single button, innovative approaches had to be
taken to providing these facilities.

"eLocuter tries to predict what the user may wish to type or do next,"
explains Dr Arun Mehta of New Delhi, who together with his colleague and
friend at the radiophony.com network -- Vickram Crishna of Mumbai -- put
together this innovative product.

"He met several software companies when he came to India last, requesting
them to write this very important software for him. We felt it a privilege
to be able to help such an eminent person, who is such an inspiration to us
all," says the Delhi-based Dr Arun Mehta, an IIT-alumni, speaking to EXPRESS
COMPUTER.

Announcing what they call the 'Hawkings Project' -- after the world-renowned
but wheelchair bound astro-physicist -- on the Net recently, the
radiophony.com team noted the potential of this solution. The new speech
synthesizer would serve people "challenged by the current computer
interface"

Since it is Free/Libre and Open Source Software, they've invited others
interested to join in. Said the team: "The intended beneficiary is
Prof.Stephen Hawking of the University of Cambridge, UK, but we expect that
many thousands of people will ultimately find it useful and productive."

Professor Hawking himself suffers from ALS (MND, also known as Lou Gehrig's
disease). This leaves persons unable to use their limbs and voice, hence the
need for a more inclusive interface design to enable a productive life.

Said Mehta: "The of ready-made computers to generate voice from text inputs
is both inexpensive and relatively low on maintenance, hence the decision to
develop the application set on the Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux and MacOS
platforms initially, with subsequent focus on handheld platforms such as
PalmOS and Microsoft PocketPC."

Prof Hawking has been using a DOS-based, 1987-created solution.
Well-designed for its times, it has however not been able to keep up with
the capabilities of modern microprocessor-based computers. It could not
support cut-and-paste and undo functions, meaning much difficulty for anyone
trying to work at a tolerably acceptable speed with limited control. In
addition, its source code was unavailable, meaning the product could not be
maintained.

Mehta says he met Dr Hawkings "several times" to show him the software as it
grew, and obtained feedback from him. "To that extent, I hope so (that it
served the purpose intended)," says he cautiously. Mehta feels the
scientist's approach to their work was "very interesting and very helpful".

Hawkings "always took time from a very busy schedule to help us", he
narrates.

But the radiophony.com duo -- who have also made a name through their
campaigns promoting the cause of community radio, and highlighting the
potential simple radio could have in a still-illiteracy prone country like
India, are still dreaming of going further.

Mehta himself argues that the combination of radio and the Internet will
make a huge difference, for radio can reach the poorest, and the Internet
feed quality content to it.

"We believe that access to a computer and the Net can make a critical
difference in the lives of the disabled. For once they climb this rung, they
have access to world class education, and work that can be conducted over
the Internet," argues Mehta.

Access to support groups is also very significant. They have a realistic
plan. For a start, they would like to make this "first step" of their's as
affordable as possible.

Once the disabled take to the Internet in large numbers, they see a market
for additional tasks that the computer can help them perform -- move, switch
things on and off, and whatever. Says Mehta: "We intend to be serious
players in that space."

Incidentally, Professor Hawking's old software could not be modified,
because the source code had been lost. That is why new software needed to be
written. To make his life less difficult, the Indian techies promised him
this would never happen again -- and have made this a Free/Libre and Open
Source Software (FLOSS) project.

"s it is, the software is great for the orthopaedically challenged -- those
with spinal injuries, carpal tunnel, Since it needs only a single input to
work, it can be used by people with the most serious disabilities," argues
Mehta. "We are hoping to make this, in addition, the basis of a platform for
development of software for disabilities of all kinds."

Technologists like these, who have a social vision attached to their tech
skills, see the computer helping the handicapped even in less affluent
countries like India. How? Simply by "turning them into highly productive
people -- outsourcing works very well for them".

Mehta has himself been working with computers since 1971, when a student at
IIT Delhi, thanks to a student programmer scheme started by Professor PCP
Bhatt. "There are few activities that match programming in sheer creative
potential. On the Internet, programmers can claim to have changed the world.
You can make a decent living from it as well," says he.

What does he see as the three most important fields which Indian skills
should be focussing on? Says Mehta: "Applications for the mobile phone,
particularly m-commerce, and integration of desktop and mobile apps.
Secondly, industrial and home applications, including automation and
networking. Thirdly, games, particularly for an older population."

Mehta is known for the GO! (Graphic Overview) software which involved the
design and implementation of a programming language that significantly
simplifies the hooking up of a PC to any intelligent machine, and the
automation of associated tasks, including interface management, data
filtering, dynamic graphic displays, alarm annunciation, trend curves,
archiving and virtual control desk design. This software was written about
in Byte (US, October 1990), and Laboratory Equipment Digest (UK, May 1991).

Source: Frederick Noronha - BytesForAll_readers at yahoogroup.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Posted by N.S. Soundara Rajan, Mysore, India


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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