From: Brett_WINCHESTER@icbvi.state.id.us (BRETT K WINCHESTER)
Subject: Re: quick and dirty braille
Warren,  
Please tell me more (privately) about this "smart" quote feature.  
Where is it found in the word processors setup and on which ones does 
it show up?  I assume wp8.0 .......but are there others?
> Date sent:   
   
07- Feb- 1998 17:25:00 +0000 > Subject:        quick and dirty braille
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> Send reply to:  NFB-Talk@NFBnet.org (Multiple recipients of NFBnet NFB-Talk 
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> From:           sysop@NFBnet.org
> 
> 
> Quoting from the your message:
> As just one example, every apostrophe from the
> printed document was translated as the braille apostrophe
> character, followed by a question mark, a letter sign symbol and
> finally the possessive s for which the apostrophe was necessary.
> 
> I would guess that the original file was done with a newer word process 
that 
> was set to uses what is called smart quotes--that is when the typist enters 
> either an apostrophe or quotation marks, the software automatically 
replaces 
> with them with curly quotes or single quotes which look more decorative to 
> print readers but play havoc with braille translation. This Braille 
> translation software cannot distinguish between a single quote used as an 
> apostrophe and the legitimate use of the character as single quotation 
marks. 
> I've seen that many, many times in newer documents. This feature can be 
> turned off.
> 
> 
> Some people call this quick and dirty braille--a document that can be 
easily 
> produced and quickly distributed. Many readers acknowledge the limitations 
of 
> the translator and balance that with the lower cost and timely access of 
the 
> materials. They see the error, recognize what was meant and move on.
> 
> Others who would like to see better braille which is well-formatted and 
> proofread have several options.
> 1. Provide training to the person who generates the braille and not just 
carp 
> about the poor quality.
> 2. Find volunteers with the skills to see that the job is done well.
> 2. Raise funds for the professional production of the material. Braille 
> costs.
> 
> It's really a question of the chapter's priorities. 
> Warren
> 
> ___
>  * PW * 
> Thanks 
                                                                
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."  M. K. Ghandhi
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BRETT K WINCHESTER PM KD7JN                      READING SERVICES
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