ANOTHER IBM and OS/2 SUCCESS.


Commentary by: David Andrews: National Federation of the Blind


     Whether you are a SysOp, (Systems Operator,) or a user, your
preference in bulletin board software is a very personal matter. 
At least I know that it is that way for me.  Just over three
years ago I was asked to start a BBS to serve the members of the
organization for whom I work.  It is the National Federation of
the Blind, (NFB,) and we are a 50,000 member nationwide consumer-
based organization of blind persons.  

     Since I, and most of my callers are blind, I wanted a
package that is straight forward and works well with screen
review programs and speech synthesizers.  I originally decided on
Opus, but was never able to get it to work right, due in part to
my inexperience at the time, and due in part to its poor
documentation.  I switched to Maximus running under DOS and had
no problems.

     As our BBS, NFB NET, has become increasingly popular and
more widely used, the need for a second phone line became
apparent earlier this year.  With Maximus it is possible to run
additional lines using a multitasker such as DESQVIEW or OS/2.  I
could either use such a method or switch to a package that
internally supports multiple lines such as TBBS.  After much
investigation, reading of Fidonet echoes, and asking questions, i
decided to add a second line using Maximus and OS/2.

     I did this primarily because of the investment in time and
effort that I already have in our Maximus DOS setup.  By
switching to an OS/2 version of the same software I could use the
same configuration files, menus, etc., with only minor changes,
and our users wouldn't have to learn a new system either.  While
a few blind guys have gotten DESQVIEW to work with speech
synthesis, it isn't easy.  For stability and reliability, and
future growth, OS/2 was the only choice.

     Almost two years ago, IBM released a product called Screen
Reader/2.  This is a program that allows a blind person to use
OS/2 with speech synthesis.  IBM should be commended for its work
in this area.  They have put a lot of time, money, and effort
into developing a program that will serve the needs of blind
persons.  They had a large, well supported beta group, and really
did it right in terms of developing Screen Reader/2.  They were
also interested in, and supportive of my efforts to get
BinkleyTerm, Maximus, and Squish up and running under OS/2.  Dr.
Jim Thatcher, Screen Reader/2's developer, answered my questions
via CompuServe and very much took an interest in the project.  

     In addition to running NFB NET, I am Director of the
International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind, the
world's largest demonstration and evaluation center for computer
technology used by blind persons.  I have worked with the
programs that give blind people access to Graphical User
Interfaces, including the Mac, Microsoft Windows, and OS./2, and
in my opinion, Screen Reader/2 is the most complete, reliable,
and stable of the GUI access packages.

     While I have used computers for over ten years, starting out
with an Apple IIe, it is hard to describe the thrill of
multitasking.  Using OS/2 and Screen Reader/2 I can perform BBS
maintenance, and even recompile the BBS files while someone is
on-line.  I find it all pretty neat and I must thank IBM for
making it possible.

     IBM has promulgated a set of guidelines for developers of
OS/2 applications which if followed will ensure compatibility
with Screen Reader/2 and speech synthesis.  The file, which is
called "SRD2GDE.TXT" is downloadable from NFB NET.  It is located
in File area 10.  NFB NET can be reached by calling (410) 752-
5011.  The file can be downloaded on your first call and it can
also be file requested from Fidonet 1:261/1125.  While we have a
variety of file and message areas of interest to blind persons,
we also have many general interest areas, and all callers are
welcomed.  Drop by and learn a little about the NFB and blind
people.
