Our newest software sophistication lets you produce math braille quickly and easily. Teachers, students and transcribers will love the entry shortcuts and menu items which instantly transform entries into math notation. When you translate, they turn into perfect Nemeth braille. The mathematics translator can then back translate into the original notation so you can make changes in inkprint or braille. Our braille mathematics add-on uses MegaDots' automatic translation to produce any math, from simple arithmetic problems to advanced calculus. You can easily enter fractions, geometry symbols and shapes, algebra, and integrals -- even if you don't know Nemeth Code.
We have creatively solved one of the trickiest issues for any math translation system. An effective data entry method that's comprehensive, yet easy to learn and use is the heart and soul of the MegaDots Mathematics Translator. You choose from several overlapping entry methods to customize your work. Menus let you choose a number of notations, but there are many shortcuts provided for common math symbols. Or create your own shortcuts to further automate math entry.
Math entry is intuitive, made to resemble the notation
you need, and translation is instantaneous. For example, "the fraction of
x squared plus y squared all over the sum alpha minus beta" is entered as:
[x^2+y^2//Alt-G a-Alt-G b]
In this case [xxx//yyy] work as data
entry shortcuts for the fraction. The caret is a data entry shortcut for a
superscript. Alt-G brings up a menu of Greek letters, and a or b select
"alpha" or "beta". As you type the expression the shortcuts are expanded
to form a readable version of the expression. F5 translates the expression
into braille: ?x^2+y^2"/.a-.b# (which is correct Nemeth
Code).
The Math Translator also understands and correctly interprets the different rules for math contexts and literary contexts. The expression: "speed= the fraction distance over time end fraction; where distance, time, and speed are all measurable quantities." is entered as speed=[distance//time]; where distance, time, and speed are all measurable quantities. Again, F5 translates the expression as: ,speed .k ?distance/time#_2 ": 4t.e1 "t1 & spe$ >e all m1sura# quantities4
In this last example, notice the use of grade one rules next to the equals sign and inside the fraction. Also notice the use of the punctuation indicator in a math context, and the non-use if the punctuation indicator in a literary context. This is true Nemeth Code, not a simplified version of math braille.
You calculate, we'll translate! Right now, the MegaDots Mathematics Translator add-on translates your entered notations into correct Nemeth braille. Eventually, it can be used to produce inkprint mathematical translation as well (see below). When we finish our Mathematics Printing software, a blind student will be able to use MegaDots to translate their Nemeth braille text into inkprint for their sighted teacher.
So no, the MegaDots Editor cannot calculate for you. If you are blind, we recommend the use of paper braille (slate or Perkins) with appropriate aids (i.e., talking calculator and various reference works) as the best way for you to work out your math. The Math Translation software will then turn your entries into perfect Nemeth braille.
The amazingly powerful MegaDots braille translation and word processing software costs $540. We are currently shipping version 2.0. An upgrade to version 2.0 is free if the last block of digits in your MegaDots serial number is 2300 or above. the upgrade cost is $100.
The MegaMath Mathematics Translator is $325. It works with your copy of MegaDots. Be sure to include your MegaDots serial number when ordering this add-on.
For Sales and Information, call 978-692-3000
What follows is a section of the documentation for the Basic Mathematics Translator. We are pleased to provide you with a useful compilation of Nemeth Code resources, giving you the tools you need to pursue your own research at your own pace. We hope this brief overview will help you find what you need.
There are two forms of on-line help about Nemeth Code that are available from within the math translator. Press F10 H N to learn more about topics in Nemeth Code. For example, if you want to know about "fractions", "repeated decimal digits", "square roots" or "spatial format", use this on-line help. This resource explains the topic and how to do the data entry.
When using the Control-I list, press F1 for help on any specific symbol.
For some symbols, there is a description of what the symbol looks like so you can be sure you are picking the right symbol.
There is a file in the MEGA directory called
FNEMREAD.MEG which is designed to explain Nemeth Code braille
to a blind reader. If you are producing Nemeth Code for someone who is not
a skilled Nemeth reader, press F3 C:\MEGA\FNEMREAD.MEG
<Enter> to load this file. Now press F5 F7 F10 to braille it
out. You can make as many copies of this file as you want to help people
learn to read Nemeth Code.
Gaylen Kapperman of the Research and Development, Inc. has finished a three year project to produce The Computerized Nemeth Code Tutor. This is a software product (for the Windows platform) geared to teaching a sighted person Nemeth Code. It comes with a think inkprint book Strategies for the Development of Mathematics Skills in Students Who Read Braille.
Mr. Kapperman has secured funding for about 1000 sets of this valuable resource. These are available free of charge as long as the supply lasts. Be aware that the software does not support DOS or Macintosh, and is not appropriate for a blind person wishing to learn Nemeth Code. Mr. Kapperman is working on making an ASCII file of the Strategies book. That should be available within a few weeks.
To contact Gaylen Kapperman, Click on here: gkapper@niu.edu or use the following contact information:
The Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, Illinois (800-323-4238) offers a correspondence course in Nemeth Code which covers basic arithmetic, some algebra, and some geometry.
There are three books from the American Printing House for the Blind, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville KY 40206 (502-895-2405 or 800-223-1839).
These are:
Know something else about Nemeth Code you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at davidh@brailleplanet.org or call us at 800 347-9594 and share your knowledge. We will gladly add other Nemeth Code resources to this list.
If you are a blind engineer, mathematician or scientist you may be interested in the Technical Braille Center established by a non-profit corporation. This center will produce highly technical material in Nemeth Code braille. Tactile graphics will be included where practical. Books will be available to anyone at prices depending on the cost of production. Please contact John Boyer at Computers to Help People, 825 East Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53703, 608-257-5917 chpi@execpc.com.