Dear Stefan and list,
I agree the math and science people should judg this code and there are two
articles which definitely oppose the code. One is written by a Mathematics
transcriber and compares the UEB symbols for math to those of Nemeth Code.
The author was against the new code and gave his own specifics. The other
article, which I didn't read, discussed the drawbacks of the UEB computer
code compared to the present computer braille code. If you do a Google
search for UEB, you or anyone else interested could find and read these
articles for yourselves.
Finally, HumanWare opened the door for this topic when they stated UEB code
was a good alternative to the present computer braille code. I think it was
inadvisable of them to make such a statement since the UEB has not
officially been adopted by all the countries.
I would be very disappointed if HumanWare took away the current computer
braille tables (and the current grade 2 tables) and replaced them with the
UEB.
The full-fledged version of Duxbury offers all the tables plus many foreign
language tables which the BN doesn't have.
In conclusion, I think it's highly unfair to expect anyone, particularly
math and science students to re-learn braille all over again. It's hard
enough figuring out the math let alone learning a new code!
I agree name-calling is not appropriate and I'm sorry it happened.
Terri Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stefan Slucki" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Braillenote] Why does HumanWare support UEB
Terry, Brandon and list,
Well, I wasn't going to respond, again, on the topic of U.E.B. but this
sounds like a conversation we need to have on-list--and finish with,
agreeing to disagree.
Braille, like any language, is an evolving phenomenon.
When Louis Braille drew together the system we now know, there were no
contractions--those were added later.
When I was in the U.S. in the 'Seventies, there were people advocating
for GRADE 3 braille which seemed completely goofey to me at the time.
I returned to Australia and picked up a few insights from a short-lived
code-reform called B.U.O.C.
Now, U.E.B. needs to be judged on its merits, but the knee-jerk
attitude that characterises some of the posts on this list speaks ill of
the self-centered, not to say short-sighted, outlook of some.
I've already indicated that the great advantages of U.E.B. (apart from
standardising English symbols) appear to be in the math,
physics/chemistry and other such technical codes. Those with expertise
in THOSE FIELDS should be given centre-stage in judging its worth, in my
view!
The fact that a few well loved signs are abolished . . . well, there
weren't ANY SUCH SIGNS before the grade two system was adopted so it's
our tradition that we regret losing. No one reading U.E.B. literary code
will be non-plussed by anything.
I am encouraged by those posts from folks, older than I, who have a
potentially-receptive outlook. I think we need to agree to disagree and
move on.
What I do ask, though, is for our American friends, in particular, not
to be referring to nations like New Zealand and Australia as "stupid"
for adopting U.E.B. You are free to disagree with such resolutions but
such provocative messages do re-inforce the Rambeau-image you regretably
have. I loved my time in Philli and wouldn't like to see this list
degenerate into name-calling.
That's my last word on U.E.B., I promise.
Stefan Slucki.
Stefan Slucki
Braille Instructor
Royal Society for the Blind
Phn 8232 4777
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
__________ NOD32 2415 (20070723) Information __________
This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com
___
Replies to this message will go directly to the sender.
If your reply would be useful to the list, please send a
copy to the list as well.
To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit
http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
