Text By Superadaptoid
I purchased this machine in 1992, when 386 machines were STATE OF THE ART. The 386 machines were priced "out of sight". My machine was priced $35.00 and well "within my sight". A few months later, I STARTED TO LOOSE MY EYE SIGHT.
When self employed, accumulating disablities, and deteriorating eye sight, leads to a rapid decline in income and reserves. Since up- grades were financially out of sight, I had to adapt my old computer quickly and "on- the- cheap". While eye sight, time, and money lasted. From this experience the following outline was developed:
This article is written by request of those individuals who want to [or must] "Do It Yourself". With the assumption that many Do It Yourself Conversions may be done by individuals who do not have direct Personal Internet Access or experience. The second assumption is individuals may not have the physical, financial, or technical ability to do more than "plug-in" substitutions.
Most up- grades can be accomplished by "plug-in" substitution with older [but newer] recycled [used] parts. See your local Yellow Pages for Computer Repair, and Second Hand [Used] Computer, shops. With a little work, and a little help from our friends, replacement items should cost less than $50.00 [each].
LOW VISION SCREEN MAGNIFICATION for older PCs. Full featured screen magnification requires "graphics capability". Without graphic capability most monocrome screen computers can only be magnified with "limited" feature settings. Monocrome screens and computers with graphics capability will have more features and settings. Color monitor computers are the best with the most features and settings.
There is a large selection of MS Dos Screen Magnification Software, Shareware, and Demonstrationware. Many of these are full featured programs. Some date from XT's 8086, through 286's, and 386's. The selection for MS Windows 3.1+ [and newer]. Screen Magnification Software, shareware, and demos may be limited by time duration. See: Screen Magnifiers [Through A Looking Glass].
SPEECH, SYNTHESIZERS, TEXT TO SPEECH READERS, and SCREEN READERS. Text To Speech [Windows Clipboard] Screen Readers have synthesized speech; But Are Not [full function] Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers. Text To Speech Readers ... Read From Text Files. Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers ... Read Directly From The Screen. Many Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers require Speech Control Programs such as JAWS, TinyTalk, etc, to be Fully Functional INPUT and OUTPUT Devices.
Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers, Control Programs, and Text to Speech Readers are available for PC's: XT's 8086, 286's, through 386's [MS DOS]. Some are full featured shareware and "limited" duration demos. Several of these are broken down into components and will require the ability to assemble the available parts to your computer's specification. In most cases an 8 or 16 bit sound card and speaker are required. See: Speech [Talking Machines].
For MS Windows 3.1+ Screen Reading Speech Synthesizers, and Control Programs, are available as demostrationware. Many limited by both function and/or duration. Text To Speech Software is available as demonstrationware. Many are limited by function and/or duration. In most cases an 8 or 16 bit sound card and speaker are required. See: Speech [Talking Machines].
SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS. There is a wide variety of adaptive software developed to address specific disabilities. This ranges from dyslexia, ALS, Amputees, deaf, blind, and more. You will need to search and discover the sources. For almost every handicap there is a program somewhere for someone. This ranges from Point & Click Virtual Screen Keyboards, Morse Code Input, Word Prediction Word Processing, Preset Phrase & Sentence Communications, Telephone Auto Dialing, language syntax and grammer. Go To: Search
"SMART BOX" ADAPTIVE HARDWARE APPLICATIONS. Starting as an enhancement to low power PC's [8086/286] hardware "Smart Boxs" were developed to house applications and provide independent memory and power sources. Optical Characher Recognition [OCR], Speech Synthesizers, and Alternative Input Devices, are examples of this technology. In some instances the smart box hardware was smarter than its' host computer. Starting as 8 bit [8086/286] board "plug-ins" some continued to advance to 16 bit [386] boards. As PC's grew [smarter, & faster] smart box "applications" have been taken inside the computer. Leaving smart boxs to disappeared along with their older computer hosts. Go To: Search
"NAME BRAND" Hardware Applications have successfully maintained a healthy after-market with "reconditioned", "refurbished", and "re-sales" at hefty [used] prices. As PC's continue to get bigger, and applications continue to get better, the price of used smart boxs becomes more "artificial". As competition increases; their value will decline. Go To: Search
On the "Home Front" the PC is about to take its' place in the American Dream. Soon the personal computer will surpass the Market Dreams of the American Auto Industry in the 1950's and 1960's. A time when everyone wanted the newest, biggest, fastest, latest model with the most Crome.
As in the Auto Industry the "Critical Event" happens early and un-noticed; when "Basic Need and Utility" are jointly acheived. To be then supplanted and surpassed by the cultural forces of market maniputation [advertizing, marketing, presentation, and packaging].
Just as two cars in every garage will become two computers in every house. Newer and bigger is always better; and there will be an older computer in every "Garage and Yard Sale".
Clearly, the Computer Industry, society, and the rest of the world, will proceed to consume [Their Manifest Destiny]. While Adaptive Technology will follow the Industry; Basic Need and Utility are about to be acheived.
To date, adapting an older computer [8086 and 286] is "Kid's Stuff". Just like kid's used to do with jelopies -and- junkers in the 1930's and 1940's. Get them running, and keep -them- running. Somthing to get- around- in. Basic need and a basic utility [yet to be acheived]. Just transportation; at best.
As life is a learning process, by the 1950's and 1960's the kid's had learned -their- stuff. Basic stock and design had improved with time. Not only was there more old stuff; it was better stuff. Jelopies were gone, and junkers became "Hot- Rods" which out- performed the newest, fanciest" and the best.
Ask the Techno-Kids of today; CONDITIONS ARE ABOUT RIGHT. The 32 Bit Motherboard and the 486 chip may have marked the event where basic need, and basic utility met. From here, bigger boards, faster processors and more memory chips will carry on like adding "Horse Power" to the family car.
Rather than marking the end of development or evolution; this marks the COMING OF AGE AND THE BEGINNING OF MATURATION. To the users of adaptive technology, and adapted older computers, this means:
While Speech Programs will continue toward "human-like" speech ... current 16 bit and 32 bit speech synthesizers are "Pretty- Good"; and could be improved with MORE MEMORY, [Adding Larger Dictionary Files], and/or CHIP POWER.
While Speech Recognition Programs continue to improve ... current 32 bit Speech Recognition is "Pretty- Good"; and could be improved with MORE MEMORY, [Adding Larger Recognition Files], BIGGER DRIVES, and/or CHIP POWER.
While Optical Character Recognition [OCR] Programs continue to improve ... current 16 bit and 32 bit OCR's are "Pretty- Good"; and could be improved with MORE MEMORY, and/or CHIP POWER.
While "The Big Four Applications", [Word Processing, Desk Top Publishing, Spreadsheets and Graphics Programs] continue to merge. 32 bit programs are "PRETTY GOOD" and could be [Independently Or Jointly] improved with MORE MEMORY, BIGGER DRIVES, CHIP POWER, and/or CONVERSION [Through Utility Or Up-grade].
IF 16 BIT ADAPTIVE APPLICATIONS ARE "GOOD ENOUGH" FOR YOU:
Stay with MS Dos & MS Windows 3.+
... A 386 DX+ is "Good Enough".
... A 486 DX+ is "better".
... Bigger drives and more memory are "best".
... Watch for [used] 16 bit Hardware to increase
in volume and drop in price.
That which was "over- priced" [when it was new]. Was worth "less" today [now it is used]. Tomorrow it will be "worthless". Remember 16 bit is "Good Enough"; but 32 bit is "Pretty- Good".
IF 32 BIT ADAPTIVE APPLICATIONS ARE WHAT YOU WANT:
Start with MS Dos & MS Windows 3.11+
... A 486 DX+ is "Good Enough".
... Bigger is always "better".
Wait for MS Windows 96 or 97 [& beyond].
... A 486 DX+ [& beyond] is "Only Good Enough"!
... Pentium and Bigger is Best !
... Check compatibility for all your favorite software.
DO YOU WANT TO HAVE TO RUN YOUR IMPORTANT MS DOS
APPLICATIONS INSIDE A WINDOWS 95+ "DOS BOX" ?
IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE "OPTIONS":
Stay with MS Dos [and forget Windows].
... Get a 286 [or 8086] computer with monitor.
... Follow this article for instructions.
... Pay No More than $50.00 for Anything.
... [Most items will cost less than $35.00]
... Pay NO MORE than $135.00 for EVERYTHING.
... [Buy it a bit at a time, or all in one bite]
... Use this article for Adaptive Programs.
... [Items On- The- Net are FREE to download]
... Watch for [used] 8 bit Adaptive [Smart Box] Hardware
and "Demand" a low price. Since 32 bits is "Pretty-
Good", 16 bits is "Good- Enough", you are buying the
8 bit "Minimum".
That which was "over- priced" [when it was new]. Was worth "less" yesterday [when it was used]. Today it is on its' way to "worthless". Tomorrow it is on it's way to the dump. Set you sight high, make your offer low, and hold your ground.