===============================================================
==                                                           ==
==        ----------- ALS INTEREST GROUP -----------         ==
==                ALS Digest (#34, 18 APR 1993)              ==
==                                                           ==
==  To subscribe, to unsubscribe, to request back issues,    ==
==  to contribute notes, etc. to ALS Digest, please send     ==
==  e-mail to:                                               ==
==  bro@huey.met.fsu.edu  (Bob Broedel)                      ==
==                                                           ==
==  All interested people may "broadcast" messages to        ==
==  ALS Digest subscribers by sending to:                    ==
==  als@huey.met.fsu.edu                                     ==
==                                                           ==
===============================================================
 
(1)
=====
RE: Building the network (continued)
==========
CompuServe Mail  
Date:  17-Apr-93 18:53 EDT
From:  Jerry R Swanson [72163,2514]
Subj:  ALS
 
 I read your letter in our local ALS newsletter.  I was diagnosed  
with ALS in 1987.  A year later I went on a vent.  I cannot move 
anything except my facial muscles.  I operate my computer with a
program called "Scanning WSKE II".  It is made by Words Plus in
California.  It is a single switch keyboard emulator which makes 
the computer think I'm pressing keys on a keyboard.  I blink my 
eyes to set off the switch while it scans a keyboard.
 I am interested in communicating with other people with ALS on
my computer.  If there is anything you want to know about me, 
feel free to contact me via Compuserve.
Jerry Swanson   
E-mail (Internet): 72163.2514@compuserve.com
 
(2)
=====
RE: Enhancement Software
==========
The following was taken from another conference.
------------------------------------------------
Date   : Wed, 14 Apr 1993 16:54:16 EDT
Sender : L-HCAP List <L-HCAP@VM1.NoDak.EDU>
>From   : Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject: Handicap Digest # 3209
THE HANDICAP DIGEST, Issue # 3209, Wednesday, April 14, 1993
                                ******
To subscribe to the Handicap Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:
UUCP:       uunet!bunker!wtm
INTERNET:   wtm@bunker.shel.isc-br.com
BITNET:     l-hcap@ndsuvm1.bitnet
Fidonet:    The Handicap News BBS (141/420)   1-203-337-1607
            (300/1200/2400 baud, 24 hours)
Compuserve: 73170,1064
Bill McGarry (Moderator)  (203) 337-1518
<parts deleted>
Subject     : Enhancement Software
>From        : BILL.JACKSON@f9.n280.z1.fidonet.org (BILL JACKSON)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:280/9 - South Of The River 
[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]
                 >>>> RATE ENHANCEMENT SOFTWARE PROGRAMS <<<<
Features of many word processing programs such as user-defined
macros, search-and-replace functions and the like speed up the
process of typing con- siderably.  However, for the one- or
two-fingered typist or a user of a head stick putting thoughts on
paper may still be a burdensome task.
Fortunately, there are many special software programs to help users
type more swiftly.  Most of these special access programs run along
with word processing programs, spreadsheets, communications, and
data base software.
The basic idea is to reduce the number of keystrokes necessary to
type (this is known as rate enhancement).  Three basic types of
rate enhancement are used.
1. Keyboard enhancement systems make it easier to hit the right
keys, and include features such as "STICKY KEYS," wherein one key
is "held down" until another one is pressed; ADJUSTABLE KEY DELAY,
which acts as an invisible keyguard, preventing users from
activating undesired keys; and AUTOMATIC PUNCTUATION AND
CAPITALIZATION, which adds proper punctuation spaces after each
punctuation mark.  For example, after a period, the computer
automatic- ally inserts two spaces and capitalizes the next
letter.  Some programs have word ending features.  Users need only
hit one or two keys to get the desired ending, such as "ing," "ed,"
"er," able," or "ment."
2. The ABBREVIATION-EXPANSION feature works much like a macro in a
word processing program, allowing characters on the keyboard to
become abbrevia- tions which are then expanded into often-used long
words, phrases and even sentences.  For example, "cp" can be
expanded to "cerebral palsy" or "wcdd" expanded to Wisconsin
Council on Developmental Disabilities.
3.  One of the newest features is WORD PREDICTION, which finishes
words for users.  Based on past usage, word patterns and other
various factors, the com- puter predicts the next word to be
typed.  It then presents a number of words in a word window that
may be the next word.  If the desired word is present, the user
selects the word.  If the computer guesses wrong, the user types
the next letter of the word and new selections appear in the
window.
Because of the small market the prices of rate enhancement programs
can be relatively high, $300-$600 for multi-function programs, but
less expensive two or three function programs can be in the $25-$50
range.
People with learning disabilities, along with people with motor
disabilities, are finding rate enhancement programs useful,
because they can help them pick the right words with less effort.
If you would like more information on the enhancement software, 
contact:
Trace Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
S-151 Waisman Center
1500 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI  53705
(608) 262-6966, TDD (608) 263-5408
 
(3)
=====
RE: rhCNTF (Phase II) clinical trials by Regeneron
==========
 
As I understand it, Dr. Benjamin Brooks will be giving a
report of the preliminary results of Regeneron's Phase II
clinical trials of recombinate human ciliary neurotrophic
factor on ALS patients. This is to happen at the American
Academy of Neurology annual meeting April 25 to May 1st.
His presentation is to take place at 3:45 PM on April 29th.
If any of you will be attending the meeting please try to
post info about his presentation to the ALS INTEREST GROUP.
rgds, bro (Bob Broedel)
 
(4)
=====
>From Russia
==========
Subject: Re:  sample copy ALS DIGEST
Date   : 9 Apr 93 20:32:01 MDT (Fri)
>From   : vverbitski@glas.apc.org (Vladimir Verbitsky)
 
Dear Bob,
Thank you for sending me a sample copy of ALS DIGEST. 
I am not a specialist in this particular area of neurology, 
but I am greatly interested in medical ethical problems, 
connected with this disease. Besides that I represent a 
Moscow-based medical information and consulting agency 
"InforMed". I can send the Email version of the InforMed 
flyer to all interested people.
Best wishes!
Vladimir Verbitski, M.D.
President and C.E.O.,
InforMed, Ltd., Moscow     
* A/O "InforMed"  Post Box 83, Moscow 121248  RUSSIA 
* TEL: (095) 137-6193 
* FAX: (095) 292-6511 (should be indicated: to TERMIN, box 5196)
* TELEX: 411700 ATTN:TERMIN 5196 
* ELECTRONIC MAIL: vverbitski@glas.apc.org
 
(5)
=====
RE: Stephen Hawking
==========
 By ANDRA VARIN   United Press International
   QUITE A CAMEO: Stephen Hawking was visiting the studio where 
"Star Trek: The Next Generation" is taped when he got an offer 
he couldn't refuse: an invitation to appear on the show. A big-
time Trekkie, the famed physicist and best-selling author couldn't 
resist. Hawking, who suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease and communi-
cates via computer, appears on the season finale as a holographic 
image of himself. He ends up matching wits in a poker game with 
the android Data and (who else?) Albert Einstein. The episode of 
the syndicated show is due to air during the week of June 21.
 
== end of als 34 ==