Questions: What are the system requirements? . I am interested to know system requirements. Their PCs are old (Toshiba 2000).
Answer: The system requirements depend on how you wish to use Triangle. Triangle will work on just about any DOS or Windows machine that has 1 Mb or more of ram. We have only tested it on machines that had a 286 or better processor. Triangle will work with any 386, 486, or Pentium computer.
There does seem to be a slight problem with some of the older video drivers. Sometimes the graphics windows displayed in the graphing calculator or the figure viewer are displayed as a set of characters. In a few cases the specialized GS characters do not load properly and thus are not displayed. The best thing to do is to try it on your system and see what works. These problems do not affect the functionality of Triangle, just what it looks like on the video screen. The sonification of the graphs will work even if not displayed properly on the screen.
When using Windows95, it is important to use TRIANGLE in a full screen mode, otherwise the characters will not be displayed correctly. The full screen mode is toggled by pressing Alt-Enter.
For listening to the sound graphs produced by the graphing calculator, we recommend a sound blaster compatible card with stereo speakers or headphones. The graphs can be played through the pc's speaker without installing a sound card. The only real difference is that the sonified graphs don't have the stereo pan feature and that the sound isn't as smooth.
We have been using VocalEyes 3.0 as a screen reader and the appropriate .set file is included in the Triangle package. We also have a .set file for Vocal Eyes 2.2. We have used DecTalk, MultiVoice, Type and Speak, and LiteTalk speech synthesizers. All seem to work well, but there are peculiarities with some of the synthesizers, especially the DecTalk.
We have recently added support for the JAWS for DOS screen reader. This program is available for free from the Henter-Joyce web site. We have configuration files in a self extracting archive that should be added to the JAWS directory. Instructions for downloading and installing these files are here.
We have support for TSI's PowerBraille 40 braille display. Our drivers should work on any TSI braille display but they have not been tested. The GS braille set is easily loaded into these displays. Other displays may not be able to load the special characters, but will work for any of the standard characters (ACB.)
We have used is TSI's Versapoint plotter for printing. Other printers that can load the GS character set should also work well but have not been tested. If you are just printing standard characters, any braille printer should work.
Touch tablets for which we have support are APH Nomad II, Edmark TouchWindow, and KeyTek MagicTouch. We recommend using the TouchWindow as it is the least expensive and most reliable. The Nomad works well too, but is a bit bulky. TRIANGLE uses the Touch tablet with an annotated tactile picture created from another program called Objectif (also available for free download). The annotated image is be printed from TRIANGLE on a braille printer and then placed on the tablet. Pressing on an object in the picture will have the computer say any text associated with that object.
Ideally having a machine with 3 com ports and an LPT port would allow for simultaneous use of a voice synthesizer, a braille display, a tactile touch pad, and a printer. We usually make a choice between the voice or braille displays, with the touch tablet as the second item if there is a second com port.
Question: I tried to download, but it didn't work!
I tried to download TRIANGLE but I could get the file from Dots. What's up?
Answer 1: It may be a problem with the service provider. It appears that Dots refuses connections if it does not get a host name associated with an attempt to connect. That is a problem with the service provider not Dots.
Answer 2: Dots may be down, try again later.
Answer 3: Still having problems? Send your name and address to triangle@dots.physics.orst.edu and we can send you a disk.
Question: What operating systems work with Triangle?
Is Triangle DOS-based, Windows 3.1 based or WIN95-based? Do you have Triangle for the Macintosh?
Answer: Triangle is a DOS based program. It will work in a full screen DOS window under Windows 95/98. A self-voicing Windows 95/98 Triangle is in the works. A web version of the graphing calculator can be found on the Graphing Calculator web page. There is no Triangle for Mac, or other platforms, although Steve Sahyun did write a crude talking calculator for the Mac which is available upon request.
We downloaded Triangle and wished to use it with Jaws 3.2 in Windows. Do you have any suggestions for a more transparent access?
Answer: As Triangle is a DOS program, we recommended using a DOS screen reader. Henter-Joyce now has Jaws for DOS available for FREE on the Henter-Joyce web site.. The functionality is similar to the windows version. Configuration files for Jaws for DOS (ta.jdf, ta.jff, ta.jmf, ta.jvf) can be downloaded from the link below.
Instructions for downloading and installing the JAWS files are here.
Question: What is Triangle's concept?
Could you please clarify the concept of Triangle for me. I might overexpect the program.
Answer: Triangle is meant to be an accessible mathematics scratch-pad, allowing basic functionality that print disabled individuals will find useful. The idea was to develop software which is able to display information in a variety of modes, visual (via the screen), tactile (via a braille display), and audible (via a screen reader). The editor allows user to read and write complex equations in a linear format. Symbols, such as the integral sign, have single character representations (both on the screen and in braille) and are read correctly by screen readers. The editor allows for basic search and replace but does not have more advanced capabilities such as spell checking.
The table viewer allows easy access to elements in a table. Users can easily move from cell to cell without the limitation of a fixed screen size, or needing to worry about formatting. Individual cells can have large or small amounts of text. ASCII, or basic TeX, or Lotus 1-2-3 tables can be converted into Triangle's .gst format using a converter program (called SAP Table Viewer, you can get it on the web site.) Columns of data can be plotted into the plot window, or a sound bar cart can be created. Limitations of the table viewer are that you need to convert a previously existing table, or create the general layout in the editor. Symbols can not be entered from the table viewer (but can if the file is opened in the editor, modified, saved, and then reopened in the viewer.)
The graphing calculator provides the ability to do basic calculations, and plot simple graphs. It does not do complex math functions such as imaginary numbers or hyperbolic functions. It is also not possible to create a plot with more than a one to one mapping of x to y. You can however, display the graph of the integral or derivative of plotted functions.
More information on the capabilities of Triangle can be found in the help pages (F1) from within Triangle.
Question: Is there a tutorial?
A tutorial on the basic features of the software would be quite helpful in our situation. Is there one available? How do I access and run it?
Answer: We are currently working on a revised tutorial as the original tutorial was difficult for users to understand. Please see the Using TRIANGLE web page for the latest information.
Question: How do I learn about the GS code?
I would like to investigate the GS code further, but I am running into a couple of stumbling blocks. Is there some kind of structured tutorial on how to learn the system?
Answer: We are currently working on a GS tutorial for use with the TRIANGLE program. Please see the Using TRIANGLE web page for the latest information.
More information about the GS code can be found on the GS Index page. Do you know TeX? If so, then you will probably notice the close similarity between the GS and TeX syntax. We have used the TSI PowerBraille 40 to display GS characters.
Question: How to use the plot viewer?
Even after reading all the help screens, I have not been able to figure out how to use the plot viewer. I assume I need to type a function in one of the buffers and then select evaluate, plot, and then view, plot. How do I set the window? (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)? I read that I need to set minx(i), maxx(j), and points(k), but I haven't been able to get that to work.
Answer: The Y coordinate is automatically scaled, so there are no settings for that axis. There are two methods for displaying the plot window. The easiest is to press the F5 key when in the editor. The second method for displaying the plot window is to use F10 for the main menu (again, this is starting from the editor screen), select the View option, then select the Plot window option (selecting an option is accomplished by using the arrow keys to highlight the desired item or by pressing the letter, v or p in this case). The plot window will be displayed in the lower right hand corner of the screen, while coordinate information will be displayed in the lower left. The display shows the last plot that was calculated.
To initially calculate and display a plotted function:
Starting from the editor screen (Triangle starts in the editor):
1. Type the minimum and maximum x values that you want calculated. This
also sets the x axis scale. Also enter the number of points to evaluate.
For example type the line:
minx(0); maxx(10); points(100)
Next, while the cursor is still on that line, press the F4 function key. At this point the screen will change slightly. You have been switched from the 1st editor page to the Scratch pad (this is where the results of all calculations and evaluations is put). You should see the following lines displayed:
F10: Menu Triangle Context:(0) Scratch Pad MINX(0) ; MAXX(10) ; POINTS(100) = MINX=0; MAXX=10; POINTS=100
The top line tells you that you are now in the Scratch pad viewer. The x axis values and the number of points to be displayed are now set. To continue working in the 1st editor buffer (which is where you started) either press the Alt and F1 keys at the same time, or press F10, choose View, then choose 1. <Untitled 1>, from the menus. You will now see:
F10: Menu Triangle Context:(1) <Untitled 1> minx(0); maxx(10); points(100)
Now, go to the end of the typed line, and press enter to place the cursor on the next line down. Now type the line:
sin(x)While the cursor is on this line either press the Alt and F4 keys at the same time, or press F10, and choose evAluate, then Plot. The plot window will now appear in the lower left corner of the screen with the sine function evaluated from 0 to 10. The plotted function can be listed to by pressing the Ctrl and left arrow keys at the same time. Pressing the left or right arrows once will play a single data point and move the cursor position left or right by one place. The up arrow will move the cursor to the maximum y value displayed in the plot, and the down arrow will move to the minimum y value.
One side note: on some older computer screens the plot window may not display properly (you may see
the ASCII character set instead). The plot is still there and can be
listened to or printed without problems. This is only a rare occurrence.
You may also see this problem when running Windows 95. To
properly
display the plot window, you need to have the DOS screen window in full
screen mode. This is accomplished by pressing Ctrl-Enter to toggle the
full screen / window modes.
Question: How to plot equation ...
Thank you for your help. Following your instructions, I was able to graph sin(x).
However, when I tried to graph the linear equation y=2x+3, I ran into
trouble again. I tried following the same process but, instead of
sin(x), I typed 2x+3. The message I received was "invalid data set."
Now what?
Answer: You will need to type:
2*x + 3
Unfortunately, the graphing calculator is not as smart as people when recognizing the difference between math equations and text, so each math step needs to be explicitly stated. This is especially necessary for more complicated math instructions. The best advice is to use parenthesis liberally. For example:
(2*x + 3)*(cos(2-x)^2)
Question: What is a touch tablet?
When I was reading about Triangle it mentioned the Touch 'n Tell program for an external digitizing pad. What is, and where can we get, a digitizing pad? Our greatest difficulty is getting access to the graphs he makes.
Answer: A digitizing pad, or touch tablet is an external device that tells the computer the location of where you touch on a rectangular field. These devices connect to the computer through the com (serial) port. The Science Access Project has written drivers for three digitizing pads, the Nomad, built especially for use by blind people and sold by the American Printing House for the Blind, and two less expensive touch screen adaptations, EdMark's TouchWindow, and Keytec's MagicTouch pad. These are available through the companies that make them or from a number of supply houses serving technical needs particularly in the education community.
Please see the Using TRIANGLE web page for more information.
Question: Do you have a driver for ...
I have two nice graphics tablets (a Kurta 11 x 11, and a Wacom 6 x 8) that I would like to use with triangle, but I will need to come up with a driver or two it seems. Do you have any specification or guidelines on how to do this?
Answer: We would like to support as many hardware devices and configurations as possible. If a user has a piece of hardware and they are competent and willing to write a driver for, then we will be happy to provide the necessary information. Unfortunately, since we have many projects to work on, we do not have the resources to develop more drivers.
The other thing I'm thinking is that the tactual overlays for the Wacom tablet will need to be scaled down. Will, or do the programs for producing the overlays have the capability to do this? If not, how much effort would be involved in making the necessary modifications?
Answer: The TRIANGLE figure reader includes a scaling feature, so the size of the figure is irrelevant. You just have to tell the computer/digitizing pad where the upper right and lower left markers are, and everything after that is scaled. You have to put the paper in straight of course.
Question: Can you print to a standard printer?
Can triangle print out its buffers, plots and text to a standard printer?
Answer: Yes and no. DOS Triangle can print text, but the GS characters won't print. The graphs will print but not in any meaningful way. We are working on a Windows program to read the GS characters and print to a standard printer.
Question: Is there a border for the graphs?
There is a solid border which actually determines and represents the graph, right?
Answer: All graphs should be bordered on all sides by a solid dot pattern. The page size is 11 1/2 inches by 11 inches. If your graphs are being chopped off, this could be the reason. This is a default value as it is a standard braille page size. If you use smaller paper, the graph will either be chopped off, or, if the printer has word wrap mode on, the lines will be wrapped to the next line, creating a confusing printout.
There should be a border on all sides: top, bottom, left and right. Unfortunately, axes, and tick-marks are not printed. The numerical values of the graph cursor location is displayed on the screen however. The screen cursor is automatically located on this line so screen readers, or braille displays will display the coordinates. As you move the graph cursor with the arrow keys, the coordinate values will change. Information about the minimum and maximum x axis values is located two lines below the coordinate display.. The line below that contains the y axis information.
Question: How is the plot different than printing?
How is printing from the plot different than printing from the figure viewer?
Answer: Printing from one of the Editors will print the displayed GS text.
Printing from the Plot viewer will print out the currently displayed graph.
The figure viewer will print a figure created with the Objectif program (available on our web site) and imported into the Triangle program. This is so that a person can create an annotated figure, print it out, place the figure on a tactile pad (TouchWindow, Nomad, or MagicTouch) and the computer will read the annotated text linked with the part of the figure touched.
Question: I only get half a plot!
I was trying to print various graphs. However, in all cases I only get half of it. For instance, if I enter y = 3*x^2 + 3*x - 5, instead of parabola, I get just half of it.
Answer: It is important to remember to set the minimum and maximum plot range to graph. In the parabola case, you would want to enter the line:
minx(-10); maxx(10); points(100)
and evaluate it. minx() tells where to start the graph (left most point); maxx() tells where to end the graph (right most point) and points() tells how many data points you want displayed on the screen; the more points, the finer the graph, the longer it will play, and the longer time to calculate it (which may be an issue on 386 or earlier machines.)
So, a step by step process would be:
In the editor, type:
minx(-10); maxx(10); points(100)
press F4
press Alt-F1
press down arrow key
press enter key
Type:
3*x^2 + 3*x - 5
press Alt-F4
At this point you are now in the plot viewer, you can use the Ctrl-right arrow key to play the graph to find out if the graph is what you want. If it isn't go back to the editor and change the parameters. If the plot range isn't what is wanted, enter new values, press F4, Alt-F1, move the cursor to the line with the equation, and press Alt-F4 to re-plot the graph.