Secret Plots

[billroper]

Please note that decadentdave is not on this filter. There's a fine reason for that.

Dave's screen-reading software is from a company that no longer exists. As a result, it is no longer updated and is getting progressively cruftier. It certainly won't run on a new machine, nor work with a number of the newer accessibility features.

It also turns out that new screen-reading software is annoying expensive, on the order of $1000 U.S. And Dave would really need a new machine to put it on.

Well, it happens that my old studio computer can be resuscitated by adding a new hard disk, after which it will be a pretty robust dual-processor Windows XP Professional system. And Dave will be visiting in just a couple of weeks.

It also happens that you can get a 60-day trial of one of the better screen-reading packages for about $40. So I can certainly set that up for him and see how it works.

But in the meantime, I was wondering how many of you would be willing to contribute to the "let Dave read his screen" fund. We actually collected about $65 at Confusion this year; then I ruptured my knee the day after the con and became, well, distracted is a good word.

So do you think we can raise around $1000 for this?

Comments

[ericcoleman]

I'm in for 50, let me know where to send it

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

kitanzi and I can do $50 as well.

[blueeyedtigress.livejournal.com]

Remind me when I see you, and I'll hand you some cash towards this. Good onya, Bill. ;]

[stevieannie.livejournal.com]

We're very strapped for cash, but I'd like to help however I can, and I figure that even if it's $10, then it's given with love and might help a little.

How do you want to collect? PayPal would be easiest for us, I guess, given the transatlantic aspect...

[bardling.livejournal.com]

I'll chip in as well, at the moment I can probably match the $50, this might vary a little, depending on when the collection happens, but I guarantee *some*! :)

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

I can definitely do $10 possibly more when the time rolls around.

[katyhh.livejournal.com]

Well, we've just seen else journal that it apparently is entirely possible to collect a lot of money in a very short time. And for someone who's as beloved a part of the community as Dave is ... I would hope it's possible! We're in - I'd think we can do about 20 or 30. Not much, agreed, but I like to think that every tiny bit helps ...

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

I'm in, though I can only do 10 or 20.

[smallship1.livejournal.com]

See your 50 at least. What do I do?

Count me in..

[qnvhrtz.livejournal.com]

...for at least $10. Maybe more depending on when your're ready for the funds.

[alymid.livejournal.com]

count me and Evan in for 30 or so. Let me know when and where to get it to you.

[rms-butterfly.livejournal.com]

The 3 of us can contribute $30 total. Good luck!

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

At least $50, possibly more.

Paypal?

[sraun]

I can't afford to contribute right now, but I could pass word to gerisullivan or davidwilford at Baggiecon?

[billroper]

Sure! Very quietly... :)

(Dave's hearing is just fine.)

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I have the Baggiecon aspect covered.

K.

[maedbh7.livejournal.com]

I can div in 20 ish, but I'm miserable shite at remembering I said I would. Email/LJ/Poke me and remind me I owe you 20. -H...

[jerusha.livejournal.com]

anach and I are in for $20 at least.

[poltr1]

I think I can kick in around $10.

[alicebentley]

I have an address for the two of you that may - or may not - be current. Count us in for $50, and I'll mail a check when I'm sure of the destination.

[quadrivium.livejournal.com]

Point me the way to your paypal, and I will help.

[persis.livejournal.com]

I will gladly contribute, $25 is about what I can afford; Dave's ability to communicate with his extended family is pretty important.

[tollermom]

Count me in... I should be able to pitch in $50.

[sibylle]

Ayup, point me the paypal way, I'll chip in!

[zencuppa.livejournal.com]

Count me in for at least $20.00.

[madfilkentist]

Put me down for $25.

[bedlamhouse]

$50 here from ladyat and I.

[vampirdaddy.livejournal.com]

Has he tried Linux yet? The Knoppiux-based Ariadne ist not ready yet (Q3/2007),
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-adriane/index-en.html
and AFAIK SuSe/Nivell Linux should have BLINUX drivers built in?

[artbeco.livejournal.com]

There was a helpful discussion about assistive technology awhile back in my post about Dave and his computer (at my 5/1/2007 entry: http://artbeco.livejournal.com/48103.html?nc=26 --hope the link works!)

There are links in the comments to various sources for assistive technology, if that's any help. I sent you an e-mail, Bill, but I'm not at all sure if it has gotten through, since the address I have is old at best. I know Dave had asked us at the time not to start up a 'fan conspiracy' to get him a new set-up, since he quickly suspected Debbie and I of being 'up to something' ;). I think that was mainly motivated by him not wanting to cause a fuss and put people to a lot of trouble, though.

If you have a computer that can be kitted out and you're willing to give it to him and set it all up for him it would make it so much easier for him, and since you're also a computer god it would hopefully enable you to get it all set up and running for him with a minimum of hair-pulling. It all makes the whole thing much easier to accomplish. I tend to think that if you can get the whole shebang set up by the time he comes to visit, it could be presented as a fait accompli and might be a pleasant relief to him in many ways. I'm so glad that you're willing to do this. :)

And count us in for $50 or so, and if there's anything I can do please please let me know.

[patoadam]

$50

[jodimuse.livejournal.com]

I'll be happy to contribute too, Bill! Just let me know when and where. (Paypal would probably be best, as a number of people have already mentioned)

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

I'm sure I can manage $20. Perhaps more, depending on when you're collecting and Stuff.

[carolf.livejournal.com]

Did daisy_knotwise get my email? No bounces, but no answers, either, and I'm not sure I've got the right address?

[billroper]

Got it and thank you! We're still sorting out all things on this end and I hope to know more shortly.

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

I just saw this - put me in for at least $50 and let me know via e-mail at terencedotchuaatgmaildotcom where I can Paypal it.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

What a fine idea. I did hear about this at Baggiecon, though I am pretty sure Dave did not. Maybe Geri mentioned it. At any rate, I do not know who among the Baggiecon crowd heard about this, and who hasn't yet. I have all their e-mail addresses and will copy-and-paste this in a message to them, if you like. Before I do that, I need an address where they can send their contributions. PayPal would also be helpful. If you want to use my PayPal account to collect, you're welcome to. It's karenc@visi.com.

I had a very nice conversation with Dave's wife Liz yesterday. Not about his software especially, but about how he's doing. The answer is that he's doing just fine, but that being able to connect with his many friends and dear ones all over the world is very very important to him. This will make a big difference to him. You're doing a good, important thing.

He doesn't use a monitor, though it's essential to anyone using the net with him. You can phone up to the Bhigg House to learn what sort of monitor he already has, once he's left. The most technically proficient person around is Doug, so get him in on it if you need any specifics on what Dave already has. And, if you collect an amount over the software cost, maybe get him some very nice headphones. I didn't notice the ones he has now, but a few years ago they weren't that great.

And yes, of course we're in for a contribution.

K. [who got a Dave hug just this morning]

[billroper]

Using your PayPal account would be wonderful, as I'm not well set up there. Could you drop me an e-mail just so we can iron out the details? I'm at roper at filker dot com.

Thanks!

DDC's PC Upgrade

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Bill...

Not certain if we met before or not (maybe at New Orleans worldcon in 1988). I have been out of fandom for a long time, but I have known Dave for about 30 years. That was even before I realized he was decadent and then shared it with the world (thanks to Karen C's insite).

This reminds me a great deal of the fan fund Dave was involved with many years ago to get Reed Waller a decent guitar. It was a great idea and so is this.

I haven't had any experience with paypal, but if I figure it out I will contribute as well.

Yours Truly,

Don Bindas

p.s. Geri Sullivan has my email if someone really needs to contact me. Please bear in mind I share it with my wife so nothing rude.

What reader software did you use...

[bwittig.livejournal.com]

I got asked today about a recommendation for reader software. I remembered this post...what software did you end up getting and how well does it work?

The person asking is using an old version of software and getting frequent pauses and lockups. Especially when trying to have it read ebay pages.

Thanks for any info!

Bob

Re: What reader software did you use...

[billroper]

We ended up getting Window-Eyes. So far, it's seemed to work pretty well for Dave, although he's still coming down the learning curve.