[gfsd]Dasher

[David J.C. MacKay]

Dear All,
        
        I've been asked to tell you about
our new piece of GPL free software.

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Dasher
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 Dasher is an information-efficient text-entry interface, driven by natural 
continuous pointing gestures. Dasher is a competitive text-entry system 
wherever a full-size keyboard cannot be used - for example,

    * on a palmtop computer;
    * on a wearable computer;
    * when operating a computer one-handed, by joystick, touchscreen, 
trackball, or mouse;
* when operating a computer with zero hands (i.e., by head-mouse or by 
eyetracker).

The eyetracking version of Dasher allows an experienced user to write text as 
fast as normal handwriting - 25 words per minute; using a mouse, experienced 
users can write at 39 words per minute.

For further information see

http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/

There are several versions of Dasher.
The intention is that the new release of Dasher (version 3, release date: 
October 2002)
will become a multi-platform, multi-language software system.
Version 3 will be released under GPL.

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Funding
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Making a  multi-platform, multi-language software package is a big task
and I'm currently trying to secure funding for a project manager to
play the role of chief hacker for the next 2 years. If GNU.ORG has
any contacts among the charitable donors community
who would be especially interested in supporting open source 
software for disabled people, please let me know.

Thanks

David

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David J.C. MacKay        email: address@hidden                     
                           www: http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/mackay/
Cavendish Laboratory,      tel: (01223) 339852 fax: 354599  home: 740511
Madingley Road,                 international code: +44 1223
Cambridge CB3 0HE. U.K.