[BRLTTY] converting unicode to 8-dot brf

[peter.julien.rayner at gmail.com]

Dave Mielke writes:
>Yes, you're correct. You may wish to try en-nabcc (rather than brf) to see how well it works. Though BRF doesn't formally define any characters that use dot 8, as well as many that use dot 7, definitions for them are included within brltty's en-nabcc text table. There's only one exception - the no-breaking space - which we could easily add.
That does indeed produce characters which correspond to the correct
dot patterns in the text_nabcc.dis display table, so far so good ...
>I do need to ask you what you're trying to do because such tables may actually be not what you want. Why is it that Unicode braille patterns aren't adequate? Are you, perhaps, wanting to write to some particular braille printer?
Yes, in this case an ancient  Braille Blazer. It's ancient enough I
can't find documentation on its 8-dot display table. Also, IOS 26 has
introduced a new cluster of applications under the Braille Access
rubric. This includes a nice feature for reading files on a braille
device with reasonable workflows for getting them there from my Linux
laptop. Alas it doesn't understand unicode braile so I was curious to
try 8-dot brf. Failed on both counts.
>There are issues that need to be considered. For example, such tables don't treat a newline as a newline. Also, for writing to a braille printer, what you actually would need is a table that precisely matches what the device itself is expecting.
And alas the BB isn't expecting 8-dot brf. Worth a try to avoid buying
a new embosser for the task.
thanks again
Peter

-- 
Peter Rayner (he/him)
My work days are Monday-Thursday, responses at other times might be slow.
The Superpower Institute <https://www.superpowerinstitute.com.au/>
Level 3 105 Victoria St. Fitzroy 3065
Transparent, actionable and auditable data on Australia's methane emissions <https://openmethane.org>
mobile +61 402 752 379
zoom id 4431343191, join at  <https://unimelb.zoom.us/j/4431343191?pwd=a1E5Z3JEOTRVQUJsaVdRbVUvR1QyZz09>
mail-to: peter.rayner at superpowerinstitute.com.au
google scholar: <https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=H3up71wAAAAJ&hl=en>
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pay my respect to their Elders, past and present
I am sending this email when convenient for me, please only respond when convenient for you