ARCHIVE / 2013:

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 437

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 26, 2013 - Volume 437
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

Photo of the BrailleNote Apex BT 32 Cell Notetaker. This Week's Featured Advertisement: One (1) Gently Used BrailleNote Apex BT 32 Cell Notetaker with GPS for $3,000.00 USD

Flying Blind, LLC is pleased and excited to have a BrailleNote Apex BT 32 Cell Notetaker with GPS Application including 2013 maps for sale this week for only $3,000.00 USD! This unit includes a BrailleNote GPS Receiver and Application valued at $1,500.00 USD. This unit with accessories retails for approximately $7,000.00 USD. But purchase them this week and take advantage of an over 60% discount - that's right - an approximate savings of $4,000.00 USD!!! The BrailleNote name is synonymous with excellence and innovation, and the Apex continues to set standards that other notetakers have yet to meet. This unit has been fully tested and is in excellent condition. It's robust yet intuitive functionality will offer limitless notetaking, navigation, and portable information management to whomever receives it. This is a single unit, sold only in combination with the aforementioned accessories, and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Price includes shipping anywhere within the continental United States. To be the first to secure this unit and start out 2014 with an amazing AdapTech Bargain please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information, or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

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Greetings,

1) We start a fairly slow news week in this last issue for 2013 with this treat for baseball fans. Vin Scully sings "Take me Out to the Ballgame" at Wrigley Field in honor of Harry Carey. This came from the Twitter account @VinScullyTweet, which might be worth a follow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICs2nxhmKRs&feature=youtu.be

2) LowVisionRants.com posts blogs, podcasts, and videos that will center on the problems of people who have limited vision, and provide helpful hints and tricks to overcome those hurdles.
http://lowvisionrants.com/

3) I haven't checked this out, but Povidi claims to have an Accessible Google Calendar site.
http://povidi.com/mag/index.py

4) The WebAIM Project welcomes people to complete its Screen Reader User Survey #5 by January 15. These are popular questionaires, and the results from previous years, still available, are interesting:
http://webaim.org/projects/screenreadersurvey5/

5) Read about Good CCTV usage techniques from The Cast Blog:
http://blindpodcaster.com/between-two-worlds-good-cctv-usage-techniques/

6) Also for your reading pleasure, "The Paranoid's Guide to Protecting Your Identity While Traveling."
http://joeorozco.com/blog_the_paranoids_guide_to_protecting_your_identity_while_traveling

7) Keysoft version 9.4 for the Apex family of products offers the ability to read and write Nemeth code so students can do math more independently, and the ability to read PowerPoint files.
http://support.humanware.com/en-usa/support/braillenote_apex/software/keysoft_94

8) There's a mailing list for developers of iOS apps who are themselves blind. To join, send a blank message to:
mv-dev+subscribe@googlegroups.com

9A) Cathy Anne Murtha now offers $90 textbooks on PowerPoint 2013 with JFW or with Window-Eyes:
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/office2013.htm

9B) And Windows 8.1 with JFW or with Window-Eyes:
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/windows.htm

During the rest of 2013, if you enter the word Christmas in the coupon field on her shopping site, you save 20% on textbooks.

10A) The Freedom Scientific training department offers its schedule of free webinars for the first part of 2014:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/training/Free-Webinars.asp

10B) And paid webinars:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/training/Paid-Webinars.asp

11) And speaking of Freedom Scientific, FSCast #85 consists of an interview with the company's director of technical support:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast085-december2013.asp

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 436

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 19, 2013 - Volume 436
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

Photo of the Braille Sense OnHand. This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Gently Used Braille Sense OnHand 18-Cell Notetakers For $2,895.00 USD Each!!!

Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to announce the availability of two gently used BrailleSense OnHand 18-Cell notetakers for $2,895.00 USD each. This handheld AdapTech juggernaut is the smallest 18-Cell Braille notetaker currently available on the market today. The BrailleSense continues to set standards for reliability and innovation, giving users the ability to manage large amounts of data and interact with their sighted colleagues using a mainstream, industry standard user interface. These units have been fully serviced, are covered by a sixty day warranty, and ship with the latest BrailleSense firmware update. We're pricing these units over $1,100.00 USD off of their suggested list price. Our price also includes shipping anywhere within the 48 Continental United States. These small yet powerful change agents will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure one, or both of them, please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information, or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Buy Now - One Gently Used Braille Sense OnHand 18-Cell Notetaker For $2,895.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YCZEUDMGCTYZ8

Greetings,

1) From Jeffrey's Soapbox, read "The quest for a high contrasting black mobile phone experience for low vision users - Part 2." There's a link to Part 1 within the article:
http://blog.blackspheretech.com/?p=239

2) The DAISY Consortium has Released Obi 3.0, the free audio production program, with speed improvements, language packs, Project Merge, and other features:
http://www.daisy.org/news-detail/1310

3) LifeHacker offers us "Five Things Bing Does Better Than Google":
http://lifehacker.com/the-best-things-bing-does-better-than-google-1483983630

4) NeoWin has posted the "I got a Windows 8.1 machine for Christmas, now what do I do?" guide, which contains some text and several useful links:
http://www.neowin.net/news/the-i-got-a-windows-81-machine-for-christmas-now-what-do-i-do-guide

5) Microsoft Will Help Launch a New Association for Accessibility Professionals:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/accessibility/archive/2013/12/17/microsoft-will-help-launch-a-new-association-for-accessibility-professionals.aspx

6) Freedom Scientific has made a number of enhancements and bug fixes in JAWS 15.0.5056:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/JAWS15-previous-enhancements.asp

7) Learn How to use VoiceOver (on the Mac) with a Mixer courtesy of The Cast Podcast and Blog:
http://blindpodcaster.com/how-to-use-voiceover-with-a-mixer/

8) IMore suggests answers to the burning question: "iTunes Radio vs Spotify free: Which free mobile music service is best?"
http://www.imore.com/itunes-radio-vs-spotify-free-which-free-mobile-music-service-best

9) As long as we're in the mood for competition, thanks to CNET, "Siri battles Google Now in New Contest":
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57615135-37/siri-battles-google-now-in-new-contest/

10) CAVI has decided that they need to raise the prices for all their courses. They also invite you to check out their brand new MS Office course, to be offered for the first time in February, 2014:
http://wiki.cucat.org/index.php?n=Main.Office

11) Safeway has announced a plan to make its main delivery shopping web site accessible:
http://lflegal.com/2013/12/safeway-web-press

12) AFB has created new advocacy materials on strengthening specialized services. You can find an overview of specialized services as well as specific documents on education services, employment services, and services for adults with age-related vision loss.
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?FolderID=3&SectionID=3&TopicID=553

13) The Fleksy keyboard, quite popular among blind users, is now available for optional use within four other iOS apps.
http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/12/5201868/fleksy-wants-to-become-your-new-ios-keyboard-everywhere

14) Through the courtesy of OS X Daily, we learn how to "Get Walking Directions in Maps for iPhone"
http://osxdaily.com/2013/12/11/get-walking-directions-maps-iphone/

15) National Braille Press wants to hire a Grants Manager, and encourages Braille enthusiasts to apply.
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/aboutus/employment.html

16) We mentioned the Audio Books HQ app last week. Now, J.J. has written a review of it:
http://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=10266

17) Wrapping up with the week's audio additions:

A) From AppleVis we can grab "Description and Initial Setup of the iPad Air and iPad Mini With Retina Display":
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/description-and-initial-setup-ipad-air-and-ipad-mini-retina-display

B) And Grab Some Free Downloads This Christmas Courtesy of Apple:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/grab-some-free-downloads-christmas-courtesy-apple

C) The title of CBT 73 is "Dell Venue, First Touch, Configure with Narrator Jesters and Keyboard Commands":
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/dell-venue-first-touch-configure-with-narrator-jesters-and-keyboard-commands-cbt-7312132013

D) Learn about the new Keysoft 9.4 in Episode 10 of The Cast:
http://blindpodcaster.com/the-cast-episode-10-keysoft-9-4/

E) AccessTalk: Podcast 21 has to do with Typo keyboards, MotoG, wearable tech & the Pocket PC
http://AccessTalk.co.uk/podcast-21

F) Have a listen to This Month in Tech for November, 2013 from the Serotalk Team and guests:
http://serotalk.com/2013/12/13/serospectives-this-month-in-tech-for-november-2013/

G) Not to mention their 2013 Christmas concert:
http://serotalk.com/2013/12/13/serotek-presents-our-2013-christmas-concert/

H) Eyes on Success #135 discusses the Seeing Eye GPS app for the iPhone, and #1351 follows up with Mike May about his experience regaining vision:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/EOS_ShowList.htm

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 435

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 12, 2013 - Volume 435
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

Photo of the BrailleSense U2 32 Cell Notetaker with Braille Keyboard. This Week's Featured Advertisement: BrailleSense U2 32 Cell Notetaker with Braille Keyboard - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

We're unable to contain our Holiday Cheer in offering you this fantastic bargain! Flying Blind, LLC is selling three (3) BrailleSense U2 32 Cell Notetakers with Braille Keyboards for over $2,000.00 USD off of their individual suggested list prices. The BrailleSense U2 has quickly positioned itself as the most reliable and robust portable platform on the AdapTech market, touting Windows-like functionality bundled within a rugged yet sleek design. Stay ahead of the notetaking curve by purchasing one of these gently used gems, each of which have been fully serviced, and ship with a 60 day warranty. Throw in free shipping for our Continental U.S. customers and you've got yourself quite a stocking stuffer to start off the 2014 year. One that will give you a whole lot of power and functionality at work, school, or while on the go! Act now while there's still time to give yourself or someone special that gift of a lifetime this holiday season, and save yourself a couple thousand dollars in the process! Units available only while supplies last. To be the first to secure one of these units please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information, or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

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Greetings,

1A) According to LifeHacker, these are the best Windows tips, downloads, and guides for 2013:
http://lifehacker.com/most-popular-windows-downloads-and-posts-of-2013-1478269903

1B) And the equivalent listing for the Mac:
http://lifehacker.com/most-popular-mac-downloads-and-posts-of-2013-1479756456

2) The December 2013 issue of AccessWorld contains "An Overview of OS X Mavericks, the New Apple Operating System for Macs","Leveling the Android Playing Field with the EqualEyes Launcher and Suite of Accessible Smartphone Apps", "A Comparative Review of iPhone Magnifier Apps", "Audio Description in Theaters: Making Theaters More Accessible", and more:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

3) According to the AT blog from the NFB, accessibility in the Kindle Fire HDX has made some notable progress, but the device still has a long way to go before it can claim to be really accessible:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/kindle-fire-hdx

4) The same blog gives a positive report on the Sprint Kyocera Kona talking feature phone:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/sprint-kyocera-kona-talking-feature-phone

5) It takes a bit of work to accomplish some of what is described in this article, but doing that work could be quite rewarding. Kelly Pierce has written an article entitled "iPhone on the Cheap: How to enjoy wireless service for less than $30 a month, get a new iPhone for less than half retail, and have popular apps free":�
http://www.applevis.com/guides/carrier/iphone-cheap-how-enjoy-wireless-service-less-30-month-get-new-iphone-less-half-retail

6) In cooperation with Space Camp and SCIVIS, the St. Louis Lighthouse for the Blind is offering full scholarships and transportation assistance to children of unique cultural diversity to attend SCIVIS 2014:
http://www.tsbvi.edu/space/lighthouse.htm

7) GW Micro announces the release of Window-Eyes 8.4, with support for three new synthesizer options (eSpeak, Microsoft Speech Platform, and Vocalizer Expressive), better Skype integration, and various bug fixes:
http://www.gwmicro.com/News_&_Events/Latest_News/?newsNo=297

8) The Mushroom FM Internet station has gone away, but you can still listen to Jonathan Mosen's flagship program, The Mosen Explosion, most Sundays at 19:00 GMT for four hours:
http://mosenexplosion.com/

9) And Jonathan has written a post, "Bringing the Blind and the Sighted Together Through Games":
http://mosen.org/index.php/bringing-the-blind-and-the-sighted-together-through-games/

10) Speaking of games, the AbleGamers Charity has released its "AbleGamers 2013 Holiday Gift Guide":
http://www.ablegamers.com/ablegamers-news/ablegamers-2013-holiday-gift-guide

11) AFB offers a $29 webinar recording, "Low Vision Nonoptical Devices: Improving Visibility for People with Low Vision":�
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=eLowVisNonOpDevices&ruling=No

12A) The Job Accommmodation Network offers a free 105-minute webinar, "Funding of Assistive Technology Through State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies", December 18, 2013 at 19:00 GMT. To register, or for registration questions, write to:
lurquhart@nls.org

12B) The flier is here:
http://www.nls.org/files/Disability%20Law%20Hotlines/National%20AT%20Advocacy/TeleconferenceFlyerFundingATthruStateVRAgencies12-18-13.pdf

13) The Chris Cole Rehabilitation Center in Austin, TX seems often to be in need of adaptive technology trainers, and so they are now in need of two:
https://jobshrportal.cpa.texas.gov/ENG/careerportal/Job_Profile.cfm?szOrderID=246336&szReturnToSearch=1&&szWordsToHighlight=technology

14) The Cast blog and podcast has recently become more active. The theme of the blog is "Being confident in your ability, not your disability." The podcast is oriented to Android:
http://blindpodcaster.com/

15) And speaking of podcasts:

A) The Cast Episode 9 concerns Instapaper:
http://blindpodcaster.com/the-cast-9-instapaper/

B) And Episode 8 Concerns the Audible Android App:
http://blindpodcaster.com/the-cast-episode-8-audible/

From AppleVis come: C) Overcast: a Free and Accessible Weather App for iOS that Does What it Says on the Tin:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/overcast-free-and-accessible-weather-app-ios-does-what-it-says-tin

D) AppleVis Extra: FREEQ and the Power of Advocacy:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-freeq-and-power-advocacy

E) A Dark Room: A Text-Based RPG for iOS:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/dark-room-text-based-rpg-ios

F) And TimeTuner: A Full-Featured Radio Alarm Clock for iOS:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/timetuner-full-featured-radio-alarm-clock-ios

G) Hear the Smart Watch (FreevoxTouch) Blind / Low Vision Touch Screen Watch Demo:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com

H) And finally, an Audioboo demonstrating how to launch the accessibility features of the Kindle Fire HDX:
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1788190-demonstration-of-enableing-the-accessibility-feature-of-the-kendle-fire-hdx

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 434

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 5, 2013 - Volume 434
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Flying Blind, LLC Online Store Offers Great Deals on All of Your Holiday Shopping High Tech and Low Tech Blind / Low-Vision Needs!!!
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Greetings,

1) Check out the November 2013 DAISY Planet Newsletter:
http://www.daisy.org/planet-2013-11

2) Learn about the new Braille Sense U2 Mini, which is due to start shipping in late December, on Tek Talk for GMT Tuesday, 10 December at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

3A) Meanwhile, Executive Products has begun to sell customized cases for the Braille Sense U2:
https://www.executiveproductsinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=277&products_id=1955&osCsid=790bijng6aoj5quefg4252del4

3B) And U2 Mini:
https://www.executiveproductsinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=277&products_id=1954&osCsid=790bijng6aoj5quefg4252del4

4) This schedule of audio-described TV programs in the US is updated weekly:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12HN-8UeDWGj1Y_NjHQxAsEwYjqNxq3sYHrgL5zrw3F8/mobilebasic?pli=1

5) Audiobooks HQ is reputed to be the most popular audiobook app for iOS, with a collection of 7,500 books from several sources. Now this $1.95 App has been made VoiceOver accessible. The creator, Inkstone Mobile, says it is adding VoiceOver support to its other apps, which include one for French audiobooks, one for audio bibles, and one for eBook searching:
http://www.macmegasite.com/2013/12/03/inkstone-mobile-adds-voiceover-support-to-popular-audiobooks-hq-app/

6) This LifeHacker article is called 'Navigate Files Like a Pro with These Windows Explorer Tips and Tricks':
http://lifehacker.com/navigate-files-like-a-pro-with-these-windows-explorer-t-1466669311

7) GW Micro has added several Microsoft Office-related articles to its Knowledgebase:

7A) Accessing Attachments in Outlook:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2046

7B) Window-Eyes Does Not Read A Microsoft Word Document:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2048

7C) Exit Protected View In Microsoft Office:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2049

7D) And if you missed Part Two of using iTunes with Window-Eyes, you can now stream or download the audio from this episode of the free monthly training webinar, as well as access the study guides from:
http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Webinar_Training/

8A) Astec has released SayMagic, which brings advanced support for using Dragon Naturally Speaking Pro with MAGic. The program costs 275 pounds. Readers in the UK and elsewhere can contact Astec:
http://www.astec-at.co.uk

8B) And users in the US can contact Next Generation Technology:
http://www.ngtvoice.com

9) From the HowToGeek comes 'Wireless Printing Explained: AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, iPrint, ePrint, and More':
http://www.howtogeek.com/176421/wireless-printing-explained-airprint-google-cloud-print-iprint-eprint-and-more/

10) The American Thermoform Corporation (ATC) has established the 3D Tactile Graphics Products Division. This newly created division will focus on 3D printers and milling machines for creating tactile materials. More information is available at:
http://www.3dtactilegraphics.com

11) If you buy the SenderoMaps and Sense Navigation audio tutorial bundle, it will cost you $44 instead of $59 for the individual tutorials:
http://www.mysticaccess.com/product.php?productid=6

12) Read a transcript of an interview with Sina Bahram about his life and about creating accessible web sites:
http://www.eone-time.com/blog/sina-bahram-on-accessible-web-practices/

13) NV Access Announces the release of NVDASR 2013.3, with its improvements to touch screen access and Microsoft Office functionality:
http://www.nvaccess.org/post/nvda-2013-3-now-available/

14) QRead 2.31 has been released, including Removal of bookshare page numbers during read-all and more reading improvements:
http://q-continuum.net/qread/

15) I had some trouble getting this to play, but maybe you won't, and it's worth the listen: Have you been iritated lately by the repeated 'Screen locked' messages in iOS 7? Well, you aren't alone, and here's a song about it:
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1765885-screen-locked-screen-locked-song-inspired-by-ios-7

16) In audio content:

16A) AppleVis Brings Us LaunchBar for OS X: Quickly Start Applications, Open Documents, Play Music, Compose Emails, Navigate the Web, and Much More:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/launchbar-os-x-quickly-start-applications-open-documents-play-music-compose-emails

16B) UK Bus Checker for iOS: Real-Time Arrival and Route Information:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/uk-bus-checker-ios-real-time-arrival-and-route-information

16C) Using Siri to Set More Specific Times in the iOS Clock and Reminders Apps:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-siri-set-more-specific-times-ios-clock-and-reminders-apps

16D) Cribbage Pro: Play this Classic Card Game on your iOS Device:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/cribbage-pro-play-classic-card-game-your-ios-device

16E) Radium: Perfect Internet Radio for your iOS Device:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/radium-perfect-internet-radio-your-ios-device

16F) And the latest shows from Eyes on Success include one on the MBraille App and one on overcoming challenges:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 433

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 28, 2013 - Volume 433
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Giving Thanks
Photo of a beautiful cornucopia. This week Flying Blind, LLC is taking a holiday breather from the hustle and bustle of AdapTech Bargains to wish all of our U.S. subscribers a most Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous start to the 2013 holiday season. We are exceedingly thankful to each and every one of you that read Flying Blind, LLC Publications each week, and we are also grateful to those of you who shop Flying Blind, LLC products and services all year. Look for some upcoming news in your inboxes this coming Cyber Monday regarding some product specials available only in the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store! Until then, relax, reflect, and create new memories with family and friends! And enjoy this week's issue of Tidbits!

Greetings,

Happy Thanksgiving here in the US. I never get to acknowledge Canadian Thanksgiving, since it happens on the second Monday in October, and as our name so clearly suggests, we publish on Thursday.

1) Not surprisingly, the "Thinking Outside the (Gift) Box" post from the Zoomed In blog, from AI Squared, has lots of ZoomText-related ideas, but has lots of other good ideas too:
http://www.aisquared.com/blog/2013/11/thinking-outside-the-gift-box/

2) From Gamasutra, read "5 Things We Learned About Developing An iOS Game for Blind Players":
http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DianaHughes/20131120/205346/5_Things_We_Learned_About_Developing_An_iOS_Game_for_Blind_Players.php

3) Commercial interests have managed to make us think that the days surrounding Thanksgiving are created for shopping. If you want to join in, here is an accessibility review of the Black Friday iOS app that might help you do so:
http://www.horizons-blind.org/?p=1157&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

4) "Folk Music in America" was a set of 15 vinyl records compiled during the 70's at the Library of Congress. The 13-hour compilation has been digitized and can be downloaded, along with pdf files that contain lyrics and notes about the songs:
http://blog.dinosaurdiscs.com/post/54340976113/folk-music-in-america

5) The specialized iOS notetaking app, AFB AccessNote, has been updated to version 1.2, with an improved find feature, the ability to display .brf files on a braille display, and other fixes:
http://www.afb.org/community.aspx?AnnouncementID=1609

6) Blindspot is an open-source PC App that allows blind users of the premium version of the Spotify music service to access it with any screen reader:
http://blindspot.codeplex.com/releases/view/112250

7) GW Micro has published three articles related to the use of Outlook to its Knowledgebase

A.) Outlook Enhance Installation/Configuration/Troubleshooting:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2043

B.) Configuring Outlook for Window-Eyes:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2044

C.) Accessing HTML Email in Outlook:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2045

8) For more than ten years, the NFB has run the BlindMath mailing list for discussing all matters related to accessing math instruction. In order to make the most useful content from this huge list archive available, a volunteer has exerpted Blindmath Gems for clearer searches:
http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home

9) Jonathan Mosen talks about his latest book, Tweeting Blind, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 3 December at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

10) Odin Mobile claims to provide mobile phones for the blind, to provide a variety of accessible phones and rate plans, and to add extra accessibility features to the Nexus 4 that they deliver:
http://odinmobile.com/

11) APH Quick Tip Video #21 discusses how to use the GeoBeam feature of the Android Nearby Explorer app to get tactile and audio feedback for places near you:
http://www.aph.org/quick-tips/

12) The NLS has posted 12 videos on using the iOS BARD Mobile app to its YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpAGnumt6iV7Aap_-C8b-8pR_HCxnh_Ls

13) Seminars Hadley will present "Online Shopping - Tips from Online Shopaholics," free as are all their webinars, on Wednesday, 4 December at 20:00 GMT. Learn more and register here:
http://hadley.edu/SeminarDetails.asp?sid=213

14) This MacWorld article gives a coherent answer to the question, "Mavericks Dictation vs. Dragon Dictate: How good is OS X's built-in tool?"
http://www.macworld.com/article/2066026/mavericks-dictation-vs-dragon-dictate-how-good-is-os-xs-built-in-tool-.html

15) This article from Time is called "30 Days with Microsoft's Surface Pro 2: It's a Keeper":
http://techland.time.com/2013/11/22/30-days-with-microsofts-surface-pro-2-its-a-keeper/r

16) Learn from CNET "How to get unlimited free holiday music on your phone or tablet":
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57613639-285/how-to-get-unlimited-free-holiday-music-on-your-phone-or-tablet/

17) AOL plans to remove Winamp from the web and kill off all associated web services on 20 December.

A.) People might want to download the latest version before that time so they'll still have the program for later installs.
http://www.winamp.com/media-player

B.) In the meantime, a group of developers and enthusiasts are trying to convince AOL to make the code open-source. You can sign a petition and learn about the effort here:
http://savewinamp.com/

18) EASI offers two webinars in December: "Even Easier Captions with YouTube," Monday, 2 December at 19:00 GMT, and "Accessible Digital Images," Thursday, 19 December at 19:00 GMT:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm#november

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 432

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 21, 2013 - Volume 432
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One (1) Gently Used Pacmate BX420 with Wireless Adapter and Leather Executive Products Carrying Case for $1,295.00 USD!!!
Photo of the Pacmate BX420. Flying Blind, LLC has a Pacmate BX420 notetaker that has seen very little use for $1,295.00 USD, which is over $1,100.00 USD off of its suggested list price! This notetaker, with a detachable 20 Cell Braille display, can also be used with a computer, and that functionality is worth the price alone!!! But there's more! This unit ships with both a wireless adapter and a leather Executive Products carrying case, which gives you another value-add of approximately $150.00 USD. It's the perfect companion for the PC user wishing to manage contacts, appointments, emails, and take notes while seamlessly synchronizing their data with a PC. This is a single unit, sold only in combination with the aforementioned accessories, and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Price includes shipping anywhere within the continental United States. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Buy Now - One (1) Gently Used Pacmate BX420 with Wireless Adapter and Leather Executive Products Carrying Case for $1,295.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=QHCLVYPVTEX3W

Greetings,

1) Two state agencies for the blind are looking to hire Adaptive Technology trainers.

A.) Oregon:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oregon/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=74735

B.) New Mexico:
http://www.spo.state.nm.us

2) MovieReading from Solo-Dx is an iOS app that will let you get audio description for some first-run movies that may not otherwise be described. You buy the description track for the movie you want to watch, then sync your phone to the movie in the theater to get the description. Subtitles in different languages are also available. One new movie debuts with audio description this week, so we'll see how many movies end up being available:
http://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=9923

3) BCAB is selling two webinars on using Skype on Saturday, 30 November. Skype with NVDA starts at 13:00 GMT, and Using Skype with GW Connect starts at 15:00 GMT. Each webinar costs 15 pounds, or both cost 25:
http://bcab.org.uk/training-events/using-skype-webinars

4) Staying in the UK, the RNIB has declared November "Switch on to Technology Month", and besides holding various live free "Technology Taster" events throughout the country, they have three guides, probably of use outside the UK as well, downloadable in various formats including Word, and available from RNIB itself in yet other formats: "Making sense of mobile phones", "Getting online with computers and tablets", and "eBooks and download audio books":
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/Pages/switch_on_to_technology_month.aspx?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_media&utm_content=guides-computers&utm_campaign=switch-on2013

5) And lastly from across the pond, the RNIB has produced three videos demonstrating access to the newly-accessible Kindle Fire HD:
http://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=9914

6) Jonathan Mosen elaborates as to why Voice Dream Reader is Truly a Dream App for those who like to read audio or text-based reading material:
http://mosen.org/index.php/voice-dream-reader-truly-a-dream-app/

7) Learn about all the upcoming ZoomText-related webinars provided by AI Squared:
http://www.aisquared.com/learning/more/webinars/

8) NVDA 2013.3rc1 has just been released. This is a release candidate, which means that unless any critical issues are found, this will be identical to the final 2013.3 release. The new release will offer access to Word form fields and Track Changes in Word, access to several Excel features and more options for customizing the program:
http://community.nvda-project.org/blog/NVDA2013.3rc1Released

9) DoItWrite is a clever $1.99 iOS app that helps blind users Learn to draw lowercase letters, uppercase letters, and numbers for use with iOS 7's VoiceOver handwriting feature. Once shapes are learned, users can practice speed and accuracy with a fun game to blast characters as they tumble down the screen. This is the App Store link:
https://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZContentLink.woa/wa/link?mt=8&path=apps%2fdoitwrite

10) Access Technology Institute announces their latest textbook, "Excel 2013 with JAWS for Windows 14-15," available for $90 as a download:
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/Excel13-JFW14-15.htm

11) The developer of Papa Sangre II has posted great tips and feedback for VoiceOver users on playing the game:
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/papa-sangre-ii#comment-19036

12) Looking at a diverse week of audio material:

A.) In AccessTalk Podcast 20: Learn about Jaws 15, Kindle HDX, Power Boards, the Google Cab Co., and more:
http://accesstalk.co.uk/podcast-20/

B.) Episode 7 of NVAccess provides details about the upcoming NVDA 2013.3 release, as well as some exciting news about OpenOffice accessibility:
http://www.nvaccess.org/post/podcast-episode-7/

C.) Learn about DoItWrite from The Blind Educator:
http://sndup.net/8bf

D.) If you aren't a subscriber to the Serotalk podcast feed, you might want to make a practice of checking the site. These days, Tidbits is getting prepared by Wednesday morning, and their podcasts often come out later that day, so we can never announce the current one. When one of the next ones appears, there will be an interview about the new audio described movie system from Solo-DX we mentioned earlier:
http://serotalk.com/

E.) The latest Tech Doctor podcast features an interview with successful professional Sue Martin about her memoir and a look at the Mavericks operating system for the Mac:
http://www.dr-carter.com/?p=268

F.) This week's collection from AppleVis includes Setting Up and Using Touch ID on the iPhone 5s:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/setting-and-using-touch-id-iphone-5s

G.) Quick Tip: How To Disable Frequent Location Tracking In iOS 7 For Enhanced Privacy:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/quick-tip-how-disable-frequent-location-tracking-ios-7-enhanced-privacy

H.) Jailbreaking: A Quick Overview and a Call for Jailbreak Topics for Future Podcasts:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/jailbreaking-quick-overview-and-call-jailbreak-topics-future-podcasts

I.) Scanner Radio Deluxe for iOS: Listen to Police and Fire Scanners, Weather Radios, and Amateur Radio Repeaters from Around the World:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/scanner-radio-deluxe-ios-listen-police-and-fire-scanners-weather-radios-and-amateur

J.) AppleVis Podcast #500:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-podcast-500

K.) And Google Voice Search vs Siri: With the latest updates:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/google-voice-search-vs-siri-latest-updates

L.) And Eyes on Success Podcast #1347 deals with Ultra Extreme Sports "Running and Biking":
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1347_podcast.mp3

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 431

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 14, 2013 - Volume 431
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One (1) Gently Used BrailleNote Apex BT 32 Cell Notetaker with GPS and Dictionary Applications for $3,495.00 USD!!!
Photo of the BrailleNote Apex BT 32 Cell Notetaker. Flying Blind, LLC is pleased and excited to have a BrailleNote Apex BT 32 Cell Notetaker with GPS and Dictionary Applications for sale this week for only $3,495.00 USD! This unit includes a BrailleNote GPS Receiver and Application valued at $1,500.00 USD as well as the Dictionary Utility valued at $200.00 USD. This unit with accessories retail for approximately $7,200.00 USD. But purchase them this week and take advantage of an over 50% discount - that's right - an approximate savings of $3,700.00 USD!!! The BrailleNote name is synonymous with excellence and innovation, and the Apex continues to set standards that other notetakers have yet to meet. This unit has been fully tested and is in excellent condition. It's robust yet intuitive functionality will offer limitless notetaking, navigation, and portable information management to whomever receives it. This is a single unit, sold only in combination with the aforementioned accessories, and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Price includes shipping anywhere within the continental United States. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Buy Now: One (1) Gently Used BrailleNote Apex BT 32 Cell Notetaker with GPS and Dictionary Applications for $3,495.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4R64ACVT73HR8

Greetings,

1) Since we skipped the summary of pertinent audio content last week, we'll start with it this week:

A.) It's been a while since we've mentioned AIRSLA, which provides recordings of articles from many popular magazines, lectures on the latest treatments for eye disease, and podcasts that will keep you informed on the latest in technology and smart phones:
http://www.AIRSLA.org

AppleVis, with more Mac-related podcasts than usual this time around, gives us:

B.) Setting Up and Using Touch ID on the iPhone 5s:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/setting-and-using-touch-id-iphone-5s

C.) Speaking to your Mac: Using Dictation and Speakable Items to get Siri-like Functionality from OS X:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/speaking-your-mac-using-dictation-and-speakable-items-get-siri-functionality-os-x

D.) A Demonstration of What's New in OS X Mavericks:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-what%E2%80%99s-new-os-x-mavericks

E.) iOS Basics #1: An Introduction to VoiceOver Gestures:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/ios-basics-1-introduction-voiceover-gestures

F.) What's New and Changed for VoiceOver Users in OS X Mavericks and the Updated iWork and iLife Apps:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/what%E2%80%99s-new-and-changed-voiceover-users-os-x-mavericks-and-updated-iwork-and-ilife

G.) A Demonstration of Some Accessibility Issues in OS X Mavericks:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-some-accessibility-issues-os-x-mavericks

H.) Assigning Braille Keyboard Commands to Actions and Changing Behavior with Activities on the Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/assigning-braille-keyboard-command-actions-and-changing-behavior-activities-mac

I.) Papa Sangre II: Can You Find Your Way Back to the Land of the Living in this iOS Game?
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/papa-sangre-ii-can-you-find-your-way-back-land-living-ios-game

J.) From SeroTalk come SeroTalk Podcast 175:
http://serotalk.com/2013/10/30/serotalk-podcast-175-blame-thy-marketing-company/

K.) And Podcast 176:
http://serotalk.com/2013/11/06/serotalk-podcast-176-a-format-and-a-good-cry/

L.) And the low-vision-focused High Contrast podcast Episode 16:
http://serotalk.com/2013/11/06/high-contrast-episode-16-the-click-of-death/

M.) Hear from the new President and CEO of Freedom Scientific on the October, 2013 FSCast:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/default.asp

N.) From the Mystic Place Blog and Podcast comes Tell Me The Time, a Speaking Clock Aapp for Android:
http://www.mysticaccesspodcast.com/audio/mp65tellmethetime.mp3

O.) Episode 1344 of Eyes on Success focuses on Digit-Eyes Digital Identifier and Organizer:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1344_podcast.mp3

P.) While the theme of episode 1345 is ACB Radio and "Cooking in the Dark" Show:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1345_podcast.mp3

Q.) Finally, BGZ offers us some updates on Human Talker Project:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/some-updates-on-human-talker-project/

R.) Scrolling Battles and Scrolling Battles Ultimate Tutorial:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/scrolling-battles-and-scrolling-battles-ultimate-tutorial/

S.) And a Podcast on Windows 8.1:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/podcast-on-windows-8-1/

2) Learn about the BARD Mobile app for iOS on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday 19 November at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

3) The November 2013 issue of AccessWorld contains "A Review of BIG Launcher, the Android App with Seniors in Mind", "Reviewing the LG Optimus F3 and the KYOCERA Kona", "The World of Audio Games: A Crash Course", "Seeing Eye GPS: Three Organizations, One Stellar Effort!", and more:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

4) RNIB has posted new videos featuring Kindle Fire HD accessibility improvements:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xNy0C26MLA

5) "Tweeting Blind" is Jonathan Mosen's comprehensive look at the world of Twitter from a blindness perspective. The book offers information useful to novices and Twitter veterans alike. For $19.95 you can either buy the EPUB edition from Jonathan's site at:
http://mosen.org/index.php/my-new-book-tweeting-blind-is-now-available/

Or buy hardcopy Braille, eBraille, or DAISY versions from National Braille Press at:
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/TWEET.html

6) GW Micro has added two Windows 8-related articles to its KnowledgeBase: "Configure Windows to display the All Apps screen instead of the Start Screen when the Windows key is pressed":
http://gwmicro.com/kb2041

And "Configure Windows to go to the Desktop instead of the Start Screen":
http://gwmicro.com/kb2040

7) CAVI will hold a CAVICast on LinkedIn on GMT Monday, 18 November at 01:00. A recording will be posted and announced here. These events take place on the CAVI TeamTalk server:
http://tt.cucat.org

If you have not used Teamtalk, a guide on how to do so can be found at:
http://www.cucat.org/wiki/index.php?n=Main.SettingUpTeamtalk

8) EASI will hold a free webinar, "The Low Hanging Fruit of Web Accessibility," on GMT Monday, 18 November at 19:00. Read about it and sign up at
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm

9) From HowToGeek we learn:

A.) How to Never Use iTunes With Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:
http://www.howtogeek.com/175045/how-to-never-use-itunes-with-your-iphone-ipad-or-ipod-touch/

B.) No, iCloud Isn't Backing Them All Up: How to Manage Photos on Your iPhone or iPad:
http://www.howtogeek.com/175416/no-icloud-isnt-backing-them-all-up-how-to-manage-photos-on-your-iphone-or-ipad/

C.) How to Use An Antivirus Boot Disc or USB Drive to Ensure Your Computer is Clean:
http://www.howtogeek.com/175234/how-to-use-an-antivirus-boot-disc-or-usb-drive-to-ensure-your-computer-is-clean/

D.) Do Non-Windows Platforms Like Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux Get Viruses?
http://www.howtogeek.com/175083/htg-explains-do-non-windows-platforms-like-mac-android-ios-and-linux-get-viruses/

10) If you want to learn about new regulations on airline websites and kiosks issued yesterday by the federal Department of Transportation, here is an article:
http://lflegal.com/2013/11/dot-final/

11) In the November, 2013 issue of the Braille Monitor, we find "The New Victor Reader Stream: In Many Ways Better Than the Original":
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm13/bm1310/bm131012.htm

12) The makers of the extremely valuable iOS app Tap Tap See have decided that they can no longer afford to lose money on it, and will be charging subscriptions to use it. Here is one post about this change:
http://blindtravelblog.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/the-tap-tap-saga-my-take/

13) HIMS, Inc. announces the Braille Sense U2 Mini, an 18-cell Braille device that has apps for Twitter, Dropbox and Excel Viewing, a flexible Quick Browser for Internet access, and other standard applications found on standalone Braille devices, running on a processor similar in capability to that of the popular Braille Sense U2:
http://www.hims-inc.com/products/braille-sense-u2-mini/

14) The increasingly-useful iOS app Voice Dream Reader now supports audio books:
http://www.voicedream.com/?p=3369

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 430

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 7, 2013 - Volume 430
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

Greetings,

1) The VHA Section 508 Team has produced the Fall 2013 Edition of "508 XPress" - A quarterly newsletter on making electronic content accessible to everyone:
http://www.ehealth.va.gov/508/newsletter/

2) This may be the same list we announced before, but this is a full list of Siri commands for iOS 7:
http://techblog.tv/continuously-updated/

3) A lot of our software contains adware. Some are toolbars, some are their own ads. This list is updated by Gismo constantly as it changes:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/software-watch-adware-watch-list.htm

4) This post is called "Helpful Hints on Optimising iOS7 for Persons with Low Vision":
http://t.co/VgAOES3LCs

5) This YouTube video features the developers of NVDA speaking in Brisbane:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPo30QUVGjg

6) Papa Sangre has been a popular iOS game among visually impaired users. Version II is now available for download for $3.95:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/papa-sangre-ii/id710535349?mt=8&uo=4&at=11l4LS

7) This post is called "Accessible Apps for News Junkies, No Rehab Required":
http://accessibleinsights.info/blog/2013/10/31/accessible-apps-for-news-junkies-no-rehab-needed/

8) If you missed the webinar on using Window-Eyes with iTunes, you can listen now and use the study guide at:
http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Webinar_Training/

9) In case you don't have enough already, here are "50 Digital Media Resources You May Have Missed":
http://mashable.com/2013/03/02/digital-media-resources-73-2/?utm_content=bufferf3dcf&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

10) This post, and its considerable resultant discussion, might be of interest to some: "Why I don't use an iPhone":
http://www.applevis.com/forum/general-chat/why-i-dont-use-iphone#comment-18588

We'll catch up on audio material next week.

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 429

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, October 31, 2013 - Volume 429
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Never-Been-Used Focus 14 Blue Wireless Braille Display for $1,100.00 USD
Photo of the Focus 14 Blue Wireless Braille Display. This week Flying Blind, LLC has acquired a Focus 14 Braille Display that was purchased earlier this year, but has not been used, and is in need of a good home with a versatile, AdapTech Braille user. Shipping with all accessories, and with over a year remaining on its manufacturer warranty, this device is a fantastic companion for the iPhone, iPad, or PC user wishing to have a portable, powerful Braille companion that connects to Bluetooth or USB devices. It's a great, low-cost option for PC users using JAWS, and an equally powerful wireless alternative for the smartphone user on the go! Price includes shipping within the Continental United States, providing a savings of approximately $230.00 USD off of its retail price. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information, or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Focus 14 Blue Wireless Braille Display for $1,100.00 USD
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JUKWLQU29WXCN

Greetings,

1) Cloud HQ may be a partial solution if you struggle with accessibility of Google Drive and Google Docs. It allows you to sync Google Drive with Dropbox, and Google Docs documents are converted to Word documents:
https://www.cloudhq.net/dropbox

2) JAWS 15 has been released, with its considerable support for Windows 8.1, some improved web access, more streamlined Braille support, and more:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/jaws-whats-new.asp

3) Jonathan Mosen's blog always features well-considered perspectives and resulting comments. Recent articles include "There's No Such Thing as a 'Blind Ghetto Product'":
http://mosen.org/index.php/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-blind-ghetto-product/

"A Matter of Respect. Why I always write 'Braille' with an uppercase B":
http://mosen.org/index.php/a-matter-of-respect-why-i-always-write-braille-with-an-uppercase-b/

"Vienna Waits for You. Great RSS Reader for Mac":
http://mosen.org/index.php/vienna-waits-for-you-great-rss-reader-for-mac/

4) While we're talking about Jonathan, his book on iOS7 is still available through his site as previously announced, but is now also available from National Braille Press in DAISY, hardcopy braille, and .BRF format:
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IOS7-EYE.html

5) A Twitter user recommended "Startpage Search Engine" for its clarity and privacy settings:
https://www.startpage.com/

6) This is "A Review of Five iOS Navigation Apps" looking at accessibility for blind users:
http://www.incobs.de/tests-english/items/ios-navigation-apps.html

7) And on that topic, here is a review of BlindSquare, one of the apps mentioned in the above post:
http://markusboettner.net/

8) A lot of people may be able to benefit from the "Getting Started Kit for People New to Vision Loss" from VisionAware:
http://www.visionaware.org/section.aspx?FolderID=7&SectionID=135&TopicID=550

9) Easy Chirp is a cross-platform, accessible Twitter client that has been unavailable for a while, but is now back:
http://accessibleinsights.info/blog/2013/10/29/easy-chirp-returns-with-new-sporty-features-and-more-power-under-the-hood/

10) Meanwhile, development continues on the accessible Twitter client Chicken Nugget:
http://q-continuum.net/chicken_nugget/readme.html#changelog

11) From HowToGeek, we learn "How to Use Windows' Advanced Search Features: Everything You Need to Know":
http://www.howtogeek.com/173703/how-to-use-windows-advanced-search-features-everything-you-need-to-know/

And "Ransomware: Why This New Malware is So Dangerous and How to Protect Yourself":
http://www.howtogeek.com/174343/ransomware-why-this-new-malware-is-so-dangerous-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

12) Hadley hosts a quarterly iFocus seminar series with training on iOS devices. iOS7-related training videos from the series are now posted to their YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/hadleyschool

13) The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is collecting information about the preferences of blind users who browse the Web on mobile devices. They've created a short survey (15 questions) that can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes, and will be available until 22 November:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7RCD9SR

14) This is a bit over a year old, and many of the sites mentioned may well not be accessible, but "The Big List of 100 Tools, Tips and Tricks to Wwork More Eefficiently Online", from the Buffer Blog, could nonetheless be an interesting article to explore:
http://blog.bufferapp.com/the-big-list-of-100-tools-tips-and-tricks-to-work-more-efficiently-online

15) Here is an OS X Mavericks feature list:
http://www.apple.com/osx/whats-new/features.html

16) Serotek finally offers the ability to download its software:
http://www.serotek.com/downloads

17) Here are "4 Free Text-to-Speech Apps for Windows":
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?sc=168

18) And from the same source, here are "9 Free Windows Apps for Low Vision Users":
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?sc=195

19) We'll wrap up with this week's audio content:

Hear from the new President of Freedom Scientific on this month's FSCast:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/default.asp

The SPN team has been busy, with Triple Click Home #23:
http://tripleclickhome.com/2013/10/29/triple-click-home-episode-23-earth-to-itunes/

And That Android Show #21:
http://thatandroidshow.com/2013/10/28/that-android-show-episode-21-flowers-rainbows-and-puppies/

This is a quick Audioboo on how to make some apps accessible with iOS:
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1686044-the-way-to-get-teamspeak-and-other-qt-things-to-work-with-voiceover

Eyes on Success focuses on the iOS app Digit-Eyes:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1344_podcast.mp3

AppleVis offers us:

Recording Audio Output from your Mac and your Voice Simultaneously:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/recording-audio-output-your-mac-and-your-voice-simultaneously

A Demonstration of Some of the English TTS Voices Available to VoiceOver users in OS X Mavericks:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-some-english-tts-voices-available-voiceover-users-os-x-mavericks

AppleVis Extra #17: Fleksy - Happy Typing with Bill Rappos:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-17-fleksy-happy-typing-bill-rappos

And Stretch Your Audio with AudioStretch:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/stretch-your-audio-audiostretch

Finally, from BgZ come:

Sega Game Gear Review:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/sega-game-gear-review/

Star Conquest Part 3 Space Combat for Cadets:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/star-conquest-part-3-space-combat-for-cadets/

And Sleep Timer Use on the Talking MP3 Players:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/sleep-timer-use-on-the-talking-mp3-players/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 428

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, October 24, 2013 - Volume 428
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with Additional Executive Products Leather Carrying Case for $2,200.00 USD !!!
Photo of the Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer a gently used Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display this week for over 25% off of its suggested list price. Additionally, this particular display also ships with an extra Executive Products Leather Carrying Case valued at $90.00 USD - not to mention, we're including free shipping within the 48 Continental United States, giving you an over $900.00 USD savings on a unit that is in pristine condition! This state-of-the-art display offers USB and Bluetooth access to today's PCs, Macs, Tablets, and Mobile Phones, and all at an unbeatable price. Don't let the 40 cells fool you, this display's sleek design also makes it a serious portable companion for the mobile phone user on the go. It's ergonomic Braille input keys allow for effortless, accurate, and speedy Braille entry into today's touch screen tablets and cell phones, and its perfectly placed thumb-keys make navigating through the most complex applications as easy as can be. Unit is in fantastic condition and is under manufacturer's warranty until the end of the year. The only bad news is that there's only one of these tactile treasures available for purchase this week. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information, or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with Additional Executive Products Leather Carrying Case for $2,200.00 USD
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZWQVJXZR9J6GW

Greetings,

1) The BCAB will present two webinars on using Skype, one on using Skype with NVDA, the other on using GW Connect. These take place on 30 November, at a cost of 15 each for BCAB members:
http://bcab.org.uk/news-bytes/skype-webinars-30th-november

2) Get the official news about JAWS 15 on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 29 October at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

3) Clarix sells a Windows screen magnification program, MagWin, available in portable, standard and light versions. A free trial version is available:
http://www.clarixusa.com/index.php/products/magwin

They also offer iCam, a free low vision magnifier and reader for the iPhone or iPad:
http://clarixusa.com/index.php/products/apps

4) This is the time of year for new operating systems. LifeHacker tells us about "All the New Stuff in Windows 8.1":
http://lifehacker.com/all-the-new-stuff-in-windows-8-1-587098156?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_twitter&utm_source=lifehacker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

5) Meanwhile, Mavericks, the new OS for the Mac, is out. LifeHacker tells us "How to Fix OS X Mavericks' Biggest Annoyances"
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-fix-os-x-mavericks-biggest-annoyances-1450220339

Arcs tecnica makes available OS X 10.9 Mavericks: The Ars Technica Review:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/10/os-x-10-9/

And a goodly number of AppleVis users are offering their First thoughts of Mavericks:
http://www.applevis.com/forum/os-x-mac-app-discussion/first-thoughts-mavericks#comment-17936

6) Speaking of AppleVis, volunteers have recently written guides such as a very comprehensive guide on spell check, and auto correct in I O S:
http://www.applevis.com/guides/ios/very-comprehensive-guide-spell-check-and-auto-correct-i-o-s

And "Using Pronto Push to Receive Push Notifications in Mavericks from any Website with an RSS Feed":
http://www.applevis.com/guides/mac-os-x/using-pronto-push-receive-push-notifications-mavericks-any-website-rss-feed

7) Ever wondered about the identity of the voice of Samantha you hear in iOS and elsewhere?
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2425226,00.asp?_escaped_fragment_=

8) Some HowToGeek articles you might want to peruse:

Why Does Rebooting a Computer Fix So Many Problems?
http://www.howtogeek.com/173760/htg-explains-why-does-rebooting-a-computer-fix-so-many-problems/
Why is Printer Ink So Expensive?
http://www.howtogeek.com/174232/htg-explains-why-is-printer-ink-so-expensive/

How to Tell If Your Computer is Overheating and What to Do About It:
http://www.howtogeek.com/174288/how-to-tell-if-your-computer-is-overheating-and-what-to-do-about-it/

Access PC Settings Easily from Your Desktop in Windows 8 and 8.1:
http://www.howtogeek.com/173877/access-pc-settings-easily-from-your-desktop-in-windows-8-and-8.1/

9) Our collection of audio material for the week begins with a link to an enhanced presentation of how to use the Victor Reader Stream (or other player) as an audible teleprompter for 1.) Ppublic Speaking, 2.) Reading Fluently Aloud to Others, and 3.) Reading to Oneself for Personal Comprehension:
http://www.blindhow.com/posts/734#content

From BGZ we learn about new WiFi features in Victor Reader Stream 4.2:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/new-wifi-features-in-victor-reader-stream-4-2/

The Eyes on Success team has added a search feature to their site. Their latest podcast discusses BARD Mobile for Reading NLS Books:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/

From Mystic Access comes "First impression of a Schlage keyless lock.":
http://www.mysticaccesspodcast.com/2013/10/12/schlage-accessible-keyless-lock-note-doesnt-work-with-smart-phones/

SeroTalk Podcast #173 came out last week shortly after we finished the newsletter:
http://serotalk.com/2013/10/16/serotalk-podcast-173-voice-assistant-uprising/

Finally, AppleVis lets us know about Using Event Calendars from External Sources with the Native iOS Calendar:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-event-calendars-external-sources-native-ios-calendar

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 427

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, October 17, 2013 - Volume 427
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Gently Used Braille Sense OnHand For $2,995.00 USD !!!

Photo of the Braille Sense OnHand. Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to announce the availability of one gently used BrailleSense OnHand 18-Cell notetaker for $2,995.00 USD. This handheld AdapTech juggernaut is the smallest 18-Cell Braille notetaker currently available on the market today. The BrailleSense continues to set standards for reliability and innovation, giving users the ability to manage large amounts of data and interact with their sighted colleagues. This unit has been rarely used, ships with the latest BrailleSense update, and is listed here at over 25% off of its suggested list price. Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Gently Used Braille Sense OnHand For $2,995.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=F85YH3N33XU4S

Greetings,

1) From Axleration, a few of these 15+ Resources to Learn Programming Online for Free are hopefully accessible:
http://axleration.com/15-resources-learn-programming-online-free/

2) Apple Launches an iPhone Tips and Tricks Guides website:
http://mashable.com/2013/10/07/apple-iphone-tips-and-tricks-guides/

3) According to Educational Technology and Mobile Learning, these are the Top 100 Websites for Academics and Research Students:
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/10/top-100-websites-for-academics-and.html

4) Not everybody agrees that we need to stop using Microsoft Security Essentials, as suggested in last week's Tidbits:
http://askleo.com/do-i-need-to-stop-using-microsoft-security-essentials/

5) From The Spectronics Blog, we read about Free Text to Speech for Google Docs:
http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/tools-and-resources/free-text-to-speech-for-google-docs/

6) If you've ever asked the question, "Why Does Rebooting a Computer Fix So Many Problems?", the HowToGeek writers offer this answer:
http://www.howtogeek.com/173760/htg-explains-why-does-rebooting-a-computer-fix-so-many-problems/

7) You can Save lots of disk space with Microsoft's new Windows Update Cleanup tool:
http://www.ghacks.net/2013/10/09/save-lots-disk-space-microsofts-new-windows-update-cleanup-tool/

8) Here is a fairly complete listing of audio-described US television programs:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12HN-8UeDWGj1Y_NjHQxAsEwYjqNxq3sYHrgL5zrw3F8/mobilebasic?pli=1

9) Learn from MacTrast How to Make free worldwide FaceTime Audio Calls in iOS 7:
http://www.mactrast.com/2013/10/make-facetime-audio-calls-ios-7-2/?utm_source=ht&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=blogpost

10) The price of the Social-Eyes App from GW Micro is going up:
http://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=9698

11) Ian Humphreys of Spoonbill Software has released six new free accessible games, three word games and three card solitaire games:
http://www.spoonbillsoftware.au/news.htm

12) The AHEAD conference focuses on technology in education. For a considerable fee, conference sessions will be streamed for remote participation:
http://accessinghigherground.org/virtualAHG2013.html

And EASI will hold a webinar discussing the fun and value of the conference on Monday 21 October at 18:00 GMT:
http://www.easi.cc/clinic.htm

13) There isn't a lot of audio this week:

From Applevis, Timely Time Teller: Have Your iOS Device Help You to Keep Track of the Time:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/timely-time-teller-have-your-ios-device-help-you-keep-track-time

Using the MESS Emulator to Run Apple II Games and Programs that use the Echo Speech Synthesizer:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-mess-emulator-run-apple-ii-games-and-programs-use-echo-speech-synthesizer

BGZ offers us "Making the Thunderbird Inbox read more familiar for JAWS users!":
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/making-the-thunderbird-inbox-read-more-familiar-for-jaws-users/

SeroTalk keeps on keeping on with podcast 172:
http://serotalk.com/2013/10/09/serotalk-podcast-172-the-sarah-tech/

14) I'm going to end by plugging a product and an entrepreneur I believe to be worthy of your consideration. All the text of this issue of Tidbits has been composed on a Braille Sense U2 from HIMS.
http://www.hims-inc.com

And if you need a web page or training on how to build one, you won't go wrong with Abletec. Write to:
abletec@gmail.com

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 426

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, October 10, 2013 - Volume 426
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: TypeAbility: Flying Blind, LLC's Answer for Improving Keyboarding Skills!!!

This week serves as a gentle reminder to all of us that high-tech AdapTech skills are most optimal when we have the best keyboarding skills to empower our efforts. At Flying Blind, LLC independence and efficiency are at the heart of AdapTech task completion. If you are a service provider or teacher of the vision impaired wishing to provide interactive keyboard instruction to your consumers, or if you are a consumer wishing to either learn or improve your own keyboarding skills, then the affordable and robust TypeAbility keyboarding tutorial package is for you. Visit this link http://youtu.be/0I2fT5D_5AI to view an in depth demonstration of TypeAbility on YouTube conducted by Larry Lewis of Flying Blind, LLC. You can also drop by the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store at http://www.flying-blind.com/store/assistive-technologies/learning/typeability-keyboard-instruction-software-for-jaws-and-magic.html to download the free TypeAbility demo, as well as view pricing for both single user and site licensing for this one-of-a-kind tutorial package. If you have additional questions or would like to order TypeAbility offline, email typing@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - TypeAbility: Keyboard Instruction Software for JAWS and Magic:
http://www.flying-blind.com/store/assistive-technologies/learning/typeability-keyboard-instruction-software-for-jaws-and-magic.html

Greetings,

1) Learn about the current capabilities of the increasingly-popular free screen reader NVDA, as well as the add-ons that add to its feature set, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday 15 October:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

2) This new AppleVis Guide is entitled "Importing BRF files to the BARD Mobile App using Dropbox":
http://t.co/lGrpXfSMqDhttp://applevis.com/guides/braille/importing-brf-files-bard-mobile-app-using-dropbox

3) The VHA Section 508 training team has developed a series of innovative tutorials that explain accessibility barriers of Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and provide solutions that address them:
http://www.ehealth.va.gov/508/tutorials/powerpoint/index.asp

4) Microsoft has publicly stated that its Microsoft Security Essentials Antivirus program is not as robust as it was once claimed to be:
http://www.howtogeek.com/173291/goodbye-microsoft-security-essentials-microsoft-now-recommends-you-use-a-third-party-antivirus/

5) This is a tutorial on YouTube, walking you through the various functionalities of the service:
http://mobilizer.instapaper.com/m?u=http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/VD_IOrz88t0/

6. From Digital Trends, we learn "How to Record Calls on an iPhone":
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-record-calls-iphone/

7) Here are "7 Skype Tips for Power Users":
http://www.howtogeek.com/173448/7-skype-tips-for-power-users/

A recording of the recent CAVICast on Skype is now available here:
http://www.cucat.org/cavicasts/2013/

And development continues on the JAWS scripts for Skype with the release of scripts for Skype 6.9 and some ongoing troubleshooting:
http://www.dlee.org/skype/

8) Progress continues on development of JFW version 15, with some enhancements in web and Braille access and considerable access to Windows 8:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/jaws-public-beta.asp

9) Mailing lists concerning two popular Twitter clients are now hosted on the Freelists site.

The list for discussing The Qube:
http://www.freelists.org/list/theqube

And Chicken Nugget
http://www.freelists.org/list/chickennugget

10) Ever wondered, "How Can I Download an Entire Web Site?":
http://www.howtogeek.com/171948/how-can-i-download-an-entire-web-site/

11) A free Webinar on ZoomText Mac's WebReader will take place, with sessions on Wednesday 16 and 30 October at 16:00 GMT. A video demonstration is also available:
http://www.aisquared.com/blog/2013/10/free-webinar-zoomtext-macs-webreader/?utm__content=buffer5ed3a&utm__source=buffer&utm__medium=twitter&utm__campaign=_buffer_

12) The October 2013 issue of AccessWorld gives us more information about Smith-Kettlewell Institute, reviews of some newly updated OCR programs, an article about employment resources for people with vision loss, and more:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

13) Moving to audio content, there are a lot of podcasts this week on the AppleVis site. Use heading navigation in most browsers to peruse the list at:
http://applevis.com/podcasts

Jonathan Mosen appears on Eyes on Success
http://eyesonsuccess.net

AccessTalk Podcast 19 Addresses the Surface Pro 2, Kindle HDX, Google, And the Digital Divide:
http://accesstalk.co.uk/podcast-19/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 425

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, October 3, 2013 - Volume 425
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished BraillePen12 Plus Complimentary Leather Carrying Case for $800.00 USD!!!

Photo of the BraillePen 12 Flying Blind, LLC is excited to have one gently used BraillePen12 available this week for the unbelievable price of $800.00 USD!!! This unit has been thoroughly tested and comes with a 90-day manufacturer's warranty as well as a leather carrying case valued at $75.00 USD. That's a nearly $400.00 USD savings on the smallest and most affordable Braille display on the market today! The BraillePen12 is a wonderful companion for the smartphone or tablet user who wants crisp and responsive Braille on the move. The BraillePen12 is the only wireless Braille device with a clipboard feature that allows you to take a note in your preferred Grade of Braille while disconnected from your smartphone, and then later wirelessly paste that note directly into your desired App. Navigate, read, and write Braille using your favorite mobile app with a device that can fit in your pocket. The BraillePen12 lists for approximately $300.00 USD more than we are selling this rarely-used unit. This price also includes shipping anywhere within the Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished BraillePen12 Plus Complimentary Leather Carrying Case for $800.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KSDZEFL33PJPE

Greetings,

2) This New AppleVis Guide is called "Tips For Improving Battery Life in iOS 7":
http://www.applevis.com/guides/ios/tips-improving-battery-life-ios-7 AppleVis

3) In case you haven't upgraded yet, and still intend do so in the future, this article is called "Prepare for iOS 7 the Right Way: What To Do Before Upgrading an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to iOS 7":
http://osxdaily.com/2013/09/13/prepare-for-ios-7-before-upgrading/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+osxdaily+%28OS+X+Daily%29

4) Tactile Screen protectors for iPhone 5s and 5c are now available from SpeedDots:
http://www.speeddots.com/

5) The new book, "Reading Kindle Books on Your iOS Device: A Quick Reference Guide" is available in various formats for $6.00 from National Braille Press:
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/KINDLE.html

6) Learn about accessible prescription drug labeling, and other tools for staying organized, from EnVision America, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 8 October at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

7) Now in beta, the Web Reader for ZoomText for Mac extracts just the important content from a busy webpage and reads it back using one of the built-in, high quality voices already on your Mac:
http://www.aisquared.com/news/more/zoomtext_mac_now_with_webreader/

8) The Droid Cast is a blog and podcast on android accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, touching on a little of iOS and Mac as well:
http://www.thedroidcast.squarespace.com/

9) Some of these "Top 28 iOS 7 Battery Life Saving Tips" detract from some of what makes your iDevice accessible and useful, but you might be able to implement some of them:
http://www.redmondpie.com/top-28-ios-7-battery-life-saving-tips-guide/

10) This article, "Talking Windows Pre-installation Environment: Background and Limitations", is for those wishing to understand and perhaps assist with this most worthy project:
http://blog.bryansmart.com/2013/09/26/talking-windows-pre-installation-environment-background-and-limitations/

11) The $69 "iPad in the Classroom Webinar Series" is available from AFB:
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=EiPadinClassroomSeries&ruling=Yes

12) George McKenzie and Byron Lee have yet another blog post on the Horizons for the Blind website, this one is a "Quick Tour of the BARD Mobile App for iOS":
http://www.horizons-blind.org/?p=1143

13) Wrapping up with audio content:

We have episode 15 of High Contrast:
http://serotalk.com/2013/09/27/high-contrast-episode-15-its-all-about-the-photons/

And also from the SPN people comes SeroTalk Podcast #171:
http://serotalk.com/2013/10/02/serotalk-podcast-171-ricky-gets-her-wish/

Web and Computer Accessibility, and the British Computer Association for the Blind, are topics for this week's "Eyes on Success Podcast #1340":
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/

From BGZ come HP G61 Laptop:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/hp-g61-laptop/

Zoom H6 Recorder Review:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/zoom-h6-recorder-review/

Using Talking WinPE Mega Disk to Install Windows 7:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/using-talking-winpe-mega-disk-to-install-windows-7/

AmbuTech Eye Glasses Demonstration:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/ambutech-eye-glasses-demonstration/

Talking WinPE Demonstration:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/talking-winpe-demonstration/

Finally, AppleVis offers "Using the Camera on your iOS Device to Redeem an iTunes Gift Card"
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-camera-your-ios-device-redeem-itunes-gift-card

The New iPhone 5c and Walk-Through of the Initial Setup Process for VoiceOver Users:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/new-iphone-5c-and-walk-through-initial-setup-process-voiceover-users

We read you loud and clear: A Demonstration of the new BARD Mobile App:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/we-read-you-loud-and-clear-demonstration-new-bard-mobile-app

Activating, Accessing and Using Handwriting Mode in iOS 7:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/activating-accessing-and-using-handwriting-mode-ios-7

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 424

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Volume 424
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with 9 Month Manufacturer's Warranty for $2,200.00 USD !!!

Photo of the Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display Flying Blind, LLC is most pleased to offer a gently used Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display for approximately $800.00 USD off of its suggested list price. This display also ships with an extra leather Executive Products Carrying Case valued at an additional $90 - not to mention, we're including free shipping within the 48 Continental United States, giving you over a $900 savings on a unit that is in pristine condition! This state-of-the-art display offers USB and Bluetooth access to today's PCs, Macs, Tablets, and Mobile Phones, and all at an unbeatable price. Don't let the 40 cells fool you, this display's sleek design also makes it a portable companion for the mobile phone user on the go. It's ergonomic Braille input keys allow for effortless, accurate, and speedy Braille entry into today's touch screen tablets and cell phones, and its perfectly placed thumb-keys make navigating through the most complex applications as easy as can be. The only bad news is that there's only one of these tactile treasures available for purchase this week. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now: One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with 9 Month Manufacturer's Warranty for $2,200.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=42CH9YHUKNR6S

Greetings,

1) Many people have waited for this with excitement, and now the BARD Mobile App for iOS is here, allowing users to listen to any NLS talking book on their device, or read any braille file, from NLS or elsewhere, on a Braille display. Here is the user guide:
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/apidocs/BARDMobile.userguide.iOS.current.html

And the same guide is to be found here in a number of other formats:
http://www.cbtbc.org/books/bard_mobile/index.php

Finally, here is a YouTube seminar from NLS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLzZvPdJ7dU&feature=youtu.be

2) Talking Windows 7 Pre-installation Environment makes it possible for blind Windows users to independently install and repair Windows installations, as well as access files on computers that will not boot. It is free:
http://blog.bryansmart.com/talking-windows-7-pre-installation-environment/

3) From the TechKnowMore blog of the RNIB comes a post listing some accessible games:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/updates/techknowmore/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?id=180&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_media&utm_content=accessible-games&utm_campaign=techknowmore

4) Jonathan Mosen will discuss iOS 7 on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 1 October at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5) Speaking of Jonathan, he has some rather definite opinions about the poor quality of Apple's Braille support:
http://mosen.org/index.php/the-apple-braille-crisis-its-got-to-be-fixed-for-the-kids/

6) Because they posted an MP3 version of the aforementioned Bard Mobile User Guide under their audio section, I had a look at the JAWS Users List home page. It's worth browsing the page even if you are not a user of JAWS. The pages several sections contain a wealth of old and new audio instruction and tips:
http://www.jaws-users.com/

7) The web site for the popular iOS reading app Voice Dream Reader gives lots of information about using the app successfully:
http://www.voicedream.com/?page_id=2466

8) Some Canadians can now get free memberships to Bookshare through the CNIB:
http://www.cniblibrary.ca/iguana/www.main.cls?v=6d0059d6-6493-4520-a5f4-8a3b8395e49c&CSPCHD=0000020700002czdIc0b7x0000HaGv2Ho1KJyQ7t7ZN48ujA--#bookshare

9) In the post "Accessible Tools for Work and Play," we learn what Mike May and Gena Harper have in their home offices and around the house:
http://senderogroup.com/products/homeproducts.htm

10) Here is a nice thorough list of possible Siri commands for iOS 7:
http://www.applevis.com/guides/ios/ios-7-siri-command-list

11) For $100 for a desktop or $150 for a laptop, blind people can receive computers from Computers for the Blind. Write for more information:
info@computersfortheblind.net

12) In audio material:

The latest Tech Doctor podcast is entitled, "Learning iOS 7 the Easy Way":
http://www.dr-carter.com

TA DemoCast 26 features the BARD Mobile app for iOS:
http://techaccessweekly.com/democast/2013/09/21/ta-democast-26-bard-mobile-for-ios/

From AppleVis: A review of the iPhone 5S:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/review-iphone-5s

A Journey Through Pages for iOS: Part 4:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/journey-through-pages-ios-part-4

And a CAVICast on martial arts for the blind:
http://www.cucat.org/cavicasts/2013/20130916_martial_arts.mp3

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 423

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, September 19, 2013 - Volume 423
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished BrailleNote PK For $1,545.00 USD !!!

Photo of the BrailleNote PK Flying Blind, LLC is looking for a good home for one refurbished BrailleNote PK in fantastic condition for $1,545.00 USD, approximately $3,500.00 USD off of its initial list price! Unbelievable, unheard of, but true! This ultra-small yet ergonomic notetaker also ships with a wireless internet card making it a fantastic notetaker that can instantaneously download books, send and receive email, and effortlessly manage appointments, contacts, and documents. Unfortunately, we only have one of these units available, so please act while supplies last. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished BrailleNote PK For $1,545.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=CXC5A4APHU39W

Greetings,

1) We'll start out this short but packed issue with a service I've used to great advantage. Microsoft has a new free program in which technicians fix computers for people with disabilities. You give permission for them to remote into your computer and they are able to make adjustments to settings. Hours of operation are 8:00 AM - Midnight Eastern time on weekdays and 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM on weekends. (I'm not sure if the service is intended for worldwide availability.) The toll-free number to seek assistance is:
(800) 936-5900

2) Hear about the very popular reading app Voice Dream Reader on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 24 September at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

3) With the advent of iOS7 for recent iPhones and iPads, there is a great deal of information about new features, accessibility enhancements, and possible accessibility bugs. New material is being added as I write. Much of interest is to be found on the AppleVis site. Rather than providing a large collection of links which would probably not be complete by the time you get this, I suggest you look in the Guides section:
http://www.applevis.com/guides

The podcasts section:
http://www.applevis.com/podcasts

And scroll down to the heading called "The most recent additions and updates to the AppleVis site:" on the main site:
http://www.applevis.com/

Meanwhile, the AT blog of the NFB has a great article, "What's new in iOS 7 accessibility for individuals who are blind, deaf-blind, or who have low vision.":
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/what%E2%80%99s-new-ios-7-accessibility-individuals-who-are-blind-deaf-blind-or-who-have-low

A podcast from David Woodbridge can be found at:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9856676/iOS%207%20and%20VoiceOver.mp3

A concise blog post covering the scope of accessibility features is at:
http://luisperezonline.com/blog-2/

If you haven't already upgraded your device before you read this, you might want to read "Prepare for iOS 7 the Right Way: What To Do Before Upgrading an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to iOS 7) from OS X Daily:
http://osxdaily.com/2013/09/13/prepare-for-ios-7-before-upgrading/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+osxdaily+%28OS+X+Daily%29

Explore the Maccessibility Review of iOS 7 and VoiceOver:
http://maccessibility.net/2013/09/18/review-ios-7-and-voiceover/

Here is a mainstream review of the new OS:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/09/ios-7-thoroughly-reviewed/

Finally, some material has been posted to the Blind Bargains site with more promised:
http://www.blindbargains.com/audio/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 422

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, September 12, 2013 - Volume 422
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with One Year Manufacturer's Warranty for $2,145.00 USD !!!

Photo of the Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display Flying Blind, LLC is most pleased to offer a gently used Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with one year manufacturer's warranty for approximately $900.00 USD off of its suggested list price. This state-of-the-art display offers USB and Bluetooth access to today's PCs, Macs, Tablets, and Mobile Phones, and all at an unbeatable price. Don't let the 40 cells fool you, this display's sleek design also makes it a portable companion for the mobile phone user on the go. It's ergonomic Braille input keys allow for effortless, accurate, and speedy Braille entry into today's touch screen tablets and cell phones, and its perfectly placed thumb-keys make navigating through the most complex applications as easy as can be. The only bad news is that there's only one of these tactile treasures available for purchase this week. Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with One Year Manufacturer's Warranty for $2,145.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=SDKGV9HKYHZ62

Greetings,

1) Version 6.0 of the Plextalk Pocket offers a better voice and text searching capability:
http://www.plextalk.com/americas/top/support/ptp1/firmwareupgrades/

2) Introduction to Web Accessibility is an online course from Google that introduces tools and techniques for web developers to easily ensure that websites are more accessible. It runs from September 17-30:
https://webaccessibility.withgoogle.com/preview

3) AndreasHead is a Wiki on Android accessibility:
https://andreashead.wikispaces.com/andriod+apps+for+vi+and+blind

4) The September 2013 issue of AccessWorld offers reviews of the I.D. Mate Quest Talking Bar Code Scanner from Envision America, CDesk from Adaptive Voice, and the ScanJig Portable Document Scanner, as well as information about Four Emerging Vision-Enhancing Technologies and more about the Smith-Kettlewell Institute:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

5) Sprint has launched the Kyocera Kona, a flip Phone with Verbal Translation of Internet Browsing and other accessibility features for the blind:
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130906-905387.html

6) If you really want to, you can Watch the iPhone Event Videos for iPhone 5s & iPhone 5c:
http://osxdaily.com/2013/09/11/watch-iphone-5c-5s-event-videos/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+osxdaily+%28OS+X+Daily%29

7) GW Micro has announced the release of Window-Eyes 8.3, a maintenance update that includes support for Windows 8.1, better support for Windows 8 modern apps, provides numerous speed improvements, and enhances the Window-Eyes 8 feature set.
http://www.gwmicro.com/upgrade

8) You can Pre-Order The Old Hat Guide To iPhone Accessibility, iOS7 Edition for $4.95 until 15 October:
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/order/

9) It's time again for a public beta cycle for the upcoming version of JAWS. JAWS 15 will feature touch navigation in Windows 8, new Vocalizer Expressive synthesizers for many languages, and other fixes and enhancements:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/jaws-public-beta.asp

10) In audio, we'll have lots of podcasts about iOS 7 to report on when it is released next week. For now:

Robert Carter tells us about his favorite podcasts:
http://www.dr-carter.com/

Eyes on Success #1337, Jamming with Other Musicians over the Internet:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/

NCBI Podcast #16 Features Sendero GPS, the Serotek Socialiser, and more:
http://www.ncbi.ie/technology-podcast-episode-16-september-2013

And good collections of podcasts on Blind Geek Zone:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/bgz-audio-postings/

And a few on AppleVis:
http://www.applevis.com/podcasts

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 421

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, September 5, 2013 - Volume 421
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One (1) Gently Used BrailleNote Apex 32 Cell Notetaker with Perkins Style Braille Keyboard for $2,995.00 USD !!!

Photo of the BrailleNote Apex 32 Cell Notetaker with Perkins Style Braille Keyboard. Flying Blind, LLC is very excited to have One (1) Refurbished BrailleNote Apex32 Notetaker with Perkins Style Braille Keyboard available for $2,995.00 USD, which is approximately $2,600.00 USD off of its suggested list price!!! For the past 13 years the BrailleNote name has been synonymous with excellence and innovation and the Apex continues to set standards that other notetakers have yet to meet. This unit is in pristine condition and is begging for a new home with a responsible user. This exceptionally priced gem will give you the time you need to have the time of your life! That, and its robust yet intuitive functionality will offer limitless options to whomever is first to receive it. This is a single unit that will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Price includes shipping within the Continental United States. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Buy Now - One (1) Gently Used BrailleNote Apex 32 Cell Notetaker with Perkins Style Braille Keyboard for $2,995.00 USD:
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Greetings,

1) This page, from the How to be Blind site, offers a listing of accessible apps for iOS and Android with brief descriptions:
http://htb2.com/apps/

2) This is a pretty clear review by Walt Mossberg of Wall Street Journal of the Jitterbug Touch 2, a smartphone intended for the senior market:
http://allthingsd.com/20130903/jitterbug-touch-2-simple-touch-at-a-sluggish-speed/?mod=tweet

3) Accessibility.TV seems to strive to be a one-stop site to view adaptive technology demonstration and training videos made by different companies.
http://www.accessibility.tv/index.htm

4) The BTBL Computer Club in Michigan will be holding a demo of the soon-to-be-released BARD App for iOS, and you can listen in via computer using the Talking Commmunities program. The session will run from GMT 14:30-16:30 on Saturday 21 September. To connect, use this link:
http://www.conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs417aa6694fed

5) Learn about Prodigi: The groundbreaking, touch-controlled 2-in-1 Personal Vision Assistant from Humanware on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 10 September at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

6) Courtesy of the NFB AT blog comes "The Braille Edge: New firmware, new case, almost like having a new device."
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/braille-edge-new-firmware-new-case-almost-having-new-device

7) SBB BART Group will present a three-part webinar series on electronic document accessibility, Accessible Documents in the Enterprise - PDF, Office and Beyond. The 45-minute sessions will take place on Thursdays 12 and 19 September and 3 October starting at 18:00 GMT:
https://www.ssbbartgroup.com/webinars.php#Documents_series

8) The International Academy Of Low Vision Specialists has launched a New Website for Patients and Caregivers:
http://www.LowVisionEyeDoctors.com

9) Here are some articles of potential interest from HowToGeek:

RAM Disks Explained: What They Are and Why You Probably Shouldn't Use One:
http://www.howtogeek.com/171432/ram-disks-explained-what-they-are-and-why-you-probably-shouldnt-use-one/

How to Send Large Files Over Email:
http://www.howtogeek.com/171328/how-to-send-large-files-over-email/

How to Install Microsoft Office on Linux:
http://www.howtogeek.com/171565/how-to-install-microsoft-office-on-linux/

10) BookShare offers free webinars for parents and special education personnel:
https://www.bookshare.org/_/help/training/trainingPages/upcomingWebinars

11) Accessibility reviews of LevTec Speaking Clock version 6.05, Replay Music 5 version 5.55 and Video Padlock version 1.2 have been added to theAccessWatch Review System:
http://accesswatch.info

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 420

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 29, 2013 - Volume 420
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

Greetings,

1) This article by David Pogue, which hopefully everybody can access, compares speech input features on iOS and Android:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/22/technology/personaltech/android-vs-siri-the-voice-recognition-sequel.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1&

2) Twitter has launched a blog on Improving the accessibility of Twitter:
https://blog.twitter.com/2013/improving-accessibility-of-twittercom

3) A beta version of a Learning Ally app is now to be found for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.learningally.learningallyaudioandroid&hl=en

4) Learn about Prodigi, the "Touch-Controlled 2-in-1 Personal Vision Assistant" from HumanWare, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 10 September at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5) GW Micro willl hold a free training webinar, "Accessing Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft SkyDrive with Window-Eyes" on Wednesday, 11 September at 18:00 GMT. As always the webinar will be available for later download, and worksheets are available to assist with learning:
http://www.gwmicro.com/meeting

6) CAVI will hold a three-hour, $30 workshop, "Getting Productive and Organized With Dropbox", via TeamTalk, in two timeslots to accommodate people throughout the world on Sunday, 8 September at 18:00 GMT, and Monday, 9 September at 00:00 GMT. Perhaps the easiest way to get more information is to email:
dropbox-course@ciscovision.org

7) Jonathan Mosen has been testing the forthcoming iOS upgrade, iOS 7, which might come out for general use sometime in September. While he was at it, he wrote an e-book, iOS 7 Without the Eye, and if you buy it before the iOS7 release, you'll get the book the same day iOS7 is released and pay half price, $9.95.
http://mosen.org/index.php/pre-order-my-ebook-ios7-without-the-eyeand-get-50-off/

8) Meanwhile, Sarah K. Alawami will be preparing a tutorial on Mavericks, the forthcoming Mac OS. She's conducting a survey about this tutorial, open until about a week before the OS is released:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1344480/mavrics-survey-on-tffp-podcast

9) Here are two blog posts of a tour of American Printing House for the Blind:
http://clearedready.blogspot.com/2013/08/louisville-tour-of-american-printing.html
http://clearedready.blogspot.com/2013/08/louisville-american-printing-house-for.html

10) Cathy Ann Murtha will offer a $125 webinar, "An Introduction to Outlook 2013", on Saturday, 7 September at 23:00 GMT:
http://www.blindtraining.com/Seminars/Outlook13.html

11) Here is a post about the digital divide and people with disabilities:
http://lflegal.com/2013/08/digital-divide/

12) Development continues on JAWS scripts for Skype, with updates covering up to version 6.7:
http://www.dlee.org/skype/

13) One Foundation is an iOS solitaire game that works with VoiceOver:
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/one-foundation

14) The people at BCAB, British Computer Association for the Blind, recommend NCH Software as a good source for CD Burning programs and others:
http://www.nchsoftware.com/index.html

15) The HowToGeek people give us "5 Ways to Run Linux Software on Windows"
http://www.howtogeek.com/170870/5-ways-to-run-linux-software-on-windows/

16) AFB offers a $29.95 webinar, "iPad and Communication for Students with Visual and Multiple Disabilities"
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=EiPadCommunication&ruling=Yes

17) Looking at the various new audio content available, documentation for the new generation Victor Reader Stream is available including an audio tutorial:
http://support.humanware.com/en-usa/support/victor_reader_stream_new_generation/victor_reader_stream_new_generation_documentation

Eyes on Success joins the legions that have recorded podcasts regarding the TI-84 Plus scientific programmable graphing calculator:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/

Learn what's in the upcoming NVDA 2013.2 release and about the company's new release process in NVAccess Podcast #6:
http://www.nvaccess.org/post/podcast-episode-6/

The Physics Central podcast features an interview with John Gardner, creator of View Plus:
http://www.physicscentral.com/buzz/blog/index.cfm?postid=7608374268610257567&utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer0f5fb&utm_medium=twitter

We've mentioned these tutorials on using Garage Band before, but here they are in one place:
http://htb2.com/tutorials/mac-tutorials/garage-band/

Our Place podcast, with a direct link to the file, Demystifying Android, Part 4:
http://t.co/ZnZWTBaFaL

Audio from many sessions of the Visions 2013 conference can be found here:
http://www.blindness.org/visions/audio.php

Episode #21 of the iOS-related podcast Triple Click Home is out:
http://tripleclickhome.com/2013/08/28/triple-click-home-episode-21-finger-gymnastics/

Also from the SPN network, SeroTalk Podcast 165:
http://serotalk.com/2013/08/21/serotalk-podcast-165-its-going-to-sound-good-in-your-mouth/

And SeroTalk Podcast 166:
http://serotalk.com/2013/08/27/serotalk-podcast-166-safari-plus-windows-equals-bad/

Episode 6 of The Fedora Outlier's Delivering Access Podcast focuses on Michael Hansen of the AppleVis team:
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/delivering-access-podcast-episode-6-with-michael-hansen-of-apple-vis/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 419

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 22, 2013 - Volume 419
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: 1st Generation Smartview 360 Video Magnifiers: $999.00 USD Each!!!

Flying Blind, LLC is ecstatic to be running a blockbuster video magnifier special just before the beginning of another school year to give our low vision subscribers a whole lot to be excited about as summer draws to an end. These Smartview 360s provide school-age, working-age and aging users a flexible video magnification solution suited for the classroom, workplace, or home. The 360s integrated camera and 19 inch monitor gives users multiple viewing options for desktop, distance, or personal tasks. It's auto-focus feature, multiple color options, and robust yet flexible magnification capabilities make it the most versatile companion for low vision users of all ages. Imagine being able to complete countless tasks independently and efficiently while fully utilizing your remaining, functional vision! Capture classroom information from a distance, review extensive paperwork at your desk, or enjoy your favorite photographs, and all at a price 60% lower than other video magnification alternatives. These Smartview 360s will provide you the freedom of limitless opportunity at a price tag under $1,000.00 USD! There are a limited number of these units and they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Each unit ships with a one year manufacturer's warranty. Price includes shipping within the Continental United States. To be the first to secure one or more of these units please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Buy Now - One 1st Generation Smartview 360 Video Magnifier for $999.00 USD:
http://www.flying-blind.com/store/refurbished-sale-items/first-generation-smartview-360-video-magnifier.html

Greetings,

1) A new Android for Vision Impaired users Email List called "VI-Android" is now open to subscribers curious about the topic. To join, put the word subscribe in the subject line of a message to:
vi-android-request@freelists.org

Also, a recent post to the Go You Big Blog features a review of Android on-screen keyboards:
https://qchristensen.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/android-on-screen-keyboards/

2) The AT Blog of the NFB carries a discussion of talking digital magnifiers:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/talking-digital-magnifiers

3) That same blog carries an adaptation of Amy Mason's notes for a presentation on inclusive gaming to a group of game developers, and geared toward that group, but includes sources for accessible games as well:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/gaming-resources

4) George McKenzie and Byron Lee of Horizons for the Blind have written another iOS App Review. This time it's for an app called HEARD, a time machine for your ears!
http://www.horizons-blind.org/?p=1102

5) This clear guest post to the New Hofstader.com blog carries the title "A Look At Accessible GNU/Linux":
http://chrishofstader.com/a-look-at-accessible-gnulinux/

6) The article "Understanding Keyboard Key Inserts" has been posted to the GW Micro Knowledgebase:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2034

7) This post from The Verge is called "Buying a Laptop: Everything You Need to Know":
http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/15/4623016/buying-a-laptop-everything-you-need-to-know?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WinRumors+%28WinRumors%29

8) Read "The Everyday Life of a Blind Technologist":
http://g3ict.org/resource_center/newsletter/news/p/newsletterId_/id_439

9) An accessibility review of SoundTap Streaming Audio Recorder version 2.26 has been added to the AccessWatch database:
http://www.accesswatch.info

10) HIMS has released version 1.1 of their firmware for the Braille Edge 40, allowing users the ability to read and edit TXT, RTF, DOC, and DOCX files in contracted Braille, and other enhancements:
http://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=9329

11) During the Tek Talk presentation on GMT Tuesday, 27 August at 00:00 entitled "The Technophobe's Guide to Creating a Website", Jackie McBride will talk you through creating a Wordpress site in an hour, no knowledge of computer alphabet soup required. A Q&A will follow. As always, the presentation will be recorded for later study:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

12) The $29.95 webinar "Blind Teaching the Blind: Effective Strategies for Vision Loss Professionals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired" is available from AFB:
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=eBlindTeachBlind&ruling=Yes

13) We haven't cited any HowToGeek articles for a while, and here are a few interesting ones:

"How Can I Find Out Where an Email Really Came From?"
http://www.howtogeek.com/169539/how-can-i-find-out-where-an-email-really-came-from/

And two related articles:

"Debunking Battery Life Myths for Mobile Phones, Tablets, and Laptops"
http://www.howtogeek.com/169669/debunking-battery-life-myths-for-mobile-phones-tablets-and-laptops/

And "How to Increase Your Windows Laptop's Battery Life":
http://www.howtogeek.com/169720/how-to-increase-your-windows-laptops-battery-life/

14) In the post "Now Hear This Even Better. A Follow-up," Jonathan Mosen provides more information and experience as a blind person suffering significant hearing loss:
http://mosen.org/index.php/now-hear-this-even-better-a-follow-up/

15) Turning to audio material:

There is a campaign underway to "Ending CAPTCHA once and for all." You can listen to the audio or read the transcript from Media Access Australia:
http://mediaaccess.org.au/audio-description-on-radio/ending-captcha-once-and-for-all

Podcast 61 from Cool Blind Tech Demos KeySoft Upgrade 9.3 On The BrailleNote Apex:
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/keysoft-upgrade-93-on-the-braillenote-apex-cbt-618142013

"Braille Is Cool: Spread The Word" is the latest podcast from the Tech Doctor Blog and Podcast:
http://www.dr-carter.com/?p=252

We finish with a plethora of podcasts from BlindGeekZone for the week:

BGZ Podcast 73 "SocialEyes":
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/bgz-podcast-73-socialeyes/

Learn to create, save, and use Playlists on the Talking MP3 Players:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/learn-to-create-save-and-use-playlists-on-the-talking-mp3-players/

Aftershokz Bluez:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/aftershokz-bluez/

Extreme Call Blocker for Android
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/extreme-call-blocker-for-android/

Android Open Kang Project
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/android-open-kang-project/

NVDA Tutorial Addendum 1 "Review Modes"
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/nvda-tutorial-addendum-1-review-modes/

The New Victor Reader Stream:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/the-new-victor-reader-stream/

BlindSquare Walking Demo Using Google Maps:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/blindsquare-walking-demo-using-google-maps/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 418

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 15, 2013 - Volume 418
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with One Year Manufacturer's Warranty for $1,995.00 USD !!!

Photo of the Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display Flying Blind, LLC is most pleased to offer a gently used Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with one year manufacturer's warranty for approximately $1,000.00 USD off of its suggested list price. This state-of-the-art display offers USB and Bluetooth access to today's PCs, Macs, Tablets, and Mobile Phones, and all at an unbeatable price. Don't let the 40 cells fool you, this display's sleek design also makes it a portable companion for the mobile phone user on the go. It's ergonomic Braille input keys allow for effortless, accurate, and speedy Braille entry into today's touch screen tablets and cell phones, and its perfectly placed thumb-keys make navigating through the most complex applications as easy as can be. The only bad news is that there's only one of these tactile treasures available for purchase this week. Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display with One Year Manufacturer's Warranty for $1,995.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EGJGMFX6C36GS

Greetings,

1) We begin with five suggestions for teachers on using the iOS notetaking App AccessNote in the classroom:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/afb-press/using-accessnote-in-the-classroom/537452706303412#!/notes/afb-press/using-accessnote-in-the-classroom/537452706303412

2) There are currently some 86 videos listed in this collection of "YouTube Videos for People who are Blind and Visually Impaired" from APH, and they say the list will be expanded. Videos concern teaching braille and demonstrating various adaptive technology devices:
http://www.fredshead.info/2013/07/youtube-videos-for-people-who-are-blind.html

3) Sony has released Version 11 of its popular sound editor, Sound Forge. The Snowman has updated his JAWS scripts for Sound Forge to this version. He has also updated Hot Spot Clicker, a tool for customizing JAWS to make programs more accessible with it:
http://www.snowmanradio.com/

4) The third edition of "World Braille Usage" contains 133 languages that have been transcribed into 137 different Braille alphabet and punctuation codes, and represents 142 countries. A free downloadable PDF is available:
http://www.perkins.org/worldbraille/

5) AI Squared has released ZoomText 10.1 for Windows 8! It claims to be the first product on the market to fully support the new operating system with crystal clear xFont magnification, Touch screen support, IE10 support, Office 2013 support, additional magnification levels, color transition effects, and more:
http://www.aisquared.com/zoomtext/more/zoomtext_for_windows_8

6) This is a link to a fairly readable PDF describing wireless internet service in airports around the world:
http://i.slimg.com/sc/aw/photo/w/wi/wi-fi_chart_updated.pdf

7) Winstaller is a utility for creating fully accessible windows install disks:
http://levtec.linkpc.net/info/utilities/winstaller.htm

8) The August, 2013 issue of AccessWorld includes reviews of Socializer from System Access, the Voice Dream Reader iOS app, the JAWS-based typing tutorial TypeAbility, and three remote postage services, and other material:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

9) Learn about the aforementioned Socializer program from Serotek on Tek Talk for GMT Tuesday, 20 august at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

10) The August Old Time Radio Marathon wil run for twelve hours, from GMT Saturday, 17 August at 16:00 to Sunday, 18 August at 04:00. There will be prizes and lots of programs to listen to:
http://www.radiooutofthepast.org/

11) Learn about the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator from APH and Orbit Research, as well as how to purchase books from Audible, on Main Menu for GMT Saturday, 1y August at 01:00:
http://www.acbradio.org/mainstream

12) The next free webinar from EASI will be entitled "The Future of Curricular Access in Postsecondary Education" and will take on GMT Tuesday, 20 august at 18:00:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm/#august

13) Every six months, the community of blind iOS users choose apps to be added to the AppleVis iOS App Hall of Fame. The vote usually leads to two apps being added, but this time there were so many good candidates and so many votes that they added four apps:
http://www.applevis.com/blog/advocacy/announcing-newest-inductees-applevis-ios-app-hall-fame-0

14) A variety of audio material is available this week.

From the recent NFB Convention, a 45-minute presentation on using the Victor Reader Stream as a teleprompter so that non-Braille readers can give effective public speeches:
http://www.blindhow.com/posts/729#content

The manual for GW Micro's SocialEyes has been converted to audio:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/rhcmer

TA DemoCast 24 showed Google Nexus 7 and Chromecast, and the website discussed some reasons for the frustration they experienced:
http://techaccessweekly.com/democast/2013/08/14/ta-democast-24-google-nexus-7-and-chromecast/

Check Out Recent Podcasts in the "Let's Talk Low Vision with Dr. Bill" series from Council of Citizens with Low Vision:
http://www.cclvi.org/podcasts.htm

Eyes on Success #1332, "Victor Reader Products from Humanware"
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1332_podcast.mp3

And Program 1333, "Being a Blind Auto Mechanic and Driver":
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1333_podcast.mp3

From BGZ Come:

"Demonstration of an Experimental New Speech Synthesizer"
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/demonstration-of-an-experimental-new-speech-synthesizer/

The Sam Tupy Website:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/the-sam-tupy-website/

And more posts about MP3 players using RockBox:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/bgz-audio-postings/

Serotalk Podcast 164 Awaits Here:
http://serotalk.com/2013/08/14/serotalk-podcast-164-let-me-feel-your-phone-face/

And AppleVis Offers:

A demonstration of the More Holiday Dinner Game:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-more-holiday-dinner-game

Downcast for OS X: Download, Play and Synchronize your Favorite Podcasts
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/downcast-os-x-download-play-and-synchronize-your-favorite-podcasts

MouseKick for iOS: Can You Stop Those Pesky Mice From Laughing at You?
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/mousekick-ios-can-you-stop-those-pesky-mice-laughing-you

Buzzing Around Bugs in Safari for the Mac with VoiceOver:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/buzzing-around-bugs-safari-mac-voiceover

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 417

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 8, 2013 - Volume 417
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Classic Focus 80-Cell Refreshable Braille Terminal for $2,195.00 USD !!!

Photo of a Focus 40-Cell Braille Terminal and a Focus 80-Cell Braille Terminal above a photo of a man working on a PC using a Focus 80-Cell Braille Terminal. Flying Blind, LLC has one gently used Classic Focus 80-Cell Refreshable Braille Terminal for the deeply discounted price of $2,195.00 USD. That's over 65% off of its suggested retail cost. This 80-Cell workhorse is optimal for JAWS For Windows or Voiceover users on a Mac who require a great deal of Braille to access complex applications from a desktop computer. This unit's various controls and responsive Braille output make navigating and multi-tasking through difficult, graphical applications, both effortless and efficient. Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Classic Focus 80-Cell Refreshable Braille Terminal for $2,195.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=MARBC827ZU75G

Greetings,

1) From Fedora Outlier LLC comes a guide entitled "Managing Your Wireless Settings On Windows & Mac". Links to similar how-to articles can be found on the page as well:
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/managing-your-wireless-settings-on-windows-mac/

2) This article by Polygon is called "Blind Games: The Next Battleground in Accessibility":
http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/8/6/4550490/blind-games-rock-vibe

3) While we're talking about games, Dicey Rolls is a new, free computer dice game for Windows that works well with speech from Rich De Steno. You may request it by sending an email to:
ironrock@verizon.net

4) Learn how Philipp Meyer developed "Life - A Tactile Comic for the Blind":
http://www.hallo.pm/life/

5) Holly Nielsen, US Social Media Leader for IBM Global Technology Service, writes "Hooked on Social Networking: The Latest in Accessibility News from TED":
http://hookedonsocialnetworking.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-latest-in-accessibility-news-from.html

6) Jonathan Mosen has written "Now Hear This! Musings of a Blind Hearing Aid Wearer," and some discussion has ensued as a result:
http://mosen.org/index.php/now-hear-this-musings-of-a-blind-hearing-aid-wearer/

7) Here is an interview about the Accessible Netflix campaign:
http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/latest_news/general/campaign-for-a-more-accessible-netflix

8) The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 requires companies who make electronic devices to make them accessible to people with disabilities. At this time, none of the e-book readers that are on the market meet this requirement. Amazon, Kobo, and Sony have submitted a petition to the FCC asking for a waiver claiming it would be too expensive to make their e-book readers accessible:
http://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=9286

9) The Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University has launched a Blog on Blindness:
http://www.pdrib.com/blog/

10) Main Menu at 01:00 on GMT Saturday, 10 August will feature an interview with GW Micro about SocialEyes, and then an extensive demo of its most popular features:
http://www.acbradio.org/mainstream

11) The i-devices mailing list now hosts a monthly conference call for learning about iOS and about aapp. The first call, held on 4 August, was an introductory presentation about VoiceOver. This is a link to the recording.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/136682579/IDevices/IDevice%20Conference%20%231%2C%20Basics%20Of%20the%20IDevice.mp3

12) The Hadley School offers some new independent living modules for free enrollment:
http://www.hadley.edu/

13) Here are Tech Tips from the Matilda Ziegler Magazine:
http://www.matildaziegler.com/2013/08/07/feature-writer-lynne-tatum-tech-tips/

14) Turning to podcasts:

Episode 3 of the Delivering Access Podcast features an interview with Chris Hofstader:
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/delivering-access-podcast-episode-3-with-chris-hofstader/

From AppleVis:

Quick Tip: Managing U.S. Government Push Alerts on Your iPhone:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/quick-tip-managing-us-government-push-alerts-your-iphone

An Overview of Running Windows on a Mac Using Boot Camp:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/overview-running-windows-mac-using-boot-camp

Using Braille Displays on iDevices: A very bumpy subject:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-braille-displays-idevices-very-bumpy-subject

From the SPN Network:

SeroSpectives: This Month in Tech for July, 2013
http://serotalk.com/2013/08/01/serospectives-this-month-in-tech-for-july-2013/

And finally, the BGZ page contains several podcasts on using talking MP3 players using Rockbox:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/bgz-audio-postings/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 416

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 1, 2013 - Volume 416
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished BrailleConnect 32 Cell Refreshable Braille Display for $1,550.00 USD !!!

Photo of the BrailleConnect 32 Refreshable Braille Display Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer one refurbished BrailleConnect 32 Cell Refreshable Braille Display this week for the amazingly low price of $1,550.00 USD. This 32 Cell gem touts versatility and ease-of-use, allowing for both portable and desktop access via wireless and USB connectivity. This unit is the perfect companion for a PC or Mac user while still being small enough for portable use with your favorite Android or i-device. This display is in fantastic condition, and this price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished BrailleConnect 32 Cell Refreshable Braille Display for $1,550.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9HUBU7VQ63GEG

Greetings,

1) Sonokids, an Australian company, has released Ballyland, a game that supports playful learning of technology skills by children who are blind or have low vision. No literacy skills are required, and the game includes five games for helping children learn particular keys. For now, Windows only, but Mac version is forthcoming soon.
http://ballyland.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6b8d6a8e9521d8e29084d03c4&id=36803f8f39&e=fd9e6af97e

2) Kathy Ann Murtha has released a training course for users of JAWS and Window-Eyes with Windows 8. Courses cost $225 and include the existing textbook, four MP3 lessons, and comprehensive tests.
http://www.blindtraining.com/courses/

3) Here is a concise review of TapTapSee, a camera app for iOS that aids blind users in identifying all sorts of objects. The review also has links to other activities in which the organization is involved.
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/taptapsee-for-iphone-old-hat-review/

4) Brian Hartgen brings us an article, "Dropbox Folder Management Using JAWS for Windows":
http://www.hartgen.org/node/215

5) Learn about the Seeing Eye GPS App on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday 6 August at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Also an article about the app appears on the Matilda Ziegler site:
http://www.matildaziegler.com/?p=8833

6) The Commonwealth Braille and Talking Book Cooperative offers several Braille translation resources free to all. Among them is an online back translator that translates contracted Braille to text and translation software for a variety of operating systems.
http://www.cbtbc.org/braille/

7) In podcasts and audio:

The Applevis site offers A Demonstration of BlindSquare and 5 Mainstream GPS Apps for iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-blindsquare-and-5-mainstream-gps-apps-ios

Audiobook Binder: A free Mac App for Converting your Audiobooks from MP3 to M4B:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/audiobook-binder-free-mac-app-converting-your-audiobooks-mp3-m4b

Using braille displays with the Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-braille-displays-mac

And BlindGeekZone is the source for a podcast on refreshing Wwindows 8 and higher devices:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/a-podcast-on-refreshing-windows-8-and-higher-devices/

Windows 8.1 First Looks Part 2:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/windows-8-1-first-looks-part-2/

BGZ Podcast 71: "Rickster upgrades his MacBook Pro"
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/bgz-podcast-71-rickster-upgrades-his-macbook-pro/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 415

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 25, 2013 - Volume 415
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Alva Satellite 570 Refreshable Braille Terminal for $1,800.00 USD !!!

Photo of the Alva Satellite 570 Refreshable Braille Terminal Flying Blind, LLC has come into possession of yet another of these 70 Cell Refreshable Braille gems for thousands of dollars off of its suggested list price. This Braille display is the perfect desktop companion for Macintosh, 32 bit PC, and Linux systems, and all while boasting the high quality that is synonymous with the ALVA name at a price that is $1,200.00 USD less than other Braille displays that have 40% less Braille cells. The ALVA Satellite has been the display of choice for many Federal agencies and large corporations for over a decade. This unit is in fantastic condition and ships with an optional backpack, all accessories, and documentation. Price includes shipping within the Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Alva Satellite 570 Refreshable Braille Terminal for $1,800.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FP97746H7VUT2

Greetings,

1) This thought-provoking article by Chris Hofstader is called "The Death Of Screen Reader Innovation":
http://chrishofstader.com/the-death-of-screen-reader-innovation/#comments

2) Learn about Earl, a free program with a $9.95/month subscription fee which lets people listen to newspapers very easily in a human-sounding voice, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 30 July at 00:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

3) AI Squared has a new training program, called ZoomText University.
http://www.aisquared.com/learning/more/ZTU/

4) The author of the iPads for Special Needs book has launched a free course, "Accessibility Features on the iPad." It covers VoiceOver, Guided Access and Assistive Touch.
http://ipads4specialneedsbook.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6f3b0de0d8039751b9f1d6259&id=3913dc1c27&e=eb094f9c73

5) The Perkins eLearning site brings together the range of web-based content available through the Perkins School for the Blind, for teachers, families, and others interested in the education of children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with deafblindness or additional disabilities:
http://www.perkinselearning.org/

6) The people at Executive Products have come out with a custom case to carry the Braille Edge 40 from HIMS:
https://www.executiveproductsinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=277&products_id=1860&osCsid=vri1jt7kl0f3ggu8e9u7b3ssv5

7) A third party has created a desktop App for the Blindy TV service that broadcasts several stations of described tv.
http://brianenochs.com/blindytv/

8) Keysoft 9.3 for the Apex products from HumanWare is now available and offers better web navigation, opening of modern Word documents and the ability to use the VoiceNote to control the iPhone.
http://support.humanware.com/en-usa/support/braillenote_apex/software/keysoft_93

9) In audio and podcasts:

CAVI has a presentation about their upcoming courses that start in August.
http://is.gd/yPNRPd

Eyes on Success #1330 deals with web accessibility.
http://www.EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_1330_podcast.mp3

George McKenzie of Horizons for the Blind has posted a review of the Seeing Assistant-Home Lite App for iPhone on their website:
http://www.horizons-blind.org/?p=1090

FromApplevis, 2 iOS Apps to Keep You Up-To-Date with the Latest News:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/2-ios-apps-keep-you-date-latest-news

Taking Blind Square for a Walk:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/taking-blind-square-walk

And from BGZ: MBraille Podcast Part1
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/mbraille-podcast-part1/

MBraille Podcast Part2
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/mbraille-podcast-part2/

MBraille Podcast Part2 Update
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/mbraille-podcast-part2-update/

A quick tip on how to see all SAPI 5 voices on 64 bit versions of Windows Vista and Above:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/a-quick-tip-on-how-to-see-all-sapi-5-voices-on-64-bit-versions-of-windows-vista-and-above/

BGZ Podcast 70: "Rickster Goes to the Convention"
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/bgz-podcast-70-rickster-goes-to-the-convention/

BlindSquare GPS Walking Demo:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/blindsquare-gps-walking-demo/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 414

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 18, 2013 - Volume 414
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Refurbished Braille Sense Plus Notetakers with QWERTY Keyboards for $1,695.00 USD Each!!!

Photo of the Braille Sense Plus Notetaker with QWERTY Keyboard Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer two gently used Braille Sense Plus Notetakers manufactured by HIMS for the unbeatable price of $1,695.00 USD each! Both units have QWERTY keyboards and each ships with a 90-day manufacturer warranty. These robust solutions are the perfect companion for the Braille user wishing to organize their life using state-of-the-art hardware at a very affordable price, which also includes shipping within the Continental United States. These units will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be one of the first to secure one of these two units please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Braille Sense Plus Notetaker with QWERTY Keyboard for $1,695.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3QH5LVWNEZW2Y

Greetings,

1) If you read this early enough, you can take a free Windows 7 workshop by Melissa Powell, who claims to be a "Certified Adaptive Technology Trainer," GMT Friday, 19 July at 01:00. Of course, that's Thursday stateside, and if you're one who has trouble understanding the conversion to GMT and can't find a web resource to do the conversion to your time zone, feel free to ask for an explanation. Meanwhile, to take this workshop, email:
mel@ubtanet.com

2) Here is a blog for those looking to use an Android phone with large print (or why you might consider Android as a large print user):
http://qchristensen.wordpress.com/

3) We'll dedicate an entry to various items related to the new Seeing Eye GPS iPhone App from Sendero:

Here are two AppleVis podcasts:

AppleVis Extra #14: Seeing Eye GPS with Mike May:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-14-seeing-eye-gps-mike-may

And Seeing Eye GPS: A Turn-by-Turn GPS application for the iPhone Developed Specifically for the Blind:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/seeing-eye-gps-turn-turn-gps-application-iphone-developed-specifically-blind

And from Blind Geek Zone:

Seeing Eye GPS:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/seeing-eye-gps/

And Comparing Nearby Explorer and Sendero Seeing Eye GPS:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/comparing-nearby-explorer-and-sendero-seeing-eye-gps/

I don't know if Mike May used this app or not, but Read about his adventures on his flight to the UK using GPS:
http://www.facebook.com-/senderogps Sendero Group

4) On the GPS topic Chris Grabowski has produced "SenderoMaps, More than a Map Manager, Comprehensive Audio Tutorial" from Mystic Access. This is over 2 hours in length and goes through the features of the program. The introductory price is $19.95.
http://www.mysticaccess.com

5) AI Squared has just launched a ZoomText Certification Program. There are two tiers of certification: Essentials and Professional. Here's a link with more information:
http://www.aisquared.com/news/more/zoomtext_certification_program_launched/

6) American Foundation for the Blind has produced a $29.95 webinar, "Creating Tactile Overlays for the iPad and Tablet Devices":
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=Etactileoverlays&ruling=No

7) Learn about the Zamzar File Conversion Website on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 23 July at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

8) We haven't tested this or had any feedback about it, but SeeingAssistant-Home LITE is a free iOS App developed by Transition Technologies S.A. that performs color recognition, light detection, magnification, scanning, and generating barcodes and QR codes. SeeingAssistant-Home has been developed in close cooperation with visually impaired people in order to address their needs as accuractely as possible.
http://applevis.com/apps/ios/utilities/seeingassistant-home-lite

9) The 2.0 version of the iOS Google Maps App is said to have considerable improvements for VoiceOver users:
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/navigation/google-maps#comment-14805

10) If you want to test leading edge features of NVDA, here is where to get the downloads:
http://community.nvda-project.org/wiki/Snapshots

11) Read "Talking Tech for July 16 2013" from David Woodbridge:
http://davidwoodbridge.blogspot.com/2013/07/talking-tech-for-july-16-2013.html?spref=tw

12) Perhaps more so than in previous years, comprehensive audio pages exist for both US consumer conventions. For recordings from the American Council of the Blind convention, go to:
http://www.acbradio.org/node/43

And for lots of material from the 2013 convention of the National Federation of the Blind, go to:
http://www.insightradio.co.uk/podcast-feed.html?category=special_features/nfb_convention_2013

The SPN network gives us the audio from the NFB Technology Trainers meeting:
http://serotalk.com/2013/07/15/spn-special-a-t-trainers/

And since HIMS sponsored their convention coverage, two sessions describing new features in the Sense line of notetakers:
http://serotalk.com/2013/07/12/spn-special-hims-nfb-workshop-part-1/
http://serotalk.com/2013/07/13/spn-special-hims-nfb-workshop-part-2/

13) The SPN Network also offers a tutorial on using the SAMNet Socializer:
http://serotalk.com/2013/07/14/spn-special-using-the-samnet-socializer/

14) IBUG, the iOS Blind Users Group, offers weekly training conference, calls, podcasts and other events. The two-hour conference calls take place GMT Tuesdays from 00:30-2:30:
http://www.ibugtoday.com/

15) If you're in the UK and Europe, CAVI is launching a second Intro to HTML class held on Monday evenings:
http://www.cavitraining.com/

16) The accessible Netflix campaign now has a fully functional website. You can view it by going to:
http://netflixproject.wordpress.com/

17) GW Micro announces a free webinar, Introduction to SocialEyes, on GMT Wednesday, 24 July at 18:00 GMT:
http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Webinar_Training/

18) An accessibility evaluation of the new flagship Kenwood TS-990S base station, for Ham Radio operators, has been posted on the Active Elements website:
http://active-elements.org/2013/07/14/kenwood-ts-990-accessibility-review-3/

19) "Talking Through Identity Theft: A program for the Blind and Visually Impaired", will be a free teleconference and webinar from the Federal Trade Commission to take place on GMT Wednesday, 31 July at 19:00. For more information, email:
cthomas@ftc.gov

20) Finishing with the week's podcasts:

From BGZ:

Windows 8.1 First Looks:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/windows-8-1-first-looks/

From AppleVis:

Airplane Setting: A Mac App that Adds a One-Click Power Saving Mode to your MacBook Pro or Air:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/airplane-setting-mac-app-adds-one-click-power-saving-mode-your-macbook-pro-or-air

Using Skype and TextEdit on the Mac to be Productive with Voice Mail:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-skype-and-textedit-mac-be-productive-voice-mail

How to Play Windows Audio Streams on the Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/how-play-windows-audio-streams-mac

Using gestures on the Trackpad for the Mac: Making Navigation on the Mac Similar to iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-gestures-trackpad-mac-making-navigation-mac-similar-ios

From Eyes on Success:

Horseback Riding:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1329_podcast.mp3
I. D. Mate Quest & ScripTalk from En-Vision America (July 10, 2013):
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1328_podcast.mp3

From Tech Access Weekly

StandScan:
http://techaccessweekly.com/democast/2013/07/17/ta-democast-23-standscan/

From the Tech Doctor, App Camp For Girls: Dreams Become Reality:
http://www.dr-carter.com/?p=243

And AccessTalk Podcast 16: Apple iOS7, Sendero Seeing Eye, Bluetooth Speakers & Goodies from the BBC:
http://accesstalk.co.uk/podcast-16/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 413

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 11, 2013 - Volume 413
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished 1st Generation Brailliant 32 Cell Braille Display for $1,200.00 USD!!!

Photo of the 1st Generation Brailliant 32 That's right! We have one refurbished 1st Generation Brailliant 32 Cell Braille display at a fantastic price. This unit comes with a three month warranty and is the perfect companion for the PC or Mac user wishing to marry portability with a sleek yet rugged design. The Brailliant 32 allows you to connect via USB or Bluetooth to all of today's desktop and laptop PCs and Macintosh computers using any of today's commercially available screenreaders. This unit is in fantastic condition and in need of a good home. Price includes shipping within the 48 continental United States. To snatch up this bargain while it's still available feel free to use the link below. You may also email featured@flying-blind.com, or call +1 (216) 381-8107 if you have any questions about the Brailliant or would prefer to purchase it via telephone. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Buy Now - One Refurbished 1st Generation Brailliant 32 Cell Braille Display for $1,200.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=F74PUJW86APHJ

Greetings,

1) We'll start with podcasts for a change, as there aren't many this round:

From AppleVis:

AppleVis Extra #13: MBraille:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-13-mbraille

Two iOS Apps From Pzizz that Could Improve Your Sleep and Re-energize you During the Day:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/2-ios-apps-pzizz-could-improve-your-sleep-and-re-energize-you-during-day

MBraille: Use Braille to Enter Text on your iOS Device
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/mbraille-use-braille-enter-text-your-ios-device

From Cool Blind Tech:

CBT#55, Seeing Eye GPS Demo
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/seeing-eye-gps-demo-cbt-55742013

And an SPN Special:

The State of Technology, with Mike Calvo:
http://serotalk.com/2013/07/10/spn-special-state-of-technology-with-mike-calvo/

2) From the blog "A Blind Man's Journey" comes "Because Somebody Gotta Be the Goat: My initial thoughts on Seeing Eye GPS":
http://blindtravelblog.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/because-somebody-gotta-be-the-goat-my-initial-thoughts-on-seeing-eye-gps/?utm_content=buffer5069e&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

3) The July 2013 Edition of AccessWorld includes "Android's Big Step Forward: A Review of the Screen Enhancement Features of Android 4.2.2," "A Review of the TapTapSee, CamFind, and Talking Goggles Object Identification Apps for the iPhone," "Working with Text and VoiceOver on a Mac," "An Overview of New Features and Bug Fixes in Victor Reader Stream Version 4.1.6 from HumanWare," "An Evaluation of the RAY G300, an Android-based Smartphone Designed for the Blind and Visually Impaired," "AFB AccessNote Notetaker App Updated", and more:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

4) Socializer, the GW Micro App that provides a consistent interface to Facebook, is now shipping for the introductory price of $25 per year:
http://www.gwmicro.com/apps/SocialEyes

5) Cast your vote on most wanted Seeing Eye GPS features:
http://www.senderogroup.com/products/SeeingEyeGPS/segpsform.asp

6) Recent how-to guides added to the AppleVis site include:

Saving Streaming Station Link To Home Screen:
http://www.applevis.com/guides/ios/saving-streaming-station-link-home-screen

And get accessible Facebook and notifications on your iPhone with no app:
http://www.applevis.com/guides/ios/get-accessible-facebook-and-notifications-your-iphone-no-app

7) From MacWorld UK we glean "20 Computer Terms Every Mac User Should Know":
http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/?newsid=3456249&pagtype=allchandate

8) From the "Switch to Mac" series, MacWorld gives us "Bring your hardware with you."
http://www.macworld.com/article/2042973/switch-to-mac-bring-your-hardware-with-you.html#tk.twt_macworld

9) Learn about the many new features in Keysoft version 9.3 for the Apex products, which have come from requests by users, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 16 July at 00:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

10) The mailing list for discussing and receiving announcements regarding The Qube, the popular PC-based Twitter client, has moved. To subscribe, send a blank message to:
theqube-subscribe@mysticaccesspodcast.com

11) PeopleFinder Lite uses Bluetooth signals, available in nearly every mobile device, to alert you of other PeopleFinder users within 30 to 100 feet. You choose if you want to be found or not. When you are alerted of other users in the vicinity, you have the option to text or call them.
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/social-networking/peoplefinder-lite

12) CNET offers us "A Windows 8.1 Survivor's Guide: Hardware":
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57592229-75/a-windows-8.1-survivors-guide-hardware/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 412

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 4, 2013 - Volume 412
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Five Refurbished BraillePen12s For $825.00 USD Each!!!

Photo of the BraillePen 12 Flying Blind, LLC is excited to have 5 gently used BraillePen12 demonstration units available for the fantastic price of $825.00 USD each!!! All of these units have been thoroughly tested and each comes with a 90 day manufacturer warranty. The BraillePen12 is a wonderful companion for the smartphone or tablet user who wants crisp, responsive Braille on the move! The BraillePen12 is the only wireless Braille device with a clipboard feature that allows you to take a note in your preferred Grade of Braille while disconnected from your smartphone and then later wirelessly paste that note directly into your desired App! The BraillePen12 lists for approximately $300.00 USD more than we are selling these 5 units. Our price also includes shipping anywhere within the Continental United States. You can purchase these products (up to 5) immediately and directly using the link below if you want to be the very first to take advantage of these unbelievable offers. These products will also be available via the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store at https://www.toptechtidbits.com/store.html while supplies last. For more information contact featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107. These products will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Experience true 4th of July style independence when you invest in the most intuitive, pocket-sized Braille display on the market.

Buy Now - One Refurbished BraillePen 12 with 90 day manufacturer warranty for $825.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6PXKW9HUQC9DU

Greetings,

A happy and safe Independence Day to everyone here in the States.

1) Thanks to Tamas Geczy, we have "An Objective Look: iOS VS. Android for the Visually Impaired, Part II, the Philosophy of Apps":
http://thebinaryportal.net/android_ios2.html

2) Attend a Free 1-hour Diagram Webinar: Tools for Creating Accessible Math, Thursday, 18 July at 19:00 GMT:
https://cc.readytalk.com/r/qn56k6mnd3kf

3) These next two products are not available yet, so ordinarily I wouldn't announce them, but information has been made available about them pending their release this month: GW Micro announces SocialEyes, an application for Windows-based PCs that provides access to Facebook via a consistent, keyboard friendly and fully accessible user interface. It will cost $50 per year, but the introductory price will be $25 for the first year for a short time.
http://www.gwmicro.com/News_&_Events/Latest_News/?newsNo=288

4. And HumanWare announces Keysoft version 9.3 for the Apex family of products, bringing full access to .docx format documents and considerable improvement in web navigation. Here are some audio feature demonstrations:

NLS Downloads:
http://visit.humanware.com/e/3332/ghlights20-20NLS20download-mp3/34xmln/633766681

KeySoft Bookshare Downloads:
http://visit.humanware.com/e/3332/s20-20Bookshare20downloads-mp3/34xmls/633766681

DOCX Access:
http://visit.humanware.com/e/3332/files-KS209320DOCX20access-mp3/34xmlx/633766681

5) Jonathan Mosen's next $19.95 1-hour webinar will teach all about becoming a beta tester for Apple so you can provide feedback on the forthcoming upgrades for the mac and for iOS. Purchase entitles you to a recording of the session whether or not you can attend the live class.
http://mosen.org/index.php/testing-testing-mosen-consulting-ios-webinar/

6) Sendero Group announces the Seeing Eye GPS app for iOS. There is no charge for the app as such, but in order to use it, a subscription is necessary, $69 for one year, $129 for three.
http://www.senderogroup.com/products/shopseeingeyegps.htm

7) Here is information about live streaming of the National Federation of the Blind 2013 Convention:
https://nfb.org/convention-streaming-schedule

RNIB is preparing podcasts during the event:
http://www.insightradio.co.uk/nfb-convention-2013.html

And here is a blog with Convention resources:
http://visionfora.blogspot.com/2013/07/whats-going-on-at-nfb-national.html

8) The American Council of the Blind 2013 Convention starts a bit later, and you can find information about live streaming for main sessions and other events here:
http://acbradio.org

9) CareerConnect at American Foundation for the Blind has launched a blog:
http://www.afb.org/blog.aspx?BlogID=7

10) The latest issue of the Disability Studies Quarterly focuses on museum experiences and blindness.
http://dsq-sds.org/

11) MouseKick is a new iOS game that has garnered some positive reviews.
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/mousekick#comment-14316

12) Weight Watchers has announced an initiative to make its web-based information more accessible and to make program materials available in alternative media for the blind.
http://www.weightwatchers.com/help/index.aspx?pageid=1396161

13) These are the courses offered by CAVI for the semester beginning in August. Individuals typically pay $150 for courses unless they live in developing countries.
http://www.cavitraining.com/

14) Turning to podcasts:

Eyes on Success #1327 discusses the MaMoMi Initiative to make the visual arts accessible:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1327_podcast.mp3

The latest Tech Doctor podcast is an interview with the creator of the very powerful MBraille iOS app.
http://www.dr-carter.com/

From the Blind Geek Zone: Updating tiny tunes mp3 player:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/updating-tiny-tunes-mp3-player/

A demo on creating an unattended Windows 8 install using Winreducer8:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/a-demo-on-creating-a-unattended-windows8-install-using-winreducer8/

Getting Started With Android 4.0 ICS:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/getting-started-with-android-4-0-ics/

How to save memory on your android phone/tablet (root required):
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/how-to-save-memmory-on-your-android-phonetablet-root-required/

An introduction to Talking MP3 Players:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/an-introduction-to-talking-mp3-players/

Applevis gives us three more installments in the series on using ProTools for the Mac, as well as a podcast on the GPS App: BlindSquare.
http://www.applevis.com/podcasts

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 411

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 27, 2013 - Volume 411
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Refurbished Brailliant 1st Generation Braille Terminals As Low As $1,200.00 USD!!!

Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer two Brailliant 1st Generation Braille Terminals in fantastic working condition at very affordable prices. We have a 32-Cell Brailliant for $1,200.00 USD and a 40-Cell Brailliant for $1,500.00 USD. Did we mention that both products come with a three-month manufacturer's warranty? These Braille displays effortlessly connect to your laptop or desktop PC via either Bluetooth or USB and provide state-of-the-art tactile access to Windows and Macintosh applications. Battery life and Braille quality is second to none, and all at an unbelievable price which includes free shipping within the Continental United States. Don't forget that you can now purchase these products immediately and directly using the links provided below if you want to be the very first to take advantage of these unbelievable offers. These products will also be available via the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store at https://www.toptechtidbits.com/store.html while supplies last. For more information contact featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107. These products will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Brailliant 32-Cell unit, 1st Generation with three month manufacturer warranty for $1,200.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=CAVQFS4W8YT4L

Buy Now - One Refurbished Brailliant 40-Cell unit, 1st Generation with three month manufacturer warranty for $1,500.00 USD:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=H6E7FSCKBLJ3J

Greetings,

1) We'll start a rather slow news week with the rundown of available podcasts.

Serotalk Podcast #160:
http://serotalk.com/2013/06/26/serotalk-podcast-160-mmm-braille/

From BlindGeekZone, Auto-TuneStar Demonstration:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/auto-tunestar-demonstration/

Star Conquest Part One Industry for Cadets:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/star-conquest-part-one-industry-for-cadets/

Eyes on Success 1326 MathTrax Graphing Tools for the Blind:
http://www.EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_1326_podcast.mp3

From Cool Blind tech, WWDC Hardware, Software and Thunder Wear:
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/wwdc-hardware-software-and-thunder-wear-vip-26232013

And from Applevis, AUVIO Expandable Bluetooth Speaker: Unboxing and Demonstration:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/auvio-expandable-bluetooth-speaker-unboxing-and-demonstration

Infinite Relaxation: Reduce Stress, Increase Energy and Improve your Sleep with this iOS App:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/infinite-relaxation-reduce-stress-increase-energy-and-improve-your-sleep-ios-app

A Look at Pro Tools for the Mac: Part 3:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/look-pro-tools-mac-part-3

A Look at Pro Tools for the Mac: Part 4:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/look-pro-tools-mac-part-4

2) There appears to be good news on the copyright treaty front, which would allow blind people all over the world to have access to copyrighted books from any country.
http://www.ip-watch.org/2013/06/26/miracle-in-marrakesh-historic-treaty-for-visually-impaired-agreed/

3) MBraille is an intriguing new iOS app. The $30 version allows you to write in contracted English Braille, send a variety of communications, and edit. The free version lets you learn the app and send tweets.
http://mpaja.com/frontpage/MBraille

4) Learn about Net Echo, a handy way to surf the web over the phone, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 2 July at 00:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5) Research at Google sat down with Research Scientist T.V. Raman to discuss his work on accessibility and empowering blind and low vision users with eyes-free access through ChromeOS and Android.
https://plus.google.com/+ResearchatGoogle/posts/eb57g8b936w

6) This article is entitled "Disabled Workforce Grows as High-Tech Breakthroughs Open Doors":
http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/3c2cdda80c7644e2bc38f7e10b52d958/US--Into-The-Workforce

7) The June 2013 Braille Monitor contains an articled entitled "ALT: A Very Helpful Software Package":
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm13/bm1306/bm130606.htm

8) Both the Apple Accessibility Page at:
https://www.apple.com/accessibility/

And the Apple Special Education Page at:
http://www.apple.com/education/special-education/

Have been completely redone to bring them up to date and more in line with the rest of the larger Apple site.

In addition, the resource page at:
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/resources/
has also been updated.

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 410

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 20, 2013 - Volume 410
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Over 20 New Flying Blind, LLC Endorsed AdapTech Products Added to the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store!!!

That's right we've added some entirely new lines of both high tech adaptech equipment as well as some more essential lifestyle items that you'll wonder how you ever lived without. So whether you're already in need of a new piece of technology to help you enjoy all of that data that the world now has to offer, or you have a daily living / orientation / mobility need, be sure to check out these product additions, and rest assured that with every purchase you'll be receiving the most comprehensive adaptive technology sales and support service that this industry has to offer. We're especially pleased to announce that the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store will now offer all of our weekly refurbished product specials for purchase directly online. We've implemented a system which tracks our refurbished product inventory and will notify you upon attempted purchase if a particular item has already been sold. Further, you can also now purchase any refurbished product advertised within any Flying Blind, LLC Publication securely and effortlessly, right from within the newsletter itself. We'll be adding additional products over the coming weeks so be sure to check back often. Flying Blind, LLC Online Store: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/store.html. Empowerment through technology.

Greetings,

1) These first two items are time-sensitive. The NLS Braille Summit will take place June 19-21. Sessions will be streamed live on 20 and 21 June at:
http://www.perkins.org/braillesummit

2) The petition in support of the treaty on accessible books for people who are blind that is located on the White House website is finally accessible to people who are blind. Previously, it was paradoxically nearly impossible for a blind person to sign it independently. The deadline for gathering signatures is Friday, 21 June, and the organizers hope for a rather lofty number of signatures. Some of the treaty language being proposed would worsen access to books by blind people living in the US, while the language proposed here would increase access to books by people throughout the world.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/side-blind-over-obstructionist-companies-secure-treaty-blind-makes-books-accessible-globally/ZJtgcVph

This TechDirt post includes a video in which a Blind Law School Dean Explains Why We Need The WIPO Copyright Treaty:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130519/00070723140/blind-law-school-dean-explains-why-we-need-wipo-copyright-treaty-blind.shtml

3) AI Squared is offering four free one-hour webinars concerning ZoomText. All are on Tuesdays at 15:00 GMT:

Introduction to the ZoomText Mac Reading tool, Tuesday, 25 June:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/455961926

Introduction to ZoomText for Windows, Tuesday, 9 July,
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/268395526

ZoomText ImageReader Advanced Tips, Tuesday, 16 July
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/756111838

Introduction to ZoomText University
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/319658502

4) Learn about the new Accessible Kindle iOS app on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 18 June at 00:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5) The Cisco academy for the Vision impaired is running a series of courses for Semester 2 2013. You can find information about these courses at:
http://wiki.cucat.org

6) This well-constructed post is called "An Objective Look: iOS vs Android for the Visually Impaired:"
http://www.thebinaryportal.net/android_ios.html

7) Read about a variety of tech topics in recent installments of David Woodbridge Technology Blog:
http://davidwoodbridge.blogspot.com/

8) In case you missed the "Record Tech Demos like a Pro" webinar, you can purchase it for the same $19.95 price and receive answers to questions after you listen to the recording.
http://mosen.org/index.php/mosen-consulting-webinar-podcast-like-a-pro/

9) Solara is an epic fantasy strategy game for the iPhone and iPad whose developer has added VoiceOver accessibility. This AppleVis post with over 90 resulting comments discusses the app and its accessibility:
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/solara#comment-14128

10) Chicken Nugget is a $15 Twitter client designed for use by the blind. You can download a demo or purchase it:
http://q-continuum.net/chicken_nugget/download

11) And here are this week's podcasts.

SeroTalk Podcast 159:
http://serotalk.com/2013/06/18/serotalk-podcast-159-there-is-a-hole-in-your-roof/

Triple Click Home, Episode 19
http://tripleclickhome.com/2013/06/17/triple-click-home-episode-19-a-stickler-for-sequence/

Eyes on Success: 1325 Home Repair and Woodworking with Little or No Vision
http://www.EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_1325_podcast.mp3

1324 Using Sonar with NVDA
http://www.EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_1324_podcast.mp3

From Mystic Place Blog and Podcast, a demonstration of Chicken Nugget
http://www.mysticaccesspodcast.com/audio/mp57chickennugget.mp3

Start is back, an accessible application that brings the Windows 7 start menu back to Windows 8
http://www.mysticaccesspodcast.com/audio/mp56startisback.mp3

From Blind Geek Zone, A Guide to Digital Recorders
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/a-guide-to-digital-recorders/

And finally, from AppleVis:

Battery Monitor: View all of the Information that you Could Ever Want About the Battery in Your MacBook Pro or Air
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/battery-monitor-view-all-information-you-could-ever-want-about-battery-your-macbook

A Look at Pro Tools for the Mac: Part 1
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/look-pro-tools-mac-part-1

A Look at Pro Tools for the Mac: Part 2
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/look-pro-tools-mac-part-2

Sound Like a Pop Star with Auto-Tune Star for iOS
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/sound-pop-star-auto-tune-star-ios

A Guide for Mac Users on How to Remap the Keyboard in a Virtual Machine to Best Work with a Windows Screen Reader
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/guide-mac-users-how-remap-keyboard-virtual-machine-best-work-windows-screen-reader

LookTel VoiceOver Tutorial Revisited: an App to Help Those New to Using VoiceOver and iOS
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/looktel-voiceover-tutorial-revisited-app-help-those-new-using-voiceover-and-ios

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 409

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 13, 2013 - Volume 409
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Refurbished BrailleNote Apex Notetakers With One Year Warranty for Sale!!!

Photo of the BrailleNote Apex32 Cell Notetaker Flying Blind, LLC is selling two gently used BrailleNote Apex Notetakers, each in pristine condition and each with a one year manufacturer warranty for approximately 25% off of their suggested list prices. For the past 13 years the globally acclaimed BrailleNote product line has been setting AdapTech standards that other notetakers are still struggling to meet, so Flying Blind, LLC is ecstatic to have two of these gems available at such a fantastic price. We have a BrailleNote Apex 32-Cell unit with Braille keyboard for $4,195.00 USD and a BrailleNote Apex 18-Cell unit with Braille keyboard for $2,995.00 USD. These units are in fantastic condition and are ready to provide limitless access to the first two users wishing to give these units a new home. Prices include shipping within the 48 Continental United States as well as a one year manufacturer warranty. For more information email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1) Let's catch up on some mainstream computer information, first from HowToGeek:

How to Electronically Sign Documents Without Printing and Scanning Them
http://www.howtogeek.com/164668/how-to-electronically-sign-documents-without-printing-and-scanning-them/

How to Eliminate SMS Fees and Text for Free
http://www.howtogeek.com/164395/how-to-eliminate-sms-fees-and-text-for-free/

10+ Useful System Tools Hidden in Windows
http://www.howtogeek.com/164484/10-useful-system-tools-hidden-in-windows/

8 Ways Your Wireless Carrier is Gouging You
http://www.howtogeek.com/164490/8-ways-your-wireless-carrier-is-gouging-you/

What is Net Neutrality?
http://www.howtogeek.com/164896/htg-explains-what-is-net-neutrality/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=080613

Why You Don't Need to Install a Third-Party Firewall (And When You Do)
http://www.howtogeek.com/165203/why-you-dont-need-to-install-a-third-party-firewall-and-when-you-do/

How to Use Safe Mode to Fix Your Windows PC (and When You Should)
http://www.howtogeek.com/164876/how-to-use-safe-mode-to-fix-your-windows-pc-and-when-you-should/

And from Gizmo:

Probably the Best Free Security List in the World
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/probably-best-free-security-list-world.htm

Internet Addresses, Protocols, and Ports Explained in Simple Terms
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/internet-addresses-protocols-and-ports-explained-simple-terms.htm

2) The June 2013 issue of AccessWorld includes "Using VoiceOver with the Accessible Amazon iOS Kindle App", "TextGrabber + Translator" from ABBYY and the "StandScan Pro: A Review of Two Products", "An In-Depth Look at the ScripTalk Station from En-Vision America", "Social Networking on Portable Devices", "The Work of the Smith-Kettlewell Institute Part II: The Video Description Research and Development Center", and more.
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

3) You might find the discussion in the BlindPhotography group on GoogleGroups to be enlightening.
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/blindphotography

4) Cult of Mac gives us Five Easy Ways To Master Battery Life In iOS:
http://www.cultofmac.com/230568/five-easy-ways/

5) The iOS audio mailing list is a place to discuss audio related Voiceover compatible apps as well as hardware (mixers, midi keyboards, audio interfaces and microphones) compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch:
http://lists.screenreview.org/listinfo.cgi/iosaudio-screenreview.org

6) Another accessible Linux option for the blind is Sonar GNU/Linux:
http://www.sonar-project.org/

7) The free LookTel VoiceOver tutorial has been upgraded:
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/reference/looktel-voiceover-tutorial

8) David Woodbridge talks about a handy Mac App, Battery Monitor:
http://davidwoodbridge.blogspot.com/2013/06/mac-app-utility-battery-monitor.html?spref=tw

And summarizes what we learned from the Apple WWDC keynote presentation:
http://davidwoodbridge.blogspot.com/2013/06/wwdc-2013-keynote-my-notes.html?spref=tw

9) Here is a good accessibility tutor for the Mac, courtesy of Mactuts:
http://mac.tutsplus.com/tutorials/os-x/os-x-accessibility-101/

10) AFB has announced two new fee-based webinars: "Developing Friendships: A Preschool Priority":
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=eDevFriendships

And "Blind Teaching the Blind: Effective Strategies for Vision Loss Professionals Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired":
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=eBlindTeachBlind

11) Thanks to the TED Blog, we have "Your Mega Summer Reading List: 200 Books Recommended by TEDsters":
http://blog.ted.com/2013/05/31/your-mega-summer-reading-list-180-books-recommended-by-tedsters/

12) Freedom Scientific offers a number of newly-scheduled free webinars, including some demonstrating new features to be found in JAWS 15:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/training/Free-Webinars.asp

13) This week's podcasts:

From AppleVis:

2 iOS Apps to Speed-Up Checking In for Foursquare Users
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/2-ios-apps-speed-checking-foursquare-users

There have been a couple SeroTalk podcasts since we last listed them:

Podcast #158, which includes a summary of the plans for the next iOS and Mac OS announced at the WWDC conference among many other things:
http://serotalk.com/2013/06/11/serotalk-podcast-158-it-just-ate-my-like/

And Podcast #157
http://serotalk.com/2013/06/05/serotalk-podcast-157-she-got-verified-on-friday/

From The Thoughts and Ramblings of Steve, Accepting physical credit card payments, the accessible PayPal solution:
http://steve.sawczyn.com/accepting-physical-credit-card-payments-the-accessible-paypal-solution/

Brian Hartgen brints us "A Brief Tour of the Samnet Socializer":
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1435885-a-brief-tour-of-the-samnet-socializer

Cool Blind Tech #47, Buttons! Why Are They Important, iOS Versus Android:
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/buttons-why-are-they-important-ios-versus-android-cbt-47672013

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 408

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 6, 2013 - Volume 408
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Gently Used Optelec ClearNote Video Magnifier + Sony Vaio Laptop Combination Unit for $1,995.00 USD!!!

If you're looking for a great value on a dependable laptop with a portable CCTV, then you've found it with this one-of a kind gently used demonstration system. The ClearNote and Sony Vaio make a great, portable combination for your low vision needs. The ClearNote is a lightweight, portable video magnifier that is ideal for home, school or office. With magnification from 3X - 46X, even the smallest text, photos or objects can be easily viewed. The camera can be effortlessly positioned allowing you to view both near and distant objects fast and simply. And the Always-In-Focus (TM) technology ensures perfect viewing in all situations. Plus you can take the ClearNote anywhere you need it. Simply place it in the included carrying case and off you go. Best of all, the ClearNote works with both a laptop and a stand-alone monitor. So whether you're reading text, using it in a classroom, or working on your favorite hobby, the ClearNote delivers the magnification, portability and flexibility for maximum usability and enjoyment. This solution has been discounted at almost 50% off of its suggested retail price, and the price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. For more information, or to purchase this single combination unit, be the first to email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Greetings,

1) Here is the first of what is promised to be many tutorials for using ProTools:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgZmGWl9wag&feature=youtu.be&a

2) If you use an iDevice and like reading text-based books from BookShare and elsewhere, you might join those of us who feel that the Voice Dream Reader App provides the best reading experience. With the 2.8 upgrade, it now offers better navigation options, a pronunciation dictionary and more:
http://voicedream.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=aa9e87703f66ce1d03f1ee787&id=13c428fb16&e=5a0ce254f3

3) Users of Microsoft Surface will be glad to know that a forthcoming update will make it easier to use the function keys on the device:
https://ieonline.microsoft.com/#ieslice

4) The Google Chrome app for iOS has added voice search:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/news/?newsid=3450701

5) Listing podcasts in the middle this time.

The RNIB Vision Magazine Podcast for June-July talks about the Maps for All service and about affordable computer options in the UK:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved/onlinecommunity/podcasts/vision_podcast/Pages/vision_podcast.aspx?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_media&utm_content=4June13AM&utm_campaign=vision

Courtesy of Apple and Other Accessible Technology:

Demo of the free Audio Archery game from LWorks:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/30/demo-of-the-free-audio-archery-game-from-lworks/

Demo of the ABC Radio (Australian National Radio Broadcaster) App with VoiceOver:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/30/demo-of-the-abc-radio-australian-national-radio-broadcaster-app-with-voiceover/

Demo of Find My Friends notification feature: Leaving a location such as an after school activity:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/30/demo-of-find-my-friends-notification-feature-leaving-a-location-such-as-an-after-school-activity/

Tech Doctor Podcast: "iOS Success: Helping Teachers and Parents Catch Up with Their Kids" Featuring Larry Lewis
http://www.dr-carter.com Robert Carter

From AppleVis: Transferring your Content and Settings to a new iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/transferring-your-content-and-settings-new-iphone-ipad-or-ipod-touch

Voice Band: Make Music with your Voice:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/voice-band-make-music-your-voice

AppleVis Extra #11: Papa Sangre, The Nightjar and Upcoming Releases:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-11-papa-sangre-nightjar-and-upcoming-releases

Eyes On Success podcast #1322 the release of Vinux 4.0, a Linux operating system which is accessible out of the box with a built in screen reader and magnifier:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/

High Contrast Episode 11:
http://serotalk.com/2013/05/30/high-contrast-episode-11-its-a-world-of-dreams/

6) David Woodbridge has started his own Technology Blog which features several useful articles and is probably worth following:
http://davidwoodbridge.blogspot.com/

7) Sara Alawami is making available a set of tutorials on VoiceOver and the Mac for $6.00, with more to follow:
http://www.tffppodcast.com/premium/

8) Read about Advancements in the accessibility of Facebook from Marco's Accessibility Blog:
http://www.marcozehe.de/2013/06/02/advancements-in-the-accessibility-of-facebook/

9) This opinion piece from the NC State University IT Accessibility Blog is called "Screen Readers at a Crossroads":
http://accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu/blog/2013/05/31/screen-readers-at-a-crossroads/

10) "Record Tech Demos like a Pro" is the first in a series of audio and broadcasting-related webinars Jonathan Mosen plans to offer. The 60-90 minute webinar wil cost $19.95 and take place GMT Saturday, 15 June at 19:00:
http://mosen.org/index.php/mosen-consulting-webinar-podcast-like-a-pro/

11) This CNET post is entitled "How to keep your Mac running in tip-top shape":
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57587107-263/how-to-keep-your-mac-running-in-tip-top-shape/

12) From Lifehacker comes the article: "How to Clean Out Your Overflowing Hard Drive and Get Your Space Back":
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-clean-out-your-overflowing-hard-drive-and-get-yo-510511720?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_twitter&utm_source=lifehacker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

13) Delta Air Lines is interested in learning about the travel experiences of passengers with disabilities with the goal of improving and adapting services. They invite interested people to complete a brief (5-10 minute) anonymous online survey:
http://kuclas.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_72nAQWzSUSflCcd

14) An aforementioned podcast discusses this, but here is more information about Vinux 4.0, an accessible Linux distribution:
http://vinuxproject.org/Downloads/V4.0/README

15) Blindy.TV, a free service that broadcasts several channels of described television programming, has announced a special event this weekend to celebrate their return after recent equipment problems and upgrades. As part of the special programming, Blindy.TV will be playing a Star Trek marathon, will be debuting new episodes described exclusively for Blindy.TV, and will be giving away free copies of apps from Continuum Software to contest winners including Hope, QRead, QCast, and QFeed.
http://blindy.tv/node/28

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 407

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 30, 2013 - Volume 407
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Refurbished ALVA Satellite 570 and 584 Braille Terminals Starting at $1,800.00 USD!!!

Photo of the ALVA Satellite Braille Terminal Flying Blind, LLC has two refurbished ALVA Satellites that we are pleased to make available to you this week. We have a 70-Cell terminal for $1,800.00 USD and an 84-Cell terminal for $1,995.00 USD. Both units are in fantastic condition and will be serviced prior to delivery. The ALVA Satellite Series of Braille terminals has been the benchmark in many corporate and federal employment settings, and now these desktop displays can be yours for over $1,000.00 USD less than displays that offer half as much Braille. These displays offer USB and serial connectivity along with an intuitive user interface combined with two rows of cursor routing buttons for additional screenreading functionality! Please note that these displays are only compatible with 32 bit systems, and are supported by today's leading PC screenreaders as well as Voiceover for Mac users. Costs include shipping within the 48 Continental United States. For more information, contact featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Greetings,

1) Check out the Life After Blindness Blog and Podcast:
http://www.lifeafterblindness.com/

3) The latest revision for the Braille Plus 18 enhances performance of Nearby Explorer, word processors and other device features:
http://tech.aph.org/plus_new.htm

4) Learn about a number of lesser-known tips and tricks for getting the most from JAWS on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 4 June at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5) This is a review of the Aftershokz Bone-Conduction headphones:
http://www.vict-consultancy.co.uk/content/AfterShokz_Sportz_M2_Review.html

6) This post is called "A Sound Practice, How I recorded my own book:"
http://outofthewhirlpool.com/2013/05/a-sound-practice/

7) Listen to the enhanced version of the Battle of the Speech Synthesizers, where the full complement of voices from ScanSoft and A Capela are on display:
http://t.co/Xl4HuWgD9U

8) This is a handy compendium of Hotkey help for NVDA 13 update:
http://accessibleinsights.info/blog/2013/05/23/hotkey-help-for-nvda-13-update/

9) Read Abbott and Costello, Who's on First modified for the computer generation:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/abbott-and-costello-whos-on-first-modified-for-the-computer-generation/

10) On a much more serious note, a battle is underway concerning the right of blind people to borrow electronic books, and its outcome could have ramifications for those both in and outside the US. It is urged that those concerned about this sign a petition on whitehouse.gov, though doing so requires filling out a very difficult CAPTCHA:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/side-blind-over-obstructionist-companies-secure-treaty-blind-makes-books-accessible-globally/ZJtgcVph

The NFB has posted a more accessible petition:
https://nfb.org/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=2&reset=1

11) Wrapping up with podcasts:

That Android Show, Episode 16:
http://thatandroidshow.com/2013/05/29/that-android-show-episode-16-need-to-do-accessibility/

FSCast #78 paints a not-entirely-rosy picture of access to Office 2013:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast078-may2013.asp

NV Access Podcast #5:
http://www.nvaccess.org/post/podcast-episode-5/

3 Courtesy of David Woodbridge:

Demo of using Find My iPhone to locate iOS device by the Play Sound feature:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/28/demo-of-using-find-my-iphone-to-locate-ios-device-by-the-play-sound-feature/

Using Siri to generate passwords using VoiceOver:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/28/using-siri-to-generate-passwords-using-voiceover/

Demo of the Samsung Chromebook using Chromevox:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/25/demo-of-the-samsung-chromebook-using-chromevox/

Triple Click Home, Episode 18:
http://tripleclickhome.com/2013/05/26/triple-click-home-episode-18-could-you-try-that-in-less-words/

From AppleVis:

Spreaker Radio and Podcast Recorder: Broadcast Live to the World from your iOS Device:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/spreaker-radio-and-podcast-recorder-broadcast-live-world-your-ios-device

The Tech Doctor podcast features Chris Grabowski of the Mystic Access Podcast:
http://www.dr-carter.com

From IBlindTech:

Taking Photos with the Camera App when your Blind or Low Vision:
http://www.iblindtech.com/democast/taking-photos-with-the-camera-app-when-your-blind-or-low-vis.html

From the Cool Blind Tech Podcast: How To Install Windows 8:
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/how-to-install-windows-85232013

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 406

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 23, 2013 - Volume 406
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Refurbished ALVA Braille Controller 80-Cell Braille Terminals for $3,995.00 USD Each!!!

Photo of the ALVA Braille Controller 80-Cell Braille Terminal Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to have available for purchase two barely used ALVA 6 80-Cell Braille Terminals at over 50% off of their suggested list price. What makes these 80 cell displays different from all the rest is that you can delegate a portion of the display to one device, and the remaining portion of the display to a second device. Imagine being able to access your desktop computer using two-thirds of the Braille cells on the display while accessing your iPhone utilizing the remaining cells? Amazing! These displays can connect to two USB or two Bluetooth devices simultaneously as well as one USB and one Bluetooth device at the same time! Extremely intuitive with robust connectivity backed by a brand name synonymous with Braille display excellence. These displays are well worth the money, especially when they cost less than some of today's 40-Cell Braille alternatives. For more information contact featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1) Macworld Australia is gradually giving us "100 More Things Every Mac User Should Know." This installment addresses the desktop and dock:
http://www.macworld.com.au/features/desktop-dock-95812/

2) Jeff Bishop is chronicling his experiences learning Android on his blog:
http://www.jeffbishop.com/blog/

3) This page gives instructions on using Google Docs with JAWS, NVDA, ChromeVox and VoiceOver:
http://support.google.com/drive/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1632201

4) NVDA 2013.1 has been released, with support for PowerPoint, an improved laptop keyboard layout and some enhanced Braille support:
http://www.nvaccess.org/download/

5) VICT Consultancy has updated its two enhancement programs for NVDA, VTurbo:
http://www.vict-consultancy.co.uk/content/vTurbo_for_NVDA.html

And VMouse:
http://www.vict-consultancy.co.uk/content/vMouse_for_NVDA.html

Podcasts demonstrating the programs and their new features are also available:
http://www.vict-consultancy.co.uk/content/podcasts.html

6) Humanware and Aubible have worked out arrangements so that the new generation Victor Reader Stream plays Audible books:
http://support.humanware.com/en-usa/support/victor_reader_stream_new_generation

7) From AccessU 2013 comes slides from the presentation "Introduction to Mobile Accessibility":
http://www.slideshare.net/iheni/introduction-to-mobile-accessibility

8) CANnect says it is developing "The most comprehensive, most accessible collection of online learning opportunities for people with visual impairments."
http://www.cannect.org/

9) Dancing Dots has released the latest version of its CakeTalking access solution for SONAR, the powerful multi-track audio production software from Cakewalk. A detailed podcast is available for download:
http://www.dancingdots.com/prodesc/CakeTalkingForSONAR.htm

Or stream:
http://www.dancingdots.com/main/presentations.htm

10) This well-conceived article is called "Seven simple tricks to impressively speed up slow iPads":
http://www.joachim-scholz.com/academipad/2013/05/08/speed-up-slow-ipad/

11) Executive Products has launched a $49 case for the Focus 14 Blue Braille display:
https://www.executiveproductsinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=277&products_id=1947&osCsid=32mdcsdgobv7rbc1hc7d052h95

12) A blind English teacher in Macedonia has formed two Yahoo groups. To join Blind_Educators, send a blank message to:
blind_educators-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

And the address to join Blind_Singles is:
blind_singles-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

13) The now-free J-Tools Version 6 has been released, bringing enhancements to JAWS functionality, and this is a direct link to a podcast about it:
http://t.co/fgXxQPIQEY

14) In other podcasts:

From AppleVis:

Sound like a pop star with Improvox:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/sound-pop-star-improvox
Use the Clock app on your iDevice to beat the smoke alarm, and so much more:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/use-clock-app-your-idevice-beat-smoke-alarm-and-so-much-more

mScribble: Create Music by Simply Scribbling on the Screen of your iDevice:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/mscribble-create-music-simply-scribbling-screen-your-idevice

Quick Tip for VoiceOver Users: Locking Screen Orientation on your iDevice:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/quick-tip-voiceover-users-locking-screen-orientation-your-idevice

From BlindGeekZone:

Installing custom Android ROMs
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/installing-custom-android-roms/

Dan's accessibility review of google play music update:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/dans-accessibility-review-of-google-play-music-update/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 405

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 16, 2013 - Volume 405
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Gently Used BrailleNote Apex32 Cell Notetaker With Perkins-Style, Braille Keyboard for $2,995.00 USD!!!

Photo of the BrailleNote Apex32 Cell Notetaker Flying Blind, LLC is pleasantly surprised and extremely excited to have a refurbished BrailleNote Apex32 Notetaker for sale for $2,995.00 USD, that's approximately $2,600.00 USD off of its suggested list price!!! For the past 13 years the BrailleNote name has been synonymous with excellence and innovation and the Apex continues to set standards that other notetakers have yet to meet. This unit is in pristine condition and is begging for a new home with a responsible user. This exceptionally priced gem will give you the time you need to have the time of your life!! That, and it's robust yet intuitive functionality will offer limitless options to whomever is first to receive it. This is a single unit and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Price includes shipping anywhere within the continental United States. For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1) Learn about Rich de Steno's free computer games on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 21 May at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

2) The May 2013 issue of AccessWorld features "A First Look at the Accessibility of the Google Chrome Operating System," reviews of two mobile phone apps, more about social networking, and more.
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

3) MacCessibility reports that the Prizmo OCR App for iOS now has enhanced VoiceOver Support:
http://maccessibility.net/2013/05/14/prizmo-ocr-app-for-ios-enhances-voiceover-support/

4) According to Kim Komando, Onavo Extend automatically compresses the data that other apps use, making your mobile data plan go farther:
http://www.komando.com/apps/category.aspx?id=10720#

5) Some users have recommended the iOS App Pocket Time Bomb, which uses vibrations to let you time presentations, set reminders and organize your day:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id395654555?mt=8

6) Christopher Toth has updated both of his PC programs. Hope makes the otherwise inaccessible Pandora program accessible to PC users:
http://q-continuum.net/hope/

QRead offers many advantages for those reading electronic books:
http://q-continuum.net/qread/

7) Dolphin Computer Access claims that SuperNota 13.50 provides Windows 8 access via screen magnification, speech and Braille:
http://www.YourDolphin.com/SuperNova

8) Here are some resources for making content accessible:

Accessible content: Scrub the decks:
http://contented.com/contented/2013/accessible-content-scrub-the-decks/?utm_content=buffer1b552&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer

Testing and debugging iOS accessibility for VoiceOver:
http://blog.paciellogroup.com/2013/05/testing-and-debugging-ios-accessibility-for-voiceover/

Using VoiceOver to Evaluate Web Accessibility:
http://webaim.org/articles/voiceover/

And a page of resources and presentations from AccessU2013:
http://simplyaccessible.com/tags/accessu2013/

9) NVAccess, makers of NVDA, have a new better-organized web site:
http://www.nvaccess.org/

10) Rumola can help users of Firefox, Safari and Chrome solve CAPTCHA's independently:
http://skipinput.com/bps/about.html

11) Microsoft OneNote was formerly inaccessible to the blind, but this can change for JAWS users with the purchase of OneNote Blind, a $49 script package that works for JAWS versions 11 and up. The site contains a podcast demonstrating the package's features:
http://www.onenoteblind.com/?utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer109cc

12) David Woodbridge writes a cogent article, "20 Quick Tips to Get You Started with Your First iPhone":
http://applevis.com/guides/ios/20-quick-tips-get-you-started-your-first-iphone

13) The people behind LinkedIn are working to make the site more accessible:
http://blog.linkedin.com/2013/05/09/making-linkedin-more-accessible/

14) The first tutorial available for purchase from Mystic Access is a Sense Navigation audio tutorial, now costing $19.95, soon costing $34.95:
http://mysticaccess.com/product/sense-navigation-mp3-audio-tutorial

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 404

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Volume 404
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Refurbished Enabling Technologies Interpoint Embossers For Less than $1,900.00 USD!!!

Photo of the Juliet Pro 60 with all manuals, cords, and accessories. This week Flying Blind, LLC is proud to continue its tradition of offering the highest quality refurbished products at the most competitive prices. We're currently looking for a home for one Juliet Pro embosser with a 60 day warranty for $1,895.00 USD. This embosser has rarely been used and is just waiting to pump out some serious Braille! Act now and be the first to snatch this embosser which is priced $2,500.00 USD below its suggested list price. We also have an ET Braille Embosser which also produces interpoint Braille for $1,595.00 USD, which is $2,400.00 USD off of its suggested list price. This embosser does not have the speech output present in the Juliet, but is a fantastic workhorse of an embosser for an unbeatable price. Pricing on both embossers includes shipping within the 48 continental United States. For more information email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1) Needless to say, reactions and tutorials on the new iOS Kindle app are plentiful. The reactions are not all in agreement.

Here is the NFB assessment:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/grading-kindle-accessibility-ios

Here is another review, from Justin Romack:
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/breaking-amazons-kindle-for-ios-updated-with-accessibility/

And one more, from Shelly Brisbin:
http://www.stableytimes.com/news/kindle-ios-app-accessibility-update-for-the-blind-so-what/6553/

Here's a David Woodbridge podcast:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/05/07/extensive-run-through-of-the-now-accessible-ios-kindle-app-with-voiceover/

And for those enjoying their newfound access to Kindle books, here is a post on "25 Places To Get Free Kindle Books:"
http://freebies.about.com/od/onlinebooks/tp/free-kindle-books.htm

2) Jonathan Mosen is now an independent consultant, so I expect we'll be seeing plenty of material from his site:
http://mosen.org/

Here he has written a thoughtful article on Android accessibility, and the article has stimulated lots of discussion:
http://mosen.org/index.php/why-i-want-android-accessibility-to-succeed/

3) Jonathan also tells us about the improved iOS version of a program called Viber:
http://mosen.org/index.php/viber-becomes-more-accessible-on-ios-not-such-good-news-for-pc-and-mac/

4) The 2013.1rc2 version of NVDA has been released:
http://community.nvda-project.org/blog/NVDA2013.1rc2Released

The article "My Constant Search for Accessibility" in the May, 2013 issue of The Braille Monitor is a praise of NVDA, focusing largely on excitement over its free price tag:
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm13/bm1305/bm130507.htm

5) This Macworld Australia article is called "The computer in the living room: Setting up a Mac Mini Media Centre":
http://www.macworld.com.au/features/the-computer-in-the-living-room-setting-up-a-mac-mini-media-center-94744/

6) GW Micro's free webinar in May will have as its theme "Accessing the BARD website with Window-Eyes". It will take place Wednesday, 15 May at 19:00 GMT:
http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Webinar_Training/

7) In DAISY-production news, OBI version 2.60 offers context-sensitive help and the ability to convert older DAISY books to DAISY 3:
http://www.daisy.org/daisy-news#newsitem1254

EASI will offer a free webinar, "Use Tobi to Create EPUB3 Talking Books" on Thursday, 30 May at 15:30 GMT. To register, go here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jrSLEDdIgcTHK32h350-IdSgLQGaXpUkPwNA1jA6uDM/viewform

8) Speaking of EASI, they will offer a free webinar, "AzzCardfile, The Easy to Use Personal Information Manager," on Thursday, 23 May at 18:00 GMT. AzzCardfile is shareware and costs $29.95. More information about the webinar is on the EASI page at:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm

And to register, visit:
http://bit.ly/Y9JokJ

9) "HIMS Braille Sense and Braille Edge: Power-Packed Products for Productivity or Play" will be the title for the Tek Talk presentation on GMT Tuesday, 14 May at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

10) A tidbits reader has a well-developed concept for "A digital drawing tablet for the blind". With support, it can apparently become a reality:
http://www.quirky.com/ideations/477451

11) The LookTel Money Reader iOS App now supports 21 currencies:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/looktel-money-reader/id417476558?mt=8

12) This review says that the iOS fitness game, Zombies, Run! 2.1 is fully accessible:
http://maccessibility.net/2013/05/07/review-zomies-run-2-1-with-voiceover-support/

13) From PC Mag comes "How to Run Windows on a Mac, Tips, Solutions & How To's":
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2344661,00.asp

14) A few podcasts:

SeroTalk offers a couple unreported weekly podcasts, the SeroSpective for March, and High Contrast Episode #10:
http://serotalk.com/

AppleVis brings us BlindSquare: A Feature-Packed Navigational Tool for Blind iOS Users
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/blindsquare-feature-packed-navigational-tool-blind-ios-users

Forecast Now: Is it better than other weather apps?
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/forecast-now-it-better-other-weather-apps

Exploring Some of the New Features Added to the Lire RSS Reader in Recent Updates
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/exploring-some-new-features-added-lire-rss-reader-recent-updates

Reflector: AirPlay Mirroring from your iOS Device to Your Mac or PC
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/reflector-airplay-mirroring-your-ios-device-your-mac-or-pc

In what will presumably be the last FSCast presented by Jonathan Mosen, he speaks with Debee Armstrong about Tips and Tricks with JAWS, and also with Katie Crocker, a JAWS user who now has a career in radio:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/default.asp

15) This blog post is entitled "The Human Error with Humanware":
http://joeorozco.com/blog_the_human_error_with_humanware

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 403

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 2, 2013 - Volume 403
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Get Your Copy of "iOS Success: Making The iPad Accessible" Today !!!

iOS Success, Making the iPad Accessible by Larry L. Lewis, Jr. Flying Blind,LLC's Founder, Larry L. Lewis, Jr., has authored a brand new book published by National Braille Press (www.nbp.org) that is tailored to the needs of educators and parents of vision impaired students who are using the iPad in an educational setting. This book provides teaching strategies for utilizing all of the access features of iOS technology as well as practical App suggestions for completing a variety of tasks both inside and outside the classroom. You can visit http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IPAD.htm for more information about the book and to place an order in a variety of formats. Also, Flying Blind, LLC is offering a complimentary copy of "iOS For Success" in your preferred print, Braille, or electronic file format to anyone who orders from Flying Blind, LLC a new or used refreshable Braille solution from May 1st 2013 through June 28th 2013. Just send an email to aai@flying-blind.com or call +1(216) 381-8107 to purchase your Braille display and receive your free copy today!

Greetings,

1) As we commemorate the anniversary this week of the first ever web page posted, here are two lead stories from Windows Secrets you may want to read:

Microsoft's Six Free Desktop Security Tools:
https://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/microsofts-six-free-desktop-security-tools/

A Dozen Tools for Removing Almost Any Malware:
https://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/a-dozen-tools-for-removing-almost-any-malware/

2) While we're enhancing our general computer knowledge, here are some promising articles from HowToGeek:

How to Print to PDF in Windows: 4 Tips and Tricks:
http://www.howtogeek.com/150891/how-to-print-to-pdf-in-windows-4-tips-and-tricks/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=170413

Why You Don't Need to Run Manual Antivirus Scans (And When You Do):
http://www.howtogeek.com/154536/why-you-dont-need-to-run-manual-antivirus-scans-and-when-you-do/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=190413

Why You Can't Undo Sending an Email (And When You Can):
http://www.howtogeek.com/161762/why-you-cant-undo-sending-an-email-and-when-you-can/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=290413

3) We don't know about the accessibility of these materials, but a consortium in the State of Washington has made textbooks for 81 popular community college courses available free online:
http://opencourselibrary.org/course/

4) Learn about The Value of Social Networking on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, May at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5) Here are the results of a March 2013 survey of computer users with low vision conducted by WebAIM:
http://webaim.org/projects/lowvisionsurvey/

6) Robert Miller at the Oklahoma School for the Blind has created a free iPad accessibility booklet designed to help teachers or parents teach their students basic iPad skills to surf with Safari, read books with iBooks, and learn text entry with Notes. Students can also use the booklet independently. The booklet has 7 parts covering mainstream navigation, VoiceOver, Zoom, Large Text, Inverted Colors, and Guided Access and three refreshable Braille displays. This version includes graphics:
http://osb.k12.ok.us/wp-content/uploads/iPad-Accessibility-Booklet-Graphics.pdf

And this one does not:
http://osb.k12.ok.us/wp-content/uploads/iPad-Accessibility-Booklet-NoGraphics.pdf

7) Another book on the iPad comes from National Braille Press, authored by Flying Blind, LLC's own Larry Lewis and entitled "iOS Success: Making the iPad Accessible, A Guide for Teachers and Parents" it costs $28 in large print and $20 in Braille, eBraille, DAISY, ASCII, MP3, or Word.
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IPAD.html

8) Exciting: The newly-updated Kindle App for iOS makes reading Kindle books accessible for VoiceOver users, including those with Braille displays:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kindle-read-books-ebooks-magazines/id302584613?mt=8

9) An update to the Fleksy iOS app, which is now free, makes the app more responsive, improves its accuracy and reinstates the ability to type with one hand:
http://fleksy.com/2013/05/01/one-handed-typing-yes-please-ios-update-in-the-air/

10) Cathy Ann Murtha offers $80 textbooks on using Word 2013 with JAWS and with Window-Eyes:
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/office2013.htm

She is also offering a $100 seminar on Word 2013 on Saturday, 11 May at 23:00 GMT:
http://www.blindtraining.com/Seminars/word2013.html

11) From the IPAT ND Assistive Technology Blog comes an article entitled "Is Dragon the best option for Assistive Technology?":
http://ndipat.org/blog/is-dragon-the-best-option-for-assistive-technology/?utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer:%2BINDATAproject%2Bon%2Btwitter&buffer_share=10e4a

12) Here are suggestions for "Sewing Without Seeing":
http://www.aisquared.com/blog/2013/04/sewing-without-seeing/

13) This Microsoft page, called "Accessibility in Microsoft Office 2010" is perhaps the best compendium of resources on the topic:
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/office2010/

14) 365 Tomorrows is a collaborative project designed to present readers with a new piece of short science and speculative flash fiction each day. Launched August 1st 2005 with the lofty goal of providing a new story every day for a year, it has far exceeded its goal and is still offering new content:
http://365tomorrows.com/

15) HIMS, Inc. announces the release of version 8 firmware for the Sense notetakers, with upgrades to the word processor, Twitter, and web browser, and new YouTube, Dropbox and RSS apps.
http://www.hims-inc.com/sense-notetaker-v8-0-released/

16) A few podcasts:

A Podcast and Transcript on Google Docs Accessibility:
http://simplyaccessible.com/article/shawn-lauriat/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SimplyAccessible+%28Simply+Accessible%29

From Eyes on Success, New Initiatives from Bookshare:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1318_podcast.mp3

From Mystic Access Podcast: Lastpass: An Accessible Password Manager:
http://www.mysticaccesspodcast.com/audio/mp54lastpass.mp3

From AppleVis: A Quick Tip for a Faster Lire
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/quick-tip-faster-lire

From BlindGeekZone:

Working With Ring Tones:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/working-with-ring-tones/

Talking MP3 Players with Rockbox, Laz Mesa interviewed by Rich Cavallaro:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/talking-mp3-players-with-rockbox-laz-mesa-interviewed-by-rich-cavallaro/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 402

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, April 25, 2013 - Volume 402
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 for $2,545.00 USD !!!

Photo of the Brailliant BI 40. This gently used new generation of Brailliant refreshable Braille displays gives you desktop USB/Bluetooth access in a form factor conducive for use with your favorite portable tablet/smartphone. Ergonomic thumbkeys together with Braille input keys make entering Braille text and navigating through the most complex Apps a snap for Windows, iOS, or Android users. The Brailliant BI line of displays are Flying Blind, LLC's preferred and most used desktop Braille displays in a variety of settings. This unit comes with a one year warranty and is listed here at over 20% off of its suggested retail price. We'll even throw in an additional Brailliant carrying case, valued at $90.00 USD, to anyone wishing to give this proven solution a good home. Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call (216) 381-8107 today.

Greetings,

1) This item links to a PowerPoint presentation, which should be usable in iOS, on creating a Virtual Private Network on an iPad:
http://www.fimcvi.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Using-VPN-On-An-iPad-2-MERI.ppsx

2) The Golden Age of Radio was a series of more than 80 interviews with producers and actors from radio's heyday. Here is information about each program and the link to listen to it.
http://www.goldenage-wtic.org/log.html

3) From Jeffrey's Soapbox comes a post, "The must have accessible apps for blind android users":
http://blog.blackspheretech.com/?p=178

4) This overview of the accessibility of Apple products comes from the RNIB:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/pc/accessibility/Pages/appleaccess.aspx?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_media&utm_campaign=apple_access

5) The RefurbMe site is said to "Alert You to the Best Deals in Apple's Refurb Store". You can receive email or SMS alerts when the product you're looking for becomes available.
http://lifehacker.com/refurbme-alerts-you-to-the-best-deals-in-apples-refurb-476201684?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_twitter&utm_source=lifehacker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

6) This article, "How to install Open Office and Libre Office", concerns installation of these two free office suites, as well as Lotus Symphony, with NVDA, but should also apply to use with other screen readers as well:
http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~hurrikenny/how%20to%20make%20open%20office%20and%20libre%20office%20accessible.html

7) Learn about the Third Anniversary celebration of Mushroom FM, featuring a murder mystery weekend, prizes and surprises:
http://mushroomfm.com/birthday

8) Here is the AT Leadership edition of the ATIA Newsletter:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs181/1101838000635/archive/1113054848705.html

9) From the AT Blog of the NFB, read "The Tactile Graphics Conference Wrap-Up":
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/tactile-graphics-conference-wrap

10) Window-Eyes version 8.2 is out, fixing stability deficiencies found in version 8.1:
http://www.gwmicro.com/upgrade

11) NVDA 2013.1rc1 has just been released. This is a release candidate, which means that unless any critical issues are found, this will be almost identical to the final 2013.1 release:
http://community.nvda-project.org/blog/NVDA2013.1rc1Released

12) Participants are sought by 30 April to take a survey designed to make text easier to read. The target population is people with low vision, dyslexia, or any other condition that impacts reading, as well as professionals serving that population:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/text1304

13) The Matilda Ziegler article "Two Great Options to Get All Your News in One Place" discusses the Earl and NFB Newsline Apps:
http://www.matildaziegler.com/2013/04/15/feature-writer-alena-roberts-two-great-options-to-get-all-your-news-in-one-place/

14) There is now a Facebook page for "Visually Impaired and Blind iPhone/iPad Users":
https://www.facebook.com/BlindIphoneipadUsers

15) The AccessText Network lets you search for accessible textbooks from several sources:
http://www.accesstext.org/atf.php

16) This is a direct download link to Clipman, an early test version of a program that enables you to keep the last 100 textual clipboard entries in a list for easy retrieval. They're looking for feedback:
https://t.co/JYP2PZIKhk

17) This page discusses "Enabling and Testing Java Access Bridge":�
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/technotes/guides/access/enable_and_test.html

18) Turning our attention to podcasts:

From BlindGeekZone:

Blindsoftware.com Tutorials Part 1: Talking Clock:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/blindsoftware-com-tutorials-part-1-talking-clock/

Braille Graph
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/braille-graph/

From AppleVis:

GarageBand: Play, Record and Mix Music Like a Pro on your iOS Device:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/garageband-play-record-and-mix-music-pro-your-ios-device

Audioboo 2: Record and Share your Voice With the World from your iOS Device:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/audioboo-2-record-and-share-your-voice-world-your-ios-device

Always on the Go With The IRS2Go:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/always-go-irs2go

Managing playlists with VLC on the Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/managing-playlists-vlc-mac

A Review of the Logitech Solar K760 Bluetooth Keyboard:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/review-logitech-solar-k760-bluetooth-keyboard

Talking Goggles... Use your phone to recognize stuff:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/talking-goggles-use-your-phone-recognize-stuff

The iRig Keys from IK Multimedia: A MIDI Controller Keyboard for iDevices and Mac/PC:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/irig-keys-ik-multimedia-midi-controller-keyboard-idevices-and-macpc

And from the Tech Doctor:

Hims Gets It Right With Braille Sense Version Eight:
http://www.dr-carter.com/?p=216

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 401

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, April 18, 2013 - Volume 401
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: EmploymentLink 2013: Insights into Hiring and Retaining People with Disabilities

Thursday, 2 May 2013, Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley CA 94703
Co-hosted by Adaptive Technology Services and Sterling Adaptives, EmploymentLINK is an annual one day educational seminar for employers, disability employment professionals, and leaders.

EmploymentLink will provide employers with new insights into the full potential of employees with disabilities and will provide opportunities to explore and better understand strategies and resources to empower employers to retain the skills of experienced employees who may have developed a disability that is impacting their performance and productivity.

Interact with employment and HR professionals.

Hear from businesses who explain how hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities positively impacts their bottom line.

Learn from software developers who are working to make their products accessible.

Meet technology manufacturers and service providers that support this community.

Speakers include representatives from Intuit, Inc., and "My Blind Spot"

To ask a question or reserve your space contact:
Chrissy Dodds: CDodds@AdaptiveTec.com
Lesley Ann Gibbons: Lesley@SterlingAdaptives.com

Greetings,

1) Let's start with a few HowToGeek articles of general interest:

Microsoft is Ending Support for Windows XP in 2014: What You Need to Know:
http://www.howtogeek.com/147312/microsoft-is-ending-support-for-windows-xp-in-2014-what-you-need-to-know/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=140413

Why I Still Use Windows 7 After a Year of Trying to Like Windows 8:
http://www.howtogeek.com/145984/why-i-still-use-windows-7-after-a-year-of-trying-to-like-windows-8/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=120413

What Firewalls Actually Do:
http://www.howtogeek.com/144269/htg-explains-what-firewalls-actually-do/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=110413

Why Is Smartphone Battery Life So Bad?
http://www.howtogeek.com/147158/htg-explains-why-is-smartphone-battery-life-so-bad/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=130413

2) Learn about ABiSee's newest line of reading products for blind and low vision users on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 23 April at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

3) Not nearly as many podcasts this week as there were last week, partly because I'm sending the issue off for distribution earlier in the week:

Eyes on Success 1316: What's New in JAWS 14
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1316_podcast.mp3

From BlindGeekZone:

Earl Part 2: Customizing your newspaper reading experience with this fully accessible voice controlled app for iOS mobile devices:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/earl-part-2-customizing-your-newspaper-reading-experience-with-this-fully-accessible-voice-controlled-app-for-ios-mobile-devices/

How to install an APK file onto an Android device:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/how-to-install-an-apk-file-to-an-android-device/

From AppleVis:

Countdown with VOTimer:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/countdown-votimer

Lire, the Full-text RSS Reader:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/lire-full-text-rss-reader

4. It is probably occasionally worth reposting this listing of "iOS Apps Developed Specifically for the Blind or People with Low Vision". Of course, blind users benefit from hundreds of other apps, but these were designed to meet specific needs:
http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios-apps-for-blind-and-vision-impaired

5) From OS X Daily, learn how to "View & Delete iCloud Documents from the iPhone & iPad":
http://osxdaily.com/2013/04/12/view-delete-icloud-documents-ios/

6) Information Technology and Disabilities: Volume XIII Number 1, April 2013 is now available:
http://itd.athenpro.org/volume13/number1/

7) EASI offers a $225 Webinar series, for which some scholarships may be available: "Accessible Interactive Documents in HTML, PDF, Word and Excel," starting Tuesday, 23 April and the three weeks following, at 18:00 GMT:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm/#april

8) An individual is creating Blind Wiki, a wiki about blindness. Besides some content local to his home, the site is intended to gather lots of blindness-related information of use on a nationwide basis in the US:
http://blindwiki.com/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 400

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, April 11, 2013 - Volume 400
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Refurbished BrailleConnect 40 Cell Braille Displays For $2,295.00 USD Each!!!

Photo of the BrailleConnect 40 That's right! Flying Blind, LLC is selling a couple of barely used BrailleConnect 40 Cell Braille Terminals for 2,295.00 USD each -- that's approximately $2,550.00 USD off of their suggested list prices!!! These Braille displays offer USB and Bluetooth connectivity to all of today's desktop and portable Windows and Apple computers and handheld devices. Its Braille input keys make wireless data entry into devices with a touch screen both effortless and efficient. These displays come with a one year warranty and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Greetings,

Still going strong at issue #400. Issue #1, December 16, 2004, reported on the release of JAWS Version 6, the Beta of Window-Eyes Version 5, and the Beta of something called "System Access". There was no mention of anything related to a mobile phone or tablet.

1) This post from Komando.com is called "Free fix for slow Windows Startup":
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=13322

2) Researchers are looking for blind users to test some audio CAPTCHA's they think will be both effective and accessible:
https://secure-hamlet-3770.herokuapp.com/experiment/

3) This HowToGeek article is called "How to Test Your Antivirus, Firewall, Browser, and Software Security":
http://www.howtogeek.com/143263/how-to-test-your-antivirus-firewall-browser-and-software-security/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=090413

4) This is an Australian "Report on the Accessibility of Electronic Program Guides":
http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/latest_news/captions/report-on-the-accessibility-of-electronic-program-guides

5) This is a brief review of the Stand Scan, a stand for the iPhone that positions the phone properly for scanning print material:
http://www.matildaziegler.com/2013/04/08/feature-writer-alena-roberts-stand-scan-making-ocr-on-the-iphone-practical-and-usable/

6) This "Battle of the Book Readers" from the Disability Now Blog compares the new Victor Reader Stream to the Plextalk Linio Pocket:
http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/article/battle-book-readers

7) From Marco's Accessibility Blog, we read a cogent post about Marco's attempt to switch from his iPhone to an Android device as his full-time mobile phone, only to find that he would lose too much accessibility.
http://www.marcozehe.de/2013/04/05/switching-to-android-full-time-an-experiment/

8) The April, 2013 issue of AccessWorld contains "A Review of Freeware and Shareware Screen Magnification Software for Windows," "An Evaluation of the HumanWare Victor Reader Stream (New Generation"), "Mac, PC, or Both: Choices for Blind and Visually Impaired Computer Users", "Social Networking for the Blind or Visually Impaired: The What, Why, and How", and more:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

9) This article from CNET Security and Firewall is called "Windows 8's rising security tide raises all antivirus boats":
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3667_7-57578546/windows-8s-rising-security-tide-raises-all-antivirus-boats/?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=News-Microsoft&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

10) Let's intersperse this week's 22 podcasts here this time around. With a note that podcasts are something else we didn't have in Issue #1, December, 2004!

First, six from BlindGeekZone:

GW Connect Tutorial Part 2:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/gw-connect-tutorial-part-2/

Language Learning:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/language-learning/

NVDA Tutorial #6 Part 2:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/nvda-tutorial-6-part-2/

Cyanogen Mod:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/cyanogen-mod/

BGZ Podcast 65:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/bgz-podcast-65/

NVDA Tutorial #6 Part 1:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/nvda-tutorial-6-part-1/

Next, 7 from Apple and Other Accessible Technology:

Demonstration of The Meteor Vibrating Watch:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/04/10/demonstration-of-the-meteor-vibrating-watch/

Demonstration of the Victor Stream 2nd Addition:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/04/09/demonstration-of-the-victor-stream-2nd-addition/

How to create a Phone contact to automatically log you in to an automated phone system:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/04/04/how-to-create-a-phone-contact-to-automatically-log-you-in-to-an-automated-phone-system/

Getting started with VoiceOver and Mountain Lion Table of Contents (The entire tutorial is also on the site):
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/04/02/getting-started-with-voiceover-and-mountain-lion-table-of-contents/

Next, Cool Blind Tech #18, a demonstration of Sendero Seeing Eye GPS for iPhones:
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/sendero-seeingeye-gps-cbt-18472013

FSCast, Choosing the Focus Display that is best for you:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/default.asp

There's no new audio here yet, but The Mystic Place Blog and Podcast is now called The Mystic Access Podcast, and the feed to subscribe is:
http://www.mysticaccesspodcast.com/?feed=podcast

Six AppleVis Contributions:

Get Jamming with ThumbJam:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/get-jamming-thumbjam

Listen in with Police "Scanner" Radio for iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/listen-police-scanner-radio-ios

Using the iPhone's Autodialing Feature to enhance your calling experience:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-iphones-autodialing-feature-enhance-your-calling-experience

Earl Part 2: Customizing your newspaper reading experience:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/earl-part-2-customizing-your-newspaper-reading-experience

Race to the Checker Flag with Formel1 Spirit:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/race-checker-flag-formel1-spirit

AppleVis Extra: An interview with the developer of Dice World:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-interview-developer-dice-world

And Three from SPN:

That Android Show #15:
http://www.thatandroidshow.com/

SeroTalk Podcast #149:
http://serotalk.com/2013/04/09/serotalk-podcast-149-vinyl-resurgence/

And Episode 46 of iBlindTech is an interview with Ryan Honey from BIA:
http://www.iblindtech.com/democast/episode-46-big-browser.html

11) We've already missed one of these presentations, but SSB BART Group is offering four more 30-minute free webinars they call a New Accessibility Overview Webinar Series, the next four Tuesdays starting 16 April at 18:30 GMT:
https://www.ssbbartgroup.com/blog/2013/04/04/new-accessibility-overview-webinar-series/?utm_content=%23a11y&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

12) iPad Tips & Tricks is a free iBook by Jeanette Davies:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ipad-tips-tricks/id562515466?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

13) This is a YouTube Flash player with captions which seems to have many accessibility features:
http://www.visionaustralia.org/business-and-professionals/digital-access/resources/tools-to-download/youtube-flash-player-with-captions

14 A new, free, challenging and accessible word game for Windows called Tiny Zebras Rock is available from Rich DeSteno. He also has four other free games for the asking. Send your request to him at:
ironrock@verizon.net

15) Learn about "The Many Ways of Reading Books on the iPhone" on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 16 April at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

16) In the latest Freedom Scientific Newsletter, learn about the competitive upgrade price for MAGic that is extended to 28 April, and more:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/news/current-newsletter.asp

17) This PC World article is entitled "How (and why) to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) Today":
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030763/how-and-why-to-set-up-a-vpn-today.html#tk.rss_all

18) This site predates Top Tech Tidbits by many years, but it is still handy. You can get word definitions, thesaurus entries, anagrams and more via email. To get definitions for a word, write "define word" in the message header, and send the message to:
wsmith@wordsmith.org

To learn about other services, such as A.Word.A.Day, go to:
http://www.wordsmith.org

19) NVDA 2013.1 Beta 2 has been released:
http://community.nvda-project.org/blog/NVDA2013.1beta2Released

20) NIB is seeking applicants for the Joseph Roeder Assistive Technology Scholarship, a $2,500 scholarship to an individual who is blind, interested in pursuing education in computer science, information systems or a related field, and pursuing a career in access technology:
http://www.nib.org/resources/grants-and-scholarships

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 399

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, April 4, 2013 - Volume 399
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Refurbished BrailleConnect 40 Cell Braille Displays For $2,350.00 USD Each!!!

Photo of the BrailleConnect 40 That's right! Flying Blind, LLC is selling a couple of barely used BrailleConnect 40 Cell Braille Terminals for 2,350.00 USD each -- that's approximately $2,600.00 USD off of their suggested list prices!!! These Braille displays offer USB and Bluetooth connectivity to all of today's desktop and portable Windows and Apple computers and handheld devices. Its Braille input keys make wireless data entry into devices with a touch screen both effortless and efficient. These displays come with a one year warranty and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Greetings,

1.) #AccessChat is a monthly blindness-oriented Twitter chat, the first Tuesday of each month, with the goal of connecting the blindness community with those committed to accessibility. Archives will be made available, and demo recordings have been prepared to show how to use different Twitter clients to take part:
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/accesschat/

2.) Axs-chrome-discuss is a Google group for discussing accessibility of the evolving ChromeVox operating system:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/axs-chrome-discuss

3.) This post is called "My top 10 accessible games for the Xbox 360":
http://www.6aming.com/my-top-10-accessible-games-for-the-xbox-360/

4.) A student researcher is looking for legally blind adults over the age of 18 who live in the United States and who are currently seeking employment, as well as high school and college seniors and graduate students who plan to graduate in May or August 2013, gift certificates to online merchants are provided to participants. Email:
arielle.silverman@colorado.edu

Or visit:
http://ucsas.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1OdonrYSXxrepfL

5.) Updated versions of the Access Technology Institute textbooks on Windows 8 are now available. If you bought the original, you can get a free replacement:
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/

6.) Learn about GPS 2013 from Sendero Group for the BrailleNote and Sense products on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 9 April at 00:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

7.) This site is a collection of audio links designed to work with legacy mobile audio players.
http://www.tuned.mobi

8.) "Multitasking With Apple Devices; Realize the true potential of your BrailleNote Apex" will be a Webinar on Friday, 5 April at 19:00 GMT.
http://visit.humanware.com/e/3332/370264033-/33zgmx/619210781

9.) Learn how Bookshare just became easier to use during a webinar for teachers on Tuesday, 9 April at 19:30 GMT. To register, go to:
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=qu6bv2rkyo33

10.) This is a website dedicated to puzzles that are accessible to the blind:
http://www.accessiblepuzzles.com/

11.) This PC World article is called, "How (and why) to set up a VPN Today":
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030763/how-and-why-to-set-up-a-vpn-today.html#tk.rss_all

12.) The ultimate accessible HTML and CSS checklist for Developers: Part I from Access iQ links to their fee-based webinar and book, but provides useful information in its own right.
http://www.accessiq.org/create/content/the-ultimate-accessible-html-and-css-checklist-for-developers-part-i

13.) Read about "The Power of the RSS Reader":
http://www.marco.org/2013/03/26/power-of-rss

14.) The week's podcasts:

Starting with two from the Tech Doctor:

"What's New in iOS 6":
http://www.dr-carter.com

"Orbit Plus APH Equals Accessible Calculator":
http://www.dr-carter.com

From BlindGeekZone:

NVDA Tutorial #5 Part 2:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=1065

NVDA Tutorial #6 Part 1: This podcast was submitted by Joseph Lee:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=1067

From Applevis: How Many Correct Answers Can you Give in 94 Seconds?
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/how-many-correct-answers-can-you-give-94-seconds

Audiobook Maker: A Mac App that Turns Audio Files Into Audiobooks:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/audiobook-maker-mac-app-turns-audio-files-audiobooks

A Review and Demonstration of the Amtrak iOS App:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/review-and-demonstration-amtrak-ios-app

Get the News with Reuters:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/get-news-reuters

And from Elsewhere:

Eyes on Success: Developing Blind-Friendly Human-Computer Interfaces:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1314_podcast.mp3

Triple-click Home Episode 16:
http://tripleclickhome.com/2013/03/30/triple-click-home-episode-16-dont-take-attachments-from-strangers/

The Budcast: Chromebook Accessibility:
http://buddy.brannan.name/blog/2013/03/the-budcast-chromebook-accessibility/

From Cool BlindTech: The Olympus LS14:
http://coolblindtech.com/podcast/olympus-ls-14-dm-620-ls-100-cbt-113282013

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 398

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, March 28, 2013 - Volume 398
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Multitasking With Apple Devices; Realize the true potential of your BrailleNote Apex

Join special guest Greg Stilson, HumanWare's Technical Product Manager of Braille Products, for a webinar on Friday April 5th at 3:00 Pm EST to learn how to use the BrailleNote Apex to optimize your accessible iOS experience. Greg will demonstrate and explain the process of connecting the BrailleNote to an iPhone or iPad, along with highlighting many of the everyday benefits of using this combination. You will also learn the very powerful process of task switching between the two devices, to truly optimize your productivity. Imagine reading an iBook in Braille, pressing one command, and immediately being able to take notes in your BrailleNote's document. When finished, simply perform one more command and you are back reading your iPad's screen in Braille, all without ever disconnecting from the device. Click the below link to join the webinar. We look forward to speaking with you on Friday April 5th. http://accessibleevent.com/370264033/.

Greetings,

Flying Blind, LLC would like to take this opportunity to wish its Jewish readers a reflective and fulfilling Passover week. Also, Flying Blind, LLC wishes its Christians a Blessed, Christ-Centered Easter Sunday.

1) Picking up where we left off last week, here are some new podcasts:

First from AppleVis:

Audiobus: An app allowing you to record multiple apps at once on your iOS Device:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/audiobus-app-allowing-you-record-multiple-apps-once-your-ios-device

A demonstration of Dice World: A free and mostly accessible good time waster:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-dice-world-free-and-mostly-accessible-good-time-waster

Create and Share Ice Cream Cones and Sundaes on Your iDevice, with More Sundaes!
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/create-and-share-ice-cream-cones-and-sundaes-your-idevice-more-sundaes

A Demonstration of Twitterrific 5 for iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-twitterrific-5-ios

Setup and Use of the Companion iOS App for the Re Universal Infrared Remote Control Accessory:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/setup-and-use-companion-ios-app-re-universal-infrared-remote-control-accessory

Elsewhere:

J-Tools will be re-released and will be free!
http://t.co/4l2UxzAtxU

New Tech Doctor Podcast "Accessibility Out Of The Closet In To The Mainstream" featuring Shelly Brisbin:
http://www.dr-carter.co

The my Charge Peak 6000 Rechargeable Power Bank with speech:
http://www.mysticplacepodcast.com/audio/mp52mycharge.mp3

Eyes on Success 1311 Highlights from CSUN 2013 Part 1:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1311_podcast.mp3

Eyes on Success 1312 Highlights from CSUN 2013 Part 2:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1312_podcast.mp3

Registering a domain, with tips for finding good deals and gathering needed information:
http://www.cucat.org/cavicasts/2012/20121028_domains.mp3

A short look at internet shortcuts:
http://www.tffppodcast.com/a-short-look-at-internet-shortcuts/

High Contrast, Episode 9
http://serotalk.com/2013/03/22/high-contrast-episode-9-the-chair-to-keyboard-interface/

Serotalk Podcast 146
http://serotalk.com/2013/03/19/serotalk-podcast-146-sing-it-sister/

CSUN 2013 Review
http://serotalk.com/2013/03/17/csun-2013-in-review/

NVDA Tutorial #5 Part 1:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=1063

2) The Braille Plus 18 has received an upgrade:
http://tech.aph.org/plus_new.htm

3) Learn about AppleTV, an accessible modern TV interface, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 2 April at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

4) Access Technology Institute announces that a new textbook, "An Immersion into Internet Explorer 10 with JAWS for Windows 14" is now available for $80:
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/MSIE10-JFW14.htm

A $100 seminar on Internet Explorer 10 will take place on 6 April at 23:00 GMT. Participants get a break on the price of the textbook if purchased in conjunction with the seminar.
http://www.blindtraining.com/Seminars/

5) Microsoft says that users of adaptive technology can get phone support in North America for Microsoft products by calling 1-800-936-5900. Here is a page for sending email support requests:
https://enable.microsoft.com/eform.aspx?productKey=enablefeedback&ct=eformts&scrx=1

6) This video is entitled "Unlocking the power of the iPad for the Blind":
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/unlocking-the-power-of-the-ipad-for-the-blind-~cj884a7S92Nn5qTInjfBg.html

7) A user reports that the Mobile Speed Test app is now accessible:
http://speedtest.net

8) This RNIB page provides links to Shortcuts for popular programs and is mostly current:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/pc/Pages/shortcuts.aspx#H2Heading2

9) From Marco's Accessibility Blog comes "How to use NVDA and Firefox to test your Web Pages for Accessibility":
http://www.marcozehe.de/articles/how-to-use-nvda-and-firefox-to-test-your-web-pages-for-accessibility/

10) The Carroll Center for the Blind has several affordable online courses and also several free VoiceOver-related video tutorials:
http://carroll.org/online-courses/

11) Here is a direct link to a beta of QFeed, an accessible RSS feed reader, from the maker of QCast:
http://t.co/IxSsiVCT0S

An update to QCast is also available:
http://q-continuum.net/

12) This page contains a link to a video, "ZoomText Mac Tips & Tricks, Using Hotkeys":
http://www.aisquared.com/blog/2013/03/zoomtext-mac-tips-tricks-using-hotkeys/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 397

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, March 21, 2013 - Volume 397
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Refurbished BraillePen 12's for $895.00 USD!!!

Photo of the BraillePen 12 Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to announce the availability of two gently used BraillePen 12 cell refreshable Braille displays with 90 day warranties for $895.00 USD each. These inexpensive, portable, refreshable Braille options are the perfect, pocket-sized companion for your iPhone or Android handset, touting excellent, responsive refreshable Braille cells coupled with a Perkins-style Braille keyboard designed for efficient Braille input. BraillePen12 is a Flying Blind, LLC Endorsed Product and both units are priced at $200.00 USD off of their current suggested list price, not to mention the additional $30 you save on shipping for customers within the 48 continental United States! For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107. Units will be sold on a first come, first serve basis, so act now while they last!

Greetings,

Happy Naw-Ruz (New Year) to all the Baha'is and Persians who are celebrating today!

1) ZoomText ImageReader is a new PC / Camera-Based OCR system from Ai Squared. The cost is $749.00 or $849.00 depending on which camera you buy, and owners of ZoomText get a discount.
http://www.aisquared.com/store#imagereader

2) RNIB offers Getting Interested in Technology videos, covering a variety of topics, and each with written transcript and subtitled edition.
http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/computersphones/pages/technology_videos.aspx

3) National Braille Press offers iPhone iOS6 Updates to Getting Started with the iPhone for Blind Users By Anna Dresner, In Braille, eBraille, Word, ASCII text, DAISY: for $9:
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IOS6-UPDATE.html

4) "Handling Erratic Behavior with AT" is an article that gives systematic ideas for dealing with JAWS quirks:
http://juicystudio.com/article/handling-erratic-behaviour-at.php

5) The March, 2013 issue of AccessWorld contains "Series: Mac, PC, or Both: Choices for Blind and Visually Impaired Computer Users, Part I," "CSUN 2013 Wrap-up: What's New from The 28th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference", "A Collection of Accessible Apps for Your Android Device", and more:
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

6) An accessibility evaluation of the MFJ 1786 Magnetic Loop antenna for Ham Radio operators has been posted on the Active Elements website.
http://active-elements.org/2013/03/14/mfj-1786/

7) Learn about the newest features of Bookshare, and some familiar ones, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 26 March at 00:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

8) This article is called "Exploring Accessible Publishing for the Print Disabled":
http://publishingperspectives.com/2013/03/exploring-accessible-publishing-for-the-print-disabled/

9) From Marco's Accessibility Blog comes "Review: Dell Latitude 10 inch tablet with Windows 8":
http://www.marcozehe.de/2013/03/12/review-dell-latitude-10-inch-tablet-with-windows-8/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 396

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, March 14, 2013 - Volume 396
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Two Refurbished BrailleNote mPower 32s with Braille Keyboards for $1,800.00 USD Each!!!

Photo of the BrailleNote mPower 32 Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer two refurbished 32 Cell BrailleNote mPowers with Perkins-style Braille keyboards for the unbelievable price of $1,800.00 USD each. Both units have been thoroughly tested and are in phenomenal condition. This is a fantastic deal for those of you who want a rugged, ergonomic notetaker at a fantastic price. Each unit comes with the globally acclaimed Keysoft Suite of applications, placing countless tasks at your fingertips! Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. Both units will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1) Here are "Top take-aways from CSUN 2013" from Media Access Australia:
http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/latest_news/general/top-take-aways-from-csun-2013

2) If you complete the "Serotek Consumer Tech Survey" by 31 March, they will get some information they're seeking, and you'll be entered to win an iPad Mini:
http://www.serotek.com/survey

3) This item from iMore.com is called "How to quickly change or move a meeting time in the Calendar app for iPhone and iPad":
http://www.imore.com/how-quick-change-or-move-meeting-time-calendar-app-iphone-and-ipad

4) Learn about the new Victor Reader Stream on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 19 March at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5) Speaking of the Stream, Executive Products has a case for it:
https://www.executiveproductsinc.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1944

6) A lot of blind people will relate favorably to this individual's listing of "Pet Peeves of the Blind and Visually Impaired":
http://mycheesegrits.hubpages.com/hub/Pet-Peeves-of-the-Blind-and-Visually-Impaired

7) US taxpayers can find "Accessible Forms & Publications" from the IRS:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Accessible-IRS-Tax-Products

8) The Sendero GPS 2013 release for the BrailleNote and Sense products is Sendero's seventeenth version since the laptop GPS version was first released in 2000. GPS functionality has been added for Windows PC's:
http://www.senderogroup.com/news/v2013pressrelease.htm

9) This Cheat Sheet, from Lifehacker, Makes Learning Your Way Around Linux Easy:
http://lifehacker.com/5989369/this-cheat-sheet-makes-learning-your-way-around-linux-easy?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_twitter&utm_source=lifehacker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

10) Learn "How to Use Call Forwarding on the iPhone" from OS X Daily:
http://osxdaily.com/2013/03/10/how-to-use-call-forwarding-on-the-iphone/

11) Read a FAQ about the ATI Trainer Forum mentioned in last week's Tidbits:
http://www.atitrainerforum.com/faq.html

12) EASI offers a free webinar on "Balabolka the flexible E-reader", on Tuesday, 26 March at 18:00 GMT:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm

13) The Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) is conducting a survey to understand how to better serve readers of talking books and braille:
http://www.LibraryOfCongressSurvey.org

14) Use the search tool from AFB to find out what video-described shows will be airing soon:
http://www.afb.org/tv.aspx

15) This older post from the Blind Crawler blog is called "NVDA's Object and Review Cursor Navigation Explained":
http://blindcrawler.com/blog/blog1.php/2011/11/22/nvda-s-object-and-review-cursor-navigation-explained

16) On to the week's podcasts:

Use heading navigation on the SeroTalk page to find the latest SeroTalk podcast, the SeroSpectives for February, and five recordings from CSUN:
http://serotalk.com/

From BlindGeekZone:

Earl. An introduction to this innovative, fully accessible newspaper reading app for iOS mobile devices:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/earl-an-introduction-to-this-innovative-fully-accessible-newspaper-reading-app-for-ios-mobile-devices/

Searching the iTunes podcast directory with QCast:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/searching-the-itunes-podcast-directory-with-qcast/

QCast an accessible podcatcher client:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/qcast-an-accessible-podcatcher-client-2/

ABB Text Grabber review with a comparison of scanthing:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/abb-text-grabber-review-with-a-comparison-of-scanthing/

From David Woodbridge:

Creating web location links on your Mac desktop:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com

From AppleVis:

How Siri can Make your Life Easier and More Productive:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/how-siri-can-make-your-life-easier-and-more-productive

Type2phone: Turning your Mac in to a bluetooth keyboard for your iDevice:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/type2phone-turning-your-mac-bluetooth-keyboard-your-idevice

Using Fission for Fast Audio File Conversion on the Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-fission-fast-audio-file-conversion-mac

17) The Visually Impaired iOS App from Braille Institute, ViA, aggregates & sorts apps by category, price and iTunes ratings:
http://brailleinstitute.org/MobileApps/ViA.aspx

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 395

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, March 7, 2013 - Volume 395
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Take Advantage of Complimentary Refreshable Braille Training Until April 30th 2013!!!

Flying Blind, LLC Logo. Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer two complimentary hours of professional distance training to any individual or institution that purchases one of our new or refurbished Refreshable Braille Solutions between March 1st and April 30th, 2013. This early Spring special is part of our committment to providing you, our customers and clients, with the most comprehensive Refreshable Braille Solutions available today. These two hours of professional training are valued $200.00 USD. However, they will be provided at no additional charge to anyone wishing to invest in one of our many Refreshable Braille Solutions through April 30th 2013. At Flying Blind, LLC we want to make certain that you are getting the most out of the solution you invest in, therefore, you will also be pleased to know that you can customize this training to suit your specific academic, vocational, or personal needs. For more information about Flying Blind, LLC's Brailliant, BraillePen, and ALVA Refreshable Braille Solutions, or to check out our many refurbished Braille display bargains, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1.) Thanks to three organized and devoted laborers, this issue of Tidbits will be both shorter and more informative than it would otherwise have been, and you can have one-stop links to peruse most of the available material from the recent CSUN conference. First, Slides & notes from over 30 presentations can be found on "The Great Big List from the 2013 CSUN International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference" Page at:
http://curbcut.net/events/csun-disabilities-technology2013/

2.) Second, courtesy of WebAble TV, watch videos of the keynote address, several interviews, and several full Conference presentations.
http://www.webable.tv/FeaturedContent/WebAbleTVUpcomingandRecentWebcast/CSUN2013.aspx

3.) And as for audio content, interviews and podcasts, the most prolific producer is BlindBargains.com, so look through the "Audio Content Index" to see the still-growing list of interviews.
http://blindbargains.com/audio/

4.) CSUN isn't the only recent conference, or anywhere near the largest. Mike May is a veteran of the vast Consumer Electronics Show. He will talk about some of the new products he found there on Tek Talk on GMT 12 March at 00:00
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

5.) On Main Menu for GMT Saturday, 8 March at 01:00, hear demos of the Victor Reader Stream, using the the iOS notification center to post to Twitter and Facebook, the iRead Program, and ATIA interviews with Duxbury Systems and Enabling Technologies.
http://mainmenu.acbradio.org

6.) Read a text transcript of a video tutorial demonstrating how to complete a Google Search using Window-Eyes 8.1 and Internet Explorer 10 on a Windows 7 computer:
http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Tutorials/Text/PerformingGoogleSearchWithWindow-Eyes.txt

Or download the video with accessible audio:
http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Tutorials/Video/GoogleSearchWithWindow-Eyes.mp4

7.) From Microsoft comes "Accessibility: A guide for Organizations":
http://www.microsoft.com/government/en-us/Guides/Pages/accessibility.aspx

8.) The new Optelec Magnifier App for iOS devices is free:
http://www.optelec.com/en_GB/products/Handheld-video-magnifiers/optelec-magnifier-app

9.) Some free university courses are available to all. Let's hope the content is accessible: Nine Free College Level Writing & Literature Classes at Coursera:
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/nine-free-college-level-writing-literature-classes-at-coursera_b64359

And Justice, said to be Harvard's most popular course:
http://www.justiceharvard.org/watch/

10.) BookBub claims to offer Free and Bargain Kindle Books, Nook Books, and more. Membership is free.
http://www.bookbub.com/home/

11.) Here is information about Microsoft's support desk for people with disabilities:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/contact-microsoft-accessibility

12.) This site is a bare-bones, accessible interface to YouTube:
http://accessyoutube.org.uk/

13.) This is a pretty thorough "Quick reference guide for voiceover on iOS, from SAS Institute":
http://support.sas.com/misc/accessibility/education/ios/quickref.html

14.) If you are an audiophile, you might not want to use the new Victor Reader Stream for recording. Listen to this Audioboo:
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1241575-recording-from-the-new-vr-stream

15.) This post to the Fred's Head blog is called "Sacred Texts: Where to Get Them in Alternate Media":
http://www.fredshead.info/2007/03/sacred-texts-where-to-get-them-in.html

16.) Fleksy is becoming a very popular writing alternative for iOS users. This post explains that "The Fleksy Full Version is now Free - and here's why:"
http://blog.fleksy.com/post/43160706356/state-of-touch-typing-fleksy-goes-free

17.) From iMore.com comes "Everything you need to know about setting up and using calendars on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad":
http://www.imore.com/calendar-ultimate-guide

18.) Here is an AudioBoo entitled "Using JAWS with the Audible Website":
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1215498-febooary-15-using-jaws-with-the-audible-website

19.) Kathy Ann Murtha has launched the ATI Trainers Forum, where for between $15 and $25 per month, members receive four lessons per month on a variety of topics.
http://www.atitrainerforum.com/

20.) Now, the podcasts for the week:

"It Won't be Hard to Access BARD with the Upcoming iOS App from NLS":
http://blindaccessjournal.com/

LookTel VoiceOver Tutorial: Learn and Practice the Basic Gestures used with VoiceOver and iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/looktel-voiceover-tutorial-learn-and-practice-basic-gestures-used-voiceover-and-ios

An Update on the Seeing Eye App being developed by the Sendero Group:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/update-seeing-eye-app-being-developed-sendero-group

@AccessTalk: Podcast 13: Victor Stream, Surface Pro, Jaws 15 & More news from CSUN13:
http://accesstalk.co.uk/2013/03/podcast-13/

Burnaware Demonstration:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=975

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 394

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, February 28, 2013 - Volume 394
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Refurbished BrailleNote mPower 32s with QWERTY Keyboards for $,1895.00 USD Each

Photo of the BrailleNote mPower 32 Flying Blind, LLC is most pleased to have a few refurbished 32 Cell BrailleNote mPowers with QWERTY keyboards for the unbelievable price of $1,895.00 USD each. Each of these units have been thoroughly tested by HumanWare's service department and come with a 30 day warranty. Each unit also comes with the latest version of the globally acclaimed Keysoft software, putting the efficient completion of countless tasks right at your fingertips! This is a fantastic deal for those of you who want a rugged, ergonomic notetaker at a fantastic price. Special pricing available for multi-unit purchases, so if you have a friend or two who is also in the market for a tried and true notetaker, order together and save even more! Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. All units will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, contact featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1.) In Tidbits, we don't usually announce software or devices until they are actually available to the consumer. But a lot of people will be interested in this, and you can follow development or sign up for a preview: Sendero Group is preparing its Seeing Eye GPS App for the iPhone. You can request to preview it when this opportunity becomes available by emailing:
gps@senderogroup.com

And you can read more about it here:
http://www.senderogroup.com/products/shopseeingeyegps.htm

2.) Here is a link to an AccessWorld review of Flick, purporting to be the first and only fully motorized camera for students with low vision:
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw140207

3.) Learn about Talkler, a mainstream email app that allows the user to read email by using voice commands, on Tek Talk on GMT 5 March at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

4.) Think Beyond the Label offers online career fairs, with the next one happening on GMT Tuesday, 5 March from 18:00-21:00. They claim employers are registering for these events.
http://www.thinkbeyondthelabel.com/Default.aspx

5.) If you like to collect recipes, you might want to join the Mamas-Corner email list. You receive a daily recipe, and these are accumulated in collections which you are able to download. Existing collections apparently include "Best Recipes: From The Backs Of Boxes, Bottles, Cans And Jars" and "Great American Recipe Card Collection." To join, send a blank message to:
mamas-corner-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

6.) This article is called "Promising Developments in Online and Technological Accessibility":
http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/computer/promising.php

7.) This item from OS X Daily is called "Record System Audio Output in Mac OS X with Soundflower":
http://osxdaily.com/2013/02/25/record-system-audio-mac-os-x-soundflower/

8) This article from the Telegraph about the promises of voice recognition technology is called "Voice recognition will smash its way into the Black Mirror.":
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9873917/Voice-recognition-will-smash-its-way-into-the-Black-Mirror.html

9.) Experimenters and adventuresome types may enjoy listening to this demonstration of an Android and iOS app that turns your phone into a Windows 8 Touch Screen.
http://t.co/8xnPO8AOQb

10.) Here is an "AudioBoo", short audio posting housed on that service, by Brian Hartgen, giving his thoughts on the relative merits and uses of the sound editors Sound Forge and Studio Recorder:
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1232820-comments-on-sound-forge-and-studio-recorder

11.) Another one from Brian is a demonstration of the QCast podcatching client:
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1229186-febooary-23-demo-of-qcast-podcatching-client

12.) It's a bit too late to take advantage of some of this information for this year, but as the CSUN Conference, among the largest conferences on technology for the disabled, goes forward this week, The "Blind Bargains Guide to Attending CSUN13 on a Budget" will be informative and might help with planning for next year.
http://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=8118

13.) Again this year, a few organizations will be providing audio coverage of CSUN. To learn how to follow BlindBargains coverage, visit:
http://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=8119

14.) From VisionAware, read "Gil's Guide to Home Repairs":
http://www.visionaware.org/section.aspx?FolderID=8&SectionID=128&TopicID=501

15.) And from the same blog, an article about doing car repairs with limited vision:
http://www.visionaware.org/section.aspx?FolderID=8&SectionID=128&DocumentID=5927

16.) And finally, the week's assortment of pertinent podcasts:

From AppleVis:

A Review of Clever Clues:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/review-clever-clues

A Walk-Through and Demonstration of Reading Plan:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/walk-through-and-demonstration-reading-plan

Earl: An App Providing Access to Over 300 Newspapers Through Speech:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/earl-app-providing-access-over-300-newspapers-through-speech

A Demonstration of the Re Universal Infrared Remote Control Accessory for iPhone, iPad and iPd Touch:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/demonstration-re-universal-infrared-remote-control-accessory-iphone-ipad-and-ipod

Changing the Root Password on your Jailbroken iDevice (Windows):
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/changing-root-password-your-jailbroken-idevice-windows

From the Tech Doctor, a "HodgepodgeCast discussing several software and hardware applications and products:
http://www.dr-carter.com/

Episode 14 of That Android Show
http://thatandroidshow.com/2013/02/22/that-android-show-episode-14-a-good-problem-to-have/

FSCast #75, concerning the latest version of J-Say and also JAWS scripts for several music services including Spotify and Rhapsody:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast075-february2013.asp

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 393

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, February 21, 2013 - Volume 393
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: The New Victor Reader Stream... Smaller, Smarter and Wireless!

Photo of the new Victor Reader Stream The new Stream's slim, sleek, compact design makes it 28% smaller than its predecessor, and features wireless capabilities that open up the world to people who are blind or visually impaired.

Wireless, for greater independence
Imagine having a multimedia library in your pocket! You could have the latest novels, magazines, your favorite music, audio described films, texts, and your own voice recordings all in the palm of your hand. The new Victor Reader Stream can deliver content from your favorite sources, including DAISY, NLS, Bookshare, Learning Ally, plus books and music from iTunes. Now imagine integrated Wi-Fi for automatic software updates and future online features such as book downloads!

Smarter, to give you more of what you want
The new Victor Reader Stream features an improved, louder speaker, improved text-to-speech from Acapela, improved recording capabilities, faster USB transfers, and 32-gigabyte capacity SD cards, plus it easily connects to flash drives. And it offers the Softpak features of full stereo recordings, EPUB2 unprotected books, DOCX support, MP4 and iTunes M4A files, plus a built-in clock.

A multimedia Library in your pocket
Taking your books, music and much more everywhere you go is so easy with the new Victor Reader Stream's excellent features:

Supports up to 32GB removable SD cards and external USB flash drives
Read books from DAISY libraries: NLS, Bookshare, Learning Ally
Enjoy books and music from iTunes
Play text documents with built-in text-to-speech from Acapela

For more information or to purchase the NEW Victor Reader Stream contact us today. 1-800-722-3393. http://www.humanware.com/newstream.

Greetings,

1.) Learn about the new and improved Radio Lookup web site, enabling people to find links to streaming radio, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 26 February at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

2.) Attorneys are interested in talking with any current or former blind or print disabled employees or applicants from the Marriott hotel chain. The attorneys represent a group of blind or print disabled persons who were denied advancement or other employment opportunities because of Marriott's use of inaccessible computer software and its failure to reasonably accommodate persons using JAWS and other screen readers. Email
jkim@las-elc.org.

3.) On Main Menu for GMT Saturday, 23 February, first airing at 01:00, hear about an accessible way to file U.S. income taxes with Tax Act; Hear an interview with APH staff about the new Nearby Explorer GPS app and more, and hear demos of speech recognition in the Microsoft surface RT and using a Bluetooth keyboard with Apple TV:
http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/

4.) GW Micro announces the release of Window-Eyes 8.1, bringing initial support for Office 2013 and some bug fixes:
http://www.gwmicro.com/News_&_Events/Latest_News/?newsNo=277

5.) JAWS scripts for Skype Versions 6 and above are now out:
http://www.dlee.org/skype/

6.) QRead, Christopher Toth's $30 e-book reader for the blind, has been upgraded to support new formats, including .chm, .pdf, and .epub among others:
http://q-continuum.net/qread/

7.) Christopher has also released QCast, a $10 cross-platform program for obtaining and listening to podcasts, working on both Windows and Mac systems:
http://q-continuum.net/qcast/

8) This post to the NFT AT blog is called "AFB's AccessNote: Not quite the notetaker replacement we've been looking for."
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/afb%E2%80%99s-accessnote-not-quite-notetaker-replacement-we%E2%80%99ve-been-looking

9) Now for our run-down of podcasts:

Two ATIA interviews by Allison Hilliker:

Getting to Know the All-New Victor Reader Stream:
http://blindaccessjournal.com/2013/02/atia-getting-to-know-the-all-new-victor-reader-stream/

Making Friends with Eye-Pal Scanning and Reading Products:
http://blindaccessjournal.com/2013/02/atia-making-friends-with-eye-pal-scanning-and-reading-products/

From the SPN: SeroTalk Podcast 142:
http://serotalk.com/2013/02/20/the-web-always-remembers/

High Contrast, Episode 8:
http://serotalk.com/2013/02/14/high-contrast-episode-8-nose-to-a-box/

Triple Click Home, Episode 15:
http://tripleclickhome.com/2013/02/21/triple-click-home-episode-15-swear-on-that/

Eyes on Success 1308: Progress in Speech Synthesis:
http://www.EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_1308_podcast.mp3

SuperNova Web Access, Your Way podcasts series Installment One here:
http://t.co/WPYdYrjw

From AppleVis: A walk-through of Voice Dream - Text to Speech:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/walk-through-voice-dream-text-speech

iFarkle: a Simple and Fun Dice Game for iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/ifarkle-simple-and-fun-dice-game-ios

ECHO - Hear to play: Navigate this iOS Game with just your Hearing and the Accelerometer:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/echo-hear-play-navigate-ios-game-just-your-hearing-and-accelerometer

Activator: The Must Have Jailbreak Tweak:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/activator-must-have-jailbreak-tweak

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 392

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, February 14, 2013 - Volume 392
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Brand New BrailleSense+ 32-Cell Notetaker for $2,695.00 USD and One Refurbished BrailleSense+ Notetaker for $1,695.00 USD!!!

Photo of the Braille Sense Plus Notetaker Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to announce the availability of a brand new BrailleSense Plus 32-Cell QWERTY notetaker with full manufacturer's warranty for $2,695.00 USD, and a refurbished model, with a 90 day warranty, for $1,695.00 USD. HIMS has done a fantastic job of listening to its users and providing them with a feature-rich notetaking solution that touts a state-of-the art design coupled with durability and reliability. These robust solutions are the perfect companions for Braille users wishing to organize their lives at a most affordable price, more than 50% off of their suggested retail value in fact. Prices include shipping within the Continental United States. For more information email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Greetings,

1) Learn about the new AccessNote App from American Foundation for the Blind on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 19 February at 01:00.
http://www.accessibleworld.org/announcements/1050

2) Besides the release announcement for AccessNote, which app is being used at this moment for composition of this newsletter, the February issue of AccessWorld includes an article about the prospects for a multi-line refreshable Braille display, reviews of Apple TV, of some multi-featured electronic magnifiers, and more.
http://www.afb.org/aw

3) Besides a podcast about AccessNote, this week's Main Menu features an interview about Windows 8 Accessibility with a Microsoft staff person, a demonstration of the Surface RT, and an ATIA interview with GW Micro staff:
http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/

4) The JAWS Guides page contains some guides to using Windows 8 as well as for older operating systems:
http://vip.chowo.co.uk/jaws-guides/

The site, called VIP Guides, also has a page of Magnifier Guides
http://vip.chowo.co.uk/magnifier-guides/

5) We'll put the podcast listing in the middle this time around.

The latest Tech Doctor Podcast Entitled: "iPhone Typing Competition" Listen at your own risk:
http://www.dr-carter.com/?p=190

Understanding the vOICe for Android:
http://www.vict-consultancy.co.uk/content/podcasts.html

Blind Geek Zone is bidding fair to become the "go to" place for tech-related podcasts, much like Blind Cool Tech was in the past. Here are several recent offerings: How to run vinux from a pen drive:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=956

Near by explorer demonstration:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=966

Review for newvies of the Galaxy S3 from Samsung:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=938

BGZ Podcast 64:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=951

Dimensions collecting artifacts and more:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/?p=525

Eyes On Success #1307 features demos and the use of the NLS BARD website and digital audio player:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/eos_1307_podcast.mp3

From David Woodbridge: Demo of speech recognition on the Surface RT with Narrator:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/02/12/demo-of-speech-recognition-on-the-surface-rt-with-narrator/

Brief overview of the Surface RT using Narrator:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/02/07/brief-overview-of-the-surface-rt-using-narrator/

And from AppleVis: AppleVis Extra #9: TapTapSee - Blind & Visually Impaired Camera:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-9-taptapsee-blind-visually-impaired-camera

6) From Jeff Hunsberger comes a handy trick for playing audio on iOS devices: "Listening to Things That Aren't Podcasts in Downcast":
http://technologynotes.net/technology-notes/2013/2/7/listening-to-things-that-arent-podcasts-in-downcast

7) These two posts give various command lists, or ways to find commands, for Siri:
http://www.cultofmac.com/215017/use-these-special-siri-commands-when-dictating-text-on-iphone-or-ipad-ios-tips/?utm_medium=twit&utm_campaign=spread-us
http://osxdaily.com/2013/02/05/list-siri-commands/

8) Via the Fred's Head Blog, read "A Key to Input Methods for VoiceOver Users":
http://www.fredshead.info/2013/02/whats-your-type-key-to-input-methods.html

9) These "Top Tips for the New Bookshare Web Reader and Bookshelf" come from the Bookshare Blog:
http://blog.bookshare.org/2013/02/07/top-tips-for-the-new-bookshare-web-reader-and-bookshelf/

10) The next GW Micro training Webinar will bear the title "Accessing Windows 8 with Window-Eyes," and will take place on Tuesday, 19 February at 19:00 GMT.
http://www.gwmicro.com/meeting

11) Two articles have been posted to the GW Micro Knowledge Base:

Stop Attachments from Opening Automatically in Outlook 2010:
http://gwmicro.com/kb2025

Changing Comments in Word to Work with Window-Eyes
http://gwmicro.com/kb2024

12) AbleRoad is a website and mobile app for finding and rating accessible places - restaurants, shops, hotels, medical practices and many other venues. You can access AbleRoad at the website or by using the iPhone and iPad apps. An Android App will be released later this month.
http://ableroad.com/

13) AI Squared announces the release of ZoomText Mac. The site gives details, video, description, free 30-day trial download and special pricing to all existing ZoomText users:
http://www.aisquared.com/mac

14) EASI offers a free Webinar: "Science Courses can be Accessible; Emerging Trends in the Full Integration of the Blind and Visually Impaired in Science Education." This will take place on Monday, 18 February at 17:00 GMT.
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm/#february

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 391

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, February 7, 2013 - Volume 391
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

Supports up to 32GB removable SD cards and external USB flash drives
Read books from DAISY libraries: NLS, Bookshare, Learning Ally
Enjoy books and music from iTunes
Play text documents with built-in text-to-speech from Acapela

For more information or to purchase the NEW Victor Reader Stream contact us today. 1-800-722-3393. http://www.humanware.com/newstream.

Greetings,

1.) We'll put the podcasts on top for a change:

Demonstration of Solo-Dx MP3 audio description track to use in conjunction with associated movies:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/02/04/demonstration-of-solo-dx-mp3-audio-description-track-to-use-in-conjunction-with-associated-movies/

Using the BrailleTouch Braille input keyboard App on the iPhone 5 with VoiceOver:
http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/2013/01/31/using-the-brailletouch-braille-input-keyboard-app-on-the-iphone-5-with-voiceover/

BrailleTouch, Interview with the creator:
http://www.dr-carter.com/

Jailbreaking iOS 6.1 With the Untethered Jailbreak from Evasi0n (Mac Version):
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/jailbreaking-ios-61-untethered-jailbreak-evasi0n-mac-version

All-in Yoga: 300 Poses & Yoga Classes on your iOS Device:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/all-yoga-300-poses-yoga-classes-your-ios-device

AppleVis Extra #8: Digit-Eyes:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-8-digit-eyes

AccessNote: A Review and Demonstration of the New iOS Notetaker from the AFB:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/accessnote-review-and-demonstration-new-ios-notetaker-afb

The Qube accessible twitter client:
http://www.mysticplacepodcast.com/audio/mp48theqube.mp3

EyesOnSuccess 1306 NLS Services, History & Technology:
http://t.co/tWdzySIN

3.) The University of Washington gives us Accessible University 2.0, fictional pages to teach web accessibility:
http://www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/AU/

4.) On MainMenu for GMT Saturday, 9 February, hear the demo of the BrailleTouch App and hear interviews from the ATIA conference about the new Victor Reader Stream and Book Sense upgrade:
http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/

5) Learn how to control your thermostat from your iOS device on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 11 February at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

6) Kathy Ann Murtha offers a 2.5-3 hour seminar, "An Introduction to Windows 8" on GMT 17 February at 00:00. Price for the seminar is $100 and registrants can buy the Windows 8 textbooks for $50 instead of their usual $80.
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/Windows8Intro.html

7) Commtech, LLC has launched an unlimited tech support service for fees starting at $39.95 per month for individuals.
http://commtechusa.net/support/

8) Nearby Explorer is a $99 GPS App designed specifically for blind users from American Printing House that runs on Android 2.2 or later. It comes with onboard maps and integrates with Google's Places and Transit services, and provides good information about the user's environment:
http://www.google.com/url?q=http://tech.aph.org/ne_info.htm&sa=D&usg=AFQjCNEFyLNVnW1QLRlVNM5aH3arGZjmTA>

9) Here is a good set of accessibility guidelines for online course materials from Portland Community College:
http://www.pcc.edu/resources/instructional-support/access/

10) Here is a well-thought-out playlist of accessibility-related videos:
http://ncdae.org/blog/accessibility-video-playlist/

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 390

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, January 31, 2013 - Volume 390
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Gently Used BrailleNote Apex 32 Cell Notetaker With Perkins-Style, Braille Keyboard for $3,000.00 USD!!!
Photo of the BrailleNote Apex32 Cell Notetaker Flying Blind, LLC is pleased to offer this this gently used BrailleNote Apex32 Notetaker for the unbelievable sale price of $3,000.00 USD - that's approximately $2,500.00 USD off of its suggested list price!!! For 13 years the BrailleNote name has been synonymous with excellence and innovation, and the Apex continues to set standards that other notetakers have yet to meet. This unit is in pristine condition, and is begging for a new home! That, and it's robust yet intuitive functionality will offer truly limitless options to whomever receives it. This is a single unit that will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Price includes shipping anywhere within the continental United States. For more information email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today!

Greetings,

1.) With the release to the world of Microsoft Office 2013, listen to yours truly (Dean Martineau) discuss Word 2013, what's new since 2010, and demonstrate features and tricks that make Word 2013 a very viable product for screen reader users. All this, on Tek Talk for GMT Tuesday, 5 February at 01:00
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

2.) Those who will be joining me at the ATIA Conference in Orlando will be able to take advantage of customized fully accessible wayfinding information for blind attendees. Searchable walking directions are available within the hotel and conference areas, as well as to every booth within the Exhibit Hall.
http://www.clickandgomaps.com/atia

3.) Version 2 of vTurbo for NVDA is out, offering the ability to save and export settings and to link Braille and speech settings.
http://www.vict-consultancy.co.uk/content/vTurbo_for_NVDA.html

4.) How to use your iPhone, iPad or Mac to borrow ebooks from the library:
http://gigaom.com/2013/01/26/how-to-use-your-iphone-ipad-or-mac-to-borrow-ebooks-from-the-library/

5.) The Verge explains that "Forty public universities will offer free online courses with full credit starting this spring."
http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/23/3907672/forty-public-universities-will-offer-free-online-courses

6.) A guide to File Explorer on Windows 8 for JAWS users, though mostly useful to users of other screen readers, is found here:
http://vip.chowo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/jaws/File-Explorer-8-Guide.html

7.) Commtech, LLC has started a moderated, low-traffic support mailing list for fielding questions about Apple products. To join, send a blank message to:
applesupportvi@yahoogroups.com

8.) In iOS App news, AccessNote, the $19.95 Notetaker App from American Foundation for the Blind, is now out.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/accessnote/id591287188?mt=8

9.) BrailleTouch, a program for writing on an iOS device using a simulated 6-dot keyboard, is available as a free demo or for purchase, with the purchase price being 25% lower until 3 February.
http://brailletouchapp.com/

10.) Bookshare now lets users create "virtual bookshelves" to sort books, and to use WebReader to read books in a browser on a pc rather than downloading them.
http://communications.bookshare.org/get-books-quickly/

11.) The NFB AT Blog reviews Solo DX, an unconventional source for described movies:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/movie-night-solo-dx

And is not positive as to the usefulness of the HIMS Chat app for the deaf-blind:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/are-you-free-communicate-free-app

12.) HIMS announces the release of version 3.0 for the Book Sense line of products, featuring the ability to read PDF documents, search for text, manage files more easily, record in DAISY, and more"
http://www.ozmailer.com/fcso/URL_tracking.php?send_no=1276910&mail_no=4199850&email=larry.lewis@flying-blind.com&OZTRACKING=3e7fc5fe13c7d8e3c8f63f1684c15ac4&url=http://www.himsintl.com

13.) People wishing to work to make WordPress more accessible may wish to join an IRC meetup:
http://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/2013/01/25/irc-meetups/

14.) A user recommends eBuddy as an accessible way to chat on IRC and on a variety of other chat services as well. The mobile version is said to be more accessible:
http://m.ebuddy.com

And there is a desktop version:
http://www.ebuddy.com

15.) And we have a plethora of podcasts this week:

SeroTalk Podcast 139 Awaits:
http://serotalk.com/2013/01/30/serotalk-podcast-139-guilty-as-charged/

High Contrast Episode 7 discusses Windows 8 with a low-vision slant, and more:
http://serotalk.com/2013/01/17/high-contrast-episode-7-a-sea-of-mirrors/

Accessible devices podcast 35 discusses the TapTap see app for iOS:
http://www.accessible-devices.com/feed.xml

Joseph Lee is creating a comprehensive series of podcasts on NVDA. They become available on the Blind Geek Zone site pretty quickly, but they are also stored here:
http://www.nvda-kr.org/en

New episodes of Eyes on Success include Accessible Forms and Assistance from the IRS:
http://www.EyesOnSuccess.net/show_notes_1305.htm

And Accessibility Features of Android's New Jelly Bean OS:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show%20notes/show%20notes%201304.htm

While we're mentioning Android, the latest Tech Doctor podcast has for its theme, "Android Accessibility, Part Three":
http://www.dr-carter.com/?p=183

And from AppleVis:

Daily Tracker: A Diary, Journal and To-Do Application for iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/daily-tracker-diary-journal-and-do-application-ios

New Podcast: TextExpander for Mac: Type Short Abbreviations to Enter Text Snippets, Correct Misspelled Words, and More:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/textexpander-mac-type-short-abbreviations-enter-text-snippets-have-misspelled-words

iCatcher: Subscribe, Download and Listen to your Favorite Podcasts with this Accessible Podcast Manager:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/icatcher-subscribe-download-and-listen-your-favorite-podcasts-accessible-podcast

Pig Dice: A Very Simple Jeopardy Game for iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/pig-dice-very-simple-jeopardy-game-ios

Yesterday USA: An iOS App for all fans of Old Time Radio:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/yesterday-usa-ios-app-all-fans-old-time-radio

Using a Bluetooth Keyboard With The Apple TV:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-bluetooht-keyboard-apple-tv

16.) HumanWare has announced its new, smaller, wireless Victor Reader Stream:
http://www.humanware.ca/web/en/Newsletter/111457.htm

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 389

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, January 24, 2013 - Volume 389
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Refurbished HumanWare Smartview 360s for only $1,250.00 USD Each And Brand New Units for $1,500.00 USD Each!!!
Photo of the HumanWare Smartview 360. Flying Blind, LLC is excited to share some unparalleled video magnification love with its low-vision subscribers this week. This versatile video magnifier boasts an easy to manipulate camera for desktop and distance viewing, making it the perfect companion for students, professionals, and seniors. It takes up less space than two sheets of paper, has an integrated 19-inch monitor, and offers true color and contrast modes for up close and distance viewing. Make school, work, or home related tasks easy on the eyes by opting for these gently-used, simple, but powerful solutions which are also easy on the New Year budget! You save over $1,000.00 USD by purchasing one of these reconditioned gems today and almost $1,000.00 USD by purchasing a unit that is brand new! Each of these life-changers ships for free in the continental United States. All refurbished 360s carry a 6 month manufacturer warranty and new units carry a 2 year warranty. For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today. At these ridiculously unheard-of prices, act fast, before these units find homes elsewhere!

Greetings,

1.) A new short WebAim survey poses the question: How do screen reader users navigate within websites?
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XGC33NV

2.) A survey on mobile accessibility also seeks respondents to help advise designers of websites concerning the topic.
http://www.paciellogroup.com/mobile/

3.) CAVI has a new Quick Start web page where you can learn about their range of courses open for enrollment by 10 February.
http://www.cavitraining.com/

4.) On Main Menu for GMT Saturday, 25 January, learn about changes to Windows Explorer in Windows 8 and the ClamX AV anti-virus software for Mac.
http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/

5.) Learn about a range of useful topics as Dan Thompson presents Dan's Most Popular Tips of 2012 on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 29 January at 01:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

6.) You can now listen to described versions of popular television shows on your computer or mobile device. Taking the vision out of television, a new project called Blindy.TV has just launched a free audio-only virtual television network that offers several channels of described television shows.
http://blindy.tv

7.) An accessibility evaluation of the Yaesu G-1000DXC rotator control box for Ham Radio antennas has been posted on the Active Elements website.
http://active-elements.org/2013/01/18/yaesu-g-1000dxc/

8.) The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology houses a scientific archive of biodiversity audio and video recordings. Previously in analog format, the recordings, "which go back to 1929" are now completely digitized, and can be heard at:
http://macaulaylibrary.org/

9.) Here are five easy ways to speed up your pc.
http://mashable.com/2013/01/21/speed-up-your-pc/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29

10.) The January, 2013 issue of The Braille Monitor contains an article discussing the Google Books project and is implications: "Ten Million Books and Counting"
https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm13/bm1301/bm130102.htm

11.) Access Technology Institute now has two additional $80 textbooks on Windows 8, focusing on Window-Eyes and NVDA.
http://www.blindtraining.com/shop/windows.htm

12.) Now for the week in podcasts:

A lot of podcasts on NVDA can be found at:
http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~hurrikenny/nvda%20audio%20tutorials.html

The Blind Geek Zone continuallly adds new podcasts. Recent additions include a review of Core Temp, comparisons of the large and small Jambox speakers, and the second in a comprehensive series on NVDA.
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/podcast

From the Mystic Place Blog and Podcast, "iCatcher, a Podcatcher App for Ipad, iPhone and iPod Touch."
http://www.mysticplacepodcast.com/audio/mp47icatcher.mp3

Podcast 12 of @AccessTalk features Facebook Search, Messenger on Skype, TV iPhone Apps & the Amazon Cloud Player.
http://accesstalk.co.uk/2013/01/podcast-12/

And fromAppleVis:

Aftershokz Open-Ear Headphones
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-number-7-aftershokz-open-ear-headphones

Alarmed ~ Reminders + Timers for iOS: Review and Demonstration:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/alarmed-reminders-timers-ios-review-and-demonstration

iVoice Reminder: Quick and Easy Voice Reminders on your iOS Device
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/ivoice-reminder-quick-and-easy-voice-reminders-your-ios-device

13.) Hadley seeks a web developer.
http://hadley.edu/Career.asp

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 388

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, January 17, 2013 - Volume 388
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Flying Blind, LLC Online Store Adds New Products Based on Your Feedback
In response to your feedback the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store at https://www.toptechtidbits.com/store.html has added a number of every day tech items that are guaranteed to improve quality of life. Whether you're cooking in the kitchen, looking for a remote control with larger buttons, or are just tired of items wandering on you, these products have you covered. Drop by and peruse our many quality of life solutions from high tech to low, but all designed to meet your needs, whatever they might be. Be sure to check back often as we�ll be adding new items on a weekly basis. If you're like the rest of us, then perhaps you too have made a New Year's Resolution or two that our current Sale Item might just be able to help you with. We'll also be extending our Holiday pricing on the BraillePen12 ($995.00 USD) until the end of the month. So stop by today, and buy with confidence, knowing that no matter how you choose to pay, all Flying Blind, LLC Online Store products are covered by PayPal Purchase Protection.

Greetings,

1) The January 2013 issue of AccessWorld has information about the future of Braille, a book review, a review of a forthcoming talking email app, and more.
http://www.afb.org/aw/main.asp

2) BlindTunes Version 4, JAWS scripts for iTunes Version 11, is now available for around $6 to enhance the usability of iTunes.
http://www.blindtunes.net/

The author also has low-priced accessibility solutions for Rhapsody:
http://www.rhapsodyblind.com/

And for Spotify:
http://www.spotifyblind.com/

3) Learn about courses and opportunities available through CAVI on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 22 January at 01:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

4) J-Say version 11, working with Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional 12 and JFW 14, is now available.
http://www.ngtvoice.com/products/software/astec/j-say/pronew.htm

Learn about J-Say in general via the Eyes on Success podcast at:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show%20notes/show%20notes%201302.htm

5) Find out which software and hardware earned the 2012 Golden Apples from AppleVis.
http://www.applevis.com/blog/accessories/announcing-applevis-golden-apples-2012

6) Getting Started, iPads for Special Needs is a 338-page book, available for purchase in print, free online reading, or $9.95 purchase through Kindle, iBooks and Nook.
http://ipads4specialneedsbook.com/

7) This article is entitled "4 Ways to Make Your WordPress Site More Accessible"
http://www.sitepoint.com/4-ways-to-make-your-wordpress-site-more-accessible/

8.) Here is a direct link to a YouTube video on using the free Amis DAISY player to read. One learns that Amis is pronounced like the French word for "friends."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx0xsKaWeXU

9) Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities, Active Elements is a new website publishing accessibility evaluations of amateur radio equipment, spoken word manuals and audio demonstrations.
http://www.active-elements.org

10) In podcasts this week:

A podcast and transcript is available from Web Axe, Responsive Design and Accessibility:
http://www.webaxe.org/podcast-97-responsive-design-and-accessibility/

The Maccessibility Round Table Podcast #28 bears the title, The Case of the iPad Mini and Other Mysteries:
http://maccessibility.net/2013/01/12/the-maccessibility-round-table-podcast-28-the-case-of-the-ipad-mini-and-other-mysteries/

There is a new Tech Doctor podcast called "Android Accessibility Part One":
http://t.co/1OdNHQRk

And four from AppleVis:

SilverDollar: Engage in Some Western Fun With this Audio Game for the Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/silverdollar-engage-some-western-fun-audio-game-mac

ChangeReaction: A Classic Audio Puzzle Game Comes to the Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/changereaction-classic-audio-puzzle-game-comes-mac

TapTapSee: An iOS App to Help the Blind Identify Objects they Encounter in Their Daily Lives:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/taptapsee-ios-app-help-blind-identify-objects-they-encounter-their-daily-lives

AppleVis SiriusXM Internet Radio on your iOS Device:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/siriusxm-internet-radio-your-ios-device

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 387

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, January 10, 2013 - Volume 387
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Classic Focus 40 Refreshable Braille Terminal for USD $995.00!!!
Photo of a Focus 40-Cell Braille Terminal and a Focus 80-Cell Braille Terminal above a photo of a man working on a PC using a Focus 80-Cell Braille Terminal. We start off the new year with a fantastic deal on an original Focus 40 Braille Terminal. This is a fantastic bargain for the desktop/laptop PC user looking for a 40-Cell USB Braille display for less than 1K! This unit is in pristine condition and works seamlessly with the globally acclaimed JAWS For Windows Screen Reader, along with all other commercial screen reading solutions. Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States and this unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Greetings,

1) This post is entitled "5 Apps: The Best Camera Aapps for Blind and Visually Impaired iPhone Users":
http://www.tuaw.com/2013/01/04/5-apps-the-best-camera-apps-for-blind-and-visually-impaired-iph/

2) SixthSense is a new 3D sound horror shooting game for iOS which is reported to be quite accessible.
http://www.applevis.com/ios-app-directory/games/sixthsense-all-new-3d-sound-horror-shooting-game

3) CAVI is offering the "Building Websites With HTML 5", "Audio Editing Fundamentals", "Computers 101 with Mac or PC", and other courses starting in February. Individuals generally pay $150.00 USD per course.
http://wiki.cucat.org/index.php?n=Main.2013s1courses

4) Fleksy is quite a popular iOS app among the blind. Here is a mainstream review of the App from the Consumer Electronics Show.
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-34441_1-57562748/fleksy-saves-you-from-awful-touch-screen-typos/

5) "Adventures In Android" is a budding blog chronicling one blind user's experiences exploring this operating system.
http://android-discovery.posterous.com/my-return-to-android?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

6) Learn how to burn CD's and DVD's with Express Burn on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 15 January at 01:00.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

7) National Braille Press has launched its own blog.
http://nationalbraillepress.wordpress.com/

8) This fun article, focusing on the experience of browsing the web, carries the title "Things I learned by Pretending to be Blind for a Week":
http://blog.silktide.com/2013/01/things-learned-pretending-to-be-blind-for-a-week/

9) The entire hour of Main Menu this week is devoted to the new BARD web site from NLS.
http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/

10) LevelUp, a mobile payment platform for Android and IOS, has been made accessible to blind users. With LevelUp, a customer receives a discount upon initial use at a participating merchant, can earn loyalty discounts, can independently enter in a tip percentage, and can receive a digital receipt in app and by email. LevelUp is accepted at over 4,000 US merchant locations, and has 500,000 users. You can sign up for LevelUp and receive an extra $5 off at:
https://www.thelevelup.com/c/2UKF8H

Read the official LevelUp Accessibility Press Release:
https://nfb.org/levelup-now-fully-accessible-blind-smartphone-users

11) Ian Humphreys of Spoonbill Software has outdone himself and produced six new free self-voicing games for the PC: BG Poker Solitaire, BG Cribbage Solitaire, BG Spider Solitaire, BG Pyramid Solitaire, BG Nomination Whist, BG Mine Sweeper. Read about these and the other 20 accessible games and see how to email your order at:
http://www.spoonbillsoftware.com.au/bggames.htm

12) Turning to podcasts:

In episode 46 of the Mystic Place Podcast, Chris demonstrates, on the Nexus 7 and the iPad, and discusses Shiprack, a Package Tracking App for both Android and iOS:
http://www.mysticplacepodcast.com/audio/mp46shiprack.mp3

Robert Carter was part of a National Geographic expedition to Antarctica, and he gives us Sounds of Antarctica:
http://www.dr-carter.com/

From AppleVis, we have "A Guide for VoiceOver Users on Enabling and Using Multitasking Gestures on the iPad":
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/guide-voiceover-users-enabling-and-using-multitasking-gestures-ipad

And "A Guide for VoiceOver Users on Finding and Downloading Books from the iBook Store":
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/guide-voiceover-users-finding-and-downloading-books-ibook-store#comment-8845

Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 386

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, January 3, 2013 - Volume 386
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

Greetings,

1) Learn about accessing the System Access Mobile Network on your iDevice on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 8 January at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

2) Here are three items related to NVDA: An add-on, AudioScreen, exists which enables blind users to receive audio information about graphics such as maps and diagrams:
http://www.nvaccess.org/audioScreen/

3) The latest snapshots, up-to-the-minute beta versions of the free screen reader, support PowerPoint access:
http://www.nvda-project.org/wiki/Snapshots

4) VMouse for NVDA is a £2.99 add-on which significantly enhances navigation options:
http://www.vict-consultancy.co.uk/content/vMouse_for_NVDA.html

5) Maccessibility announces that New York Times for iPhone has been Updated with Improved Accessibility:
http://maccessibility.net/2013/01/02/new-york-times-for-iphone-updated-with-improved-accessibility/

6) Another iOS app to get an upgrade is the NFB Newsline app, incorporating their recently-added publications such as the Braille Forum, CNN and the Huffington Post, allowing for weather alerts and making other interface changes. To offer feedback, email:
swhite@nfb.org

7) A new mailing list has been created for offering and requesting information and assistance for making app recommendations for i-devices using VoiceOver. To join, send a blank message to:
IDevices-join@GatewayForTheBlind.com

8) Three textual compilations of online periodical information are compiled weekly and are available free for the browsing: Science and Health News, Tech Update and Slate:
http://www.batsupport.com/mags/will_smith/

9) Read the @Freedom Scientific Newsletter:
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001zJr3ILb56j105Oujlg1xgyoPSGDZhqUk2CzP6FYyeTjxHIUdCWIBpvnyyN0cEqcK7_xzIIbUUwUZvq8zMWS5mgWrCUemsGGt2v3W3I1uTJ2w7OChR9P4EsfEhvxFOmCk-IlC2VIZA2H4bbpqj17ug4PwXGMYG8Cg_Hrl8MigMv4=

10) From MacWorld Australia, learn about "The difference between an iPad Mini and a regular iPad":
http://www.macworld.com.au/features/the-difference-between-an-ipad-mini-and-a-regular-ipad-83043/

11) From OS X Daily come:

"14 Must-Know iPad Tips & Tricks":
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/20/14-ipad-tips-tricks/

"Write & Send a Complete Email with Siri Faster Than Ever":
http://osxdaily.com/2012/12/30/write-send-complete-email-siri/

And "Other Siri Tips":
http://osxdaily.com/tag/siri/

12) SpeedDots has announced their lineup of tactile screen protectors for the iPad Mini, iPad, iPhone and iPod. They have enhanced their existing layouts and created a new phone-only layout for the iPhone.
http://www.speeddots.com/faq.php

13) The next EASI free webinar is entitled "MS Office is coming - but are you READY!", and takes place on Tuesday, 8 January at 19:00 GMT:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm

14) On Main Menu for GMT Saturday 5 January, we hear a demo of the new Tiny Tunes talking mp3 player from Future Aids, a demo of using the Text Detective app for OCR on an iPhone, and a demo of syncing notes between a Mac and iOS device via iCloud.
http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/

15) This post from Jeffrey's Soapbox is entitled "Configuring your Samsung Galaxy S3 for Blind Users - Part 1: Getting Rid of the Samsung Keyboard in favor of the Android Stock One"
http://blog.blackspheretech.com/?p=191

16) Among the latest podcasts:

Using J-Say or MagniTalk for hands-free, eyes-free computing:
http://EyesOnSuccess.net/eos_1301_podcast.mp3

Dictabulus: Dictate Text on your iPhone for use on your Mac:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/dictabulus-dictate-text-your-iphone-use-your-mac

TypeInBraille: Use Braille to Enter Text on your iPhone:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/typeinbraille-use-braille-enter-text-your-iphone

Light Detector: Use the Camera on your iDevice to Transform any Light Source into Sound:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/light-detector-use-camera-your-idevice-transform-any-light-source-sound

TapTheMole: Test and Train your Reflexes With this Perfect Time Killer Game for iOS:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/tapthemole-test-and-train-your-reflexes-perfect-time-killer-game-ios

17) This well-thought-out post is entitled "A Guide to Making the Switch from Using a Windows Screen Reader to VoiceOver on a Mac":
http://www.applevis.com/guides/guide-making-switch-using-windows-screen-reader-voiceover-mac

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