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

Are you on Facebook? Stop by and "Like" Flying Blind, LLC to begin receiving Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday as part of your Facebook News Feed at www.facebook.com/flyingblindllc. If you prefer an RSS Feed, you can access Flying Blind, LLC Publications as they become available using https://www.toptechtidbits.com/rss.xml. And finally, if audio / video is more your style then you can follow Flying Blind, LLC on YouTube at www.youtube.com/flyingblindllc.

Shopping for accessible technology? Check out the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store at www.flying-blind.com/store.html. All products offered in the Flying Blind, LLC Online Store are products that Larry L. Lewis, Jr. either personally uses, or publicly endorses. Flying Blind, LLC is proud to offer free shipping & handling on all orders over $100.00 USD within the 48 continental United States.

Would you like to receive text-only versions of Flying Blind, LLC Publications? If so, find the link at the bottom of each Newsletter titled "Update Profile/E-Mail Address", and check this option.

Feel free to forward individual Tidbits, or the entire tidbits issue, to interested people (just make sure they don't already receive it; a lot do!) When doing this, please have the courtesy to cite your source, perhaps directing them to the Tidbits Archive (see below.)

Tidbits is intentionally concise, and we know a lot of people may not understand some items because little explanation is given. If a particular Tidbit brings up a question in your mind, feel free to ask, and we will try to answer as time and knowledge permit.

Visit the 2013 Tidbits Archive at https://www.toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2013.html where you can grab back issues. All that welcome information for future issues can be directed to our editor, Dean Martineau, at dean@topdotenterprises.com.

You can subscribe to Flying Blind, LLC Publications on the Flying Blind, LLC Website at: http://www.flying-blind.com. This method will provide you with an accessibly friendly and secure medium through which you can subscribe to our mailing list. Just enter your email address, click send, and begin receiving Flying Blind, LLC Publications. It's that easy.