Top Tech Tidbits - Volume 229
The Week's News in Access Technology

Distributed by Flying Blind, LLC
http://www.flying-blind.com/

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Greetings,

1) Microsoft has released a free anti-virus program, Microsoft Security Essentials. From all reports, it is accessible. Here is a Blind Acces Journal post on how to get it;
http://blog.blindaccessjournal.com/2009/09/download-instructions-for-microsoft.html

2) Here is Lockergnome's discussion of the merits of the program:
http://www.lockergnome.com/windows/2009/10/02/is-microsofts-new-free-anti-virus-good-enough/

3) In part to respond to this new player in the market, AVG version 9.0 will be coming soon and will still be free and include more features.
http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/2009/10/05/new-avg-9-more-protections-still-free/

4) As Microsoft prepares to release Windows 7, Kathy Ann Murtha is offering an 8-week, $400 course on Windows Vista for which a certificate of completion can be had if you attend all sessions and pass all exams with 80% or higher.
http://tinyurl.com/y9j5mxo

5) The LazLight is a specialized $239 light which may be of use to some people with low vision.
http://www.lazlight.com/

6) The gamers mailing list often points to new accessible computer games. You can read the archive here
http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org
and if you want to join, send a blank message to
gamers-subscribe@audyssey.org

7) Thanks to blindBargains.com, we discover this post, containing many links to online resources, entitled 10 Small Businesses That Are Free or Cost Little to Start Up
http://www.wisebread.com/10-small-businesses-that-are-free-or-cost-little-to-start-up

8) For the right person, this could be beneficial: the free program StrokeIt lets you use gestures with the mouse and have Windows carry out a command or sequence of commands, perhaps somewhat like what Mac users can do, and many of them like it.
http://www.tcbmi.com/strokeit/

9) This Mark Taylor podcast discusses what's new in MobileSpeak version 4.0
http://www.codefactory.es/podcast/MS-TechShare-2009.mp3

10) David Chittendon explains the technical differences between CDMA and GSM mobile phone technologies:
http://mark.candleshoreblog.com/2009/09/28/a-comment-on-cdma-versus-gsm-wireless-technology/#more-602

11) Version 12 of Kurzweil 1000, the specialized OCR program for the blind, is to begin shipping on 15 October. Here are the new features:
http://www.kurzweiledu.com/downloads_kez1000.aspx

12) The Word is a Bible search and study site with a growing library of materials in English and Spanish. The author has introduced a magnification option.
http://www.thewordmodules.com/visuallyimpaired.html

13) Tek Talk presents: “Internet Explorer 8 with JAWS, Window-Eyes and System Access on GMT Tuesday 13 October at 00:00 GMT.
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

14) Bill Boules' podcast continues. He has announced a contest whose winner can receive either a Netbook or an iPod Touch.
http://www.gcast.com/u/billboules/main.xml

15) Serotek will begin holding free educational events every GMT Friday at 01:00 using its Accessible Event package. you can listen to and view the one held on GMT 2 October
http://accessibleevent.com/332130257/archive/281/

16) Three YouTube videos teaching use of the APH Refreshabraille 18 are available. Here is the link to part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ_aYCJ0yAE

17) I have no idea if the accessible Linux distributions will run on this, but here is a way to get a Linux Netbook for around $50:
http://www.lockergnome.com/linux/2009/09/28/the-50-netbook-yes-i-am-completely-serious/

18) Adaptive Information Systems often announces reduced prices on the various equipment, usually CCTV's that he sells. Contact him by e-mail at
aistech@ameritech.net
or check the site
http://www.adaptiveinformation.org

19) Minnesota State Services for the Blind is seeking an adaptive technology specialist. The job closes 16 October.
https://statejobs.doer.state.mn.us/JobPosting/a016f2279bdccd964dff9315f4ff1f33/View

For questions and comments regarding Tidbits, please e-mail Dean Martineau at dean@topdotenterprises.com. Dean Martineau provides adaptive technology training by phone, online, and in person, with flexible arrangements, and at affordable prices.

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