Distributed by Flying Blind, LLC
http://www.flying-blind.com/
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.
News
1.) Blind Bargains Interviews from the ATIA Conference
The ATIA Conference is now over. Blind Bargains has created a page where you can easily access all the interviews they conducted in other recordings they made during the conference. Many recent Tidbits have come from news announced at that Conference.
http://www.blindbargains.com/redirect.php?redirect=2638
2.) J-Say Professional Version 6 Coming Soon
Next Generation Technologies announces that J-Say Professional Version 6 will soon be available. A new Feature Pack for the program will be made available in April. This free upgrade will contain a simplified installation routine and more organized training materials.
http://ngtvoice.com/products/software/tandt/jsay/
3.) Serotek’s Free System Access Screen Reader Moves to a Foundation
Serotek is seeking to revolutionize the adaptive technology industry. They have spun off a foundation called Accessibility Is A Right and have turned over distribution and development of their free online screen reader System Access To Go to that foundation. Henceforth, anybody anywhere with Internet access has free unlimited use of this screen reader, which is probably the most fully developed free screen reader available. The company indicated plans to create other language versions of the product, with Mandarin Chinese being their first target.
http://www.accessibilityisaright.org
4.) Songfacts: Stories About Your Favorite Songs
Here is a website where people can find out stories about their favorite songs.
http://www.songfacts.com
5.) David Bailes’s JAWS Guide to Internet Explorer 7
David Bailes has written a thorough JAWS Guide to Internet Explorer 7, another in his growing series of comprehensive guides for the JAWS user.
http://vip.chowo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/jaws/Internet-Explorer-7-Guide.html
6.) Amazon Purchases Audible.com
A lot of folks with vision loss enjoy reading books through Audible.com. Now, Amazon has purchased the company.
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10401354/1/amazons-audible-play.html
7.) Windows Vista Service Pack One FAQ
Thanks to The Ranger Station, if you want to know what’s coming up with Windows Vista Service Pack one, you can read this FAQ:
http://www.winsupersite.com/faq/vista_sp1.asp
8.) Two Electronic Versions of Etch a Sketch
Over the years, a lot of children with the sight to do so have enjoyed drawing on Etch a Sketch. Now, thanks to Fred’s Head Companion, we learn about two electronic versions of this old favorite. First, there’s the free online version.
http://www.etchy.org/
And you can also buy a version that allows you to draw using a controller , and view pictures on a television.
http://www.lighterside.com/product/66526.do?WT.srch=1&code=QLP&AID=10388556&PID=1830967
9.) HumanWare Maestro 2.1 Adds Web Access
Humanware announces that version 2.1 of Maestro, its excessible PDA which can house the Trekker GPS program, now features accessibility to the web. The upgrade is free to owners of the unit.
http://www.humanware.ca/web/en/maestro.html
10.) Richard McKinley’s OE Manager
Richard McKinley has written a program called OE manager, intended to create a simpler interface to Outlook Express.
http://www.geocities.com/r_mckinley2000/oemanager.html
11.) This audio news report discusses access to tactile maps on demand
http://www.kqed.org/quest/radio/view/747
12.) WAI Recommendations on Accessible Dynamic Web Content
Here are background documents and recommendations from the WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) regarding making dynamic web content accessible to users with disabilities; comments are sought.
http://www.w3.org/mid/47A75B7E.6040405@w3.org
13.) The DAISY Consortium Is Looking for Input
The Daisy consortium is also hlooking for input for the next version of its specifications.
http://www.daisy.org/z3986/requirements/
The Daisy web site is
http://www.daisy.org/
14.) Ai Squared Releases ZoomText Scripting Edition
Ai Squared has released ZoomText Scripting Edition, which allows those with the skill to do so to make ZoomText a more efficient screen reading/magnification product. The company also seeks people who have scripting skills so they can refer users who need custom scripts developed. They offer a 20% discount on the $999 purchase price, and presumably on upgrades, through February.
http://www.aisquared.com
15.) Tactile Diagrams on CD from View International Foundation
View International Foundation sells cd’s containing tactile diagrams developped for use by college students. The entire collection comprises 11,280 files and sells for $259, but individual theme-based cd’s can be purchased depending on the need. The diagraps are to be printed onto capsule paper.
http://www.viewinternational.org/diagrams.htm
16.) Colorado Center for the Blind Technology Instructor Job
The Colorado Center for the Blind will hire a Technology Instructor. To apply, e-mail resume to:
celzi@cocenter.org
17.) BoxCloud Shares Large Files Without Uploading
In the first of several useful items from Fred’s Head Companion to wrap up, here is BoxCloud, a way to share large files with friends and colleagues without having to upload the files to a central repository:
http://www.boxcloud.com/downloads/setup.exe
18.) SimplifyMedia for Sharing Your Music Collection
In a similar vein, SimplifyMedia lets you access your own music and media collection from another computer, or share with friends:
http://www.simplifymedia.com/
19.) SkreemR Audio Search Database
SkreemR is a database for finding audio content on the net, with the reliability of each source rated and with places for potential purchase within easy reach:
http://skreemr.com/
20.) Woomz Music Search Engine
Woomz is another search engine for music and audio content.
http://www.woonz.com/
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