The Week’s News in Access Technology
A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/
This Week’s Featured Advertisement
Training with Dean Martineau
Are you looking for top-notch yet affordable adaptive technology training covering a variety of both mainstream and adaptive hardware and software solutions? Dean Martineau provides adaptive technology training in English and Spanish, by phone, online, and in person, with flexible arrangements, and at affordable prices. For more information please email dean@topdotenterprises.com.
Greetings,
We at Flying Blind, LLC would like to wish you a most satisfying, rewarding, and safe 2012!
News
1.) Reasons for Staying with a Windows Laptop
Here’s one blogger’s reasons for staying with a windows laptop rather than using other portable devices:
http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/2011/12/22/six-reasons-why-i-am-sticking-with-a-new-windows-powered-laptop/
2.) Carroll Center Online Diabetes Course
The Carroll Center has added a third course on diabetes to its online offerings. Diabetes and Visual Impairment: A New View for Health Professionals is currently free, accessible to all who wish to take it, and various accrediting agencies provide continuing education credits.
http://go.madmimi.com/redirects/6aa727a0be7e0a7f249d5a53c3233c53?pa=6887559955
3.) AppleVis Blog News
By visiting the AppleVis blog, you can learn how they are Making it Easier to Find Relevant Content on the AppleVis Site, learn about the campaign to create the AppleVis iOS App Hall of Fame, and discover the appleVis podcast, among other discoveries.
http://www.applevis.com/blog
4.) Nokia Screen Reader Version 1.1
Version 1.1 of the Nokia Screen Reader is now available.
http://store.ovi.com/content/224364
5.) Comparing Digital Music Services
Here is an interesting comparison of some of the many digital music services available, of course not taking accessibility into account.
http://t.co/ufwCMCIB
6.) Association of Blind Citizens Assistive Technology Fund
An organization called the Association of Blind Citizens offers an Assistive Technology Fund to US residents. the Fund provides financial resources to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software.
http://www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm
7.) Main Menu Is Seeking New Applicants
The ACB Radio Main Menu staff are now seeking new applicants for the volunteer Main Menu production team. To receive an application, send an email to
mainmenu@acbradio.org
8.) New Features in ZoomText 10
From AI Squared, here is information about the new features in ZoomText version 10:
http://www.aisquared.com/zoomtext/more/whats_new_in_zoomtext_10
Videos demonstrating the new version:
http://www.aisquared.com/support/more/tutorial
Free 60-day trial of ZoomText 10 is here:
http://www.aisquared.com/zoomtext/more/download_zoomtext_trial/
Info and a video about the hand-held video magnifier i-loview can be found here:
http://www.aisquared.com/hardware/categories/category/iloview/
9.) The Blind-Aid Yahoo Group
Blind-aid is a Yahoo group where people can discuss blindness issues and make friends. To join, send a blank message to
blind-aid-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
10.) SVGToSIG Version 3
For the mathematically inclined, SVGToSIG is a converter which allows owners of non-Tiger embossers to emboss SVG files. Version 3 is now available.
http://nonvisualdevelopment.org/content/svgtosig-amanda-lacy
11.) SeroTalk Podcast 90: Four People Who Tackled Challenges
Serotalk Podcast 90 features interviews with four people, including a blind food critic, programmer and student, each of whom saw a problem or a challenge and tackled it head on. They didn’t take no for an answer and they didn’t let obstacles detour them from their goals.
http://serotalk.com/2011/12/28/serotalk-podcast-90-getting-it-done/
12.) MobilSpeak 5.7 for Symbian Belle
With the advent of MobilSpeak 5.7 from code Factory, the latest iteration to the Symbian operating system, Symbian Belle, is now accessible.
http://codefactory.es/en/products.asp?id=318
13.) Tech Access Weekly Assistive Technology Podcasts
Tech Access Weekly features short Daily tips podcasts and some longer, comprehensive ones regarding assistive technology.
http://techaccessweekly.com/
14.) Robert Carter’s Software Stocking Stuffers
Robert Carter gave himself three “software stocking stuffers” and talks about them in his podcast.
http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/robertcarter/DcSzlPXiES6QkhIocaGVQvc3khIkkJg9Sjd7agoLswSi3vSRKysX3iPWayyp/Three_Stocking_Stuffers.mp3
15.) From CNET: 5 great uses for your old Windows computer
16.) These 5 Things to Do with a New Android Phone
One blogger suggests you do These 5 Things Immediately when you get a new Android phone:
http://mashable.com/2011/12/26/new-android-setup-phone/ via @mashable.
17.) REACH Center Computer Instructor Applications
The REACH Center for the Blind in Tupelo, MS will be accepting applications for a computer Instructor. Email:
cconyers@mdrs.ms.gov
Subscription Information
Would you like to receive text-only versions of the Top Tech Tidbits and Adaptech Insider Newsletters? 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 2011 Tidbits Archive at https://www.toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2011.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 Top Tech Tidbits on the Flying Blind, LLC Website at: http://www.flying-blind.com. Here you will find an accessibly friendly and secure form into which you can enter your email address, click submit, and begin receiving Tidbits weekly. It’s that easy.