[access-uk] new free weekly summary of adaptive tech news available
- From: Dean Martineau <dean@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: blind-x@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, blindtech@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, blindad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, jfwlist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, gui-talk@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 13:47:20 -0800
Introducing TTTT (Top Tech Tidbits on Thursday,) a free, concise weekly
summary of what's new in adaptive technology, technology as it relates to
the blind, and Internet audio.
Some of you remember that Amy Ruell undertook a few years ago to create a
subscription-based system for keeping all of us up to date on the latest
happenings in technology for the blind. TTTT's price and scope are much
different, but the aim is the same. How many people do you know who would
like to stay abreast with the latest news, but don't want to monitor many,
or any mailing lists? Now they can subscribe to TTTT.
TTTT is free, and plans are for it to remain free. It will appear on
Thursdays stateside. Subscriber e-mail address are used only for sending
the newsletter, and are not shared.
Progress in adaptive technology occurs both through the efforts of
companies who provide adaptive software and hardware, and through the
initiatives of individuals who either customize a program or device to make
it accessible or discover a hitherto unknown gem. We'll feature both types
of news in TTTT.
You might find two other sorts of tidbits in TTTT, especially in slow news
weeks. First, you might find an intriguing web page or two to look
at. (Those of you who were around during the Sound Computing days know I
have quite a few of these, and you are free to pass on your own
discoveries.) Second, you might find a link to a freeware or shareware
program I or somebody else have discovered and found useful.
To join TTTT, send a blank message to tttt-join@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, then
reply to the confirmatory message. Or visit
http://topdotenterprises.com/mailman/listinfo/tttt_topdotenterprises.com
If you have news, big or small, that you think others might benefit from,
send it along and, if I agree, I'll distill it and include it in an
upcoming issue.
To show you what TTTT is like, I'm putting the first issue here below.
I am sending this message to these lists: blind-x, blindad, blindtech,
access-uk, jfwlist, and gui-talk. Feel free to post it to other lists
where it is on topic, and to individuals who might be interested.
TTTT, December 16, 2004
In this first issue of TTTT, we'll catch up a little on recent news, so
this issue might be busier than most.
Jonathan Mosen doesn't get to do as much general technology reviewing as he
once did, but he did review the new Google desktop search program, quite
favorably.
http://www.audioblog.com/playweb?player=2&audioid=Pf8af5d43dc2dce27c993eaa48f4e6685ZV56QlREYmJy&buffer=5&autoplay=1&fcolor=CCFF33&bcolor=FFFFFF&size=20
The folks at the International Braille and Technology Center of the U.S.
NFB have created a Gift Guide 2004, published in the November Braille
Monitor. http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm04/bm0411/bm041110.htm
Kathy Ann Murgha is offering 25% off her adaptive technology textbooks
purchased during this holiday time. http://www.accesstechnologyinstitute.com
The public beta process has begun for Window-Eyes version 5.0. This
version promises improved access to Microsoft Word, access to the popular
web browser Mozilla, a better color dictionary and a more sensible laptop
keyboard layout, anong other improvements. For information or to try it:
http://www.gwmicro.com/index.php?showStory=11. For an audio demonstration
conducted by one of the testers, on For the People:
http://gwmicro.com/audio/a-d-11-28-04.mp3
the November, 2004 issue of AccessWorld contains a review of the two
systems seeking to make mobile phones accessible to the blind:
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050604
Users of the Pac Mate can now benefit from scripts designed to make the AIM
instant messaging client more accessible. Get the scripts at
http://www.pacmategear.com/files/scripts/AimScripts.zip. Scripts are also
available for the Olive Tree Bible program, at
http://www.pacmategear.com/files/scripts/OliveTreeScriptsV10.zip
A series entitled Talking Turkey about Household Appliances and Consumer
Electronics begins in the December issue of the Braille Monitor with a
discussion of the pitfalls of buying usable stoves and ovens:
http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm04/bm0412/bm041205.htm. The same issue contains a
discussion of accessible to Microsoft products by Curtis Chong:
http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm04/bm0412/bm041206.htm
Moving Mountains Technology is making their easy-to-use Diary 2005
available for free download at http://www.moving-mountains.com/
A talking dictionary is available from the UK for the cost of shipping:
http://www.rwfts.com/
The makers of the Freedom Box have released a public beta of System Access,
a low-cost, new and transportable way to gain access to conducting basic
Windows tasks without a screen reader. To try it, go to
http://freedombox.info.
The Access to Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities Act of
2004 has passed, strengthening existing ATAP's which are a leading source
of funding for adaptive technology in the
U.S. http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw060109&Special=33
ACBRadio conducted extensive and historic live broadcasts from the World
Blind Union convention in Capetown, South Africa. This material is now
available on demand, at
http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=30&MMN_position=41:29
In a recent discussion on one list of the best places to buy compact flash
cards, recommendations included http://www.buy.com and http://www.dealram.com/
Finally, JAWS for Windows 6.0 was released on Wednesday afternoon. This
version provides Remote Access for Citrix and Terminal Services, new
abilities to customize display of hard-to-read web controls, as well as pdf
and Word forms, a demo of Freedom Scientific's daisy reader, and many more
enhancements. http://www.hj.com/fs_products/software_jaws60intro.asp
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