Friday Finds for April 17 2015
Contents:
1. Fact of the day
2. How to Buy Carpet
3. Navigating Blind
4. An In-Depth Look at Apple Watch Accessibility Features
5. Simple Rules to Live By
6. GOOD ADVICE TO LIVE BY
*1) Fact of the Day:
The top six foods that make your fart are beans, corn, bell peppers,
cauliflower, cabbage and milk!
There is a species of spider called the Hobo Spider.
A toaster uses almost half as much energy as a full-sized oven.
*2) How to Buy Carpet
Everyday Cheapskate
It’s not something you buy every day. But when it’s time to buy carpet, you
want
to know your stuff. Make a bad decision and you’ll pay dearly for a long time,
and I
am not talking just about the money. You’ll pay a significant price in
dissatisfaction
and disappointment.
First, decide the style of carpet and type of fiber you want, determined by
where it
will be installed and how much money you have to spend. Visit several retail
carpet
stores that will let you take carpet samples home for a few days. Walk on them,
view them in different light. Set a heavy piece of furniture on them to see if
the fibers will “rebound” once removed.
No matter how much pressure the sales staff pours on, remember you are not
obligated to purchase from any store even if you checked out samples from
them.STYLES
Plush. Usually one solid color with even, smooth pile height. Varies from light
weight (apartment-grade) with fewer tufts per square inch to heavier weights
that are very dense. Comes in a vast range of colors. Shows footprints and
vacuum marks. Textured Plush. Two shades mixed with varying pile heights that
reduces vacuum marks and footprints. About the same price as plush. Frieze.
Very tightly twisted tufts of yarn. More expensive than plush but wears much
longer—15 years is not unusual. Durable, holds up to heavy use without matting
or showing traffic patterns. Rebounds well.
Sculptured. Has two types of tufts—loops and cut pile in varying heights. Often
called high-low. Doesn’t show much dirt. Often used in apartments.
Saxony. Very dense cut pile carpet with well-defined tufts. You can actually
see the individual tuft tips, giving it a very textured look. Has a rough,
textured appearance, although quite similar in appearance to plush.
Berber. A popular choice in recent years, berber has nothing to do with color
(usually comes in light earth tones) but with construction. Berber is made of
short looped yarn aligned in rows for a uniform look. The loops can snag and
run easily like a pair of hose. When that happens it isnearly impossible to
repair.
Cut Pile Berber. Not really berber, as the loops are all cut to make short pile
from
fat yarn. The speckled look resembles the look of berber. Looks good when new
but wears poorly.Commercial. Known for its small, low-level loops and short cut
pile. Usually glued to the floor. Not typically used in residential areas, as
it’s not soft underfoot.
FIBERS
Nylon. Synthetic fiber that out-performs all other fibers. It wears well,
cleans like a dream, resists matting and comes in all colors and styles. And it
is inexpensive.
Olefin. This fiber is made from polypropylene, a type of plastic. Olefin is
quite cheap. Most berber carpets are made of olefin. But olefin has problems.
It is difficult to clean—more like impossible—so it tends to look dingy in
traffic areas. Feels rough underfoot.
Polyester (also called P.E.T.). This feels very soft but beware: Polyester
carpet mats terribly and is not resilient. Because polyester carpet feels so
great and is quite inexpensive, it’s a favorite among uninformed consumers. Not
unlike polyester leisure suits. Remember them?
Wool. Quite expensive, but a truly elite fiber for carpet. Requires cleaning by
a specialist who deals in wool. Wears well, lasts for decades but not often
worth the price, which can be astronomical.
PADDINGS
Each carpet manufacturer recommends a specific pad for a specific style. Don’t
go higher or lower than recommended—go with exactly the type of padding
recommended for the best result.
Foam. This is the type of padding that usually comes with the “padding
included” or “free padding” offer. Don’t accept it. It will not hold up to
traffic, will flatten quickly and is not recommended for residential use.
Rebond. The most common for residential installations, rebond is made of
recycled urethane foam, is usually multi-colored and looks like lots of little
pieces stuck together (it is). It comes in a variety of densities and
thicknesses to accommodate all manufacturers’ specifications.
Fiber. Very dense and more expensive than rebond, fiber pad will help a berber
carpet wear better.
LONGEVITY
1. Take care of spots the moment they happen. Use a good spot remover like Spot
Shot.
2. Hold off as long as possible from having the carpet steam cleaned.
3. The best thing you can do for carpet is to vacuum often and thoroughly—twice
weekly if at all possible.
Have you figured it out? There is no better carpet for the price than a 100
percent nylon frieze installed over rebond pad. Nylon frieze resists stains.
Spots that do
happen come up very easily. It does not mat or become crushed, even in
high-traffic areas. It is reasonably soft underfoot and will bring you many
years of enjoyment.
That was easy. Now comes the hard part—selecting a color you will enjoy for 15
years or longer!
*2) € Magnification Items for Visually Impaired, a Guide
This tip comes from " Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, April 16 2015"
The source link to this document is:
http://www.project-ray.com/blog/visualy-impaired/magnification-items-visually-impaired-guide
Magnification devices can be a life saver for the visually impaired. By
enhancing objects and text, they are able to read labels, books and
instructions. There are a number of different types of magnifiers available for
the visually impaired that can assist them both at home and on the go.
When choosing a magnification device consider all of your vision needs. Are you
a hobbyist who needs to see small objects with your hands free? Or do you
primarily need help in the outside world with reading menus and labels?
Magnifying lenses are designed in a number of ways to assist with various
applications.
Hand Held Magnifiers – Probably the most recognized and used of all
magnification items, a hand held magnifying glass also offers the most
versatility. Small enough to fit inside of a purse or pocket, these can be used
by the visually impaired to read menu items, labels on food at the supermarket
or even newspapers.
By being able to adjust the distance between the eyes and the object being
read, these hand-held devices assist with slight vision difficulties as well as
extreme.
Hand held magnifiers come in a number of shapes and sizes, and even illuminated
to further facilitate reading. You will even be able to find inconspicuous
magnifiers that fold in and out of their own attractive case. This makes it
convenient for carrying around in a pocket without worry of being scratched.
Stand Magnifier – This type of device is ideal for the visually impaired
individual who has a passion for reading books and other long texts. Using a
lens that is mounted on legs, the magnifier can easily be moved over a book or
magazine to enhance the text.
Most of the magnification provided is with the shape of the lens, while the
view can be further enhanced by the user holding the device closer to the eye.
This increases the magnification for the user and makes it easier to read small
print, like in a newspaper.
A visually impaired individual can further increase their visibility with an
illuminated stand magnifier. They are also sold as pendants which can be worn
around the neck for easy accessibility. For hands free use, you can find stand
magnifiers mounted on an adjustable gooseneck. These are ideal for small sewing
projects, or doing crafts.
Spectacle Magnifiers – These are designed for the visually impaired who engage
in activities that require them the use of both hands. Worn just like glasses,
these come in a variety of different magnifications to meet any level of visual
impairment.
You can find this type of vision enhancer sold as a pair of glasses, or as a
clip on device to increase the visibility you are getting with your current
lenses. For those who only need to use the magnifier on a limited basis,
attachments are available that allow the spectacles to be worn around the neck.
Telescopic Magnifiers – While the other magnifiers are focused on seeing
objects in close range, telescopic lenses enhance seeing objects at a distance.
This is perfect for going to a movie or just watching TV at home. They will
also assist in mobility as you walk around outside.
There are single units available to be held up to the eye with the hand or more
sophisticated carrier systems that are worn on the head in the same fashion as
glasses. Using a kit, the user can pick and mount the lens that is offering the
best vision solution for the circumstance and enjoy the benefit of long
distance sight.
Video Magnifiers – By far the most advanced magnifier available for the
visually impaired, video magnifiers record the text being read and transmit it
to a larger screen for ease in reading. There are two types available the first
being where the image is seen on a monitor or even TV screen, while the smaller
version is a hand held magnifier with the display mounted on top.
A desktop video magnifier uses a table surface on the bottom where a camera
placed above is able to read and record the image. On top of the camera is a
monitor where that image is displayed. Reading text is not the only benefit of
a video magnifier. These can be used to view photographs, prescription bottles
and magazine articles.
The variety of magnifying tools available offer convenient solutions to vision
problems. Whether you have been visually impaired for years, or just now
learning to deal with it as an effect of growing older, these types of products
are able to enhance the entire world around you. Consider where your biggest
challenges are, and choose the products that meet them with the most ease.
*3) Navigating Blind
MDTAP Blog
http://www.equipmentlink.org/blog/?p=2905
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Ojxcon-d8a8m9wZTMcTJZkdmZs85NrrSIWfVw9HMY8QlYSK0A31I8aE4KloKALfb1_TFoub98VQ3dzLX8ZAbFAZjmQ7kWgJU6p6dWbdtYSwjiLeD6TYfL3mRHkUnyRK3OWARHtaNikWo2d9OA6A8zYRKgKtePpMqxhyO8f1CruBBHAPNBY2FtOe-tgBRnDdx3CI5Wez7PWk=&c=ZJBPrMZVwnkAEgcQ21fUncD1wVTSuEse41_Da_ocZECPTZhOfba8gA==&ch=z_uvlH4Ewjy9Df4KXhdUx0W9xDoVicpTUPwXGJ8AjQ3uw_Pf1yX33Q==>
Contributed by Joel Zimba, Special Projects Coordinator, MDTAP
(The comments here do not necessarly express my opinions. However, there some
grate points and it makes for a good read for someone trying to make an
informed decisionl.)
I recently came across this article, 9 advances helping visually-impaired
people navigate cities
<http://www.equipmentlink.org/blog/9%20advances%20helping%20visually-impaired%20people%20navigate%20cities>
, in which many technologies discussed on our blog or posted on our news feeds
are explored. Navigation apps and related tools have always been a bit of a
hobby to me, thus making this article all the more interesting. It seems like
each new device solves a particular kind of problem, which means an entire
assistive technology toolkit must come into play while navigating.
In some respects, this means selecting the best tool for the job. On the other
hand, if the mainstream approach to travel were to be sure you had your bag of
maps, a GPS system, a compass and remote navigation experts to help you get
where you were going, one might think the technology is flawed. We push the
technology to the limit. Every user has slightly different needs. The lowest
common denominator approach, which works in commercial products, simply doesn’t
work here.
In the near future I plan to feature the navigational toolkits of other blind
travelers. In the meantime here is mine: While in route, pinning down my
actual location can be difficult. I use two tools to do this. LookAround
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sendero-gps-lookaround/id386831856?mt=8> from
Sendero
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sendero-gps-lookaround/id386831856?mt=8
is a free app which gives approximate location and the nearest intersection.
Ariadne GPS <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ariadne-gps/id441063072?mt=8>
Ariadne GPS
seems to almost magically know an address range for my location. These two
keep the ball rolling, especially when in an unfamiliar location.
The walking directions from Apple Maps <https://www.apple.com/ios/maps/>
https://www.apple.com/ios/maps/
or Google Maps <https://www.google.com/maps>
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7258025,-90.2319274,13z
work quite well (mass transit is a completely different kettle of fish). The
minute detail from LookAround and Ariadne help to keep the navigational plan
going according to the bigger chunks provided by these mainstream GPS tools.
Constantly switching among these three apps does the way-finding part very
well. When selecting a destination, BlindSquare <http://blindsquare.com/> ,
http://blindsquare.com/
or even Yelp
can be a great place to start. At any given time, I could have up to five
apps which require GPS data. So, I have to add an external battery to the mix
for suitable battery life.
The Sunu device mentioned in the above article is similar in function to a
device I had built by VLINC a couple of years ago. I have used the prototypes
of Sunu and while vastly miniaturized and waterproofed, it is essentially the
same principle of object detection over varying distances. A widely available
and affordable tool like Sunu will doubtless serve all kinds of innovative
purposes. We have a similar tool in the MDTAP library which houses the
vibration motors in a pair of glasses. Responses have been mixed, but there is
much interest in the idea. I believe Sunu to be a better approach.
That brings us to in-door navigation. Everyone wants it. It isn’t just an
issue of assistive technology. For now though, it’s not going anywhere. Quite
a few exhibitors at the recent CSUN conference were explaining their novel
approach to in-door navigation, and the article discusses several as well.
All of them require cost and or considerable modification to the surroundings.
Until there is a single standard which is inexpensive, especially in
retrofitting situations, in-door navigation will prove difficult. Industrial
settings have come up with navigational systems for robots or what we now are
calling drones. This may lead to a surprising in-door solution which makes
everyone happy. I predict the biggest change in the in-door navigation arena
over the next few years.
In short, there are many great tools currently available. Many of them make
life easier and safer. I see no real game changers, though I believe there
will be—and likely sooner than any of us expect.
)
*4) An In-Depth Look at Apple Watch Accessibility Features
http://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-watch-assistive-technology-news/depth-look-apple-watch-accessibility-features
<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Ojxcon-d8a8m9wZTMcTJZkdmZs85NrrSIWfVw9HMY8QlYSK0A31I8aE4KloKALfbXElCb46sauyN6b2yxutPpZKINN_7uZEU7uWD2viscEXS2M3A_OYKj3xW30co1rMgQmIHSLz3Ykf3ZV-MHMw0aN2lSMlAJmrccAN6F9NSOnVm7vCCYxW4dWXuU5OMPCmoXFXAb3rmmzn5uP_3mBFDBxxtgd8Pdji-YbyHlI5svY85Mxsnr8ciybyfAOxvXMcvsKatFICfPUvzg2cCvF6tiVAv130ij-h-0VeuKmyBFfA=&c=ZJBPrMZVwnkAEgcQ21fUncD1wVTSuEse41_Da_ocZECPTZhOfba8gA==&ch=z_uvlH4Ewjy9Df4KXhdUx0W9xDoVicpTUPwXGJ8AjQ3uw_Pf1yX33Q==>
(Information about this BLOG comes from Flying Blind Weekly Newsletter.)
Main article found at Submitted by AppleVis
Apple has today made available a wealth of specific information regarding the
implementation of accessibility features on Apple Watch. While it was recently
announced that the watch would contain support for VoiceOver, Zoom, and Dynamic
Type
<http://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-apple-watch-assistive-technology-news/apple-watch-confirmed-have-voiceover-zoom-and>
, there have—up until this point—still been many questions about how these
features would be implemented. It is our hope that this information will be of
some assistance to blind and low vision users thinking of purchasing the
wearable. As more information becomes available in the coming days and weeks,
we will do our best to update this post accordingly.
Overview
The Apple watch is rectangular in shape with rounded edges. With Watch on your
left wrist, the layout is as follows:
· Front: The touch screen; the screen ends at the curved sides of the
watch face.
· Right Edge: Digital Crown at the top; oval-shaped "Friends" button at
the bottom.
· Back: Raised convex housing for the watch charger; watch sensors; two
small holes where the two ends of the band connect with the watch.
· Left edge: The speaker is directly across from the Digital Crown, and
the microphone is directly across from the "Friends" button.
Apple Watch includes a range of features to meet the needs of people with a
wide variety of disabilities. Watch includes VoiceOver, Zoom, an extra large
watch face, Bold Text, Grayscale, Reduce Motion, Reduce Transparency, On/Off
Labels, Mono Audio, and a taptic engine with optional Prominent Haptic
feedback. As with other Apple products, Watch is accessible right out of the
box; simply tripple-click the Digital Crown to enable VoiceOver, or ask Siri to
enable Zoom and then use the feature by double-tapping with two fingers.
Following is a detailed look at each accessibility feature, based on the
information provided to us:
VoiceOver
VoiceOver is fully integrated into the Apple Watch OS, and all of the built-in
apps are completely accessible. (David Woodbridge, member of the AppleVis
Editorial Team, previewed the Apple Watch and noted, "this is not just text to
speech on the watch, its VoiceOver.")
To enable VoiceOver during the set-up process, simply tripple-click the Digital
Crown. Alternatively, you can ask Siri to enable VoiceOver, or you can enable
it in the Watch app on your iPhone.
Once VoiceOver is enabled, below are some of the gestures you can use to
interact with the Apple Watch:
· Navigate by Item: One-finger flick left or right
· Activate an item: One-finger double tap
· Go Back to the Previous Screen: Two-finger flick left
· Explore the Screen by Touch: Move one finger around the screen
· Adjust Volume: Two-finger double tap and hold, then drag up or down
· Adjust Options within an App: One-finger flick up or down
· Deep Press (brings up clock faces or additional app controls):
One-finger tap and hold
· Access Notifications and Glances: (at the Clock screen) two finger
flick down Notifications, two finger flick up Glances
As with iOS, third-party app accessibility will depend on individual app
developers.
The Extra-Large Watch Face
Apple Watch comes with an extra-large watch face to make it easier for users
with low vision to see the time. When the extra-large watch face is enabled,
numbers take up the entirety of the screen.
Zoom
Zoom is a built-in magnifier (which magnifies up to 15 times the native size)
that works across the Watch OS. To use Zoom, use the Digital Crown to navigate
across the screen by rows, or simply use two fingers to move around the screen.
Zoom can be enabled on the watch itself, in the Watch iPhone app, or by using
the Accessibility Shortcut.
Dynamic Type and Bold Text
When Dynamic Type is enabled, text in many apps such as Mail, Messages, and
Settings is enlarged—thereby making it easier to read. Alternatively, one can
also enable Bold Text to make the text heavier across all built-in apps.
Grayscale
Apple Watch includes a Grayscale feature; when enabled, the home screen,
various apps, and more are shown in different shades of gray.
Reduce Transparency
For features like alerts, Siri, and Glances, you can increase the contrast on
Apple Watch screen by reducing the background transparency.
Reduce Motion
Reduce Motion limits the amount of movement of user interface elements. For
example, the movement of icons on the Home screen will be simpler and more
directly associated with your navigation gestures.
On/Off Labels
Apple Watch can show an on/off switch to make it easier for you to see whether
a setting is enabled or disabled.
Mono Audio
When using Bluetooth headphones, Apple Watch supports Mono Audio for those who
have hearing impairments. Additionally, Apple Watch allows one to adjust the
left/right stereo balance of audio.
Taptic Engine
The Taptic Engine is a linear actuator inside Apple Watch that produces haptic
feedback. When a notification comes in, Apple Watch will gently tap you on the
wrist; Prominent Haptic is also available to pre-announce some alerts.
Getting Started with Apple Watch Accessibility Features
· To enable VoiceOver during the Apple Watch setup process,
tripple-click the Digital Crown.
· The following features can be enabled/disabled directly on Apple
Watch: VoiceOver, Extra large watch face, Large Type, Bold Type, Zoom, Reduce
Motion and On/Off Labels.
· All accessibility settings can also be controled through the Apple
Watch iPhone app.
In addition to the information provided above, David Woodbridge, Senior
Assistive Technology Consultant at Vision Australia and member of the AppleVis
Editorial Team, had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with Apple Watch.
If you haven't already, be sure to read David's notes on the experience here:
http://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-watch-assistive-technology-news-opinion-reviews/hands-apple-watch.
Also, be sure to check back on the AppleVis website in the coming weeks, as we
plan to release a comprehensive set of materials dedicated to using the Apple
Watch with VoiceOver.
*5) Simple Rules to Live By
By Mary Hunt on 04/13/15
I have a quirk, a kind of brain glitch that annoys me to no end. I cannot
easily
distinguish left from right. My brain locks up and gives me that infamous “404
Page
Cannot Be Displayed” message.
Of course, I blame this on Mrs. Sailor. It goes back to that day in First Grade
when
she called on me to answer a simple “left or right?” question. I froze. I did
not know
the answer.
This was not good for a child who feared punishment for even the slightest
infraction. Worse, I didn’t know how I would ever figure it out. No one else in
the
class had a problem with left and right.
My six-year-old reasoning concluded that the class had learned left from right
on a
day I was home sick. She forgot to get me caught up when I returned. I would go
thirty-five years attributing my problem to a missed lesson. Imagine my relief
the
day I learned the whys and wherefores of my personal struggle. I have
directional
dyslexia type of learning disability that can be treated quite successfully
with a
series of simple exercises.
If I’d only had the courage to say I didn’t understand and to ask for help back
then,
I might have spared myself a lot of grief.
Perhaps you feel this way when it comes to managing your money. It can’t be
that
difficult because everyone around you seems to handle their money just fine.
It’s
as if you were out sick the day everyone else learned the rules of personal
finance.
I have just the relief you need: seven simple rules of personal finance to live
by. If
you will take them to heart, make them your own, and exercise them daily, I
promise they will make things better. You will save yourself a lot of grief and
empower you to take control of your personal economy
Rule 1: Spend less than you earn. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But the truth
is
that it’s a logical as it is misunderstood. Many people miss it. Without this
first rule,
you cannot master the next six.
Rule 2: Save for the future. Always save part of your paycheck and all other
money that comes into your possession. Do it as if your life depends on it. It
may.
Rule 3: Give some away. Greed is your enemy. It will ruin your life. Giving is
the
antidote. Even though you don’t have it all, you have enough. Giving some of
what
you have to someone who has even less is the way you prove it.
Rule 4: Anticipate your irregular expenses. Just because your car’s tires are
holding air and getting you around town doesn’t mean they’ll be that way six
months from now. Anticipate. Start setting aside a little every week to replace
them. Now apply that to every irregular expense you know is coming down the
pike.
Rule 5: Tell your money where to go. Give every dollar that comes into your
life
a job to do, before you allow yourself to spend it. Then make sure those
dollars do
as they’ve been told. That’s called a budget. You need one.
Rule 6: Manage your credit. Like it or not, you live in a society that rewards
those
who are creditworthy and punishes those who are not. You need to know how to
fix, improve and protect your credit score so that it remains high.
Rule 7: Borrow only what you know you can repay. The only safe way to
borrow money is to have a means to pay off the debt in reserve. That pretty
much
rules out unsecured debt. If you have it—pay it off as quickly as possible.
Want to learn more about these seven simple rules? Read my book, 7 Money
Rules for Life, now in paperback. You can get it at your local bookstore or
online.
Want your copy autographed? Go to the bookstore at DebtProofLiving.com, and
I’ll
send it out right away.
*6) GOOD ADVICE TO LIVE BY
If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
The best vitamin for making friends....B1.
The 10 commandments are not multiple choice.
The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
Minds are like parachutes...they function only when open.
Ideas won't work unless YOU do.
One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.
One who lacks the courage to start has already finished.
The heaviest thing to carry is a grudge.
Don't learn safety rules by accident.
We lie the loudest when we lie to ourselves.
Jumping to conclusions can be bad exercise.
A turtle makes progress when it sticks it's head out.
One thing you can give and still keep...is your word.
A friend walks in when everyone else walks out.
AND FINALLY...
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!!!
-- Author Unknown
“If any- one is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17,
To subscribe to Dan's tips or HotSpot with God Daily Devotional, send a blank
message to dthompson5@xxxxxxxxx and include "subscribe Dan's Tips" or Subscribe
HotSpot with God" in the subject line.
Robert Acosta, President
Helping Hands for the Blind
(818) 998-0044
www.helpinghands4theblind.org
