Author Donna Jodhan Publications - Tuesday, March 4, 2014 - Issue 6
An Author Donna Jodhan Publication
https://www.donnajodhan.com/
Greetings,
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Section: From Flying Blind, LLC:
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Compliments of our good friends over at Flying Blind, LLC we give you the latest Volume of Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, The Week's News in Adaptive Technology. If you'd like to subscribe to this free weekly publication directly, head on over to www.flying-blind.com, or send an email to enews@flying-blind.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line.
Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, February 27, 2014 - Volume 446
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/
Greetings,
1A) Lunar Tabs is An Intelligent Accessible Guitar Tab Reader for Android and Windows:
http://tandonp.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/lunar-tabs-an-intelligent-accessible-guitar-tab-reader/
2) Lifehacker shares with us "Everything You Didn't Know You Could Do with Google's Voice Commands," especially useful for Android but also very useful with the Google iOS App:
http://lifehacker.com/everything-you-didnt-know-you-could-do-with-google-voi-512727229
3) Marco from Mozilla presents "Accessibility in Firefox for Android: Some more technical background, Part II," and there is a link to Part 1 in the article if you missed it:
http://www.marcozehe.de/2014/02/23/accessibility-in-firefox-for-android-some-more-technical-background-part-ii/
4A) Tin Star is a text adventure game for AndroiD and iOS. The first three chapters are free, the rest is available to buy now for $3.99, with the price going up on 10 March:
https://www.choiceofgames.com/user-contributed/tin-star/#utm_medium=web&utm_source=redirectmailchimp
4B) And learn about text adventure games, both those we can still play from the past, and new ones, on the CAVICast coming up on GMT Monday, 3 March at 01:00, via TeamTalk at:
http://tt.cucat.org
5) Here is the VoiceOver guide for the iPhone in handy HTML format:
http://help.apple.com/iphone/5/voiceover/en/iph3e2e4218.html
6) Fedora Outlier, LLC offers the Follow Friday Interview Series, and the latest one features an interview with John Panarese of MacForTheBlind. This is a written transcript:
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com/follow-friday-with-john-panarese-of-macfortheblind/
7) From the NVDA Community page, here is a post entitled, "Switching from JAWS to NVDA", which gives clear instructions:
http://community.nvda-project.org/wiki/SwitchingFromJawsToNVDA
8) Chris Hofstader finishes his rather unflattering assessment of Android accessibility in the article "Testing Android Accessibility: The Programmers' Perspective":
http://chrishofstader.com/testing-android-accessibility-the-programmers-perspective/
9) Meanwhile, Aaron, the blind podcaster, teaches how to droid email:
http://blindpodcaster.com/how-i-droid-email/
10) YouDescribe is a new tool that allows volunteers to add audio description to YouTube videos for free:
http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/latest_news/general/new-tool-adds-audio-description-to-youtube-videos
11) The listing of accessible iOS and Android Apps from How to be Blind doesn't claim to be complete, as at this stage, completeness would likely be impossible, but it is quite extensive:
http://htb2.com/apps/
12) Hear about the accessibility efforts of the Carroll Centre for the Blind on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 4 March at 01:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2
13) The article "Ten Tips for Braille Users of iDevices" is quite thorough. As always, when reading these posts on web forums, it is good to look at the comments that often follow:
http://www.applevis.com/blog/accessories/ten-tips-braille-users-idevices
14A) The Accessible Image Sample Book is a free online resource developed to show some of the many options for creating accessible versions of digital images, especially those found in instructional materials like digital textbooks:
http://diagramcenter.org/standards-and-practices/accessible-image-sample-book.html
14B) Learn more from the webinar presented by its authors:
http://diagramcenter.org/webinars.html
15) The Swiss National Association of and for the Blind (SNAB), offers VIP PDF-Reader, a free program which it claims is "The first PDF reader for visually impaired people." It reformats documents for easier viewing and allows for easy adjustment of fonts among other features:
http://www.szb.ch/en/PDF-Reader.html
16) AffordableCollegesOnline.org is a site dedicated to providing free higher education tools and information for current and future college students. One of the site's resources is a listing of open university courses:
http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org
17) EASI offers a $225 four-part series, Online Accessibility for Students with Disabilities:
http://easi.cc/clinic.htm
18) An upgrade to Mavericks has recently appeared. Learn about the OSX Mavericks v10.9.2 Update including VoiceOver fixes:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6114?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
19) NVDA 2014.1rc2 has been released. This is a release candidate, meaning that unless serious flaws are found, it will be identical to the official final version of this first update for 2014. It includes support for PowerPoint 2013, and various improvements for Windows Mail, Google Chrome, Excel, and ARIA web applications:
http://community.nvda-project.org/blog/NVDA2014.1rc2Released
20A) The results from WebAim's fifth screen reader survey are now in:
http://webaim.org/projects/screenreadersurvey5/
20B) A summary of the results are here:
http://webaim.org/blog/survey-5-results/
21 A-K) And as we often do, we end with this week's audio:
A) Triple Click Home #27 is out for iOS enthusiasts:
http://tripleclickhome.com/2014/02/26/triple-click-home-episode-27-will-you-be-my-family/
B) The iPhoid Podcast, which has three available episodes already, bills itself as "A podcast that will take the good and the bad from both Android and iPhone, and bring it all to you in a fair setting."
http://www.jjhof.com/IPhoid/
C) Serotalk Podcast 188 has been out for a week or so. Even if you aren't going to listen to the podcast, a look at the show notes gives a good summary of the week's technology happenings, and the mailba offers interesting perspectives:
http://serotalk.com/2014/02/20/serotalk-podcast-188-cattle-car-airways/
D) The Tech Doctor podcast is back with an interview with Rosemary Mahoney, author of "For the Benefit of Those Who See":
http://www.dr-carter.com
E) Eyes on Success 1409 focuses on Image for Windows, an Accessible Program for Backing up Your Computer:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/
Nuggets from AppleVis include:
F) Digitize Your Vinyl Records With Amadeus Pro for the Mac:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/digitize-your-vinyl-records-amadeus-pro-mac
G) Using iTunes Radio on the Apple TV with VoiceOver:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/using-itunes-radio-apple-tv-voiceover
H) How to Access and Use the Ringtones Created or Downloaded by Third Party iOS Apps:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/how-access-and-use-ringtones-created-or-downloaded-third-party-ios-apps
Finally, from BGZ come:
I) Podcast regarding Facebook for iOS:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/podcast-regarding-facebook-for-ios/
J) Podcast regarding Zello for iOS:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/podcast-regarding-zello-for-ios/
K) Audacity Loopback P1:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/audacity-loopback-p1/
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Section: Practical Tips To Enhance Your Daily Life:
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Welcome to our varied collection of links for your reading pleasure. They are meant to help you keep up with improvements and enhancements to various products and services that are a part of your daily life. Enjoy!
1) You probably think that when it comes to your smart phone, you have all of the tips and tricks that you need. No, you probably do not and if you would like to beef up your bag of tips and tricks then check out this link:
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/10-things-you-didn-t-know-your-smartphone-could-do-1183606
2) If you are presently thinking about buying an iPhone5 but are still wavering, then here is a huge benefit for you to consider! It is a terrific accessibility tool and you can check out this link:
http://www.macworld.com/article/2084805/why-the-iphone-5s-is-a-terrific-accessibility-tool.html#tk.rss_all
3) This may be old news to you, but you know what? It never hurts to revisit old news and this time it's all about the 20 most important keyboard shortcuts for Windows PC users. Check it out at:
http://www.howtogeek.com/174952/the-20-most-important-keyboard-shortcuts-for-windows-pcs/
4) Okay, how many of you continue to grapple with the challenges of being able to navigate Facebook? Do we hear a loud groan? Try this link and see how you get on!
http://lifehacker.com/5726441/the-built+in-keyboard-shortcuts-of-facebook
5A) This one is for those seeking to either replace or upgrade their hard drives. You can never have too much info at your fingertips when going shopping for hard drives. The Most (and Least) Reliable Hard Drive Brands:
http://lifehacker.com/the-most-and-least-reliable-hard-drive-brands-1505797966
5B) What Hard Drive Should I Buy?
http://blog.backblaze.com/2014/01/21/what-hard-drive-should-i-buy/
6) How many of you are constantly in search of useful links for learning how to use Google for searching purposes? Well, here you go! A very powerful link for you to check out:
http://www.googletutor.com/google-manual
7) If you are really wondering about the benefits of storing your batteries in the fridge in order to keep them fresh then this one is for you:
http://www.howtogeek.com/179486/ask-htg-should-i-store-my-batteries-in-the-fridge/
8) This link will help you to deal with the removal of malicious software, and boy do we all need this type of help:
http://www.howtogeek.com/180773/what-is-the-malicious-software-removal-tool-and-do-i-need-it/
9) And yet another link for those who want to learn more about troubleshooting wireless routing problems:
http://www.howtogeek.com/180235/how-to-troubleshoot-wireless-router-problems/
10) And finally, a great article for you to check out if you are worried about your wireless carrier gouging you. Find out the eight ways they are doing this:
http://www.howtogeek.com/164490/8-ways-your-wireless-carrier-is-gouging-you
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Section: Mystery of the Month:
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This month, I'd like to whet your appetite with a brief description of one of my audio mysteries that I have chosen for you. This one is called "The Senator's Secrets" and here is a brief description:
Young, goodlooking, and brilliant!
Who says that success does not come with a price tag?
Especially when there are secrets lurking in the background and this was part of Senator Christian Jansen's downfall.
He had absolutely no chance!
Who could have done it?
There was someone who did not want the senator to run as president because he would be too difficult to handle.
There was a Mafia boss who felt that the senator would be dangerous to them as president and he knew about Christian's previous association with the Mafia high-up.
There was yet another who wanted the good senator dead because his oil company wanted to punish the senator for having broken his promise to them.
There was someone who had something on the senator from his past which could destroy his career if publicized.
Get this audio mystery by becoming an All Access Pass Member at http://bit.ly/1om4vyi of the Author Donna Jodhan Subscription Library for the extremely affordable price of just $4.99 / month.
Your All Access Pass at http://bit.ly/1om4vyi will allow you to browse all episodes at your convenience and download each as many times as you like. As a subscriber you will also receive automatic notifications whenever additions are made to the Author Donna Jodhan Subscription Library.
The All Access Pass at http://bit.ly/1om4vyi is the very best way to enjoy all that the Author Donna Jodhan Subscription Library has to offer, and we hope that you'll take advantage of it. No commitment required. Cancel anytime. All major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal accepted.
You can also purchase this individual audio mystery on the Author Donna Jodhan Online Store at https://www.donnajodhan.com/store.html for just $0.99 USD, or an entire season of 13 mysteries for the very low price of just $9.99 USD.
Visit the Author Donna Jodhan Online Store at https://www.donnajodhan.com/store.html today to purchase your very own copies.
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Section: From the Desk of Author Donna Jodhan:
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If you would like to gain perspective as to how blind persons go about their daily activities, and how they interact with others, please go to:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
If you're looking for ways to make your products, services, and/or physical locations more accessible to those who are blind and/or partially sighted, please go to:
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/sightimpaired.html
If you would like to learn more about Author Donna Jodhan through her editorials and more please visit:
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
To learn more about what Donna does through the activities of her company please visit:
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/newsletter.html
Donna also produces various other useful posts every Saturday such as:
Helpful monthly tips.
Where to find your best American cities.
How to make your products and services more accessible.
Editorials on creating an accessible workplace.
Technology related articles each Wednesday and Thursday.
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
You can follow Author Donna Jodhan on Twitter @author_jodhan or @accessibleworld. You can also chat with her on Skype @habsfan0526.
With very best wishes,
Donna J. Jodhan AKA Detective DJ
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Section: Some Friendly Advice From Author Donna Jodhan:
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March 2014
Listen and Learn
For this month, I'd like to put forward the following suggestion: As an author I find that by listening and learning it sure helps me to generate ideas and in my world it's all about being able to listen and then learn from what I have listened to and then to generate the ideas from what I have learned.
First, I narrow down what I would like to listen to at the moment. It can be anything from listening to the babble of a brook, the gentle roll of the sea, the horns of cars, or even a documentary. Then I choose specifically what I want to zoom in on and then I go from there.
You may be saying to yourself then what really can you learn from listening to a brook or the sea? For me, the sounds of these two things teach me about the type of sounds they make as they go about their business and then I begin to develop my ideas and themes from them. For example: Just listening to the babble of a brook would help me to develop a scene in my mind and ditto from listening to the roll of the sea.
This is how I connect my dots when generating ideas.
Happy listening!
Donna J. Jodhan AKA Detective DJ
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Section: The Mysterious World of Detective DJ:
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Last month, I promised to unveil the true identity of our Detective DJ and now it's time! Detective DJ and Author Donna Jodhan are one and the same! Yes! We are one and the same and I believe that this is what helps me to be a bit unique as an author among other things.
I write and record my own mysteries in first person and I believe that by doing this, it gives me more latitude to develop plots and insert the characteristics of Detective DJ that enable me to include bits and pieces of my own personality. I can think more clearly as Detective DJ and have better control over my plots. I am sure that there are many authors out there who use similar techniques.
For next month, I'll share some of my techniques for how I go about telling the rest of the world about Detective DJ.
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Section: From Head Star Communications:
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Compliments of our good friends over at Headstar Communications we give you the latest Volume of the E-Access Bulletin, Access To Technology For All, Regardless Of Ability, at: www.headstar.com/eablive. If you'd like to subscribe to this free monthly text-only publication directly, send an email to eab-subs@headstar.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line.
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Section: Help Stop The Spread of Crime Against Innocent Victims:
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Are you tired of being bombarded with scenes of violence? Or are you simply sick of hearing about the world of crime? Or are you fed-up with all of the foul language being used around you and now you are just ready to pack it in and not listen anymore? Do you feel totally helpless when it comes to not being able to protect your kids from such things as bullying and abuse?
If your answer to any of the above questions is "yes" then please read on! There is something that we can all do to stop the spread of crime and there is no need for you to throw up your hands in desperation and surrender anymore! No, there is a simple solution just waiting for you to become a part of it and it has to do with how we listen and what we listen to!
The time has come to change the way we listen, and what we allow and encourage our kids to listen to. Yes! The time has come for us to use the spoken word to help change how our kids think, act, and react. It's all about using the power of the spoken word to reshape our mindset to become problem solvers through logic and fact rather than through violence and crime.
Donna Jodhan has developed a very unique and potent recipe for helping to fight crime and it all begins with exposing kids and their parents to clean listening through her audio mysteries. In short! A delicious salad bowl of simple ingredients that include warm heartedness, fiction, drama, suspense, intrigue, mystery, all combined with occurrences of daily life! Donna Jodhan's audio mysteries are filled with clean content that truly depicts the essence of true mystery as opposed to the use of distasteful language while at the same time it perpetuates enjoyment and pleasure through the use of real life conflict and drama.
For literally pennies you can purchase, sit, and enjoy and you know what? You can download these mysteries to your computer and to any of your i devices! No more having to worry about what your kids are listening to!
Help author Donna Jodhan stop the spread of crime by supporting her efforts to promote clean and healthy listening! Help her to stop the contamination of what our kids listen to and replace it with content that is positive and uplifting!
Visit her online store at http://donnajodhan.com/store.html.
Above all! Help our kids to grow up in a world where crime is not allowed to take up precious time!
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Section: Contact Author Donna Jodhan:
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You can follow Author Donna on Twitter at: @author_jodhan or @accessibleworld.
You can chat with her on Skype at: @habsfan0526
You can send her an email at: authordonna@donnajodhan.com
Be sure to like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaJodhan
With very best wishes for a magnificent month of March,
Donna J. Jodhan AKA Detective DJ
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Section: Author Donna Jodhan Publications Subscription Information:
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