Author Donna Jodhan Publications Header. Includes Author Donna Jodhan Logo with Tagline that reads Author Donna Jodhan Publications.

Author Donna Jodhan Publications - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - Issue 8

An Author Donna Jodhan Publication
https://www.donnajodhan.com/

Greetings,

***************************************
Section: From Flying Blind, LLC:
***************************************

Compliments of our good friends over at Flying Blind, LLC we bring 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, May 1, 2014 - Volume 455
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

You are receiving this email from Flying Blind, LLC because you subscribed to receive Flying Blind, LLC Publications. To ensure that you continue to receive Flying Blind, LLC Publications please add enews@flying-blind.com to your address book today.

Read this Volume of Top Tech Tidbits on the web at: http://www.flying-blind.com/tidbits2014/05012014/index.html

Photo of the Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display for $2,295.00 USD !!!

This gently used new generation of Brailliant refreshable Braille displays gives you desktop USB/Bluetooth access in a form factor conducive for use with your favorite portable tablet/smartphone. Ergonomic thumbkeys together with Braille input keys make entering Braille text and navigating through the most complex Apps a snap for Windows, iOS, or Android users. The Brailliant BI line of displays are Flying Blind, LLC's preferred and most-used desktop Braille displays in a variety of settings. This unit ships with close to one year remaining on its manufacturer's warranty and is listed here at over 22% off of its suggested retail price, giving you a nearly $800.00 USD savings! We'll even throw in an additional Brailliant carrying case, valued at $90.00 USD, to anyone wishing to add a splash of style and class to their Brailliant!!! Price includes shipping within the 48 Continental United States. This unit will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. To be the first to secure this unit please use the Buy Now link included below. For more information, or to order this product offline, email featured@flying-blind.com or call +1 (216) 381-8107 today.

Buy Now - One Refurbished Brailliant BI 40 Cell Refreshable Braille Display for $2,295.00 USD - Flying Blind, LLC Online Store
http://bit.ly/1f8oYrC

1) A step forward has been made in accessibility to free Office suites with the release of OpenOffice 4.1 with built-in iAccessible2 support. Screen readers with this support should, in theory, be able to work with OO out of the box, without the need to install Java Access Bridge. Reportedly, support is best with NVDA, with the most recent update for JAWS, which works in most places and forthcoming versions of Window-Eyes may also have support:
http://www.openoffice.org

2) GW Micro has announced that it has expanded its services beyond software and hardware for people who are blind or visually impaired. It will now be offering services to organizations who are required to develop, procure, maintain and use electronic and information technology (EIT) that is accessible to people with disabilities. GW Micro's accessibility services will also be available to any person or organization who is interested in making their websites, documents or software accessible and compliant with Section 508 standards, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), or the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
http://www.gwmicro.com

3) Accessibility has largely been returned to the mainstream version of the Fleksy iOS keyboard app, which many people find to be an effective tool for writing on iDevices:
http://fleksy.com/journey-towards-accessibility-we-are-home/

4) The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network along with other organizations there have embarked on a campaign to rid the world of CAPTCHA's, the inaccessible boxes that contain squiggly characters that many web sites require for security. So if you run into one of those and can't fill it out, send the Kill CAPTCHA letter:
https://accan.org.au/news-items/hot-issues/781-captcha-what-you-can-do

5) Another article casting doubts on the fitness of Android for the generality of users is "Why Android Is Not Accessible. And What Is Accessibility Anyway?"
https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140429154036-29289122-why-android-is-not-accessible-and-what-is-accessibility-anyway

6) Jonathan Mosen has written "Words and Disability - The Delicate Balance"
http://publicaddress.net/9228

7) HIMS will offer a webinar, "Aker: Math Made Easy with Advanced Nemeth Capabilities on the Braille Sense!," on Wednesday, 13 May at 19:00 GMT. Register even if you can't attend in person and they'll send you a recording:
http://hims-inc.com/webinar-registration-nemeth-braille-sense-makes-math-easier/

8) We have ceded to the request from Sight Enhancement Systems to include this link to a YouTube video about Flick, purported to be the world's first robotic camera for students who are visually impaired:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRvyfBkHDGI&feature=youtu.be

9) Barrier-free Information Technology EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) is a month-long course designed to guide an institution in making both its computer and information technology systems fully accessible to its users with disabilities. The course starts May 5:
http://easi.cc/adaptit.htm

10) Many of our more than 6,000 readers live outside the United States or speak primary languages other than English, so we are always happy to mention websites that will assist speakers of those languages as well. This is a Spanish-language website regarding assistive technology:
http://www.manolo.net

11) This new AppleVis guide post is called "How to Partition a Drive in OS X":
http://www.applevis.com/node/10359

12) Read this NFB AT blog post on an intriguing navigation device under development:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/ustraap-system

Moving on to the week's audio material:

13A) From the aforementioned Spanish-language site, where you can find a regular podcast and its archive, comes a review of Window-Eyes:
http://www.tifloaudio.com/podpress_trac/web/125/0/ta045.mp3

From the SPN Network:

13B) Serotalk podcast 196 has been out for a week, so #197 may well come soon:
http://serotalk.com/2014/04/23/serotalk-podcast-196-the-jamie-dilemma/

13C) They also give us High Contrast Issue 20:
http://serotalk.com/2014/04/28/high-contrast-episode-20-screen-dump/

13D) Episode 1 of the Blindpodcaster's latest series, Blind We Are, is out:
http://blindpodcaster.com/blind-we-are-001/

13E) From RNIB's Insight Radio comes "Music Event Provides Opportunities For Blind Musicians":
http://www.insightradio.co.uk/podcast-episode.html?category=early_edition&name=2014-04-22_reading_music_tx.mp3#.U2EMYWdOXiz

13F) Eyes on Success 1418 features the NFT Newsline Service:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/

The three podcasts from BGZ this week are:

13G) Olympus DM620 Demonstration:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/olympus-dm620-demonstration/

13H) Classic Shell:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/classic-shell/

13I) And TalkingFlix, Coming Soon To Speakers Near You by Cool Blind Tech:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/talkingflix-coming-soon-to-speakers-near-you-by-cool-blind-tech/

AppleVis' two offerings are:

13J) Quick Tip: How to Add and Edit Contacts on your iOS Device:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/quick-tip-how-add-and-edit-contacts-your-ios-device

13K) And Add Something Different to your Social Networking With Melt for iOS:
http://applevis.com/podcast/episodes/add-something-different-your-social-networking-melt-ios

13L) AccessTalk Podcast 24 covers Windows Phone 8.1, Office 365 Personal, Samsung smartphone peripherals and the Blaze EZ:
http://accesstalk.co.uk/podcast-24/

13M) Episode 384 of Our Place Podcast is the second part of a discussion of the Telorion Phone:
http://t.co/6OlEURS9jn

***************************************
Section: Practical Tips To Enhance Your Daily Life:
***************************************

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.) With tornado season fast creeping up on us, we'dlike to kick things off with a very useful link for you to check out. It never hurts for you to be ready ahead of the game:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/tornadosafety.html

2.) This next link is for those of you who have a small business and are looking for tips on how to choose a secure point of sale system. Check this one out:
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6195-tips-for-choosing-a-secure-pos.html

3.) Are you concerned about the intake of daily fluids? Are you looking for ways to meet your daily fluid needs? Check this out:
http://www.graskyendurance.com/5-helpful-tips-to-meet-daily-fluid-needs.html

4.) This next link is for those of you who are looking to gain weight and bulk up on muscle:
http://health.india.com/fitness/10-simple-tips-to-gain-weight-and-put-on-muscle/

5.) Want to avoid those mobile security problems when using mobile apps? Well here is a really great article to check out:
http://searchcio.techtarget.com/tip/Six-tips-for-avoiding-mobile-security-problems-with-mobile-apps

6.) For those of you who enjoy the scent of sweet smells, check this out. Scentsy flameless candles and warmers:
http://www.warmupscents.com/

7.) Are you a person who is constantly on the go? And having trouble finding those healthy foods while you are so? Then this is for you:
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2014/apr/19/mary-ganzel-five-tips-for-healthy-eating-on-the-go/

8.) And for those of you constantly in search of random keyboard shortcuts. There are some very interesting tricks here for you to discover:
https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/odds-and-ends-bite-sized-bits-access-technology-goodness

9.) And finally, if you are seeking some great and nutritious pre and post workout snacks, check this out:
http://www.stylebistro.com/Health+Diet+Fitness/articles/R4Nc5We6JAN/Best+Pre+Post+Workout+Snacks+Nutritionist

***************************************
Section: Mystery of the Month:
***************************************

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 "Bad Luck in Leafy Lane" and here is a brief description:

She was young, beautiful, and very smart.
She had lots of friends but with all of this, someone wanted her dead.
It all came down to jealousy, obsession, and revenge.
Why was Carie Christiansen killed?
Who could have done it?

Was it Stefan who was very angry after his break up with Carie?
Was it Mitchel who had promised his ice skating girlfriend to help destroy Carie?
Was it Bruno who had been hired to kidnap Carie?
Was it Andrew who had had a huge crush on Carie?

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.

***************************************
Section: From the Desk of Author Donna Jodhan:
***************************************

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

***************************************
Section: Some Friendly Advice From Author Donna Jodhan:
***************************************

May 2014
Using Music to Generate

For this month, I'd like to focus on how one can use music to help generate ideas and get into the right mood. You would be really surprised to know how music can help you to generate ideas as well as help to put you in the right type of mood.

I often use music to help me get started. Music is so very flexible and fascinating when it comes to being a great tool for generating. Sometimes, it takes me a bit of time before I can find just the right piece of music or song to do the trick. If I am having difficulty concentrating and focusing then I go to my favorites folders and start working through my collection.

There is not really any specific type of music that I use. It can be anything from classic to easy listening, or anything from easy rock to soft disco. It could even be anything from a Christmas carol or song to a popular ballad. Sometimes I may even go to my keyboard and compose something to help me get a kick start.

I invite you to give this strategy a try. And happy generating with music.

Donna J. Jodhan AKA Detective DJ

***************************************
Section: The Mysterious World of Detective DJ:
***************************************

Last month I promised to tell you what Detective DJ does in order to recharge and relax. It is really very simple!

This hard working detective is extremely organized and each day she puts aside specific times for doing such things as exercising on her stationary bike, taking time to inhale the fresh air, and spending time just meditating for a few minutes. If there is any spare time left she plays chess and composes on her electronic keyboard. She loves the beach, ice skating, and enjoys healthy and stimulating conversation.

For next month, I'll tell you how the good detective went about creating her fictional team.

***************************************
Section: From Head Star Communications:
***************************************

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.

***************************************
Section: Help Stop The Spread of Crime Against Innocent Victims:
***************************************

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!

***************************************
Section: Closing:
***************************************

With very best wishes for a merry month of May,
Donna J. Jodhan AKA Detective DJ

***************************************
Section: Author Donna Jodhan Publications Subscription and Contact Information:
***************************************

SUBSCRIBE: Do you, a friend, or colleague wish to receive Author Donna Jodhan Publications? If so, please use or pass along our CAPTCHA-free sign-up link, which is: http://bit.ly/1rXAyGA. You can also subscribe to Author Donna Jodhan Publications on the Author Donna Jodhan Website at: https://www.donnajodhan.com or by (SMS) texting "DONNAJODHAN" to 22828. Any of these methods will provide you with an accessibly friendly and secure medium through which you can subscribe to our mailing list. Just enter your name and email address, click send, and begin receiving Author Donna Jodhan Publications. It's that easy.

FACEBOOK: Are you on Facebook? Stop by and "Like" Author Donna Jodhan to begin receiving Author Donna Jodhan Publications as part of your Facebook News Feed today at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.

TWITTER: Follow Author Donna Jodhan on Twitter at @author_jodhan or @accessibleworld today.

YOUTUBE: If audio / video is more your style then you can follow Author Donna Jodhan on YouTube at www.youtube.com/donnajodhan.

SKYPE: Connect with Author Donna Jodhan on Skype at @habsfan0526.

RSS FEED: If you prefer an RSS Feed, you can access Author Donna Jodhan Publications as they become available using: https://www.donnajodhan.com/feed.xml.

ONLINE STORE: Shopping for audio mysteries? Check out the Author Donna Jodhan Online Store at: http://www.donanjodhan.com/store.html.

ARCHIVE: Visit the 2014 Author Donna Jodhan Publications Archive at https://www.donnajodhan.com/adj-publications-2014.html where you can grab back issues.

CONTACT: You may contact Author Donna Jodhan via email at: donnajodhan@donnajodhan.com.

***************************************