Accessible World presents An introduction to Facebook, Tek Talk, Juoly 20

News Wire

     

On Monday July 20^th, JoAnn Becker will present an introduction to Facebook, one of the world's largest social networks. She will discuss the myriad ways in which people are using this social utility to communicate with one another. Users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with people. They can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to inform friends about themselves.

 

During this presentation JoAnn will demonstrate:* how to register and create an account;* how to build a personal profile; *how to add friends; * how to upload photos; * how to explore settings.

 

If there are classmates, colleagues, friends with whom you wish to reconnect, Facebook may be able to help. 

 

Date:  Monday, July 20 2009.

 

Time:  5:00 p.m. PDT, 6:00 p.m. MDT, 7:00 p.m. CDT, and 8:00 p.m. EDT

           And elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT

 

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

 

Or, alternatively.

 

Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at: http://www.accessibleworld.org. Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

 

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org

 

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees. To speak to us, hold down the control key and talk; then let up to listen. 

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

 

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website http://www.accessibleworld.org.

 

Accessible World Contacts:

 

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

 

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@pcomcast.net

 

George Buys, CEO

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

 

 

Tek Talk presents Accessible Captchas and the Solona web site, July 13, 2009

News Wire:

 

Accessible World Talks about Captchas on the Internet

 

During the July 13, 2009 installment of the Accessible World Tek Talk Room, Bernard Maldonado, Founder of Solona.net, the Free Captcha Solution Service for visually impaired people, talks about all aspects of Captcha.  While this tool limits spam registrations, and spam blog posts, it also affects the way visually impaired people surf the internet.  Some sites offer usable audio captchas; most sites do not.  In any case, people with both visual and hearing difficulties are affected even more.

 

The presentation will address different kinds of captcha, specific site examples, components of captcha, and the future of captcha.

 

Bernard will also discuss Solona and what role it plays in helping visually impaired people independently solve captchas on the net.

 

Please follow @solona on Twitter and submit questions that you have prior to the presentation so that Bernard can address your specific question, or email your questions before July 13 to: MySolona@gmail.com.  You may also ask questions at the end of the presentation 

 

Contact Info: Bernard Maldonado

Email:  MySolona@gmail.com

Skype: bernardmaldonado

Twitter: @solona

 

 

 

Date:  Monday, July 13, 2009.

 

Time:  5:00 p.m. PDT, 6:00 p.m. MDT, 7:00 p.m. CDT, and 8:00 p.m. EDT

           and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT

 

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

 

Or, alternatively.

 

Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at: http://www.accessibleworld.org. Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

 

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org

 

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees. To speak to us, hold down the control key and talk; then let up to listen. 

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

 

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website http://www.accessibleworld.org.

 

Accessible World Contacts:

 

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

 

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@pcomcast.net

 

George Buys, CEO

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

__________

Nittany Greyhounds needs your help

Last year I learned of a group in Pennsylvania that helps to find loving homes for greyhounds after they have served their usefulness at dog tracks around the country. A friend of mine in the Harrisburg area has taken in a couple of these dogs in the past and asked me to buy some raffle tickets to help raise funds for the organization and I gladly did so to help them out.

 

My friend Tom has once again asked me for help.  Nittany Greyhounds is once again in need of help.  One of the dogs they have rescued from the dog tracks has broken it's leg and has had to undergo expensive surgery.  Tom asked me if I could spread the word around for donations in order to help Nittany Greyhounds cover this extreme cost.

 

So I'm posting the message below for anyone out there that may be interested in helping out.  Nittany Greyhounds  is a worthy cause and I hope that you will consider helping them out.  Any donation would be greatly appreciated.

 

The web site is:

www.nittanygreys.org

and here is the message that Nittany Greyhounds sent out:

We need your help. Faith, one of our newest arrivals, broke her leg while running at the kennel last week. We prayed for a bad sprain but it is, in fact, broken. In fact, she is having surgery today--two pins to hold her ankle bones in place until they heal. Anyway, the estimate for this surgery is $1800, so we need help with this huge chunk of change we didn't plan on.

If you can see fit to donate to this beautiful little girl's surgery, that would be really wonderful (remember, it's 100% tax deductible as a gift).

Please send your donations payable to:

 

Nittany Greyhounds

P.O. Box 602

Port Matilda, PA 16870

 

If you want to use a credit card, call 814-933-6981 and
Nancy will be happy to take that information. We appreciate your help!  This is the first time this has happened and I sure hope it's the last.

My thoughts on the accessible iPhone

I thought I'd try something different here and post an audio blog entry here.  I had quite a lot to say and am not the best writer in the world.  I guess I'm not the greatest speaker in the world either but in this case I thought I'd try out an audio format here.

 

Please feel free to post your thoughts here. i welcome everyones ccomments.  If you get nasty with your comments here, your post will get deleted. 

 

Thanks in advance and please let me know if you would like to see more audio posts in the future here on the blog.

 

http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/Audio/BGZAudioBlog01.mp3

 

 

--

Rick

 

 

Radio out of the Past presents "All Things Radio," June 11, 2009

News Wire 

 

This week, we hope to learn about how to download thousands of inexpensive Old-Time-Radio Shows from Bill Sparks' great web site.

 

On Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. EDT, the "All Things Radio

podcast will be featured in The Fred Bertelsen Old Time Radio

Room of  www.radiooutofthepast.org.

 

"We're delighted to add "All Things Radio" to our Thursday evening line-up," said Robert Acosta, chair of Accessible World. "It's a natural fit with our usual Thursday evening Old-Time-Radio get-together, which will continue at its usual 8 pm EDT start time," Acosta continued. "And this link to Bill Sparks' radio-related web sites will undoubtedly prove beneficial to all.

 

"All Things Radio" began early this spring. The 11 podcasts run thus far are available for download from the "All Things Radio" folder at

 

www.legend-oldies.com

 

Averaging about an hour in length and generally anchored by Gary Stevens, each podcast features
1. Radio news from Jeff Bennett,

2. Format and call letter changes from Jennifer Sparks,

3. Airchecked samples of radio stations from Bill Sparks,

4. Profiles of broadcasters and podcast contributors from Walt Kramer,

5. And occasional historical features, such as the history of Detroit's WJR.

 

"We at "All Things Radio" are extremely pleased that Radio out of the Past's Fred Bertelsen Old Time Radio Room will be our home starting June 4," said Bill Sparks. "After each podcast, there's usually close to a half-hour available for an informal chat about radio. Anyone who would normally come in for the 8 pm Old Time Radio program is welcome to join us for the chat, which is usually moderated by Marcia Moses. For that matter, all are welcome to come in at 6:30 pm EDT and make a night of it.

 

"Bill Sparks currently has three streaming radio channels on line. They

 are:

1. The Legend, featuring oldies from the mid '50s to the mid '70s,

2. The Country Legend, featuring classic country music, and
3. Remember Radio, featuring old-time radio shows.

 

The three radio services operate 24/7, and links to them can be found

At: www.billsparks.org

 

Also available from www.billsparks.org are links to at least eight thousand radio stations that stream their broadcasts on line.

 

From another Bill Sparks web site, www.billsparks.com, thousands of old-time radio shows are available for purchase. Customers may either buy programs on CDs, or purchase copies of shows that can be downloaded.

 

Bill Sparks, Group Facilitator

Email: bil@billsparks.org

 

Date:  Thursday June 11^th, 2009

Time:  3:30 p.m. PDT, 4:30 p.m. MDT, 5:30 p.m. CDT 6:30 p.m. EDT,
           and elsewhere in the world Thursday 10:30 GMT.

To participate in "All Things Radio", the OTR gathering that follows it, or both,
go to: http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs8d80999b8145

Or, alternatively,

Select The Fred Bertelsen Old Time Radio Room at: www.radiooutofthepast.org. Enter your first and last names on the sign up screen.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees. To speak to us, hold down the control key to talk and let up to listen.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run and install. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Radio Out of the past online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website: www.accessibleworld.org

 

Accessible World Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair
Accessible World
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator
Accessible World
617-969-1213
Email: joannbecker@comcast.net

George Buys, CEO
Talking Communities
Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

Radio Out Of The Past, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the public and blind Old-Time-Radio fans concerning the historic and literary value of Old-Time-Radio.

 

Accessible World Presents Future happenings at NLS,June 15

News Wire:

 

Accessible World Tek Talk is very pleased to present Judy Dixon, Consumer Relations Officer, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically handicapped.

 

Judy Dixon will demonstrate and discuss the new NLS Digital Talking Book player that will be arriving in libraries later this summer.

 

Judy will also speak to us about accessing and using Web Braille as well as the NLS Downloadable services.  If time permits, she will discuss any future programs contemplated by NLS.

 

 

Date:  Monday, June 15th, 2009.

 

Time:  5:00 p.m. PDT, 6:00 p.m. MDT, 7:00 p.m. CDT, and 8:00 p.m. EDT

           and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT

 

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

 

Or, alternatively.

 

Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at: http://www.accessibleworld.org. Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

 

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org

 

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees. To speak to us, hold down the control key and talk; then let up to listen. 

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

 

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website http://www.accessibleworld.org.

 

Accessible World Contacts:

 

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

 

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@pcomcast.net

 

George Buys, CEO

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

---

Accessible World presents Radio Waves, june 3

    News Wire:

 

Radio. It's more than just your favorite FM music station or AM news outlet. There is a whole audio world so please Join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month starting in June for Radio Waves to explore radio in all its forms: shortwave listening, ham radio, long-distance listening, scanning, and more. Each month we'll review reading from the hobbyist and trade press, and discuss all things radio.

Bring your questions, radio experiences and listening tips to share with other radio enthusiasts. Radio Waves, debuting on Wednesday, June 3rd at 6PMPacific

If you would like advance recorded copies of Jim's articles for june, please write to Robert Acosta and put your email address in the body of your request and he'll send them to you

Jim Tedford, Group Facilitator

Email: radio@drizzle.com

 

Date: Wednesday, June 3^rd, 2009

 

Time: 6:00 p.m. PDT, 7:00 p.m. MDT, 8:00 p.m. CDT, 9:00 p.m. EDT

         and elsewhere in the world Wednesday 1:00 GMT.

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to the Accessible World Auditorium at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs5affc3cfa191

 

Or, alternatively,

 

Select the Accessible World Auditorium at: http://www.accessibleworld.org. Enter your first and last name.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees. To speak to us, hold down the control key and talk; then let up to listen. 

 

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

 

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website:

Accessible World Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell. net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

 

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@comcast.net

 

George Buys, CEO

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

 

 

 

 

Windows 7 thoughts and comments

Just thought that I would invite other comments from users of the beta or release candidate of Windows 7 and what you think of it so far.  What are your experiences with installing it and using it on a daily basis.  What do you like about it?  What do you dislike about it?  Will you buy Windows 7 when it comes out or stick with what you are using now?  What types of hardware are you running Windows 7 on? 

 

--

Rick

 

Spring has sprung here

It has been some time since I last wrote a blog entry here.  Most of the winter I've been posting press releases and not a whole lot else.  Spring has sprung here at the Blind Geek Zone and it's time for me to come out of hibernation and be a useful contributor to the blind blogging community once again.

 

As most of you know that follow me on the BGZ podcasts know, I'm playing with Windows 7 beta 1 and am eagerly waiting for the release candidate to be released on May 5th by Microsoft.  The funny thing is that build after build of windows 7 has found it's way to the Internet and the torrent sites.  This is no different with the release candidate build 7100.  It's currently circulating around the net as I write this.  While I did install the beta build 7000 a couple of days before the official release by Microsoft back on January 8th, I will wait until May 5th to get my hands on the release candidate.

 

I did a 3 part podcast about the beta of Windows 7 and will do at least 1 or 2 podcasts on the RC as well.  So far, so good.  I've liked Windows 7 and find it to be faster than Vista was here on my test machine. I've had some minor problems and crashes and have had a few instances of programs not working with Windows 7 but for a beta, it's been extremely well behaved.  As for the AT industry getting on board with Windows 7, from what I've seen so far this should not be near the issue that it was when Vista was released back in January of 2007.  I expect that all of the companies will be on board when Windows 7 officially releases later this year. 

 

I'm hoping that many of the Vista bashers will finally adopt windows 7 as their operating system of choice and I'm sure Microsoft hopes so as well.  Time will tell, but I think Windows 7 will be a big success.  You can expect continued updates on Windows 7 here on the blog after the RC releases and I really dive into using it here for everyday things.

 

--

Rick

 

 

Accessible World Presents Windows 7 April 27

News Wire

 

Rick Harmon will be showing us the as yet to be released Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft that currently is in Beta and expected to be released by the company next month as a release candidate for general public testing.

 

A tour of Windows 7 will show how similar to Vista it is yet how different. Rick will discuss the reasons why one might want to try this exciting new operating system out even though it's not officially released yet.  He shows how Windows 7 is almost 100 percent compatible already with Jaws and other screen readers on the market.

 

Rick will also talk about how Microsoft has given accessibility to all parts of the Windows 7 operating system a higher priority than it has in the past.

 

Contact info: Rick Harmon

Email - rickharmon@sbcglobal.net & rharmon@blind-geek-zone.net
Skype - rharmon928
Twitter - rharmon928 and BlindGeekZone

 

Date:  Monday, April 27th, 2009.

 

Time:  5:00 p.m. PDT, 6:00 p.m. MDT, 7:00 p.m. CDT, and 8:00 p.m. EDT

           and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT

 

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

 

Or, alternatively.

 

Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at: http://www.accessibleworld.org. Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

 

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org

 

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

 

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website http://www.accessibleworld.org.

 

Accessible World Contacts:

 

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

 

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@pcomcast.net

 

George Buys, CEO

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

 

Stream Newswire - Stream 3.0 Now Available

Dear Victor Reader Friends:

HumanWare is please to announce the release of the new Stream 3.0 software.
Stream 3.0 is a major release with exciting new features and numerous
usability improvements. Version 3 responds to popular requests received from
many Stream customers. New features include:

- Optional multi-level bookshelf navigation for Other Books, Podcasts, and
Text. Now you can optionally organize these bookshelves into multiple levels
of folders and navigate at those levels.
- Optional multi-level folder navigation within Music files. For example,
now you could choose to organize your music by levels such as genre, artist,
and album and navigate at those levels to more quickly find your desired
music.
- Further you can now instantly create temporary playlists of a subset of
your music collection and limit Random play to only that portion of your
music.
- Text Search. Now you can enter words to search for in your text files or
text portion of DAISY books.
- A new Bookmark alert feature can be enabled to notify you when you pass
over a previously bookmarked position during playback. It will even
automatically announce your audio bookmarks.
- Two text-to-speech voices. The English versions will now include both a
male and female text-to-speech voice.
- Optional voice label for your SD cards

Usability Improvements:
- A 30 minute Time Jump choice has been added
- Single hotkey (#9) to toggle music random play on or off
- Book title is included in the delete confirmation prompt. Also, after
deletion, the next book on the bookshelf is announced.
- Press key 4 in music to repeat the current song
- Go To Percent added to Other Books and Podcasts
- Automatic removal of the UPG file after the software upgrade

and more. Please see the Release Notes for full details on the new features
and instructions on how to use them.
Both the software and Release Notes can be downloaded from the Stream
support page at:
http://www.humanware.com/stream_support

Select the Software link on that page. You will find the Release Notes at
the top and the English 3.0 software download links. You can choose from two
English versions one with Samantha + Tom text-to-speech voices and another
with Samantha + Daniel (UK) voices. You can upgrade to version 3 from any
prior Stream version. To install the new software, follow these steps:

- Download the software zip file
- Unzip the single UPG upgrade file from the zip file. You do not need
special unzip software. Simply press Enter to open the zip file and you can
then select the UPG file.
- Copy this UPG file to the root of your Stream SD card.
- Disconnect the Stream from the computer, connect it to AC power and turn
it on.
- The Stream will automatically start the update process which takes about 2
minutes during which time it will announce intermittent "please Wait"
messages. The Stream will power off when the new software is installed.

After the new software is installed, an html Release Notes document will
also be available in a HumanWare sub-folder of your Text Bookshelf so you
may read the Release Notes with your Stream. The html version allows you to
navigate the Release Notes section by section using the 2/8 keys to select
the level and keys 4 and 6 to move between sections.

With this announcement, version 3 is available in English only. As other
version 3 languages become available they will be posted on the same
download page. We also are releasing a new version of Stream Companion which
will be described in a second email.

HumanWare values your continued support of the Victor Reader Stream. We
remain committed to our customers to make the Stream the most powerful,
flexible, and enjoyable product used for listening to digital talking books,
computer files, and music.

Thank you,

The HumanWare Team

Say-Magic, Tektalk march 30

        Accessible World News Wire

 

Say-MAGic – An Exciting New Product Launched at CSUN 2009

 

For some time it has been possible to talk to the computer using a natural voice while at the same time receiving speech feedback from it, allowing a blind person to control the computer without using the keyboard.  But low vision users (or people with dyslexia and language challenges who need enhanced visual display support) have not been able to benefit from this technology.  Now they can with Say-MAGic.  Linking Dragon NaturallySpeaking from Nuance and MAGic from Freedom Scientific together, Say-MAGic provides a fantastic range of facilities for users of display management technology who wish to control the computer with the voice.  This product was very well received at the CSUN 2009 conference in Los Angeles!

 

Brian Hartgen, Product Development Manager of T&T Consultancy, will give a live demonstration of the product within Tek Talk on 30 March 2009.  In addition, Ed Rosenthal from Next Generation Technologies Incorporated (who has vast experience in using voice input technology) will talk about the significance of Say-MAGic upon the Access Technology market today.  Plenty of time will be available for questions to the presenters.

 

Contact Details

 

Brian Hartgen

Product Development Manager

T&T Consultancy Ltd

Email: Brian.hartgen@tandt-consultancy.com

Web: www.tandt-consultancy.com

 

Edward Rosenthal, CEO

Next Generation Technologies Inc

Email: edward@ngtvoice.com

Web: www.ngtvoice.com

 

Date:  Monday, March 30th, 2009.

 

Time:  5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,

           8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT

 

Where:  The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

 

Or, alternatively.

 

Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at: http://www.accessibleworld.org. Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

 

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org

 

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

 

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website http://www.accessibleworld.org.

 

Media Contacts:

 

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

 

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@pcomcast.net

 

George Buys, CEO

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

 

New Victor Reader Stream 3.0, Tek Talk, march 23.

        Accessible World News Wire

 

Join us Monday March 23 in The Pat Price Tech Talk Training Room to learn about the newest Victor Reader Stream version 3.0software. We have invited Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager at HumanWare, to tell us about this major new release for the Stream.

 

HumanWare has just announced Stream 3.0 at the CSUN conference in Los Angeles and Gerry will tell us more about it. Version 3.0 includes many new features requested by happy Stream users. Learn how your Stream has been enhanced with optional multi-level bookshelf navigation, text file search, bookmark alerts, music playlist innovations, usability improvements, and more. The Victor Reader Stream now enjoyed by tens of thousands worldwide is better than ever. HumanWare has been committed to innovating and improving the Stream since its launch in September 2007 and version 3.0 is the latest example of that commitment.

 

We all know that sound investments are tough to find these days but the Victor Reader Stream continues to excel as one of the soundest tehcnology investments anywhere. Come and join us Monday March 23 in The Pat Price Tech Talk Training Room and learn how your Stream has just got a whole lot    better.

 

Contact Info:

HumanWare www.humanware.com

USA us.support@humanware.com Tel: 1-800-722-3393

Canada: ca.support@humanware.com Tel: 1-800-723-7273

UK: eu.info@humanware.com Tel: +44 1933 415 800

Australia: au.sales@humanware.com Tel: +61 2 9686 2600

New Zealand: nz.info@humanware.com Tel: Phone +64 3 384 4555

 

 

Date:  Monday, March 23, 2009.

 

Time:  5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,

           8:00 p.m.Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT

 

Where:  The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

 

Or, alternatively.

 

Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at: http://www.accessibleworld.org. Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

 

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org

 

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

 

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website http://www.accessibleworld.org.

 

Media Contacts:

 

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta@pacbell.net

Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

 

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@pcomcast.net

 

George Buys, CEO

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

 

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

 

HumanWare Unveils Victor Reader Stream 3.0

HUMANWARE UNVEILS VICTOR READER STREAM 3.0

[This announcement is displayed in text only for accessibility with Braille
Notetakers. A web version with images is available at:
http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/about_us/press_releases/2009_press_releases/humanware_unveils_victor_reader_stream_3]

Los Angeles California, March 17, 2009 -- Today at the annual CSUN
technology conference in Los Angeles, HumanWare announced the latest version
of its popular Victor Reader Stream DAISY NISO book player, MP3 player, and
voice recorder. The latest release of software for the Stream is version
3.0. It is a free upgrade software for the tens of thousands of users who
now enjoy their Stream worldwide.

Version 3.0 is a major release packed with new features that continue to
distinguish the Stream as the industry leader among pocket size accessible
players. Version 3.0 responds to popular requests received from many Stream
customers. New features include:

• Multi-level bookshelf navigation for Other Books, Podcasts, and Text. Now
you can optionally organize these bookshelves into multiple levels of
folders and navigate at those levels.
• Multi-level folder navigation within Music files. For example, now you
could choose to organize your music by levels such as genre, artist, and
album and navigate at those levels to more quickly find your desired music.
• Further you can now instantly create temporary playlists of any subset of
your music collection and limit Random play to only that portion of your
music.
• Moreover, you can turn random play on or off with a single key press like
many commercial MP3 players.
• Text Search. Yes, now you can enter words to search for in your text files
or text-only DAISY books.
• Bookmark alert. You can enable an optional bookmark alert feature to
notify you when you are playing a book and pass over a previously bookmarked
position. It will even automatically announce your audio bookmarks.
• Two text-to-speech voices. The English version of Stream 3.0 will now
include both a male and female text-to-speech voice.
• A 30 minute Time Jump feature and many other usability improvements have
been added.

"With the increasing use of 8gb, 16, and even 32gb storage cards, users are
managing ever increasing amounts of data on their Stream", says Gerry
Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager. "With thousands of music files and
hundreds of podcasts or text files they have asked us to provide more
efficient navigation and version 3 delivers just that."

Says Chevalier, "The improved navigation as well as the bookmark alert, text
search and other usability improvements in Stream 3.0 renews HumanWare's
commitment to our Stream customers that we would continue to enhance the
Stream over time to maximize their Stream investment."

And there's more. HumanWare is pleased to announce that Stream 3.0 will also
be accompanied by a completely new-look Stream Companion software. The new
Stream Companion 3.0 Windows software has a completely new menu driven
interface, support for the new Bookshare zip format, and more.

HumanWare expects to have both the Stream 3.0 and Companion 3.0 available
for free download before the end of March. The software will be made
available on the Stream Support Page
(http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/support/victor_reader_stream). To receive
an email announcement for this release and stay informed on future Stream
activities be sure to Register to the Stream Newswire
(http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/products/blindness/dtb_players/compact_models/stream_news).

-----------------------------------
Contact:

USA: 1 800 722-3393 or 925 680-7100

UK/Europe: +44 1933 415 800

Canada: 1 888 723-7273 or +1 450 463 1717

Australia/Asia: +61 2 9686 2600

New Zealand: +64 3 384 4555

Media contact:

HumanWare
Nicolas Lagace
Tel.: (450) 463-1717
E-mail: nicolas.lagace@humanware.com

The new VrStream Companion, Tek Talk March 16

Accessible World News Wires

 

HumanWare and New Stream Companion Software on Tech Talk March 16

 

Join us Monday March 16 in the Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room to learn about the newest innovations to the Stream Companion program version 3.0 soon to be released by HumanWare. Yes, this handy little Windows program that thousands of Stream users enjoy already will soon be even better with new features and a completely new interface.

 

Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager at HumanWare, will give a brief overview of the new features of Companion 3.0. Gerry will then introduce Don Barrett, well known technology trainer and friend of Accessible World who will demonstrate the new easy to use interface and new features of Companion 3.0.

 

After the demonstration Don and Gerry will open the room to discuss the new Companion and welcome your questions.

 

Stream Companion is an optional free software program provided to Stream users from HumanWare. Many prefer to use Companion instead of Windows for transferring books, music and files to their Stream. So, to learn more about the soon to be released Stream Companion 3.0 join Don and Gerry in the Accessible World Pat Price Tech Talk Training room Monday March 16.

 

Contact Info:

Don Barrett donter@verizon.net

HumanWare www.humanware.com

USA us.support@humanware.com Tel: 1-800-722-3393

Canada: ca.support@humanware.com Tel: 1-800-723-7273

UK: eu.info@humanware.com Tel: +44 1933 415 800

Australia: au.sales@humanware.com Tel: +61 2 9686 2600

New Zealand: nz.info@humanware.com Tel: Phone +64 3 384 4555

 

Date:  Monday, March 16, 2009.

Time:  5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m.
           Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT.

Where:  The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room, enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

617-969-1213

Email: joannbecker@pcomcast.net

George Buys, CEO.

Talking Communities

Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them.

 

 

Denny Huff Reviews Outlook 2007 and 2003 on Tek Talk Monday, January 26, 2009

The Accessible World News Wire

Denny Huff Reviews Outlook 2007 and 2003 On Tek Talk Monday, January 26,
2009.

Using a computer program to read, write, and send email is probably the most
repetitive task any computer user performs on a daily basis. It is,
therefore, extremely desirable to choose a good email client or program and
learn its many features thoroughly. During this week's Tek Talk event, the
Accessible World has invited Denny Huff of Gateway for the Blind, L.L.C. to
take a close look at Microsoft Outlook 2007 and 2003.

A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

(Contact: Denny Huff, Gateway For The Blind LLC.
Email: Denny@GatewayForTheBlind.Com
Listeners Phone Number: 636-262-1383 or 888-362-1382
Web: http://WWW.GatewayForTheBlind.Com)

Date: Monday, January 26, 2009

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 1:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator The Accessible World Symposiums
Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

George Buys, CEO
Talking Communities
416-785-7196
Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com
Skype: georgebuys

Web: http://www.talkingcommunities.com

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

Introducing New Bookshare Website Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Accessible World News Wire

Introducing the New Bookshare: Books Without Barriers

Meet the New Bookshare Online by joining the Benetech staff on either:

Tuesday, January 20 6:00 PST (7:00 MST/8:00 CST/9:00 EST)
or Wednesday, January 28 6:00 PST (7:00 MST/8:00 CST/9:00 EST)

Join them for a complimentary hands-on online event packed with tips to
expand your knowledge of the new Bookshare website.

In one quick hour you will learn to:

-Use the site's new accessible features

-Find a book with new search and browse features

-Download a book with more streamlined processes

-Use new volunteer features

-Access free reader software

-And much more...

The events will take place in the Friends of Bookshare Community Room. To
join one of the events, simply visit the website below shortly before it
starts.

If this is your first time joining a Talking Communities online conference
room, you will need to download a small piece of software before joining the
event. You can get the software from the Community Room. Please allow 10
minutes to download and install the software before the event begins.

Visit the website below to download software and join the event:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs7867a2369e0e Or,
alternatively select the Friends of Bookshare Community Room from either
http://www.friendsofbookshare.org or http://www.accessibleworld.org

There are no membership requirements, no direct costs, no need to
pre-register, and no passwords required

All you need is a computer running Windows XP or higher with Internet
connection and speakers or headset to participate.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

Ann Parsons To Demonstrate Using Kurzweil To Improve eBook Sound Quality on Tek Talk Monday, 1-19-09

The Accessible World News Wire

Ann Parsons To Demonstrate Using Kurzweil To Improve Sound Quality of eBooks
on Tek Talk Monday, January 19, 2009

When preparing to read an eBook on your computer or portable digital player,
do you frequently wish you could change to a different voice than your
screen reader or other text editor such as the smooth easy listening voices
used by Kurzweil?

Assistive Technology Trainer Ann K. Parsons has been invited by the
Accessible World to answer this question. During this week's Tek Talk online
training session, she will demonstrate how to convert eText into mp3 files
using Kurzweil 1000 reading software. Then, following the presentation, the
virtual audience will have the opportunity to ask questions about the
Kurzweil method and discuss other programs that can be used to convert text
to sound files. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your eText reading
options!

(Ann K. Parsons
Email: akp@portaltutoring.info, akp@samobile.net
Skype: Putertutor)

Date: Monday, January 19, 2009

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 1:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

George Buys, CEO
Talking Communities
Email: buys@talkingcommunities.com
Web: http://www.talkingcommunities.com

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

Sears National Kids Cancer Ride 2009

 

A good friend of mine asked me to post this so that he might get some additional sponsors for a very good and worth while event he is going to be participating in later this year in Canada.  Please read and sponsor Terry.  Your contributions will go to a very good cause.

 

 

Although I'm blind, I have a vision.

 

 I'm participating in Sears National Kids Cancer Ride 2009. Check out
 the website and read my bio at
 http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/?page_id=273   As many of you
 know my two children and myself are survivors of childhood cancer
 (Retinoblastoma).

 

 At any given time, cancer holds 10,000 Canadian children in its grip.
 It robs them, and their families, of the laughter and joy that should
 be part of every childhood. Riding in the Sears National Kids Cancer
 Ride will channel my physical, mental and emotional energy into
 something much greater - helping brave children return to life as regular
kids again.

 

 This is the second year of this annual national event in which
 National Cyclists from across Canada will cycle from Vancouver to
 Halifax in support of childhood cancer charities in the world's
 longest charitable cycling event on behalf of childhood cancer.

 

 Starting on June 13, 2009 in Vancouver and finishing on June 25, 2009
 in Halifax, the event will cover over 6,800 km in 12 days.  It will
 travel through hundreds of cities and towns across the country -
 including stops at many of the 17 pediatric oncology centres and Sears
 stores - where community events and rides will take place in support
 of kids and families fighting this debilitating disease.  With every
 pedal stroke, the riders will be making a difference and raising money
 to help fight childhood cancer.  Our destination - beyond cancer!

 

 I am excited to say that I have been chosen as one of the National Riders!
 You can help support me by making a secure online donation using your
 credit card. Simply click on the link below:

 

 http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2034790

 

 For cash or cheque donations, please contact me directly. 100% of
 individual donations go directly to the childhood cancer charities and
 programs the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride supports. All donations
 of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt.

 

 For more information on how YOU can participate as a rider or
 volunteer in Sears National Kids Cancer Ride 2009, please visit us at
 http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.org or visit our Foundation
 website at http://www.coasttocoastagainstcancer.org.

 

 To register as a volunteer, please click on this link:
 https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=14756

 

 I hope I can count on your support. Please forward this message!

 

 Thank you for your generosity!
 Terry Hoddinott

 

 

--

Rick

Peter Proscia To Demonstrate Plextalk Pocket on Tek Talk Monday, January 12, 2009

The Accessible World News Wire

IRTI President and CEO Peter Proscia, Introduces Plextalk Pocket On Tek Talk
Monday, January 12, 2009

Have you heard about the latest portable solid-state digital audio recording
device for blind or sighted users from Plextor designed? It's the Plextalk
Pocket and it will be demonstrated during this week's Accessible World Tek
Talk online training.

The product is unbelievably feature rich. For starters, it makes it possible
to play and Record in a wide range of DAISY MP3 formats for voice or high
quality music applications. You can use the Pocket as an audio note taker
and enter audio navigation markers while in record or playback mode and it
provides simple audio editing features using DAISY heading and section
markers.

A few of its many applications include:

DAISY Book Player, Bookshare Books, Read Text and HTML files with its
built-in Text-To-Speech Synthesizer.

Record Music, Lectures, and Meetings, take audio notes and Voice Memo
Recorder. Compatible with DAISY media created with eClipseWriter Pro.

Following the popular trend in electronic devices, it is even available in
black or white, and it sells for just $359.

Plan now to attend. Peter will allow plenty of time for your questions after
the demonstration.

Contact: Peter Proscia, President and CEO
Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Inc. (IRTI)
800 322-4784 or 530-274-2090
Email: info@irti.net
Web: http://www.irti.net

Date: Monday, January 12, 2009

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 1:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

Rick Harmon Demonstrates Sendspace Max and Wizard on Tek Talk Monday, January 5, 2009

Rick Harmon Demonstrates Sendspace Max and Wizard on Tek Talk Monday, January 5, 2009

Start: 01/05/2009 - 17:00

End: 01/05/2009 - 19:00

The Accessible World News Wire

Rick Harmon Demonstrates Sendspace Max and Wizard on Tek Talk Monday,
January 5, 2009.

Many computer users are finding it necessary to upload and download larger
files than most email clients will allow. Fortunately, several free services
are available. During this week's Accessible World Tek Talk online
training, one of the more popular services, Sendspace
(http://www.sendspace.com), will be reviewed.

Rick Harmon, an extremely knowledgeable computer trainer, will provide
information about the various accounts or levels of service and the features
of each. He will then demonstrate how to download, install and set up the
Sendspace Wizard and how to use it to upload and download large files and
work with folders. As time permits, he will also show non-paying users how
to upload and download from the site and will discuss other noteworthy items
included on the Sendspace website.

(Contact Rick Harmon at his webpage and podcast feed at:
http://www.blind-geek-zone.net or his web Blog at
http://blind-geek-zone.blogspot.com/
Email: rickharmon@sbcglobal.net)

Date: Monday, January 5, 2009

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 1:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

 

--

Rick

BGZ podcast 30

BGZ podcast 30 is now ready for downloading.  Here is the description:

 

BGZ podcast 30. In the last BGZ podcast of 2008, I talk about new offerings From Freedom Scientific. I talk about the new beta of Jaws 10 64 bit. I also talk briefly about the Windows 7 public beta that will be out some time next month. I also talk about my purchasing Serotek System Access 3.0. In this podcast I start a new interactive segment where I play questions and comments from the comment line and Skype Voice Mail. There are several questions and comments this time. I also comment on and answer questions from the callers.

 

Running time is: 0:24:41

 

Here is the direct download link:

 

http://www.blind-geek-zone.net/Audio/BGZ030.mp3

 

I hope everyone has a happy new years.

 

--

Rick

 

Jamie Pauls Demonstrates MX Skype Recorder on Tek Talk Monday, December 15, 2008

The Accessible World News Wire

Jamie Pauls Demonstrates MX Skype Recorder on Tek Talk Monday, December 15,
2008

With the increasing use of Skype to communicate with others worldwide, there
has been a genuine need for efficient, low cost software that will record
skype messages. Jamie Pauls, a well-known, knowledgeable user of assistive
computer technology, will provide a comparison of several recording options
and will then demonstrate in detail the features of the MX Skype Recorder, a
new tool that works in conjunction with Skype and other VOIP applications,
to record voice conversations. This will include its ability to
automatically select the record, stop or manual modes, automatically
compress in mp3 format, save as wav PCM format, record conversations either
in "single" or "dual" audio track, work with PC-to-PC, PC-to-phone as well
as skypecast conversations, and support for all versions of Skype, Google
talk, Yahoo Messenger and other VoIP applications. Jamie will also place a
Skype call to demonstrate its voice quality.

Don't miss this opportunity to discuss this recorder and other aspects of
using Skype following the presentation during the question and answer
session.

(Contact: Jamie Pauls Email: jamiepauls@sbcglobal.net)

Date: Monday, December 15, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday
1:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

Brian Hartgen Presents: Getting Your JAWS Around the Keyboard on Tek Talk Monday, December 8, 2008

The Accessible World News Wire, Indianapolis, Indiana USA

Brian Hartgen Presents Getting your JAWS Around the Keyboard On Tek Talk
Monday, December 8, 2008

Brian Hartgen, the Product Development Manager at T&T Consultancy Ltd, has
been invited to introduce two low cost products for use with JAWS for
Windows and the computer keyboard this week on Tek Talk, the online
worldwide training event sponsored by the Accessible World.

The session will begin with a demonstration of TypeAbility, the software
that allows a person to learn how to use the keyboard in 77 fun, easy and
interactive lessons. By the end of the lessons, users will have learned the
letter keys, figures, and punctuation signs together with basic
screen-reading and selection commands. Speed tests and dictation tasks make
TypeAbility the most advanced typing tutor on the market.

Brian is a beta tester of TypeAbility sold by the company. He will be
joined in the first section of the presentation by the product developer,
David Pinto from Yes Accessible.

Next, Brian will demonstrate J-Tools, a new and exciting product produced by
T&T providing some fantastic utilities for keyboard users of JAWS. J-Tools
contains a unique bookmarking technology to easily locate specific segments
of web pages and Microsoft Word documents which were recently described
within Microsoft's On-Line Office site. In addition, J-Tools contains a
feature to make it easy for visually impaired people to select or highlight
text in word processing and Internet-based environments.
Finally, Text Notes within J-Tools allow a user to reproduce regularly used
blocks of text with just a few keystrokes.

Following the presentation, there will be the usual opportunity for the
virtual audience to get answers to their specific questions.

(Contact: Brian Hartgen, Product Development Manager
Email: brian.hartgen@tandt-consultancy.com
Company Web Site: www.tandt-consultancy.com
Web site of Portable Player Portal: www.hartgen.org
Tel: 01782 644141
Fax: 01782 645135

Date: Monday, December 8, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 1:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

7-128 Software new accessible game releases

7-128 Software

PIZZA GAMES ANNOUNCEMENT
7-128 Software, www.7128.com, has just released 7 accessible educational
games for toddlers and young children ages 2 - 7.

These PizzaGames include:

* Here Comes the Duck!
Learn your animals.
Possibly the only game playable by blind 2-year olds.

* The Letters Game, The Spelling Game, The Dictionary Game.
Learn your ABCs.

* The Numbers Game, Numbers Plus, Numbers Minus.
Learn your numbers, addition, and subtraction.

All games are playable by children who are blind, or deaf, or motion
impaired,
as well as those who are non-impaired.

All games self-voice and work with JAWS
All games work with Windows 98, XP, and Vista
All games work with Macintosh OS X

The games cost $7 each, or less in our BabyBear and MamaBear packs.
They are available via electronic download or on CD.

See these games at www.7128.com.

MACINTOSH ANNOUNCEMEMT
7-128 Software, www.7128.com, has just released Macintosh OS X versions of
all 29 of its accessible computer games.

GameBook : Our Macintosh games include 22 GameBook games, including:

* Six Inspector Cyndi in Newport detective mysteries
Solve cases in Newport, RI in the 1890s

* Eleven Tyler puzzle games
Memory and spatial skill games

* Five Woople word games
Including the addictive Word Away.

Many of these GameBook games are accessible to blind, or deaf, or
motion-impaired gamers. All games are family friendly and appropriate for
ages 7 - adult.
People with disabilities can also play our games with friends and family
who are non-impaired.

PizzaGames: Our Macintosh games also include 7 educational PizzaGames for
children, including:

* Here Comes the Duck!
Learn your animals.
Possibly the only game playable by blind 2-year olds.

* The Letters Game, The Spelling Game, The Dictionary Game.
Learn your ABCs.

* The Numbers Game, Numbers Plus, Numbers Minus.
Learn your numbers, addition, and subtraction.

All of these PizzaGames are playable by children who are blind, or deaf,
or motion impaired, as well as those who are non-impaired. They are
appropriate for ages 2 - 7.

These GameBook games and PizzaGames cost $5 - $10 each, or less in our
GameBook or BabyBear or MamaBear PizzaGame packs and are available via
electronic download or on CD from www.7128.com.

Tek Talk Offers Companion Tutorial for VR Stream Monday, December 1, 2008

The Accessible World News Wire, Indianapolis, Indiana USA

Tek Talk Provides Tutorial On Using HumanWare's Companion Software To
Transfer Books To the VR Stream Monday, December 1, 2008

As increased numbers of VR Streams are being purchased and used by thousands
of blind individuals worldwide, Tek Talk has received numerous requests to
again offer training on transferring files from the computer to the VR
Stream using the Companion software. Therefore, during this week's Tek Talk
event, Don Barrett, recognized advanced computer user, will provide specific
training on the many features of the Companion 2.0. He will demonstrate how
easy it is to use this powerful tool to transfer a variety of files
including Bookshare, NLS digital books and, if time permits, Audible.com
content.

Following the presentation, there will be plenty of time for questions from
the virtual audience.

(Contact: Don Barrett
donter@verizon.net
202-453-7320)

Date: Monday, December 1, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday
1:00 GMT.

Where: Tek Talk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the Tek Talk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

--
Rick

BGZ makes the news

Visually impaired receive technology lesson
By LINDA CONNER LAMBECK
Staff writer
Article Last Updated: 11/16/2008 11:35:37 PM EST

 

BRIDGEPORT -- Dave Simpson knows his way around the latest version of screen-reading software and downloadable talking books, but teacher became student when Hamit Campos asked what he thought of the Blind Geek Zone Web site.

 

Simpson had never heard of it, but quickly checked the site, showing Campos how to use a "pod catcher" to capture and organize its podcasts as a computerized voice squawked commands.

 

"There it is," Simpson said as Campos, 18, of Danbury, and Chris Palmieri, 13, of Monroe, took mental notes on the key commands it took to duplicate what Simpson was doing.

 

While the three navigated the Internet in a cramped cubicle office at the Music and Arts Center for Humanities, other participants in Fun Day -- an annual event sponsored by the National Resource Center for Blind Musicians -- spent an afternoon recently pounding on bongo drums or learning dance steps.

 

The lure of the latest technology and software for the visually impaired, however, was a definite draw for eight young visually impaired participants from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Monroe, Newtown and Danbury. Many have been coming to the event for years, held at the center's headquarters in a former factory at 510 Barnum Ave.

 

David Goldstein, director of the resource center, said there are now several types of screen readers that allow the visually impaired to access information on the Internet. Goldstein can now read the daily newspaper online. There are also devices out to help the blind navigate cell phones and iPods. The technology, however, still has a long way to go.

 

Some cell phones have speech commands built in, but two or three layers down into the menu, the talking stops. Whenever a Web site changes the way items are laid out on a screen, anyone who is visually impaired needs to learn the commands and key strokes to find things all over again.

 

And don't get Simpson started on graphics. Unless they are labeled, screen-reading programs like JAWS, a screen-reading software, they can't interpret them.

 

Part of the program was to introduce the participants and their parents to some of the latest online resources, such as downloadable books from the Library of Congress. They were walked through how to access the site, download the books and transfer them via memory cards to a digital talking book player.

 

The changing technology has also led to haves and have-nots. Many of the participants at Fun Day still don't have screen-reading devices at home that can let them read the Internet.

 

Hector Aquino, 21, of Bridgeport, said he has JAWS at home, but not an iPod and is looking forward to uploading iTunes.

 

There is also a year or two lag between the latest gadget and its accessibility the visually impaired.

 

It's only been a year that iPod Nanos, now in their fourth generation, became accessible.

 

"When Apple developed this, they were not thinking what a blind person would do," said Simpson, a technology consultant from Glenside, Pa. "Everything is so visual. When you press buttons, they don't say anything. For the first time, when you rotate that little wheel on the iPod to pick from the menu, you can actually hear it say something."

 

"Now I want it," said Palmieri, 13, of iTunes. He also wants JAWS, which he thinks will be better than the Window-Eyes he uses now.

 

"It's more powerful," Palmieri declared. "But I don't know, then I have to learn all the keys over again."

 

Original post:

 

http://www.connpost.com:80/ci_11001259?source=most_emailed

 

--

Rick

Tek Talk Presents Stocking Stuffers 2008 Part One Monday, November 3, 2008

Tek Talk Presents: Stocking Stuffers 2008 Part One, Monday, November 3,
2008

The Accessible World News Wire, Indianapolis, Indiana USA

Choosing just the right present for those on your holiday gift list will be
much easier again this year thanks to the upcoming free online Stocking
Stuffers event hosted by the Accessible World on Monday, November 3, and
Monday, November 10, 2008. Both days will feature a number of manufacturers
and product Distributors who provide useful and accessible products for
celebrating religious holidays, to remember a birthday or anniversary, to
send get well wishes or express gratitude to a special person in your life.
You will have an opportunity to learn about a myriad of unique, fun,
practical, impractical and yet affordable gifts that will please the most
discriminating recipient of any age whether vision impaired or fully
sighted. Time will be allotted for the audience to ask questions of each
presenter.

SESSION 1:
Bob Crane, Owner and President of C. Crane Company, Inc. will kickoff the
event with an overview of many of the great radios people have enjoyed for
years, as well as the new CC WiFi Radio that carries on the tradition of
quality and performance exclusive to their CCRadio lineup. You will learn
how the CC WiFi takes the complexity out of internet radio and makes it
convenient and easy to access thousands of internet radio stations from
anywhere in the world in a true radio experience. His company is well known
for its customer service to ensure sighted and blind buyers get the most
from each purchase.

Contact: C. Crane Company, Inc, Fortuna, California
Phone: 800-522-8863 USA and Canada.
707-725-9000 Local and International.
Web: www.ccrane.com/

SESSION 2:
Amy Ruell, Program Director for National Braille Press, will share
information about the many books, educational toys, miscellaneous and
specialty items available at reasonably affordable prices. She promises to
include information about the Louis Braille 200th birthday items that will
make excellent gifts. And valued mementos for years to come.

Contact: National Braille Press, Boston, Massachusetts
Phone: (617) 266-6160
Web: http/www.nbp.org
Toll-free: (888) 965-8965

SESSION 3:
Denise Russell, owner of Speak To Me Catalog, has an amazing collection of
new gift ideas that are waiting to delight young and old. Remember, not one
item in the store is quiet. They all "say something" as each speaks, sings,
plays music, or allows you to record your own personal message. As each is
described in detail, you will also hear its audible feature as well.

Contact: Speak To Me Catalog, , Renton Washington
Phone: 800-248-9965
Web: http://www.speaktomecatalog.com

(Watch for Stocking Stuffers Part Two On Monday, November 10, 2008.)

Date: Monday, November 3, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central,
8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT.

Where: TekTalk Conference Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

Or, alternatively,

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the TekTalk Room, enter your first
and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tech Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to
participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation
or podcast from the Tech Talk archives on our website at
http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to
the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists
are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web: http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums
Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web: http://www.accessibleworld.org

The Accessible World, a division of Vision Worldwide, Inc. a 501(c)(3)
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly
relevant information about new products, services, and training
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access
barriers that adversely affect them.

BGZ website outage update and resolution of the problem

Here is the email that I received from my web host about the outage last week.

 

The web server that your site is hosted on has been offline due to some
hardware failures in the RAID setup.

RAID stands for "Redundant Array of Independent Disks" and is a technology
that employs the simultaneous use of two or more hard disk drives to achieve
greater levels of reliability and performance.

Your website is stored across the RAID system twice over different hard
drives, if one of the hard drives fails your web site will continue to run.
The failed hard drive is replaced and the data that was on the drive copied
again from the other drives within the RAID, this is known as rebuilding the
RAID, and normally happens seamlessly without any effect to the web hosting
server or your website. This is a daily task performed in our data centers
and is standard for large data storage systems such as used in the web
hosting environment.

In this instance, we replaced the failed drive with a new drive and the RAID
started to rebuild. While this was happening the rebuild process failed,
corrupting all the data within the RAID set. This should not happen and we
have open tickets with the RAID manufacturer to understand what went wrong
in this case and to ensure that they can prevent this for the future.

Our system administrators do not rely on the RAID system as our only source
of backup. We run a rolling backup of the live system to external backup
servers to ensure that in a case like this we have a restore solution.

After the RAID corruption occurred, our engineers analyzed the situation and
found that the only solution left to us was to recover the data from our
backup systems. At this point the RAID was reinitialized ready to receive
data, this process itself takes several hours to perform.

Currently we are copying and restoring the data from our backup systems to
the web hosting server that your site runs from. The restore process takes
time and is expected to finish early tomorrow morning. When the data is
restored to the server we will then turn on the services that deliver your
website to the Internet. A small amount of data loss may occur if you
uploaded new files to your web space between the time that the backup was
made and the failure occurred.

Since the system problems began we have had a dedicated team of
administrators working around the clock to monitor the copy of data from our
backups and to ensure that all settings are restored so that your website
will run again.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. We will
update you again as soon as there is additional information available.

So hopefully everything is now back in good working order.  I was given a 2 month credit for the inconvenience  caused by the outage.  I did loose a few files off the website but had a local backup of the files and updated the website in a few minutes.

 

--

Rick

Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers Will Have Positive Results for the Blind

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen

Public Relations Specialist

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (cell)

cdanielsen@nfb.org

Google Settlement with Authors, Publishers
Will Have Positive Results for the Blind

Terms of Proposed Settlement Agreement
Will Revolutionize Blind People's Access to Books

Baltimore, Maryland (October 31, 2008): The National Federation of
the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for access to information by
the blind, announced today that the recent settlement between Google
and authors and publishers over the Google Books project, if approved
by the courts, will have a profound and positive impact on the
ability of blind people to access the printed word. The terms of the
settlement that was reached on October 28, among Google, the Authors
Guild, and the Association of American Publishers, on behalf of a
broad class of authors and publishers, allow Google to provide the
material it offers users "in a manner that accommodates users with
print disabilities so that such users have a substantially similar
user experience as users without print disabilities." A user with a
print disability under the agreement is one who is "unable to read or
use standard printed material due to blindness, visual disability,
physical limitations, organic dysfunction, or dyslexia." Blind
people, like other members of the public, will be able to search the
texts of books in the Google Books database online; purchase some
books in an accessible format; or access accessible books at
libraries and other entities that have an institutional subscription
to the Google Books database. Once the court approves the
settlement, Google will work to launch these services as quickly as
possible.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
said: "Access to the printed word has historically been one of the
greatest challenges faced by the blind. The agreement between Google
and authors and publishers will revolutionize access to books for
blind Americans.

Blind people will be able to search for books through the Google
Books interface and purchase, borrow, or read at a public library any
of the books that are available to the general public in a format
that is compatible with text enlargement software, text-to-speech
screen access software, and refreshable Braille devices. With 7
million books already available in the Google Books collection and
many more to come, this agreement means that blind people will have
more access to print books than we have ever had in human
history. The blind, just like the sighted, will have a world of
education, information, and entertainment literally at our
fingertips. The National Federation of the Blind commends the
parties to this agreement for their commitment to full and equal
access to information by the blind."

"Among the most monumental aspects of the settlement agreement," said
Jack Bernard, assistant general counsel at the University of
Michigan, "are the terms that enable Google and libraries to make
works accessible to people who have print disabilities. This
unprecedented opportunity to access the printed word will make it
possible for blind people to engage independently with our rich
written culture. Moreover, it is refreshing to find accessibility
for people with disabilities explicitly included upfront, rather than
begrudgingly added as an afterthought."

"One of the great promises of the settlement agreement is improving
access to books for the blind and for those with print disabilities,"
said Dan Clancy, engineering director for Google Book
Search. "Google is committed to extending all of the services
available under the agreement to the blind and print disability
community, making it easier to access these books through screen
enlargement, reader, and Braille display technologies."

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind
people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives
through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading
force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in
the United States for the blind led by the blind. Please visit our
Web site: <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.

____________