Monday, March 27, 2006
Accessible Yahoo! Widgets
At the CSUN 2006 Conference Yahoo discussed the development of Accessible Yahoo Widgets. We bring up Yahoo Mail and find out what we can about its future direction in the area of accessibility. Visual Verification is also discussed, even with a bit of humor thrown in. Make sure to turn up your volume a bit when that comes up since the person that was speaking was in the back of the room. It is certainly worth it. The two web sites mentioned during this presentation are the Yahoo! User Interface Blog and the Yahoo! Developer Network. Click here to listen to this presentation.
Accessible DHTML/JavaScript/AJAX in Firefox 1.5
During the CSUN conference IBM presented to us there implementation of Accessible DHTML/JavaScript/AJAX in Firefox 1.5.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Can't get enough of CSUN?
If you've listened to all the material from Wednesday and a anxiously awaiting more, have no fear Marlaina will be along in a few hours with more audio from CSUN. Also don't forget our friends over at Blind Citizens and Ocusource who will be offering coverage of their own. Visit the following link for further details. Oh and do not forget to come back ACB Radio will have more for you from CSUN very soon!
http://ocusource.com/main.cfm?page=community&topic=communicate
http://ocusource.com/main.cfm?page=community&topic=communicate
Humanware at CSUN
The exhibition hall is now open at CSUN and ACB Radio is there!
What does the M in the BrailleNote mPower stand for:
A. Marlaina
B. Mosen
C. Mobile
You Decide.
What does the M in the BrailleNote mPower stand for:
A. Marlaina
B. Mosen
C. Mobile
You Decide.
First Contact with the Small-Talk Ultra at CSUN
ACB Radio will be at the presentation on Friday afternoon, but you can get a preview of this announcement from GW Micro right now!
Capital Accessibility Cellphone at CSUN
One approach to cellphone accessibility is to do away with the screen entirely. Marlaina learns more.
Dolphin Demo Pocket Hal at CSUN
It's really quite simple, Pocket Hal is a complete screen reading solution for mainstream PDAs and main stream PDA applications. Tune-in to this 1-hour feature on Pocket Hal and learn more.
Small-Talk Ultra
Come find out what this is all about as GW Micro shows us this new device.
The Small-Talk Ultra is the first device of its kind. It literally puts the power of a laptop in the palm of your hands. It comes standard with a complete copy of Window-Eyes allowing you to take the accessibility and power offered to you by Window-Eyes wherever you go. Whether you want to take notes in class, listen to music, use high-powered applications at work, surf the web, or anything else you can do with Windows XP combined with Window-Eyes, the Small-Talk Ultra is right there with you every step of the way.
The Small-Talk Ultra contains a 1 GHz processor, 30 GB hard drive, 512 MB of RAM, Microsoft Windows XP Home, a user detachable lithium polymer battery, a custom carrying case, built-in 57 key thumb keyboard, USB 88-key keyboard, USB external CD-ROM, built-in Firewire, a USB 2.0 port, a headphone jack, a built-in speaker, microphone, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
With this amount of power and connectivity, the Small-Talk Ultra can do virtually anything that a laptop or desktop computer can do.
When the Small-Talk Ultra is placed in front of you on a flat surface, you should place the unit so the screen is oriented up. This will be referred to this as the top panel. The Small-Talk Ultra is 4.9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide, and 0.9 inches thin, and weighs a mere 14 ounces.
On the side facing up, there is a 5-inch flat screen color display that is readable both indoors and outdoors. The Small-Talk Ultra can even be used by low vision consumers, which is why it still contains a screen and the functions related to it. There is a rim that goes around the entire screen, and with the screen covering the small, built-in keyboard, there is a power button on the top panel toward the front of the unit on the right corner. To turn the Small-Talk Ultra on, simply press this button. Just to the right of the power button, you will find three small holes, which is where the built-in microphone is located.
This can be used to take notes while on the go.
The screen can slide up toward the rear panel of the unit exposing a small QWERTY keyboard (which was just referred to) and a thumb mouse.
The Small-Talk Ultra also comes equipped with a small, portable USB QWERTY keyboard that can go anywhere the Small-Talk Ultra can go. This way, you can keep the screen slid down, and still be able to use the Small-Talk Ultra.
Moving your hand toward the front panel, and down to the right, you will feel a USB port, which is USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatible. Moving your finger to the left on the front panel, you will feel a wheel. This is the Thumbwheel. The Thumbwheel can be used for various functions. It can be used to switch between applications, and open new applications.
It can also be used to increase or decrease the volume, scroll a window horizontally, or scroll a window vertically. These options may be changed within the Control Panel.
Continuing along to the left on the front panel, you will feel three different ports. The port on the far left is used to connect the AC adapter to the Small-Talk Ultra. You can connect the AC adapter to an electrical outlet to charge the battery or to simply use the Small-Talk Ultra without the battery. The Small-Talk Ultra comes bundled with a docking cable that will plug in to all three of these ports. To do this, you must disconnect the AC cable from the Small-Talk Ultra, and plug in the docking cable. The AC adapter may then be connected to the docking cable, so that the Small-Talk Ultra can be on AC power while the docking cable is connected. We'll discuss the docking cable more in-depth later.
Back to the ports built directly in to the Small-Talk Ultra, if you move your hand around to the left panel, toward the front of the unit, you will find the built-in Firewire port that can be used to connect various Firewire devices, such as DVD burners. Toward the rear of the unit on the left panel is the antenna for the built-in WiFi.
Moving on around to the rear panel, you will feel the built-in speaker.
Toward the right of the rear panel, you can feel the digital pen that can be pulled out of the unit to operate the mouse for sighted consumers.
On the right panel, you will feel another antenna that feels just like the wireless antenna, except this antenna is used for Bluetooth. Toward the front of the unit on the right panel, you will find the battery release button. To release the battery, press this button, and the battery will start to come off of the bottom panel. Moving toward the front of the unit, you will find the headphone jack.
The battery takes up the entire bottom panel. Toward the top part of the unit on the left side, you will feel a button on the bottom panel.
Below the button, you will feel four holes, which are actually lights.
A sighted consumer can press this button to activate the battery fuel gauge. If the battery is almost completely charged, all of the lights will turn on for a few seconds when the button is pressed.
The docking cable that was mentioned earlier provides you with extra connectivity. Its primary use might be when you are at your desk, and do not want to have to reconnect every wire that you have. The Small-Talk Ultra allows you to keep these ports connected to your devices that are not portable, so you only have to connect the docking cable, instead of multiple cables each time you come back to your desk.
Feeling along the wire from where it is plugged in to the Small-Talk Ultra, you will first find a Firewire port that can be used to connect high-speed data transfer devices, such as a DVD burner, or other Firewire devices. Continuing down the cable, you will feel the spot where the AC adapter can be connected. Again, this is here so that you can connect the Small-Talk Ultra to AC power while the docking cable is connected. Feel down the cable some more, and you will find a USB port that can be used to connect various USB devices. On down the cable, you will find an audio out to connect headphones or other audio devices.
The next two ports on the cable are the Ethernet port and the VGA port to connect to high-speed Internet and an external monitor.
Although the Small-Talk Ultra has the power of a laptop and fits in the palm of your hand, GW Micro takes extra steps to ensure turn-key functionality and security for the software that is installed on the Small-Talk Ultra. Currently, if you buy a laptop or desktop computer off of the shelf from a typical electronics store, you have to set it up and customize it for accessibility. With the Small-Talk Ultra, everything is setup as soon as it arrives at your door with the blind and visually impaired consumer in mind. Every effort is made to ensure that all Microsoft Windows updates are installed on the Small-Talk Ultra when it arrives at your doorstep. However, sometimes, new updates are released from the time when the Small-Talk Ultra ships from GW Micro and arrives at your door. So, you should always check to see if there are any additional updates that have become available. The same is true if you have ordered Microsoft Office on your Small-Talk Ultra. Every effort is made to make sure that all updates are installed for Office as well. But again, there may be updates that are released during the shipping process to your door. The Small-Talk Ultra also has Windows XP configured for accessibility, so that you don't have to worry about changing the default options of XP. The latest version of Adobe Reader and Spybot Search & Destroy are installed. You'll also receive a free 30-day demo of Nod 32 anti-virus software on your Small-Talk Ultra. So, you're not just getting the power of a laptop in the palm of your hands, you're getting the security and accessibility that our customers have come to know and expect from GW Micro. All of this comes in a portable turn-key solution right to your doorstep.
Despite the extraordinary amount of effort provided to enhance your Small-Talk Ultra software experience, you also receive a custom carrying case that will allow you to carry the Small-Talk Ultra just like you would carry a notetaker. You'll receive an external USB CD-ROM to allow you to install software that you may want to load in the future.
Currently, no other manufacturer will take the time and energy it takes to install and configure all Windows XP updates for added security and accessibility. So, you're not just getting an Ultra-portable personal computer, you're getting the comfort and peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that the Small-Talk Ultra has been configured for the ultimate in accessibility and security, and is backed by the GW Micro technical support team.
As of March 22, 2006, the cost for a Small-Talk Ultra with everything mentioned above, including a brand new, full copy of Window-Eyes is
$2,795 plus shipping. If you already own the latest version of Window-Eyes Professional, we can install your copy onto a Small-Talk Ultra and include a Window-Eyes SMA, for only $2,495 plus shipping.
Whether you're in the market for a notetaker, a laptop, or desktop, the Small-Talk Ultra will meet your needs, and so much more.
We also have many options for the Small-Talk Ultra, including upgrading to Windows XP Professional, installing Microsoft Office, and more. For more information on these options and for any questions or comments about the Small-Talk Ultra, visit our website at www.gwmicro.com/smalltalk.
The Small-Talk Ultra is the first device of its kind. It literally puts the power of a laptop in the palm of your hands. It comes standard with a complete copy of Window-Eyes allowing you to take the accessibility and power offered to you by Window-Eyes wherever you go. Whether you want to take notes in class, listen to music, use high-powered applications at work, surf the web, or anything else you can do with Windows XP combined with Window-Eyes, the Small-Talk Ultra is right there with you every step of the way.
The Small-Talk Ultra contains a 1 GHz processor, 30 GB hard drive, 512 MB of RAM, Microsoft Windows XP Home, a user detachable lithium polymer battery, a custom carrying case, built-in 57 key thumb keyboard, USB 88-key keyboard, USB external CD-ROM, built-in Firewire, a USB 2.0 port, a headphone jack, a built-in speaker, microphone, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
With this amount of power and connectivity, the Small-Talk Ultra can do virtually anything that a laptop or desktop computer can do.
When the Small-Talk Ultra is placed in front of you on a flat surface, you should place the unit so the screen is oriented up. This will be referred to this as the top panel. The Small-Talk Ultra is 4.9 inches long, 3.4 inches wide, and 0.9 inches thin, and weighs a mere 14 ounces.
On the side facing up, there is a 5-inch flat screen color display that is readable both indoors and outdoors. The Small-Talk Ultra can even be used by low vision consumers, which is why it still contains a screen and the functions related to it. There is a rim that goes around the entire screen, and with the screen covering the small, built-in keyboard, there is a power button on the top panel toward the front of the unit on the right corner. To turn the Small-Talk Ultra on, simply press this button. Just to the right of the power button, you will find three small holes, which is where the built-in microphone is located.
This can be used to take notes while on the go.
The screen can slide up toward the rear panel of the unit exposing a small QWERTY keyboard (which was just referred to) and a thumb mouse.
The Small-Talk Ultra also comes equipped with a small, portable USB QWERTY keyboard that can go anywhere the Small-Talk Ultra can go. This way, you can keep the screen slid down, and still be able to use the Small-Talk Ultra.
Moving your hand toward the front panel, and down to the right, you will feel a USB port, which is USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatible. Moving your finger to the left on the front panel, you will feel a wheel. This is the Thumbwheel. The Thumbwheel can be used for various functions. It can be used to switch between applications, and open new applications.
It can also be used to increase or decrease the volume, scroll a window horizontally, or scroll a window vertically. These options may be changed within the Control Panel.
Continuing along to the left on the front panel, you will feel three different ports. The port on the far left is used to connect the AC adapter to the Small-Talk Ultra. You can connect the AC adapter to an electrical outlet to charge the battery or to simply use the Small-Talk Ultra without the battery. The Small-Talk Ultra comes bundled with a docking cable that will plug in to all three of these ports. To do this, you must disconnect the AC cable from the Small-Talk Ultra, and plug in the docking cable. The AC adapter may then be connected to the docking cable, so that the Small-Talk Ultra can be on AC power while the docking cable is connected. We'll discuss the docking cable more in-depth later.
Back to the ports built directly in to the Small-Talk Ultra, if you move your hand around to the left panel, toward the front of the unit, you will find the built-in Firewire port that can be used to connect various Firewire devices, such as DVD burners. Toward the rear of the unit on the left panel is the antenna for the built-in WiFi.
Moving on around to the rear panel, you will feel the built-in speaker.
Toward the right of the rear panel, you can feel the digital pen that can be pulled out of the unit to operate the mouse for sighted consumers.
On the right panel, you will feel another antenna that feels just like the wireless antenna, except this antenna is used for Bluetooth. Toward the front of the unit on the right panel, you will find the battery release button. To release the battery, press this button, and the battery will start to come off of the bottom panel. Moving toward the front of the unit, you will find the headphone jack.
The battery takes up the entire bottom panel. Toward the top part of the unit on the left side, you will feel a button on the bottom panel.
Below the button, you will feel four holes, which are actually lights.
A sighted consumer can press this button to activate the battery fuel gauge. If the battery is almost completely charged, all of the lights will turn on for a few seconds when the button is pressed.
The docking cable that was mentioned earlier provides you with extra connectivity. Its primary use might be when you are at your desk, and do not want to have to reconnect every wire that you have. The Small-Talk Ultra allows you to keep these ports connected to your devices that are not portable, so you only have to connect the docking cable, instead of multiple cables each time you come back to your desk.
Feeling along the wire from where it is plugged in to the Small-Talk Ultra, you will first find a Firewire port that can be used to connect high-speed data transfer devices, such as a DVD burner, or other Firewire devices. Continuing down the cable, you will feel the spot where the AC adapter can be connected. Again, this is here so that you can connect the Small-Talk Ultra to AC power while the docking cable is connected. Feel down the cable some more, and you will find a USB port that can be used to connect various USB devices. On down the cable, you will find an audio out to connect headphones or other audio devices.
The next two ports on the cable are the Ethernet port and the VGA port to connect to high-speed Internet and an external monitor.
Although the Small-Talk Ultra has the power of a laptop and fits in the palm of your hand, GW Micro takes extra steps to ensure turn-key functionality and security for the software that is installed on the Small-Talk Ultra. Currently, if you buy a laptop or desktop computer off of the shelf from a typical electronics store, you have to set it up and customize it for accessibility. With the Small-Talk Ultra, everything is setup as soon as it arrives at your door with the blind and visually impaired consumer in mind. Every effort is made to ensure that all Microsoft Windows updates are installed on the Small-Talk Ultra when it arrives at your doorstep. However, sometimes, new updates are released from the time when the Small-Talk Ultra ships from GW Micro and arrives at your door. So, you should always check to see if there are any additional updates that have become available. The same is true if you have ordered Microsoft Office on your Small-Talk Ultra. Every effort is made to make sure that all updates are installed for Office as well. But again, there may be updates that are released during the shipping process to your door. The Small-Talk Ultra also has Windows XP configured for accessibility, so that you don't have to worry about changing the default options of XP. The latest version of Adobe Reader and Spybot Search & Destroy are installed. You'll also receive a free 30-day demo of Nod 32 anti-virus software on your Small-Talk Ultra. So, you're not just getting the power of a laptop in the palm of your hands, you're getting the security and accessibility that our customers have come to know and expect from GW Micro. All of this comes in a portable turn-key solution right to your doorstep.
Despite the extraordinary amount of effort provided to enhance your Small-Talk Ultra software experience, you also receive a custom carrying case that will allow you to carry the Small-Talk Ultra just like you would carry a notetaker. You'll receive an external USB CD-ROM to allow you to install software that you may want to load in the future.
Currently, no other manufacturer will take the time and energy it takes to install and configure all Windows XP updates for added security and accessibility. So, you're not just getting an Ultra-portable personal computer, you're getting the comfort and peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that the Small-Talk Ultra has been configured for the ultimate in accessibility and security, and is backed by the GW Micro technical support team.
As of March 22, 2006, the cost for a Small-Talk Ultra with everything mentioned above, including a brand new, full copy of Window-Eyes is
$2,795 plus shipping. If you already own the latest version of Window-Eyes Professional, we can install your copy onto a Small-Talk Ultra and include a Window-Eyes SMA, for only $2,495 plus shipping.
Whether you're in the market for a notetaker, a laptop, or desktop, the Small-Talk Ultra will meet your needs, and so much more.
We also have many options for the Small-Talk Ultra, including upgrading to Windows XP Professional, installing Microsoft Office, and more. For more information on these options and for any questions or comments about the Small-Talk Ultra, visit our website at www.gwmicro.com/smalltalk.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Soking up the Sounds of CSUN
The Pocket Hal session is just about to get under way, and Marlaina is in position and is soking up the conference atmosphere.
Marlaina Meets Mike Barber
In the latest in our Marlaina Meets series, Marlaina runs into Mike Barber.
Marlaina Meets Japanese Student at CSUN
People travel from all over the world to visit the CSUN conference on disability. Marlaina catches up with a student all the way from Japan.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Hotel Sound Seeing Tour
Soke up the atmosphere as Marlaina takes you on her first sound seeing tour from this year's CSUN conference.
GW Micro hints at something big at CSUN 2006
Announcements are already being hinted at at CSUN 2006. Stay tuned folks and we will bring you updates on this on Wednesday as soon as we get the news.
Guess what? The assistive technology market is about to be changed forever with the release of GW Micro’s next big product. We’ve heard what our customers have said, and we are meeting their demand. Stay tuned to our website, www.gwmicro.com, Wednesday night to find out what the big surprise is going to be.
Guess what? The assistive technology market is about to be changed forever with the release of GW Micro’s next big product. We’ve heard what our customers have said, and we are meeting their demand. Stay tuned to our website, www.gwmicro.com, Wednesday night to find out what the big surprise is going to be.
Ranger Station Previews CSUN
A couple of recent posts here contain valuable information for anyone with an interest in this year's CSUN conference.
Nicky Coby's hopes at her first CSUN
Marlaina catches up with her friend and regular caller from the Marlaina programme Nicky Coby.
ABC Audio from CSUN
The Association Of Blind Citizens announced yesterday that they will be offering audio coverage of the CSUN Conference on Disability from the ABC web site.
ABC will host three live webcasts from the conference. The webcasts can be heard Wednesday March 22nd through Friday March 24th, beginning at 6:00 P.M. pacific time, or 9:00 P.M. eastern time. Webcasts will be hosted by John Oliveira, President of ABC and by Mika Pyyhkala, Vice President of ABC. The show will feature interviews with conference presenters, exhibiters and attendees. Shows will last approximately 1 hour.
To participate in the ABC webcasts please visit:
http://www.blindcitizens.org/live
Once on this web site, click the link to enter the live webcast conference room, enter your name, and press login. If necessary, Windows will prompt you to install the Talking Communities audio plug in. This is the same software as used by ACB Radio for the OurPlace portal.
Stay tuned to the ACB Radio Blog for more news about who else is covering the CSUN converence this year.
ABC will host three live webcasts from the conference. The webcasts can be heard Wednesday March 22nd through Friday March 24th, beginning at 6:00 P.M. pacific time, or 9:00 P.M. eastern time. Webcasts will be hosted by John Oliveira, President of ABC and by Mika Pyyhkala, Vice President of ABC. The show will feature interviews with conference presenters, exhibiters and attendees. Shows will last approximately 1 hour.
To participate in the ABC webcasts please visit:
http://www.blindcitizens.org/live
Once on this web site, click the link to enter the live webcast conference room, enter your name, and press login. If necessary, Windows will prompt you to install the Talking Communities audio plug in. This is the same software as used by ACB Radio for the OurPlace portal.
Stay tuned to the ACB Radio Blog for more news about who else is covering the CSUN converence this year.
Coming up on Main Menu for March 22
Coming up on Main Menu this week:
* Do you want to track the happenings at the CSUN 2006 conference? We discuss the newly created ACB Radio Blog and tell you how you can contact us while we are at CSUN. The ACB Radio Blog is located at:
http://www.acbradio.org/blog
And its RSS feed is at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/acbradio
* The ACB BITS Affiliate President Rob Hubbard past away on March 15 of this year. We do a tribute to him on Main Menu this week.
* Google recently released the Google Desktop Search version 3.0. What is the Google Desktop Search? We discuss its features, show you how to configure it optimally for a screen reader and we walk you through some basic Google Desktop searches.
That is all coming up on this weeks edition of ACB Radio's Main Menu.
Main Menu can be heard at 1 universal on Wednesday morning, which is 8:00PM Eastern on Tuesday evening, 5:00PM Pacific. It is repeated every other hour for a 24 hour period.
Have a great week and make sure to get in touch with us at CSUN if you have any questions.
* Do you want to track the happenings at the CSUN 2006 conference? We discuss the newly created ACB Radio Blog and tell you how you can contact us while we are at CSUN. The ACB Radio Blog is located at:
http://www.acbradio.org/blog
And its RSS feed is at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/acbradio
* The ACB BITS Affiliate President Rob Hubbard past away on March 15 of this year. We do a tribute to him on Main Menu this week.
* Google recently released the Google Desktop Search version 3.0. What is the Google Desktop Search? We discuss its features, show you how to configure it optimally for a screen reader and we walk you through some basic Google Desktop searches.
That is all coming up on this weeks edition of ACB Radio's Main Menu.
Main Menu can be heard at 1 universal on Wednesday morning, which is 8:00PM Eastern on Tuesday evening, 5:00PM Pacific. It is repeated every other hour for a 24 hour period.
Have a great week and make sure to get in touch with us at CSUN if you have any questions.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Introduction to CSUN 2006 by Marlaina - 930KB
Marlaina is just about to leave for the California State University Conference on Disability. Download an introduction from Marlaina.
Previous Posts
- Coming up on Main Menu and Main Menu Live for the...
- Don't Miss Jamal Mazrui on the January 8 Marlaina ...
- The Washington Council of the Blind Streams its 20...
- Pennsylvania Council of The Blind State Convention...
- Windows Media Player 11 an iTunes contender?
- Please sign the Web Braille Petition
- AJAX and Screenreaders: When Can it Work?
- Coming up on Main Menu
- Google confirms Audio CAPTCHA will be a reality
- Google is hiring
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