Category Archives: Blog

News, advocacy, reviews and thoughts from a written perspective

Alexa, Start Sero!

As we teased in our last entry, Sero was coming to another popular platform. Well, guess what? It’s here! “Alexa is Amazon’s voice service and the brain behind millions of devices including Amazon Echo. Alexa provides capabilities, or skills, that … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | Comments Off on Alexa, Start Sero!

A Tax Break You Can’t Beat!

There are two certainties we tend to agree with, death and taxes. Actually, there is a third certainty we can add to the list, and that is competitive prices for your hard-earned money. That’s really no shocker though, right? Look … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | Comments Off on A Tax Break You Can’t Beat!

Love is Blind

We here at Serotek enjoyed this year’s Valentine’s Day just as much as anyone else, but, like some of you, there’s a part of us that dreads the fact we have to set aside one day to celebrate love. So, … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Love is Blind

A DocuScan Plus Endorsement

We regularly receive positive feedback from satisfied customers. Every now and then we pick out some of these unsolicited testimonials to share with you since their words will mean a lot more than our own biased opinions. In that spirit, … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, reviews | Comments Off on A DocuScan Plus Endorsement

Liked It? Disliked It? Review It! On Sero

Sero has always been about connecting you to your favorite content and your community. Now, we’re bringing these two aspects of Sero together. When you listen to a piece of content, now you can tell the Sero community what you … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | Comments Off on Liked It? Disliked It? Review It! On Sero

Double Your Spending Power on Black Friday

How many times have you come across those gift certificate opportunities where you have to spend a good chunk of money to earn just a little money? You know the ones we’re talking about. Spend twenty-five to get thirty or … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | Comments Off on Double Your Spending Power on Black Friday

Why You Should Upgrade from Windows 7: Sometimes the Little Things Make All the Difference

It happens from time to time to all of us who rely on a screen reader. You go to a website, and with no prompting on your part, the website starts playing some music, a video, or something else that … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Why You Should Upgrade from Windows 7: Sometimes the Little Things Make All the Difference

The Beta Program is Winding Down but the Savings are Ramping Up!

To show our appreciation for everyone’s participation in the Sero beta program, from now through Labor Day, we’re offering a one-year subscription to our network service, plus a free month, for just $99. We haven’t made this service available for … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on The Beta Program is Winding Down but the Savings are Ramping Up!

From the Staff Files: Cinderella and her Grant Adventure

The following comes from our newest member in the Serotek family, Rhonda Partain. By all accounts she is exactly the primary company voice we needed on the other end of the main telephone line. We have heard great things, and … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on From the Staff Files: Cinderella and her Grant Adventure

Serotek’s Position on Microsoft Edge

Summer months are typically a great time for relaxing and unwinding. We here at Serotek recognize the value of rest and recreation, but as you know, the technology landscape is in a constant shift, requiring us to work overtime in … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Assistive Technology, Blog | Comments Off on Serotek’s Position on Microsoft Edge

Sero: The Mother of All Updates

What the heck has the Serotek team been up to? Working hard in the basement for you of course! And what has all that resulted in? Well, one of our most comprehensive updates. In fact, you might call it the … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Assistive Technology, Blog, Serotek | Comments Off on Sero: The Mother of All Updates

Happy Holidays From Your Friends at Serotek!

We want to take a moment to wish you and yours a very safe and relaxing holiday season. Wherever you may find yourself reading this note, we hope nothing but the best for you in these days of festivity and … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Happy Holidays From Your Friends at Serotek!

What’s New at Serotek?

You guys may’ve heard the Tek Talk broadcast the other night where Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell covered some changes at Serotek. Didn’t catch it? Click here and listen at your leisure. Or, if you’d rather read about some of … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | Comments Off on What’s New at Serotek?

Serotek on TekTalk and New Announcements!

Tis that season for tech announcements big and small. Here at Serotek Matt and Mike have been in the basement putting touches on some of our popular products, and we think you’re going to like what we have in store. … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | 1 Comment

The Imhotep Labyrinth, A Strategic Game You Should Grab!

Serotek Corp has financially supported this effort and encourages you to do the same! The Imhotep Labyrinth is a strategic board game for 2-4 players. It can be played in 3 versions with varying degrees of difficulty. In the easiest … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on The Imhotep Labyrinth, A Strategic Game You Should Grab!

What Are Your Brain Games Telling You?

Recently, I saw an episode of National Geographic’s TV show Brain Games. One segment was on confidence and how it plays out in our actual performance. To illustrate this, they got the help of both a pharmacist and a professional … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | 4 Comments

DocuScan Plus V3.0 is Here and It’s Brought Discounts!

After extensive development and excellent feedback from the community, we’re ready to unveil the final release of DocuScan Plus V3.0 for Windows and Mac! Already the most affordable assistive technology OCR package in the industry, we’re saving you even more … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | 3 Comments

DocuScanPlus First Thoughts on V3

There are many OCR options available on the market. They come in all shapes and sizes, hardware and software configurations, variety of features and prices. In the end, they all provide electronic text that can be access with through built-in … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 1 Comment

Nine Simple Words Did What?

Are you a believer in the power of words, check this out. Back in the day, Texaco wanted to boost their oil sales, right? This was in the early 1930’s. So, what did they do? They paid a man named … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | Comments Off on Nine Simple Words Did What?

SPN Pulse Check

The new SPN team has been at it for six months now. We’d like to think the results of our labor have been successful, but it’s always good to take a pulse of the listeners, gauge interest, and make sure … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 13 Comments

Senior Citizen Dating Has a Business Principle?

One of the places I frequent in my current day-job business most always has attendants at the info desk. One of the attendants we see often happens to be a 76-year old lady. Now, this old gal isn’t your typical … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | Comments Off on Senior Citizen Dating Has a Business Principle?

On The Apple Watch, New Macbook and First Generation Devices

Spring is upon us and with the weather improving some are engaged with the recently released accessible Apple Watch. Some say it will flop, some have already immortalized it as a smashing success, and the rest of us are taking … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On The Apple Watch, New Macbook and First Generation Devices

No Braille? No Literacy!

On SeroTalk 227 we featured an article contemplating whether or not Braille was headed for obsolescence. The idea is not a new one. Everyone can agree technology is reshaping the way a blind person consumes information, but the debate prompts … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 31 Comments

My Crystal Ball Repaired

In a recent SeroTalk Extra I joined Mike Matt, hope and Derick for a roundtable discussion of smart watches, home automation and the future of the PC. I learned my lesson – BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING! Including Mike to interrupt … Continue reading

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blindness and Low Vision, Blog | Comments Off on My Crystal Ball Repaired

3 Reasons to Avoid Low-balling Your Business Rates

Two weeks ago we talked about how helping our customers meet their goals can also help us meet our own. We saw how doing that develops loyalty and a mutual win for both businesses. In the comment area, Joe brought … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | 3 Comments

DOKY iPhone App: Non-Visual Reading and Editing Structured Documents

You may find the following item of interest if you are a mobile technology user and are looking for an alternative means to edit documents. The original message follows: Dear Member In the frame of his Ph.D. project Martin Dorigo … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on DOKY iPhone App: Non-Visual Reading and Editing Structured Documents

Tech Tip: One Way to Synchronize Your Favorites

Do you want to be able to access your favorite websites across Internet Explorer, Firefox, iOS and OSX across different devices? This is not the quickest method, but nor does it involve the alternative registry tweak that is too likely … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 4 Comments

A blind weekend at the Godfrey Hotel

The bus lurches to one lane and the other as my driver and I plow down the highway like we are on a heist. “Where you go again?” the driver asks as he screeches to a halt before the light … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on A blind weekend at the Godfrey Hotel

S-O-S: Why to Never Fall Prey to It in Business

I love the Tom Hanks movie, Castaway. The one about a FedEx plane crash out in the middle of the Pacific. Hanks washes up on an uninhabited island and has to live off what he finds clinging to the shore … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | Comments Off on S-O-S: Why to Never Fall Prey to It in Business

Make This Your Business, And Succeed

If your business has clients who are also businesses, you might want to pick up on the below point. I’m not a champion like Virgin Group’s Richard Branson, but I’m pretty sure Mr. Branson would agree with the gold nugget … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | 14 Comments

3 Keys to Jingle on Your Keyring of Beliefs

Ever have a pivotal moment? A moment like, “Hey, I just signed a 1-year membership to a health club. Now I’m going to have to do some mental exercises to excuse away why I can’t work out. Gee, I hope … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | Comments Off on 3 Keys to Jingle on Your Keyring of Beliefs

Independence: A Wound to Profitability?

Some of the benefits in being an entrepreneur are to have freedom over our personal schedules, develop innovative ideas, find creative ways to troubleshoot problems, make things more efficient, think out of the box, and control our own destiny. Would … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | 2 Comments

5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

If you’re blind, you obviously read Braille. Your hearing must naturally be superior to your sighted peers, and of course you have a guide dog! Right? Well, that last may not be as pervasive as the first and second. Someone … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 31 Comments

Leadership and Professionalism: Key Qualities

What makes someone a leader or a professional? Is it their ability to aspire and motivate subordinates? Is it a specific set of skills or knowledge? Perhaps, or perhaps it is far more. I think ultimately the definitions are subjective … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Leadership and Professionalism: Key Qualities

Don’t Let An Invoice Be The Last Thing Your Customer Sees From You!

Recently, I decided to spring for an indoor spinner bike. You know, one of those exercise bikes you’d find in a workout club? I’ve wanted one for years. When I could see, I loved to ride bike. An afternoon ride … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | 2 Comments

Help friends and family with PC woes. It’s easy and cheap too!

Have you ever needed an easy way to remotely get someone out of a pickle with their PC? Do you wish it was possible to remotely access your friend’s PC regardless of their choice of screen reader? Or even, gasp, … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | Comments Off on Help friends and family with PC woes. It’s easy and cheap too!

Are You the Boiling Frog in the Kettle?

Before I make use of the below metaphor, I want to emphatically state frogs are great… I like them… And I mean no harm to them! In fact, in my little example, I even made a way for this little … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | Comments Off on Are You the Boiling Frog in the Kettle?

Opinion: why does Netflix exclude the blind?

When I was a little kid, I had an excessive vocabulary. I knew what the word ‘superficial’ meant, and also even bigger words, like ‘garrulous’. But even with these words and countless others in my head, there was one that … Continue reading

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blindness and Low Vision, Blog, User Submissions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

One Essential Belief of the Entrepreneur

There is an absolute essential principle every entrepreneur must adopt. If they don’t, they’ll fail. I’ll share that little nugget with you, plus give you a link to something worth listening to which describes the life of an entrepreneur quite … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | 1 Comment

The Argument for Becoming Multi Access Tech-Savvy

There is a lot of discussion out there regarding which screen reader and operating system combination is best. Each camp has their arguments, and honestly I can’t disagree, to adimently, with any of them. The thing is, in my experience, … Continue reading

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blog | 5 Comments

One Thing Worry and Success Have in Common

I’ve got a question for you. Have you ever worried about something? Okay, dumb question, let me rephrase. Have you worried about something to excess? Maybe you heard someone in your department was getting the ax. Then you suddenly realize: … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Entrepreneurship | Comments Off on One Thing Worry and Success Have in Common

Goo-Goo for Google, but Are the Blind and Visually Impaired Being Left Behind?

The following is a guest post by Laine Amoureux. Laine is employed as an assistive technology specialist at the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She has served the state of Idaho for seven years. She recently obtained … Continue reading

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blindness and Low Vision, Blog | 1 Comment

It’s the End of the World as We Know It

It’s highly unlikely the world will fall to the likes of the walking dead. I read an article the other day explaining the logistical impossibility of a virus triggering the kind of symptoms common to Hollywood zombies, and if the … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | 4 Comments

The Return of SPN

So, what’s the scoop? Is SPN dying a slow death? Well, that’s what skeptics would have you believe, but thank goodness SPN is the intrepid cat that keeps coming back and feeling more than ready to rise to the challenge! … Continue reading

Posted in Announcements, Blog | 5 Comments

Is the Death of the Third Party Screen Reader Really a Good Thing?

These days it seems more voices are adding to a chorus of death to the third party screen reader. Apple fueled a universal hope in the blindness community that if one company could make their products talk straight out of … Continue reading

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blog | 15 Comments

What is Net Neutrality and Why Should I Care?

The best way to think of net neutrality is to think about the telephone. When you pick up your telephone, you can call whomever you want, say whatever you want to say, and your telephone company can’t regulate any of … Continue reading

Posted in Blog | Comments Off on What is Net Neutrality and Why Should I Care?