Archive for the ‘Interesting Article’ Category

Three Great Convention Week Specials

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

It’s convention time again, and whether you’re headed to the Motor City, enjoying time in sunny Orlando, or relaxing at home, Serotek has everything you need to stay connected wherever you are.  The following specials are available beginning Friday July 3 and ending Friday July 10 at noon Eastern.

 

Enter to win a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 Netbook with SA Atom License

Are you ready to jump in to the accessible digital lifestyle in a big way? Now is the perfect time to do just that. Purchase Serotek’s award-winning System Access screen reader for $499, and be entered in a drawing to win the Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook. System Access Mobile provides a license for two computers, plus the ability to install System Access on a U3 thumb drive for the ultimate in portability and accessibility anywhere life takes you. And when you purchase System Access Mobile between midnight EST Friday July 3 and 12 PM EST Friday July 10, you’ll be automatically entered in a drawing to win the sleek and stylish IdeaPad S10 notebook.  With a 1.6GHZ Intel atom processor, 80GB hard drive, 6-cell battery, 1GB RAM, built-in high-speed wireless and LAN access, built-in webcam and microphone, and much more, this netbook is the ideal social networking PC. 

 

The winner will be announced at 3 PM EST Friday July 10 via Serotek’s public announcements list.

 

Refurbished MSI Wind Model U100-641US with System Access Atom License: $399

 

At about 2 pounds, measuring around 7 inches wide and 10 inches long, the MSI Wind Netbook is no ordinary notebook PC. With built-in 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity, you can access the Internet immediately. The speedy and energy-efficient Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, combined with a 3-cell battery, enables up to 3 hours of battery life for a more mobile lifestyle. Windows XP Home Edition comes pre-loaded, so you’ll have no trouble using all of your favorite Windows applications.  The ergonomically designed keyboard is only 20% smaller than a full-sized keyboard, so you can type comfortably whether you’re doing a quick Web search, posting to your blog, or taking notes in class. The 160 GB hard disk provides plenty of room for your music, audio books, and other digital media. The 10-inch wide-screen LCD, with an LED backlight for extra brightness, is perfect for mobile Web browsing. The built-in webcam is ideal for video-enabled chat programs such as Skype. And with the included System Access Atom license, you’ll have accessibility anywhere you go.

 

MSI Model AE1900–10SUS WindTop PC with SA Atom License: $699

 

With this revolutionary all-in-one desktop PC and built-in touch screen, you can launch all your favorite applications simply by touching the icons on the screen.  Including an Intel dual core 1.6GHz Atom processor, 2GB memory, 250 GB hard drive, DVD drive supporting dual layer burning, built-in gigabit LAN and wireless 802.11b/g/n, and SRS premium sound, this unit has everything you need right at your fingertips. If you don’t want to use the built-in touch screen, the unit also comes with keyboard and mouse to access all your applications in the traditional way. The unit comes loaded with Windows Vista Home Basic, and at 18.7 x 1.9 x 14.4 inches, this PC packs a whole lot of power in a sleek and compact design.

 

Begin taking advantage of these great specials.

if you are a new customer.  If you already have a Serotek account, whether as a  

 current customer or a free SAToGo user, log in to your account

 

SeroTalk Podcast 17 Discusses and Demos the New iPhone 3G S

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

In Podcast 17, Mike Calvo, Ricky enger and Michael Lauf discuss the

Press conference Announcing the Launch of Accessible Event.

The entire podcast was devoted to the great accessibility and functionality of

Apple’s New iPhone 3G S.

iPhone 3G S User Guide PDF

iPhone Docs at www.ICanWorkThisThing.com

iPhone 13 Minute Video Demo

iPhone VoiceOver Chapters Read by Alex in Daisy or iPod Book Formats

Apple Accessibility at www.apple.com/accessibility

iPhone Podcast Available From blindworldblog.blogspot.com

iPhone Podcast and Lots of Mac Info at www.LionCourt.com

Listen to SeroTalk Podcast 17 on the iPhone 3G S

 

Tech Chat 21 – New NLS digital TalkingBook Player and OverDrive Book Service

Friday, June 19th, 2009

In Tech chat 21,

Lena Hinkle

demonstrates the forthcoming NLS digital talkingbook player.

Find your talking book library and click on “Find a Library”.

Talking Books online catalog

She also discusses

OverDrive.com

Find a public library offering downloadable Overdrive audio books.

Find out which books are offered at Overdrive.

Books for children in K-12 companion site.

Listen to Tech Chat 21 – New NLS digital Talking Book Player and OverDrive audio Book Service

 

Another Podcast Corrects Mis-information On Using the Mac In NFB Braille Monitor Article

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Mike Aarigo has just recorded his eighth

Podcast explaining how to perform many functions on the Mac that the NFB alleges can’t be done!

Hopefully this tutorial will  help you to make a more informed decision.

 

SeroTalk Tech Chat 20 – Four New Services From NFB Newsline

Friday, June 12th, 2009

IN Tech chat 20, we speak with Scott White, Director of Sponsor Technology, for Newsline, a service provided by the

National Federation of the Blind

NFB Newsline Online

allows you to read 285 newspapers online, or download them to your Victor Reader Stream, Icon or Braille Plus.

We learned of two new features coming soon. Podable will allow you to create custom rss feeds to hear your favorite news publications with Eloquence and other speech engines.

Key Stream will allow you to navigate Newsline via your computer, an have news stories read to you via your speakers, just as if you were using your phone.

Listen to SeroTalk Tech Chat 20 – Four New Services From NFB Newsline

 

 

Why is it that Apple always seems to get to the future first?

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

In this thought-provoking article, Mike Calvo asks the question:

Why is it that Apple always seems to get to the future first?

I, Michael Lauf, ask why are those who I thought I respected, so negative about technology that puts us on a level playing field with our sighted counterparts. Is it the fear that their jobs will be eliminated when there is no longer a need for overpriced proprietary and substandard “access” technology?” Perhaps they prefer to live in the dark ages, and never use touch screens. Well open your eyes, pund intended, touch screens are here and aren’t going away. Even if this device is not for you, why criticize Apple, who is innovating and trying to improve the quality of life for blind and other disabled individuals, while saving us 70 percent  or more  off the cost of inferior products.  And speaking of 70 percent, has anyone considered that maybe at least part of the reason their is 70 percent unemployment among blind working-age adults, is because 70 percent of people can’t afford this so-called access technology, to learn how to use it, before they can even begin to be employable.

I have a dream, a dream that one day we can have equal access to technology without paying one cent more, or one cent less, than everyone else!

Will the iPhone 3GS be perfect, no!

Will Apple provide upgrades, yes!

Will Software Maintenance Agreements be required, what’s that?

Will we pay more for screen access than sighted persons, hell no!

So continue to live in the dark ages if you must; i Michael Lauf, plan to live in the present, with an eye on the future!

 

 

SeroTalk Podcast 16 – Accessible iPhone 3GS, Solona.net Accessible Captchas and Microphone Winners!

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Follow SeroTalk on Twitter at www.twitter.com/serotalk

SeroTalk RSS Feed

SeroTalk is a Proud Member of the Tech Podcast Network, with Over 50 Great Podcasts at www.techpodcast.com

In podcast 16, Michael Lauf and Ricky enger announced the June 19 availability of the first accessible iPhone 3GS.

Apple Accessible iPhone

We congratulate Jennifer Perdue, winner of the Blue Snowflake Microphone; and Lena Hinkle, winner of the Blue iCicle XLR-to-USB adapter.

We interviewed Steve Sawczen, host of the ATShow found at

www.ATMaine.com

And we finish by playing Steve’s interview with the proprietor of

Solona.net Captcha Site With Human volunteeers That Works with Any Web Browser.

Listen to SeroTalk Podcast 16 – Accessible iPhone 3GS, Solona.net Captchas and Microphone Winners!

SeroTalk Tech Chat 19 – Tweaks for Geeks!

Friday, June 5th, 2009

IN Tech Chat 19, Mike Aarigo gives more tips for optimizing speed, performance, and security in Windows XP by showing us msconfig and services.msc. He cautions people to take good notes about services you modify in the event that something no longer works as it did. We also discuss four applications for system optimization:

Tune-Up Utilities 2009

WinPatrol 2009 from bill P. Studios

cCleaner 2.20 from cCcleaner.com

X-Setup Pro from www.x-setup.net

Here are two links with more info on Windows services.

Windows XP Services Via BeemerWorld.com

Windows XP Services Pre-SP2 so some defaults may have changed.

Listen to Tech Chat 19 With Tweaks for Geeks!

 

SeroTalk Tech Chat 18 – Improving Your Quality of sleep and Productivity

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

In Tech Chat 18, we spoke with
Joseph T. Hull, PH.D.,

with the Division of sleep Medicine, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Topics included sleep disorders, issues facing many blind persons, circadian rhythms, sleep research, caffeine, exercise, sunshine, artificial lighting, Melatonin and over-the-counter and prescribed sleep aids. We also discussed using audio like reading books, music, and even software from
Pzizz for Windows and the Mac for power naps and more restful sleep.

Learn more by visiting the following resources:
sleepFoundation.org

P.B.S. Science Now interactive website:

Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine website

Interactive “Healthy Sleep” website

Listen to Tech Chat 18 on Improving Sleep Quality, Energy and Productivity.

 

SeroTalk Tech chat 17 – Mobile Data Cards, Plans, Speeds and Two Secrets

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

In Tech chat 17, Mike Calvo discusses:

www.LetsTalk.com to Get the Best Cell Phone Data Plans

EVDO Vs. HSPA.

Prices for services and hardware.

5GB caps.

Two things providers would prefer you didn’t know.

Canceling contracts.

and much more.

Listen to SeroTalk Tech Chat 17 on Mobile Data Connectivity!