> Introducing TTTT (Top Tech Tidbits on Thursday,) a free, concise weekly
 > summary of what's new in adaptive technology, technology as it relates to
 > the blind, and Internet audio.
 >
 > Some of you remember that Amy Ruell undertook a few years ago to create a
 > subscription-based system for keeping all of us up to date on the latest
 > happenings in technology for the blind.  TTTT's price and scope are much
 > different, but the aim is the same.  How many people do you know who would
 > like to stay abreast with the latest news, but don't want to monitor many,
 > or any mailing lists?  Now they can subscribe to TTTT.
 >
 > TTTT is free, and plans are for it to remain free.  It will appear on
 > Thursdays stateside.  Subscriber e-mail address are used only for sending
 > the newsletter, and are not shared.
 >
 > Progress in adaptive technology occurs both through the efforts of
 > companies who provide adaptive software and hardware, and through the
 > initiatives of individuals who either customize a program or device to
make
 > it accessible or discover a hitherto unknown gem.  We'll feature both
types
 > of news in TTTT.
 >
 > You might find two other sorts of tidbits in TTTT, especially in slow news
 > weeks.  First, you might find an intriguing web page or two to look
 > at.  (Those of you who were around during the Sound Computing days know I
 > have quite a few of these, and you are free to pass on your own
 > discoveries.)  Second, you might find a link to a freeware or shareware
 > program I or somebody else have discovered and found useful.
 >
 > To join TTTT, send a blank message to [log in to unmask],
then
 > reply to the confirmatory message.  Or visit
 > http://topdotenterprises.com/mailman/listinfo/tttt_topdotenterprises.com
 >
 > If you have news, big or small, that you think others might benefit from,
 > send it along and, if I agree, I'll distill it and include it in an
 > upcoming issue.
 >
 > To show you what TTTT is like, I'm putting the first issue here below.
 >
 > I am sending this message to these lists: blind-x, blindad, blindtech,
 > access-uk, jfwlist, and gui-talk.  Feel free to post it to other lists
 > where it is on topic, and to individuals who might be interested.
 >
 > TTTT, December 16, 2004
 >
 > In this first issue of TTTT, we'll catch up a little on recent news, so
 > this issue might be busier than most.
 >
 > Jonathan Mosen doesn't get to do as much general technology reviewing as
he
 > once did, but he did review the new Google desktop search program, quite
 > favorably.
 >
http://www.audioblog.com/playweb?player=2&audioid=Pf8af5d43dc2dce27c993eaa48f4e6685ZV56QlREYmJy&buffer=5&autoplay=1&fcolor=CCFF33&bcolor=FFFFFF&size=20
 >
 > The folks at the International Braille and Technology Center of the U.S.
 > NFB have created a Gift Guide 2004, published in the November Braille
 > Monitor.  http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm04/bm0411/bm041110.htm
 >
 > Kathy Ann Murgha is offering 25% off her adaptive technology textbooks
 > purchased during this holiday time.
http://www.accesstechnologyinstitute.com
 >
 > The public beta process has begun for Window-Eyes version 5.0.  This
 > version promises improved access to Microsoft Word, access to the popular
 > web browser Mozilla, a better color dictionary and a more sensible laptop
 > keyboard layout, anong other improvements.  For information or to try it:
 > http://www.gwmicro.com/index.php?showStory=11.  For an audio demonstration
 > conducted by one of the testers, on For the People:
 > http://gwmicro.com/audio/a-d-11-28-04.mp3
 >
 > the November, 2004 issue of AccessWorld contains a review of the two
 > systems seeking to make mobile phones accessible to the blind:
 > http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw050604
 >
 > Users of the Pac Mate can now benefit from scripts designed to make the
AIM
 > instant messaging client more accessible.  Get the scripts at
 > http://www.pacmategear.com/files/scripts/AimScripts.zip.  Scripts are also
 > available for the Olive Tree Bible program, at
 > http://www.pacmategear.com/files/scripts/OliveTreeScriptsV10.zip
 >
 > A series entitled Talking Turkey about Household Appliances and Consumer
 > Electronics begins in the December issue of the Braille Monitor with a
 > discussion of the pitfalls of buying usable stoves and ovens:
 > http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm04/bm0412/bm041205.htm.  The same issue contains a
 > discussion of accessible to Microsoft products by Curtis Chong:
 > http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm04/bm0412/bm041206.htm
 >
 > Moving Mountains Technology is making their easy-to-use Diary 2005
 > available for free download at http://www.moving-mountains.com/
 >
 > A talking dictionary is available from the UK for the cost of shipping:
 > http://www.rwfts.com/
 >
 > The makers of the Freedom Box have released a public beta of System
Access,
 > a low-cost, new and transportable way to gain access to conducting basic
 > Windows tasks without a screen reader.  To try it, go to
 > http://freedombox.info.
 >
 > The Access to Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities Act
of
 > 2004 has passed, strengthening existing ATAP's which are a leading source
 > of funding for adaptive technology in the
 > U.S.  http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw060109&Special=33
 >
 > ACBRadio conducted extensive and historic live broadcasts from the World
 > Blind Union convention in Capetown, South Africa.  This material is now
 > available on demand, at
 >
http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=30&MMN_position=41:29
 >
 > In a recent discussion on one list of the best places to buy compact flash
 > cards, recommendations included http://www.buy.com and
http://www.dealram.com/
 >
 > Finally, JAWS for Windows 6.0 was released on Wednesday afternoon.  This
 > version provides Remote Access for Citrix and Terminal Services, new
 > abilities to customize display of hard-to-read web controls, as well as
pdf
 > and Word forms, a demo of Freedom Scientific's daisy reader, and many more
 > enhancements.  http://www.hj.com/fs_products/software_jaws60intro.asp
 >


VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask]  In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
 VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html