Author: The Tech Doctor

Robert and Allison have the pleasure of spending this Tech Doctor episode with Keith Watson. Keith is a creative and talented Apple power user who has taught himself to write sophisticated macros using Apple’s built-in scripting language called Apple Script. Recently, Keith began integrating his apple script macros into an extremely feature-rich Mac utility called
Keyboard Maestro.
With the touch of a key, Keith’s macros can do such things as speak the current weather, announce free disk space and check the state of an otherwise inaccessible application called Caffeine.

Keith is making these macros available to anyone who has Keyboard Maestro installed. You can get more information and download the macros at
Keith’s Website.

In addition to thanking Keith for his work, Robert and Allison want to express our appreciation to Peter, the developer of Keyboard Maestro, who has worked hard to improve support for VoiceOver. In this
Blog Post
Peter even offers some sample code to show developers how he has improved VoiceOver access in Keyboard Maestro.

This is an excellent example of how the Apple Community works together to improve accessibility.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Allison begins this episode by telling us about the first few days of being back home with her new guide dog.

Robert next describes his new podcasting equipment. He explains his reasoning for getting a
Mackie ProFX8 mixer.
Robert then discusses his decision to switch from a condenser to a dynamic
Heil PR 40
broadcast microphone. (If you listen carefully, you will hear the old condenser microphone make a brief appearance during the podcast.) Robert discovered that he needed more volume on his recordings so he added a
PreSonus
preamp between the Mackie mixer and the Heil microphone.

Robert would like to sincerely thank Adam, Neal, Deb, Patrick and Davis for their excellent consultation and advice regarding the new equipment.

Robert then describes the problem that blind podcasters have when attempting to record both VoiceOver and a microphone during a Skype call. He describes a brilliant workaround from Keith Watson where one uses Sound Flower and the Mac’s audio midi setup utility to create some profiles that can be hijacked by Audio Hijack Pro allowing VoiceOver and the microphone to be recorded simultaneously. This approach is particularly nice because everyone on the Skype call can hear VoiceOver.

Robert then discusses an extremely powerful keyboard macro application for the Mac called
Keyboard Maestro.
Robert then refers the Tech Doctor listeners to an
Applevis
podcast by Keith Watson and Scott Howell where Keyboard Maestro is described and demonstrated. Robert then shows and explains some of the excellent macros that Keith Watson has created.

Robert and Allison complete the podcast with a discussion of the new
AfterShokz Bluez 2
bone conduction headphones.

We want your feedback. Send comments and questions to
techdoctor@dr-carter.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In this podcast, Allison and Robert have the pleasure of speaking with Jean Parker.

While in elementary school at the Perkins school for the blind, Jean was introduced to a number of international students and faculty. She realized that she wanted to travel the world and visit the places that she was learning about. As a radio journalist, educator, activist, researcher and Ph.D. candidate, Jean has lived and worked all over the world.

In this podcast, Jean shares some fascinating experiences and tells us about her doctoral research which is designed to help people in India prepare for and recover from the many natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and tsunamis which unfortunately occur far to frequently in Asia.

Jean creatively uses technology to accomplish her goals. She prefers devices that can do multiple things. The iPhone and Book Port Plus are examples of such technology. The eleven inch MacBook Air has turned out to be the only computer that Jean caries with her. She tell us about how she is creatively using a combination of community radio and mobile phone technology in her transformative doctoral research.

We are confident that you will learn as much from listening to our conversation with Jean as we did. After all, learning something new is what the Tech Doctor podcast is all about.

We invite you to
Email
us at the Tech Doctor podcast with any comments and suggestions.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Allison begins this episode by introducing her very special new friend to the Tech Doctor podcast.

We spend the remainder of the show reviewing an excellent
Applevis blog post
Comparing iOS devices with specialized notetakers built by companies who create products specifically for people who are blind.

We are excited about this most interesting and worthwhile topic and appreciate the perspective that is presented in this blog post.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert begin with a discussion of their experience at the
“29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference”

Allison and Robert do not discuss new products but encourage everyone to listen to the vendor interviews done by
Serotek
and
Blind Bargains.

While in San Diego, Robert and Allison had the pleasure of spending time with three of their favorite Apple Podcasters. Shelly Brisbin from
Shelly’s Podcast
Adam Christianson from
The Mac Cast
and Allison and Steve Sheridan from
The NOSILLA Cast.
They then play a portion of their CSUN presentation entitled: “Creating Podcasts That People Want to Hear.” Following is a description and a link for each piece of software that is used in the creation and publication of the Tech Doctor podcast.

To record the Tech Doctor podcast over Skype, we use
Audio Hijack Pro

To edit the recording, we use
Sound Studio

To make sure that each podcast participant is speaking at the same volume, we use
Levelator

To convert the podcast audio file from AIFF to MP3, we use
Tunesify

To upload the podcast audio file to the Tech Doctor website, we use an FTP client called
Transmit

To edit and upload the Tech Doctor show notes, we use
MarsEdit

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

When thinking of all that is most pleasurable in life, the Tech Doctors believe that the making of music is very near the top of the list.

Everyone is familiar with a handful of famous blind musicians, but how do the rest of us learn to play an instrument?

In this podcast, we talk with Bill Brown who teaches people to play music by ear. Bill’s online music lessons work equally well for both sighted and blind students.

His
Website
is screen reader friendly and all of the lessons are available as a download. The prices are very reasonable and the quality of the instruction is excellent.

While Bill did not develop his “Music By Ear” lessons originally for people who are blind, he has added introductory courses where he teaches blind people what they need to know to get started with a particular instrument.

The number of different instruments and the variety of songs that Bill teaches is nothing short of amazing. There is something there for everybody.

Finally, if you live in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, and you are eligible for services from your country’s library for the blind, Bill’s lessons are available through your national library service.

Listen to this podcast and take Bill Brown up on the special offer that he made to Tech Doctor listeners. There is nothing more satisfying than learning to play a musical instrument.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert begin by discussing a
blog post
where the author has decided to switch from the Mac back to Windows because of concerns about Mac accessibility.

They then share their opinions about an
article
that explains how Google has failed developers by not including all of the standard accessibility hooks in the Android operating system.

Next, Robert describes two books that he has recently enjoyed. The first book is by Dave Eggers. It is called “The Circle” and is available on
Bookshare.
The second book is called “The Martian” by Andy Weir. It is available from
Audible.
Before leaving books, Robert and Allison talk about an iOS app that they use to keep track of what they are reading. The app is called “I Read It Now” and the developer has worked hard to make both the
iPhone
and
iPad
version fully accessible with VoiceOver.

Next Robert talks about an online backup service which he has found to be totally accessible and extremely easy to install and utilize. The service is called
Back Blaze.
In addition to being an excellent online backup system for the Mac, Back Blaze has a fully accessible iPhone app allowing one to view and restore files directly from the iPhone.

In the next section of the podcast, Robert and Allison discuss their favorite RSS clients. Robert describes
Unread
for the iPhone,
Mr. Reader
for the iPad and
ReadKit
for the Mac. Robert keeps all of these RSS apps synced using an RSS service called
Feed Rangler.

Finally, Robert and Allison compare and contrast the features an capabilities of current iOS book readers and players with the most current specialized player for the blind called the
Victor Reader Stream.
While Allison and Robert agree that the new generation of the Stream offers a very nice interface to internet radio stations, Bookshare and NFB Newsline, they feel that iOS apps still offer more variety and flexibility. They do not believe that using a touch screen is a significant barrier for most people.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert and Allison have the pleasure of speaking with Rosemary Mahoney who just published her sixth book. Rosemary is a sighted woman who became interested in really understanding what it is really like to be blind.

In the book, Rosemary candidly describes her journey of going from a person who was fearful of blind people to someone who now has significant insight in to how blind people function in the world. She dispels the myth that blind people are depressed and helpless. The book is honest, accurate and at times quite humorous.

The podcast gives one a good idea of what Rosemary experienced but one can only fully appreciate the power of this story by reading the book.

In addition to being available in print, the book is in audio format from both audible.com and the National Library Service BARD site. The National Braille Press will be making the book available in Braille as well. The book is entitled: “For the Benefit of Those Who See: Dispatches From the World of the Blind.” More information is available at
Rosemary’s website.

Robert and Allison agree that this is an extremely important book for everyone to read. We feel that sighted people can especially benefit from what Rosemary has to say.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Robert begins this Tech Doctor episode with a new year’s resolution.

Allison tells us all about how to play MP3 audio books with the latest
Voice Dream Reader.

Robert takes us through the process of choosing the
iPad Air
over the iPad Mini.

Finally, the Tech Doctors discuss the
Unified English Braille Code
which will be officially adopted by the United States in 2016.

Happy holidays to all of our wonderful Tech Doctor listeners. There will be more Tech Doctor podcasts coming your way in 2014.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert speak with Sue Martin. Sue has recently written and published her memoir. The book is entitled “Out of the Whirlpool: A Memoir of Remorse and Reconciliation.” Sue’s story is absolutely one of triumph and fulfillment. It begins, however, with Sue describing her serious struggle with depression and the suicide attempt which resulted in blindness.

Sue tells her story in a very honest and compelling manner. This allows the reader to have both an intellectual and a emotional experience while reading the book. One feels as if they are walking along with Sue as she tells her story.

The book is available in print and audio directly from
Sue’s website.

Out of the Whirlpool is available as an ebook in both the
iBook
and
Kindle
stores. It can also be ordered from any book store.

Robert and Allison love this book and encourage everyone to read it. We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Sue and invite you to check out her website not only for the book but for her other writing as well.

After completing our conversation with Sue Martin, we turn our attention to the new Mac operating system update from Apple called Mavericks.

Robert and Allison have found Mavericks to be a solid operating system. The accessibility with VoiceOver is excellent just as it was with Mountain Lion. We discuss a few miner issues that we have found but highly recommend that people upgrade. That is after you have done a complete backup of your computer.

To learn more about Mavericks, we recommend the Mavericks podcasts from
David Woodbridge
and
Sarah Alawami.

If you really want to explore the technical aspects of Mavericks, we recommend the excellent review by
John Siracusa.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS