Main Menu

This week we begin our show with a short technology roundup. Next, we visit with Anna Dresner about her new book "Social Networking and You." After that, we visit with Dr. Robert Carter about the life of George Buys, founder of Talking Communities among many other projects who passed away this past week. Next, Tim Cumings shows us the power of The Levelator from Conversations Networks. Finally, Harry Brown talks about his dream that blind people might some day be able to drive a car. Is it just a dream? Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Follow Main Menu on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/mainmenu

We begin our show with a technology roundup. Next, tim Cumings shows us how to do tight editing in Gold Wave. After that, we hear an interview from ATIA courtesy of Serotek all about Click and Go Maps. Finally, Juan Carlos Alicea demonstrates the Moshi Interactive Voice Response (IVR) talking travel alarm. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Follow Main Menu on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/mainmenu

This week we present a Main Menu exclusive! Larry Skutchan of The American Printing House for the Blind discusses and demonstrates some features of Book Port Plus, a new product from APH due for release some time in March. Larry talks about the philosophy behind the design of the product, giving us a glimpse into the decision-making process. He talks about why some features are present in the unit, why some features are not yet present, and what we can expect to see in subsequent updates to the product. Why did APH choose Vocalizer as the text to speech engine of choice? Why not Eloquence? Is there a possibility that another text-to-speech engine might be used in the future? What does APH plan to do with the wireless capabilities of the unit? Could we actually be able to listen to Internet radio from a Book Port Plus? How does one navigate menus and change settings on the unit? There is no way to provide a tutorial on how to use Book Port Plus in just 53 minutes, but I think Main Menu listeners will find Larr

This week, your host gives you a demonstration of Studio Recorder, an audio editing program for Windows from The American Printing House for the Blind. He takes you on a tour of the menus and gives you a sneak peek at how a Main Menu program is produced. Finally, there will be an announcement of a very special show for next week. This will be a show that is talked about for some time; you won't want to miss this week's announcement or next week's show.

This week we visit with Brian Hartgen of T and T Consultancy about J-Tunes version 5. J-Tunes is a set of scripts for Jaws that improves the use of iTunes. Next, Michael Lauf of Serotek brings us an interview with Michel Pepin of HumanWare about Oratio for Blackberry phones. Finally, Rick Harmon continues his discussion of Windows 7. Main Menu first airs on Saturdays at 1 UTC which translates to Fridays at 8 Eastern in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Follow Main Menu on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/mainmenu

This week, we visit with two high school students, Tyler Juranek and Chase Crispin who talk to us about their use of assistive technology in school and at home. We discuss many other topics with them as well. Next, we hear part three of Rick Harmon's look at the details of Windows 7. To join his Windows 7 discussion list, send a blank message to: blindwindows7-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Follow Main Menu on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/mainmenu

This week, we devote the entire show to an interview with Shane Jackson of the Blind World Blog and Podcast. Shane talks to us about his job as an Apple Specialist, his thoughts on the iPhone, the soon-to-be-released iPad, and much more. Anyone who is a fan of The Blind World Blog and Podcast will enjoy this interview. It is classic Shane! Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Follow Main Menu on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/mainmenu

On this week's program, Rick Harmon continues his discussion of Windows 7. If you would like to join a mailing list of other blind Windows 7 users, send a blank message to: blindwindows7-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823 Follow Main Menu on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/mainmenu

This week Mike Calvo and Ricky Enger talk to us about Serotek's new Build A Bundle subscription options. Next, Rick Harmon gives us the details of Windows 7. For those of you who have noticed a problem with the Main Menu RSS feed, it is now working properly again. Thanks to Larry Turnbull and Shane Ditmar for fixing the problem. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823 Follow Main Menu on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/mainmenu

This week's edition of Main Menu begins with a new segment. TGIF or Tech Goods In Five is produced by Shane Ditmar of blind-geek.net and a member of the Main Menu team. On our Christmas show, we aired a demo of the iBill, a new talking bank note identifier from Orbit Research. This demo was presented courtesy of Ron Graham. This week we decided to take a closer look at the product, so we visited with Brian of Orbit Research and asked some of the questions you have been asking. Next we turn to gaming. We visit with Philip Bennefall of Blast Bay Studios about a new side-scrolling action adventure game entitled Q9. Jamie Pauls then gives a short demo of the game. Finally, we round out this week's show with discussion of a Monopoly game from RS Games that is quickly taking the blind community by storm. Mike Forzano, one of the game developers, talks to us about this new Monopoly game. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed a

Main Menu begins 2010 with a bang! We first hear a greeting from ACB president Mitch Pomerantz. Next, your host is joined by J.J. Meddaugh of Blind Bargains and Rick Harmon of The Blind Geek Zone to discuss the top news stories of 2009 as published on Blind Bargains. The number one story of the year will be posted on the site just hours before the panel discussion airs on Main Menu. Finally, the three of us predict what stories will rank in the top ten list for 2010. Take notes and see how close we are! Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823

This week we bring you a very special Christmas edition of Main Menu. We begin with a greeting from David Tanner, a member of the Main Menu team and a frequent contributor to the show. Next, we visit with Raul Gallegos of GW Micro about version 2.0 of the BookSense which was released just this week. Following that, we bring you a demo of the iBill, a new talking money identifier priced at just $99.00 in the U.S. This week's demo is presented by Ron Graham. We plan to bring you a future interview with a representative from Orbit Research, developers of the iBill, in order to learn even more about the company and the iBill in particular. We end the show by turning to the Christmas theme. We will hear holiday greetings which were called in to our Main Menu comment line. Among the greetings you will hear is a special message from ACB Radio's own Marlaina Lieberg as well as members of the Main Menu staff. Finally we present "A Christmas Miracle" by Neal Ewers. Some truly beautiful Christmas music is heard throug

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: Caroline Ragot, marketing director of Code Factory, tells us about the many exciting features of Mobile Speak version 4. Code Factory says Mobile Speak 4 is multiplatform, multivoice, and ready for the next generation. What does that mean? It will work with touch screen devices. Which ones and how is this accomplished? There are so many new features in Mobile Speak 4 that Caroline was barely able to scratch the service, but she gave it her best shot. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: Ricky Enger talks to us about iBlink Radio, Serotek's accessible application for the iPhone. Next, Dr. Robert Carter compares how five portable players handle NLS content. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: Greg Stilson of HumanWare gives us an in-depth tour of the newest generation of the BrailleNote family dubbed the Apex. Greg also tackles the question of why a blind person needs a dedicated notetaker instead of a mainstream product. Next, Ricky Enger of Serotek talks to us again about Accessible Event and she shares a special Serotek is offering on the use of the program until December 31. Next week we will visit with Ricky about iBlink Radio, Serotek's free application for the iPhone. Jamie Pauls and Ricky will compare notes on using touch screen devices running with Apple's VoiceOver and will talk briefly about Apple's commitment to accessibility. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: David Tanner gives us a demonstration of the new Intel Reader from HumanWare and Stephen Guerra talks to us about the Moshi talking alarm clock from Independent Living Aids. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: Your host takes you on a tour of the LG enV3 from Verizon Wireless. The discussion includes a description of the physical layout of the phone, setting up speech on the phone, making calls, manipulating contacts, and sending and receiving text messages. Along the way we look at resources for learning more about this phone, the host shares his personal journey down the road of cell phone accessibility, and we discuss the history, current state, and future of cell phone accessibility. Most remarkable of all, we do all of this in just under one hour. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: We have a demonstration of NVDA which was previously heard on Blind Cool Tech. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: David Tanner talks to us about the Book Sense from GW Micro. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 8:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php

On this week’s edition of Main Menu: We hear part two of our iPod Touch demo and then David Tanner interviews Sam Jasmond about a new audio dart board game. Main Menu airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that’s Fridays at 9:00 Eastern time in the U.S. Call the Main Menu comment line at (206) 338-7823. Messages may be played on the program and may be edited due to time constraints. Subscribe to the Main Menu podcast feed at: http://mainmenu.acbradio.org/rss.php