The Tech Doctor Blog and Podcast

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In this podcast, Allison and Robert discuss what we are likely to see from Apple regarding new iPads, MacBook Pros and the eminent release of Mavericks.

They describe the importance of backing up ones system before updating the OS including some recommended backup software.

Robert And Allison discuss their experiences with iOS 7. They are in agreement that it is a very solid first version of the OS.

They explain how one can use the “Drafts” notes app in conjunction with MBraille to create and edit notes. These notes can easily be stored in Dropbox.

Finally, Allison and Robert discuss some of what is new in the world of ebooks and reading.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Allison and Robert spend the first 45 minutes with Jonathan Mosen discussing his new book called “iOS 7 Without the Eye.” While not intended for the iOS beginner, this is an excellent resource for quickly and easily getting up to speed with what’s new and different in iOS 7.

The book is available directly from Jonathan and comes in PDF, RTF and EPUB formats.

For more information go to
Jonathan’s Website

Robert and Allison spend the last 15 minutes discussing their new and exciting iPhone 5s acquisitions. I’ll bet you can hear the excitement in our voices.

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert and Allison begin with a brief discussion of the Apple Event that is expected to occur on September 10th. This leads to a discussion of how much excitement a new iPhone generates and what this has come to represent.

The remainder of the podcast is spent with Robert listing and describing the podcasts that he most often listens to. Below are two links for each podcast. The first link goes to the main web site for the podcast and the second link is the actual podcast feed link. This second link can be directly entered in to iTunes or another pod catching client. The tech Doctor podcast highly recommends the use of Downcast on both the Mac and iOS platforms.

Apple related podcasts
Mac Break Weekly Website
Mac Break Weekly Podcast Feed

Systematic Website
Systematic Podcast Feed

TUAW Daily Update Website
TUAW Daily Update Podcast Feed

The Talk Cast Website
The Talk Cast Podcast Feed

Accidental Tech Podcast Website
Accidental Tech Podcast Feed

Amplified Website
Amplified Podcast Feed

For Mac Eyes Only Website
For Mac Eyes Only Podcast Feed

Mac Geek Gab Website
Mac Geek Gab Podcast Feed

Mac Power Users Website
Mac Power Users Podcast Feed

Mac Roundtable Website
Mac Roundtable Podcast Feed

Mac Bites Website
Mac Bites Podcast Feed

Mac Cast Website
Mac Cast Podcast Feed

Mac Jury Website
Mac Jury Podcast Feed

Mac Notables Website
Mac Notables Podcast Feed

Mac Voices Website
Mac Voices Podcast Feed

Macworld Website
Macworld Podcast Feed

NOSILLA Podcast Website
NOSILLA Cast Podcast Feed

The Talk Show Website
The Talk Show Podcast Feed

We Have Communicators Website
We Have Communicators Podcast Feed

Mac OS Ken Website
Mac OS Ken Podcast Feed

Today In iOS Website
Today In iOS Podcast Feed

Disability Related Podcasts

Accessible Devices Website
Accessible Devices Podcast Feed

Access Talk Website
Access Talk Podcast Feed

Apple and Other Accessible Technology Website
Apple and Other Accessible Technology Podcast Feed

Applevis Website
Applevis Podcast Feed

Assistive Technology Update Website
Assistive Technology Update Podcast Feed

Blind Access Journal Website
Blind Access Journal Podcast Feed

Blind Bargains Website
Blind Bargains Podcast Feed

Blind World Blog and Podcast Website
Blind World Blog and Podcast Podcast Feed

Cool Blind Tech Website
Cool Blind Tech Podcast Feed

How to be Blind Website
How to be Blind Podcast Feed

I Blind Tech Website
I Blind Tech Demo Podcast Feed

Maccessibility Website
Maccessibility Podcast Feed

Main Menu Website
Main Menu Podcast Feed

Mystic Access Website
Mystic Access Podcast Feed

NV Access Website
NV Access Podcast Feed

Triple Click Home Website
Triple Click Home Podcast Feed

Serotalk Website
Serotalk Podcast Feed

Book Podcasts

Book Hoarders Anonymous Website
Book Hoarders Anonymous Podcast Feed

Book Riot Website
Book Riot Podcast Feed

Books On The Nightstand Website
Books On The Nightstand Podcast Feed

Literary Disco Website
Literary Disco Podcast Feed

Other People Website
Other People Podcast Feed

Other Excellent Podcasts

Sex Nerd Sandra Website
Sex Nerd Sandra Podcast Feed

Stuff Mom Never Told You Website
Stuff Mom Never Told You Podcast Feed

Tech News Today Website
Tech News Today Podcast Feed

60 Minutes Website
60 Minutes Podcast Feed

Democracy Now Website
Democracy Now Podcast Feed

The Frequency Website
The Frequency Podcast Feed

Just The Tip Website
Just The Tip Podcast Feed

Shelly’s Podcast Website
Shelly’s Podcast Podcast Feed

This Week In Tech Website
This Week In Tech Podcast Feed

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Allison and Robert talk with Deborah Kendrick about an extraordinary column that Deborah wrote for the Columbus Dispatch newspaper called
Old-school Braille needs image update

Deborah wrote the column after returning from the first ever Braille Summit where 100 braille experts gathered to discuss the future of braille.

Deborah, Allison and Robert explain how important braille is to them personally and professionally. While acknowledging the value and importance of talking devices and audio books, the podcasters conclude that audio-based technology is not a substitute or replacement for braille.

Given that braille is the only written language for people who are blind, it is most unfortunate that fewer blind people are learning braille today than ever before.

We believe that braille must once again become a critical component of every blind person’s education. Every student be they sighted or blind needs to be proficient in written language. We must help parents, teachers, rehabilitation professionals and even blind people realize that braille is the key to literacy for anyone who can’t see to read print.

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In this podcast, Robert and Allison speak with the frequently mentioned but rarely heard from man who ultimately won Allison’s heart.

Jeremy Hartley shares his extensive background working in technology and music.

Allison shares the story of out the couple met online. Both partners talk about how their relationship has evolved into the happy marriage that they now enjoy.

Thanks Allison and Jeremy for sharing your story. The courage to be honest, the willingness to be vulnerable and the power that comes from using technology to improve our lives is what the Tech Doctor podcast is all about.

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert and Allison talk with, Michael Manesh, the developer of
Instabrowser.
This iOS app very well may replace Safari as your favorite browser.

Michael designed Instabrowser to load pages extremely fast and to render text in a clean and simple format. It works much like the read it later Instapaper app but operates on webpages in realtime. The table of contents button instantly creates a list of the relevant articles on the page and one can immediately jump to the desired article.

It didn’t occur to Michael that VoiceOver users could benefit from Instabrowser. When I contacted him, however, he had Instabrowser working extremely well with VoiceOver just within a few days. Michael describes the process of making the app accessible and encourages all developers to make their apps work with VoiceOver.

Allison grabs her iPhone and demonstrates just how well Instabrowser works. You get to hear just how fast and efficient it is to locate and read articles with this browser.

One of the ways that Instabrowser achieves such speed and efficiency is that it doesn’t load java script. This means that some pages don’t work well with the mobilizer version of Instabrowser, in such cases, simply tap a toggle button and the webpage is fully loaded just as if you were working in Safari.

Instabrowser is an excellent alternative to Safari and the work that Michael has done to make it fully VoiceOver accessible is greatly appreciated. To learn more about Instabrowser,
Click Here.

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