Stream Newswire - Spanish Version 3.2 Released

Dear Victor Reader Stream Customer:
HumanWare is pleased to announce the release of Stream software version 3.2 in Spanish.
The free software download is available at:
www.humanware.com/stream_software
On that page you will find the software download link under the Spanish heading along
with the Release Notes in Spanish. The Release Notes describe the features of 3.2
and also the SoftPak features. After installing the software, you will also find
the Release Notes on your Stream in the Text Files bookshelf.
After installing the version 3.2, you have the option to purchase the Stream SoftPak.
The SoftPak includes 5 additional features:
- Ability to play unprotected EPUB books
- Ability to play MS Word 2007 DOCX documents
- Support for Audible.com Enhanced Audio books
- Ability to play unprotected MP4 audio files including iTunes music files
- Ability to record voice notes in MP3 or wav formats.
More information about the SoftPak is available at:
www.humanware.com/softpak
We are also pleased to offer a version 3.2 that includes Stream English menus and
messages along with the Spanish Monica and English Samantha text-to-speech voices.
This version is on the same page but under the English heading.
Both versions include Monica and Samantha text-to-speech but the difference is that
the version under the Spanish heading also has Spanish menus and messages.
Thank you,
The HumanWare Team

Victor Reader Stream List Changing Ownership

As I write this post, it is hard to comprehend that it has been almost three years since I took on the role as owner and moderator of the Victor Reader Stream list. I have made many mistakes as a list moderator and learned much in the process. I am proud to say that the culture of this list today is one of goodwill and cooperation among the membership. At over 600 members, that is quite an accomplishment.
It has become increasingly apparent to me over the past several months that it is time for me to pass the torch to someone else. My duties as producer and host of ACB Radio’s Main Menu program, my work responsibilities as a music therapist working in a state school, a music appreciation instructor at a community college, a board member and Sunday school teacher at my church, and a keyboard player in a couple bands not to mention spending time with my wife and two cats keeps me quite busy. To put it plainly, something has to give.
The person who has accepted the post of owner and moderator of the list has been a long-time list member who has posted many helpful instructions over the years and visited with me privately about many matters list-related and otherwise. He was an encouragement to me when I was about ready to chuck the whole thing. I’m glad I didn’t do that, because I can now place this most excellent list into the capable hands of Brian Lingard.
I am certain Brian will have a different moderating style than I did, but I trust you will all work with him as respectfully as you have with me. I will stick around as a list member like the rest of you, and I will be excited to watch Brian take the list and Web site to a whole new level.
If you wish to post comments to me privately, please send them to the following address
jamiepauls@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Jamie Pauls

Tutorials now free on AccessWatch

Several years ago I decided to dabble in the area of producing tutorials for sale. It was a learning experience and my hat is off to anyone who does it on a regular basis. Out of that project came two tutorials. The first was a tutorial on using the now popular Rhapsody music subscription service. I knew I wouldn't sell a ton of those tutorials and I was right, but many people benefited from the lessons I provided on getting up and running with the service. While many things have changed about the service over the years, it is in many ways more accessible than it was. The most significant change is the ability to purchase tracks in unprotected MP3 format, thereby allowing the purchaser to burn songs to CD using their CD burning program of choice. The second tutorial was on using Nero 8. While newer versions of Nero are available today, this tutorial is still quite relevant. I stopped receiving sales for either tutorial quite some time back, so I decided to offer both for free. Visit AccessWatch and move to the "tutorials" heading to find both downloads.

What's next on Main Menu?

I enjoy every Main Menu show I have the opportunity to host and produce, but this one was especially fun. Read the announcement below:

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

AccessWatch Stays

Greetings all:

I won't take the time to write a fancy announcement. I will just let you know that AccessWatch isn't going away. I spent a lot of time doing some soul-searching and visiting privately with some members of the blind community who I respect greatly. I believe in AccessWatch and have spent too much time on the project to let it die. I will redouble my efforts to make the current site thrive over the next year and to possibly take it in some new directions. My thanks to Rick Harmon of the Blind Geek Zone, J.J. Meddaugh of Blind Bargains, and the loyal AccessWatch users who took the time to write me privately. Your comments are much appreciated.

May you all have a blessed and prosperous 2010.

Jamie Pauls

AccessWatch Going Offline As Of December 12

Greetings AccessWatch Users:

It is hard to believe that AccessWatch is approaching its sixth birthday I truly believe that the site has been a service to the blind community, and the creation of a review system for accessible software has been a truly unique service as well.

Since the creation of AccessWatch, I have had the privilege of accomplishing other goals such as creating some tutorials which have been a positive influence as well. Although my blogging has been very minimal, I have enjoyed that too and have come to respect those who do it regularly and well. While I am reminiscing, I mustn’t forget my brief podcasting career either. Since May of this year, I have been honored to serve as producer and host of ACB Radio’s Main Menu technology show and continue to enjoy the work that I and others on the Main Menu team do for ACB Radio and the blind community at large.

Unfortunately, I feel that AccessWatch has begun to slip more and more into the background over the past year or so; I have updated the site once in that time and I can’t recall the last software review I submitted for the site. This brings me to the purpose of my e-mail. (Remember when AccessWatch users got at least one of these per year?) I feel that it is time to put AccessWatch.info to rest. I will continue to maintain the AccessWatch blog and may even attempt to revive it in the near future, but the AccessWatch Web site and review system will be taken offline as of December 12.

I would be interested to receive feedback from those of you who have benefitted and perhaps continue to benefit from the site. If the responses indicate that I should change my mind regarding this matter, I will consider doing so. If not, then AccessWatch will cease to exist in its present form as of this Saturday.

Please send all comments to

jamiepauls@sbcglobal.net

Thanks to those of you who have been such loyal supporters of the Web site over the past nearly six years. It has truly been fun!

Jamie Pauls

Coming up on Main Menu for the week of May 16, 2009

On this week's edition of Main Menu:

David Tanner talks with David Andrews about the new NLS digital talking book players soon to be released and David Andrews gives us a demonstration of the player. Next, David Tanner takes us on a quick tour of the NLS BARD site

Https://nlsbard.loc.gov

For downloading digital talking books. Lastly, Shane Davidson reviews Loco Locution from

www.allinplay.com

 

Main Menu first airs on Saturdays at 1:00 UTC; that's Fridays at 9:00 Eastern time in the U.S. The show repeats on Wednesdays at 1:00 UTC; that's Tuesdays at 9:00 Eastern time in the U.S.