September 2004 - Posts
Jack sent me this - from the Online Journalism Review: Navigating the Internet with software that dictates text can be an obstacle course. But some enterprising news sites are designing their sites with blind readers in mind -- and finding it's easier than they expected, and it hardly costs a thing.
I bought a D-Link DI-524 Wireless Router from Amazon.com and decided to set it up yesterday (Sunday). I followed the directions in the User Manual to a 'T' but the WAN light would not come on. I tried everything I could think of; rebooting the DSL modem, rebooting my PC, rerunning the Setup Wizard - nothing worked. On the back of the manual is the Tech Support telephone number and it had an '877' number available 24/7. So, I gave it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised. They answered the phone, routed me to the right department, where I spoke to 'Obed'. He knew exactly what the problem was, had me make a setting change and then test my connection - it worked! Not only that, but they sent a follow-up email that listed the problem and the resolution and a link to a survey to help them improve their tech support. Personally, I think their Tech Support doesn't need any improvement - they are great!
Critical Bulletins:
MS04-028 - Buffer Overrun in JPEG Processing (GDI+) Could Allow Code
Execution (833987) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS04-028.mspx
Important Bulletins:
MS04-027 - Vulnerability in WordPerfect Converter Could Allow Code
Execution (884933) http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS04-027.mspx
The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) announces the first annual ATAP Conference on Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Information Technology (IT).
When & Where: The conference will be held on November 9 & 10, 2004, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the St. Louis Hyatt at Union Station.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Individuals and organizations interested in assistive technology and accessible information technology and telecommunications including:
- State Assistive Technology Programs
- Disability advocates
- Information Technology Professionals
- Procurement Officials
- Vendors
Get more information and register.
Did I mention I'll be speaking?
"With faster rendering and start-up times and updated plug-ins like Macromedia Flash 7, Netscape 7.2 is built for the way you use the Web! Choose the browser that's fast, easy and free."
Get your bumper sticker at CafePress
August 19, 2004 - (New York State) Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced settlements with two major travel web sites that will make the sites far more accessible to blind and visually impaired users.
The web sites, Ramada.com and Priceline.com, have agreed to implement a variety of accessibility standards that will permit users of assistive technology, such as screen reader software, to more easily navigate these web sites.
"Accessible web sites are the wave of the future and the right thing to do. We applaud these companies for taking responsible and proper steps to make their web sites accessible to the blind and visually impaired," Spitzer said. "We urge all companies who have not done so to follow their lead."
At first glance, this settlement seemed liked a good thing - until I read Matt May's analysis - Web accessibility litigation: it's not what we want.
“Having read the settlement, I have to say that Priceline's culture of haggling served them well. They avoid having to conform to three Priority 1 checkpoints, along with some twenty-one Priority 2 checkpoints.“
This add-in enables new capabilities for FrontPage users including the ability to: Easily embed the Windows Media Player 9 Series or 10 Series control into FrontPage web pages and SharePoint sites; Control the look and feel of the media playback experience; Easily convert your media files for efficient network delivery. Publish to a Web or streaming server automatically. All this from within the add-in's wizard without having to write any script!