Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta1 now ready for download

At last Window-Eyes 7.0 beta1 is now ready for download with many new features. Grab it from the above link.

Cambridge Islay and Jaid

Jaid is now back from the vet resplendent with a smart but huge bandage on her front left dog foot. She is able to walk but it looks funny and sounds strange too.

The Cambridge beer festival was a well run and large event with around 170 ales on draft but the cider bar attracted my a tension mainly because of one ‘appley concoction that had been aged in a whisky cask, it was 7.5% but went down like apple juice and was simply lovely.

I’m off to Yorkshire later on today and Jaid is staying with June and James over the next week as Clare and I travel.

Our travel arrangements are now in place for Islay and we have decided to fly in both directions. It would have been nice to take the coach and ferry over to the island but it’s a 7 hour journey from Glasgow so we have knocked it on the head for this time at least. We are doing the Caledonian sleeper train in both directions and will take some time in Glasgow to chat with friends in the wonderful rollicking city.

Jaid, Islay and other bits

Jaid’s off back to the vets today for an x-ray and possible small operation to remove what ever is actually still in her little foot, I really hoped all this was over but sadly not. The little furry bugger started to limp again yesterday in the middle of London.

I went over to Epsom on Tuesday evening and had a few beers with Andrew and it was a cracker of an evening. A healthy slug of Highland Park 12 capped it all off in fine style.

Yesterday night was also enjoyable at the Dove beer festival. They had around 70 beers on all of which were in fine fettle, well the ones I tried anyway.

Chris and I are off to the Cambridge beer festival this evening and then I’ll be in the office on Friday for a sight village meeting.

I have our accommodation booked now for Islay and we’re staying at the Lochindaal hotel in Port Charlotte, more on this as we make arrangements.

Keysoft 7.5 B29 online soon

HumanWare is pleased to announce the release of KeySoft 7.5 Build 29 for the BrailleNote
family of products. These revisions to KeySoft are available at no charge or SMA
count to current KeySoft 7.5 users.

Build 29 contains 4 user improvements:
1. mPower now supports Wig-If 802.11 g protocol: A driver has been included to support
the later model Ambicom WL54G Wi-Fi card. This card is more readily available than
the currently supported Ambicom WL1100C. The US Robotics Wireless MAXg USB Adapter
USR5421 is also supported.
2. Appointment Scheduling: The error associated with scheduling an appointment to
a date other than the current day has been fixed. This previously generated an error
saying that the entered date needed to be after 1601.
3. USB Device Identification: The problem causing some USB and CD ROM drives to be
incorrectly identified as printers has been corrected.
4. Words Added to Spelling Dictionary: Depending on the choice of braille table,
words added to the spell checker were not being retained, so appeared as spelling
errors on future spell checks. This has been corrected.
We encourage existing mPower KeySoft 7.5 Users to take advantage of these free improvements
as the Development Team continues working on implementing the exciting new features
of a new KeySoft release for fall 2008.
The version will be available for download from our web site by Thursday May 22nd.

Sunshine and Escape

Clare and I had a lovely time last weekend. Friday saw us
enjoying a pint or two in the Dove before going to the Royal
India for a very good meal. On getting back home I was tired so
went to bed.

After a bit of a late start on Saturday we walked in to town and
once more investigated the Dove but sadly the beer choice was not
up to the standard I'm used to because they are having a beer
festival this week so the idea was to run down the selection of
ales a bit before it's starts this Wednesday when around 70 beers
and ciders will be on offer.

We then toddled off to Wilcos for a few bits and then it was the
bus home and some tv watching and malt slurping.

COLIN took us to Tesco on Sunday and then we had a bbq which was
a success, so much so that we are going to invest in a really
good charcoal burning one which should last us a good few years.
With the new table and other garden bits we've ordered I'm sure
Ellenbrook will become a nicer place to live.

I went into london on Monday for work and am on the train at the
moment preparing for some braille tuition at the office. This
week will find me at the office on Thursday and Friday but I'll
be back at home tonight because of an appointment in Grenich on
Wednesday.

I've got the urge to go over to Islay in June so I'm trying to
sort it out at the moment. It will be smashing to get back to
the piece and salty air of this most amazing of places if I can
find some digs for the busy june holiday season. We are probably
going to travel over on the berry rather than flying this time.
We may even take the sleeper train out of London to Glasgow
something that neither of us have done before.

traveling

I’m glad to report that Jaid’s vet has given her the all clear so I’ll probably take her out for a walk today if the precipitation stops. Still it does clean up the air, it’s been very hot over the last two weeks and I’ve enjoyed the sun.

Clare and I have purchased one of those garden tables with a bench at each side for outside our little dwelling so next time we get some sun we should be ready for it. It’s proper pub style and I can already feal the pints flowing down on those barmy summer evenings I’m sure we’ll get this year.

Next week will be a busy one with work and the one after equally packed with travel but of a holiday type nature. We’re off to my parents for a few days, then over to March to relax, eat and use the Jim and then it’s Dave and Emma’s in the lovely city of Worcester for a little feed and drink.

Work have given me the opportunity to go over to represent them at the World Blind Union conference held in August over in Zurich Switzerland and I’m pleased and looking forward to it immensely.

It should be a quiet weekend as we’ve nothing planned but I think a trip over to the Dove may be in order some time today.

Royal India - Ipswich

Royal India Ipswich

I’m afraid that I can’t remember much about my first visit to this newly opened establishment as the exertions over the bank holiday weekend had taken it out of me but Clare and I returned last Friday.

The restaurant is opposite the railway station and actually shares floor space with the Station Hotel pub.

The food is of a high standard with the various dishes nicely and variously spiced, fluffy breads and good Smokey sweet DHALL SAMBER.

It’s also possible to bring real ale in from the pub to quash the hot flames of those fiery dishes and the hops in my spitfire did this rather well.

Service was good and the staff suggestions welcome, they also have an accessible menu on the restaurant’s web page which is linked above. I’d highly recommend this restaurant to anyone near Ipswich station or who wants to try a well priced and reasonable quality within the Ipswich area, especially if you like a drop of ale with your spicy fix.

Station Hotel - Burrell Road - Ipswich - IP2 8AJ
01473 691737
OPENING HOURS
Mon to Sun Lunch Time - 12noon to 2pm
Evening Time - 5pm until Midnight
Open 7 days a week Including Bank Holidays

Hot May Tuesday

Just a quick update as it’s all I’ve really got time for.

Jaid’s out of action for a few days with a recurring grit in the foot problem but the quacks are on to it as it were so I’m working my way around with a cane for a bit.
It’s Clare’s birthday today so we’re off out tonight for a Chinese with her parents.

We went to Bressingham last week for a day in the sun with those of the cast of Dad’s army who’re still able to talk and write, plus we went on a small gage steam train which Malone disliked so much he jumped off Indiana dog and the temple of bones style.

I’ve opened up a Springbank 1997 10 year old vintage which I’ll make notes on later on this week. I also cracked a few other older bottles but won’t blog about those as I’ve decided only to create whisky notes about those bottlings still available should you wish to find them.

The new Def Leppard cd “songs from the sparkle lounge” is out and getting regular spins on the stream as is the new White Snake cd “good to be bad”. I’m also impressed at the moment by the latest effort from Karine Polwart “this earthly spell”

I’ve been making tangible progress at losing a few pounds over the last week or two and keeping off the beer during the week and I’m walking much more and riding the exercise bike which is all jolly nice in an aren’t I good kind of way. I’ve still had a few beers or more than a few at the weekend and I enjoy a dram most week nights.

The real ales available near me in Ipswich are getting better with the Kingfisher offering two including Adnams Best and the Station Hotel serving a verry good pint of Spitfire plus Adnams. Even the Belsted Arms across the road should be adding an ale or two soon so I may pop in on Friday to check it out.

April Update

Once again it’s been a long time since a personal update so I am rather amazed that people keep reading this shite.

Not much has been happening for me over the last few weeks out of the normal and this is in many ways first-rate since life is kind to me at the moment.

I’ve been working early for the last week so this has kind of messed up my weekend a little and that would explain why I couldn’t help getting out of bed at 4 AM on a Sunday.

I’m off to Colchester today for a CAMRA young persons beer tasting Naomi sorted out between us and the Colchester branch so I’m looking forward to that. I may report on it later in the week if my notes are of interest or I am able to jot stuff down.

It’s shaping up to be a busy and exciting one next week and I’m staying with the boy Dave over at Williams Mansions one evening so it will be nice to catch up with himself. Clare and I are popping over to Bournemouth for the weekend and then it’s back to work after the bank holiday.

Still no word on a replacement dog for Jaid but she’s happy and working well thank goodness and enjoys the pub as much as ever!

May as well go now as I’m starting to ramble.

Bunnahabhain 1985 / 16 Year Old / 70cl / 50% / Douglas Laing

The distillery tour of Bunnahabhain by John the manager was a highlight for me last year on Islay, and on this weeks whisky cast the master blender said that Bunnahabhain bottling and all the BS single malts will be at 46 and unchillfiltered if he has his way. Let’s hope this happens as this whisky deserves it.

Nose: mashie with sweet American oak but not over powering, peaches custard and limes.

Pallett: incredibly smooth with the wood and a little fudge up front, a tiny bit of smoke.

Finnish: short but the citrus of the wood comes back to remind you that you’ve just had a lovely dram. Easy going.

Comments: a 16 year old whisky at 50% ABV for 35 quid? A bargain at todays stupid prices. Lovely pleasant every day whisky. Lets hope the boys at the Laddi take note and stop acing good islay whisky in it’s teans.

Phil Collins Finally Gives it up!!

Nothing like starting off the day with some really good news!! Thank goodness.

“Veteran singer Phil Collins is to retire after over 30 years in the music industry.
The star, who recently completed a reunion tour with his former band
Genesis
, announced yesterday he will not be releasing any more
albums
or do another tour.
Instead, Collins wants to take on a more behind-the-scenes role so he can enjoy a
more leisurely life - although he will still continue to write songs.”

Long time!

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted a personal blog entry. Illness, a busy work schedule and general apathy towards blogging have all contributed collectively to this state of being. Never the less I was thinking over the Easter weekend that I’ve posted a blurb about my Easter for the last 3 years so I may as well make this a 4th year.

Dave and Emma came over for a most enjoyable Easter weekend which was full of the usual drinking fine malts, beer and eating especially on the Sunday when Clare Chris and I prepared a lovely chicken dinner.

I went to my first 40th birthday party which was a rather busy but chilled out time.

Sadly in other news Nigel is leaving the Rose and Crown basically because of lack of support from punters in west Ipswich. Sad but I’m sure he’ll bounce back from this and I wish the dood luck in what ever he does. This is the second good [pub to go down the crapper this year the other one was in Preston, well more pubs will have gone but I’m just on about those I would have chose to drink in.

Chris and I went to the Dove, Fat Cat and the Emperor last night before stopping in at the Rose for a few. I’ve never been in the Emperor before and I was impressed. Adnams Bitter and Broadside, Young’s and a mild were on hand pump and they had a real ale in a bottle festival on plus some acoustic music for the Easter weekend. I found some of the acts really good especially a lad called Paul Steven Wood http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=147178925 his Album What’s Expected of Me, was yesterday’s unexpected purchase.

I’ve taken the rest of this week off work and we’re off to the Woolpack tonight for a Malaysian fish curry prepared by the mighty kitchen Dave. The rest of the week looks rather full and it should be interesting. More later.

New Voices and Languages for the Stream

Humanware have released new voices for the Stream. I guess nuance still have some work to do on these but at least we have access to some male voices now. They can be The UK male voice should be up soon but you can still listen to him.downloaded and listened to at the link above.

New Trekker Breeze Announced

Longueuil, March 13, 2008 – This week, at the CSUN conference in Los Angeles, HumanWare is unveiling a new talking GPS. The product is designed for people who are blind, for use when travelling in familiar surroundings. The product will also be appealing to people not comfortable with computers and screen readers. The new model is an addition to the popular Trekker and BrailleNote GPS systems, which have thousands of users worldwide. With this innovation, HumanWare will make GPS technology even more accessible to a greater number of people.

Like other GPS products from HumanWare, the Trekker Breeze provides talking GPS directions that help users know where they are and where they are going whether on foot or in a vehicle.

Trekker Breeze offers the important benefits of GPS orientation tools. It enhances independence and confidence in travelling. Users can record routes as they walk them with sighted assistance. Routes can then be previewed and activated for future use. As they walk by, users receive audible information such as street names, intersections and reference landmarks. In case they are lost, they can retrace their steps. They can also reach favorite destinations with turn by turn instructions from their current position. The product makes it easier to travel alone and allows people to discover and enjoy their surroundings.

"GPS technology brings great benefits to visually impaired travellers. With this new addition to our product line, Humanware now offers GPS benefits to an even wider portion of the visually impaired population." said Lucia Gomez, Product Manager. "Easy and intuitive, Trekker Breeze offers basic orientation functions in a all-in-one hand size device. It is also the most affordable GPS tool specially designed for the needs of users who are blind. "

"Trekker Breeze will make the potential of GPS technology even more accessible to the blind" said Lucia Gomez.

The Trekker Breeze will be available in English, summer of 2008. The BrailleNote GPS and Trekker are currently available from HumanWare. For more information, please visit http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/gps

GW Micro Announce W-E 7.0

This is simply a cracking upgrade. I’ve been beta testing it and love it. The new feature set is somewhat larger than GW have yet let on so watch out for more info later. Public beta coming soon.

Window-Eyes 7.0 not only has numerous performance enhancements, but it
also includes enhanced Braille support, better Browse Mode support,
Unicode, scripting, and more. With enhanced Braille support, you can
now look at an entire dialog on your Braille display without the need to
scroll the Braille display, assuming that your Braille display has
enough cells to fit the dialog. For example, if you have an 80-cell
Braille display, you have the potential to see the text of the dialog,
an OK button, and a Cancel button all without the need to scroll Braille.

Better Browse Mode support allows you to keep track of places on a web
page that you go to the most with place markers. So, if you enjoy a
specific part of a web page at www.gwmicro.com , you can mark that
spot and jump to it quickly each time you visit. And, if the page ever
changes, you have the ability to easily find that same spot if it still
exists. Other screen readers are not capable of this. The new version
also gives you the ability to jump to specific controls, like buttons,
check boxes, radio buttons, and more. Not only can you jump to a
specific type of control, but you can jump directly to the controls you
use the most. For example, if you need to go to the third edit box on a
web page each time you visit, you can jump directly to the third edit
box on the page without having to go through every edit box on the
page. This is just yet another exciting new feature that Window-Eyes
offers that no other competitor can match.

The new scripting features in Window-Eyes will open up a whole new world
for Window-Eyes consumers. We are again breaking the mold, raising the
bar, and creating new possibilities for blind and visually impaired
people. The new scripting capability will allow Window-Eyes to be
customized for applications like Skype, iTunes, and more. The best part
is that any programmer who has knowledge of a computer language that
uses COM Automation, then that programmer can write a script for
Window-Eyes. Other screen readers use a proprietary language, and thus,
have a limited number of scripters. So, what does this all mean for
you, the end user? It means there are more people to write more scripts
to make more software applications accessible. The end result is that
if you need immediate access to an application, you no longer have to
wait for the next version of Window-Eyes. If you feel comfortable
writing your own scripts, you can use the language you are most
comfortable with, as long as it supports COM Automation. Or, if you
prefer to have someone else write a script for you, simply contact a
Window-Eyes scripter, and have them write a script for you. It's that
easy. Just think of all of the applications that you could get access to!