Category: Audio Demonstration

Podcasting microphones comparison

In this episode I make a comparison between 4 microphones: 3 mics dynamics and one condenser.
Which one is your pick for your podcast channel?
Is no processing in this recording and the EQ is flat. All microphones are connected to same mixer and use the same cable at its turn.
Sorry for various volume fluctuation but no way to demo a microphone for podcasting. Isn’t it?
Each microphone mentioned have a link below where you can go to check the product page for technical specifications.
Note! When the comparison starts is a podcast chapter inserted for each portion starts. It is easy navigation in case of your device supports podcast chapter navigation.

Please let me know which one you think sounds better for your podcast?
Tweet me @AccessibleCompu
Enjoy your listening and have fun podcasting!

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Registering with Signal as a blind user of iPhone

Today I will post an episode with my first atempt to create a Signal account using my iPhone 11. The audio demonstration is done from the downloding app stage up to sending first message with Signal, like an end user who never has used the service before.
This recording shows the easyness of signing up with Signal as a blind user. I have used Alex voice in my Voiceover screen reader.
I am looking for your opinion about the screen reader accessibility of this app. I’ve found being good and totaly usable by screen reader, users but here and there a gentil touch will make the app even more screen reader friendly.

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Bluetooth Keyboard Navigation in iOS with Voiceover screen reader

In this episode I will show you how to learn the main shortkey combinations using keyboard help section but also how to manipulate text from an app to other using keyboard navigation shortkeys.
All is done having Voiceover screen reader turned on, so completely accessible for blind.
Enjoy.

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Reset and re-link your Apple Watch without sighted help

Learn in this podcast episode how to reset your Apple Watch, how to re-link it to your iPhone and how to set up your preferable face and complications. All demonstration is made with Voiceover turned on and no help was needed from a sighted person.
Enjoy!

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Pontes Media Downloader for Mac OS – audio demonstration for Voiceover users

In this podcast episode I will show how to install Pontes Media Downloader for Mac, but also how to download a Youtube play list with its help.
The program could be downloaded from Pontes website.
When you try to install the program from application folder, as you do with any Mac OS app, a warning will come up saying the developer is unknown and Mac can’t install this program.
But instead of using command O to open the app use context menu pressing shift VO M and from the options list choose open. Press open and don’t worry about the message saying the program will overwrite the privacy settings.
Once the program will be opened properly ,it is another grant access which needs to be accorded, which helps Pontes Media downloader to work with short keys.
You have to go in system preferences pressing the button open system preferences and navigate to unlock . Your account password will be required to be typed in in order to allow Pontes Media Downloader to be listed in the table with granted permits apps.
Once you have done all mentioned above the program will work very similar with Windows version, if you are familiar with.
I have been surprised to see the program being able to download a play list of 80 videos and even more, to convert them in mp3.
Hope to help you in one way the audio tutorial.
Any questions are welcome in comments section below.

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How to perform OCR with Jaws – audio demonstration

You can learn in this short episode of podcast today how to make Jaws to read text from pictures or unaccessible documents or websites.
Simply, just open that file or document, or maximise your browser window then press Insert and spacebar at the same time followed by O, then S to start the process.
Jaws will say Jaws OCR has started. Shortly you hear OCR finished.
A Jaws voice with a different pitch then the one used regular will read the result of OCR.
OCR stands from Optical Character Recognition which is a technology used to detect automatically txt from pictures.
Listen how I have done my demonstration with a little package card from a SIM to check what is written on it.
If you wish to learn more about Jaws just go here.

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How to add a Google Re-captcha code to your WordPress website

Today I will show you how to insert a Re-captcha Google code into your WordPress site.
It is annoying to receive all sorts of automatic e-mails with spam, as comments or messages via contact form.
Adding a tick box “I am not a robot” we can avoid all this unpleasant extra work with cleaning spam.

Introduction

Before starting, I wish to mention this tutorial is for screen reader users, and instructions are provided with keyboard navigation only in mind.
I have used Jaws for Windows 2020 screen reader and Google Chrome for demonstration.
I am looking to open a course soon called WordPress with Speech which will help blind people to go blogging with WordPress independently.

Resources

I have used for contact form builder a plugin called Jetpack which is available here.
I like it because it is packed with lots of features which are available on wordpress.com site. Actually, takes the power of wordpress.com into your selfhosted WP blog.
In order to insert Google Re-captcha code, I will use a plugin called Re-captcha Jetpack which can be downloaded or installed from this page.
If you wish to install it straight from your dashboard then go to your website dashboard, login, then click on Add new link under Plugins section.
In the search field for plugins type Re-captcha Jetpack and press enter.
A list of plugins will appear, each one having the title displayed as heading.

Installation and configuration

For easy navigation use H key to jump from result to result until Re-captcha Jetpack will come up.
Arrow down to install link and press enter.
When the plugin is installed do not forget to activate it.
We will go then, to Re-captcha Jetpack settings where two edit fields are important for us.

  1. Site key
  2. Secret site key

These 2 keys we need to obtain them from Google Re-captcha page.
There, we need to add the website where the Captcha code will be placed.
A link to Google Re-Captcha admin console is provided just below the edit field of the site key in the settings page of Re-Captcha Jetpack plugin.
If that link does not work properly for you, you can access just here Google Re-captcha admin console.
You need to have a Google account and a gmail address.
Type a label for your website, because the same console can be used to add multiple websites.
Then, you need to choose a type of captcha for your website.
I will recommend Re-captcha version 2.0 and I am not a robot tick box model. Also, under version 2.0 other 2 models are available: an invisible captcha and one for Android.
It is important to choose the right option here, then insert your website domain name, your gmail address in the e-mail field, then tick the box I agree terms and conditions.
Finally, press enter on submit button and wait for few seconds.
When the request is processed, a new window will appear mentioning your website name has been added.
Below that message is a line where your site key appears in clear, and few lines below the secret site key as well.
For each key it is a button which allows you to take it in clipboard.
Paste them into the right edit field, in your website dashboard, where the settings page for Re-captcha Jetpack plugin is, then press save changes button.
Pay attention to paste the right key in the right edit field. It is easy to mess them around, thing which will make the plugin to not work.
Once the correct information is saved you do not need to make other things to appear that Re-captcha code into your form. Just go to check your form in your front end of the website and amazingly see your little Re-captcha code there, just above submit button.

Conclusion

Things are not so complicated with all this process, but require attention.
It is possible to have similar results with other plugins, but I was interested in this particular one because I use Jetpack plugin to create forms. Also, it is free of charge.

What to do next?

If you wish to hear an audio demonstration with step by step instructions, please listen the podcast episode below.
If you are interested in learning more about WordPress with Speech, then contact me and let me know which are your biggest challenges with WP blogging.

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TW Blue – A Screen Reader Friendly Twitter Client for Windows – audio demonstration

Are you blind and fancy using Twitter on your PC?
Then this audio podcast episode is for you.
I will show how to download and install TW Blue, an accessible client for Twitter, which can be used in conjuction with any major screen reader.
In my case, I have done the demonstration using Jaws 2020 and Chrome browser.
A short overview of the program is provided as well, but also how to authorise the program to work with your Twitter account.
Keep in mind, this program works with multiple sets of shortkeys, so be sure you choose your favorite set from settings.
This sets are:

  • Qwitter
  • Chitcken Nuggets
  • Windows 10
  • Default

If the first and second sets are from older clients for some users will be easyer to keep the same commands like in the past.
For default short keys check the documentation using help menu.
Windows 10 keys are the same with this recommended by Twitter in its main page when you open Twitter in browser.
Another notable thing is the capability to use the program with a graphical interface or without.
The program kit which I have used is the one which is available at www.twblue.es.
Now, listen the demonstration below!

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Download and convert videos from Youtube with Pontes Media Downloader

Pontes Media Downloader is a program which helps blind people to download and convert video files from YouTube but from other video services as well.
The interface is clean, simple and accessible for screen reader users.
Now the program has versions for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Today I will show you how to use it in Windows.
Later I hope to come with a demonstration for Mac as well.
Download the program from
www.pontes.ro
And install it normally, like any other program under Windows.
Once installed go to YouTube and copy the link from the share menu along the video what you wish to download.
When the YouTube link is copied go to Pontes Media Downloader icon into your desktop and open it.
The program will check your clipboard for a YouTube link. If such a link is present will be automatically pasted into the right place.
Going around with tab key you can select from a couple of combo boxes the quality of the source file in the first instance, but also the format what you wish to choose for your download. You can keep the original format, or you can convert the file in video or audio formats.
Check the podcast episode for the demonstration with Jaws.
Also, you can learn more about formats available for audio and video.
The program will create a folder in your Documents where you can access the files at any time without opening the program.
When a link is pasted in for download an audio signal will be heard, and, also when the download or conversion is done.
For long videos the process could take a while according with your internet connection and your computer specs.
I will give a thump up for Pontes Association and the team whom was involved in this program development. Good stuff!
If you wish to learn more about navigating around YouTube, or how to use accessible programs for this task don’t hesitate to contact us.
Enjoy your listening now!

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How blind users make an ECG test on Apple Watch

I have decided to post today a new demonstration in the podcast episode, related with Health App in iPhone and Apple Watch.
Starting with Apple Watch series 4, there is a new feature built-in which work great for me as a blind user.
As one whom encountered some heart issues a while ago because a chest infection, I was learning to keep an eye on my heart bit and on my health of heart of course.
I have recently discovered how easy and effective is to perform an electrocardiogram on my watch.
I will demonstrate in the podcast episode today how to perform this task and, how to share the result with your doctor. Alternatively, you can store the results in one of your cloud accounts in order to show them later at hospital when needed.
The experience is easy

Follow this steps

1. Open ECG app on your Apple Watch
2. Hold your finger on the crown navigation button until Voiceover will say Done, or you’ll hear the special sound made during the test running off.
3. Double tap on done button.
4. Go to your iPhone and open the notification received when ECG test was done.
5. Open the newest result with double tap
6. Flick to the right until hear share result with your doctor button.
7. Double tap on that button and then choose a method to share the pdf from the regular iPhone share screen.
Job done.
If you listen the audio demonstration till the end, you’ll see how easy it is to do it.
Note, it is necessary to have a first set up which might be a bit lengthy but no longer than 10 minutes.
Must be collected in the health app some information about you in order to have relevant results. The information required in the health app are things like weight, height, age, sex and some basic medical info.
I would recommend going through this before using for the first time ECG app on your watch, other way you’ll be directed to same place during the first test trial.

Hope this demonstration encouraged you to give a try to this nice feature.
For any comments, questions or mentions do not hesitate to right a comment down below or to contact me using the details in the podcast recording.

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