Tag: screen reader

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!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Transferring files between Mac and iPhone via Airdrop

I will demonstrate today how to send a file via Airdrop between your Mac and your iPhone.
The process is quite simple.
You must have your Bluetooth connection turned on for each device. Both devices must be in range.

Sending from Mac to iPhone

I have selected my file on my Mac mini using Finder.
On the file prepared for transfer I have pressed VO shift M, which is the shortkey for contextual menu.
VO is the Voiceover key, or ctrl and option pressed together.
All this demonstration was made for screen reader users.
Blind and visually impaired people know Voiceover, and possible are familiar with this short key mentioned above. It is a Finder short key, not necessary a Voiceover command.
When shift VO M is pressed a list of options are displayed, but we need to go down to share.
There is another list displayed for share, where one of the options is Airdrop.
Press VO spacebar on Airdrop and wait a moment.
It is very possible to hear a notification saying:
“Not found the contact what you are looking for?”
When this screen appears do not press escape or cancel button, but navigate with tab until hear a table displayed.
If that table do not appear check your iPhone to not be locked.
For some reasons when the iPhone is password locked the connection is not possible to be completed.
When the iPhone is unlocked, just go around with tab on your Mac, until the table where the devices are listed appear. Some time Voiceover will read a username, or an iCloud account, or a name of devices found. Also. If the contact has a picture attached, you can see that picture, in case of any sight rest is left.
Press VO spacebar on that result displayed in table, and wait for the ding notification on your iPhone. Also, a little dialog come up to ask if you wish to accept or decline the file.

When file is accepted an option called “open with” will be displayed.
This window allows you to choose an app or place where that file will be saved.
Job done.

Sending from iPhone to Mac

For sending files from iPhone to Mac the procedure is quite similar.
Go to that file what you wish to transfer to your Mac and double tap on it.
Depending where that file is a share button must be present.
Choose Airdrop from the share list and wait to see a list of
recipients displayed.
When the username or name of the device appear double tap on it and leave your iPhone aside.
A notification will come up on your Mac asking to decline or accept the file.
If file is accepted, you can choose a place where that file will be saved or opened.

Check this thing in case of transfer failure:

Check if all devices involved in transfer have the Bluetooth turned on.
Perhaps you can use Siri to turn Bluetooth on.
Check Settings in your iPhone to see what kind of receiving files settings you have.
For this, go to settings/general/airdrop and double check what is selected there.
You can choose 1 of 3 options:
1. Off
2. Contact only
3. everyone.

Just in case of first option is selected, you need to alter this setting, other way leave as it is.
Warning! If everyone is selected, you can receive files from any Apple device found in range. Use this option only when desired contacts are not found, but do not forget to change after to option number 2 which is the default one.
For any other issue, check share settings in Mac, under your System Preferences.
Keep in mind, if your iPhone and Mac are registered under same iCloud account probably is worth using iCloud for easier sharing.
But for family members or sharing with friends the Airdrop sharing is probably the best and easiest way.

Listen an audio demonstration step by step in the podcast episode below.
For any questions or comments about this, leave a comment, or contact us.
Don’t forget about our training offer, if you wish to learn one to one about Voiceover in Mac and iPhone as a screen reader user!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Installing WordPress manually as a screen reader user

A while ago I have recorded a podcast episode about WordPress installation via Softaculous, but at this time I have decided to show you how to install a WP website on your server manually.
Why manually? Because is coming with some advantages.
You can create a DB name as you like, and you can upload, straight on, the WordPress package with the desired plugins and themes.
Also, you can manage separate the files from FTP, and Database file, in case of a crush.
When Softaculous is used if you decide to remove the installation the DB also is removed.
I have encountered a couple of situations when, in hurry, I have deleted accidentally the wrong website because the check box ticked was related with the website below the one wanted to be removed.
Anyway, it is a double warning there asking you if you really wish to remove that installation because is not possible to undo the task.
My fault, of course, to not pay attention to second warning, but good for me to know how to repair everything here.
Another thing for a manual installation is the possibility to name the database as you like. A meaningful name helps me to identify the DB for each domain easily when I must deal with DB management.
Softaculous tends to name the DB/username randomly and similar which is not always good.
Enough with pros and cons, but not before saying Softaculous is a very good option for commodity or new blog developers.
If you wish to install manually a WordPress website, you need to meet some requirements:
1. To have a hosting account somewhere preferable with LAMP. LAMP stands from Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP.
2. A domain names
3. A copy of WordPress downloaded from www.wordpress.org.
4. An FTP client like FileZilla
5. A text editor like Notepad.
6. A program for unzip like 7zip or WinRAR.
7. Internet connection.
If you wish to have the same hosting service and interface like me just contact me.
A domain name could be purchased together with hosting. In this way the domain price is cheaper.
The FTP client FileZilla can be downloaded from here.

Download 7zip from here.

Let’s start the job now!
You have to do 4 steps as following:

  1. Create a MySQL database in your cPanel
  2. Modify your config file from the downloaded WordPress package
  3. Upload the modified WordPress folder content to your server using FileZilla client
  4. Run the instalation wizzard accessing your domain name in browser

Creating MySQL database

Go to your cPanel and login.
Assuming you have a domain and hosting purchased, you must type in your browser the name of your domain followed by slash cPanel and press enter. Use credentials provided by your hosting provider and login.
Under MySQL data base wizard create a new DB and a new user.
Tick the box “all privileges” and press next.
Make a note of the DB details like name/user/password.
Keep in mind, in cPanel with LAMP the database name will be like your cPanel username underline Database name.
AE: If my cPanel user name is Adrian and the new created DB is named ice-cream the final name will be Adrian_icecream and the user will be Adrian_DBusername where DBusername will be the user for DB.
Password and DB name/user are case sensitive.
Create an e-mail for the domain where WordPress will be installed in case of you haven’t yet. You can use also a personal e-mail like gmail or Hotmail, but I not recommend because spam filters of this e-mail providers which may cause problems with sending/receiving e-mails.
Close the cPanel and go to next step.

Prepare your WordPress package for upload

Navigate to downloads folder and unzip your WordPress copy what you have just downloaded from WordPress.org.
A folder called WordPress will be created. In this folder are other 3 folders and a bunch of files.
The file what we need to edit is called WP-config-sample.php.
Press F2 on it in order to rename it and change the name in WP-config.php.
Open this renamed file in Notepad and arrow down until Jaws reads first line starting with “Define”.
Several lines are above, majority of them starting with star.
All this line are comments and explanation but ignore them.
First line starting with the word “Define” is the one where we must insert the dB name.
You must read word by word that line and in between apostrophes you can read ‘database_name_here’. Delete all in between apostrophes and type the DB name what you have just created in cPanel.
Continue to arrow down and search for “Define DB username”.
Like above, go word by word and delete what is in between apostrophes when you find ‘database_username_here’. In between apostrophes right the DB username exactly as you have created in the DB wizard in cPanel. Don’t forget the right format.
Arrow down again until next line starting with “Define” and their search for ‘database password’ and delete what is in between apostrophes. Type the DB password as created in cPanel.
Press alt f4 and save the changes.
Any wrong character or extra space in between apostrophes will cause installation fail.
When this change is made properly it is the time to upload the modified pack to FTP.

Upload your WordPress to server via FTP

Open FileZilla and type your credential like hostname, username and password.
This detail is provided by your host. In most cases are similar with the cPanel credentials.
FileZilla will display two screens; one for your local machine and one for your FtP server.
Tab around until the tree view related with your local machine point to the WordPress folder with the modified WP-config.php file and then tab until pass remote site slash. That tab marks the server screen half and in that tree view you must point to the root folder of the domain where WordPress is following to be installed.
Turn back using tab key to your local machine screen and just a tab below the tree view is the content of WordPress folder. There press CTRL A to select all, then application key, or shift F10. Select upload and press enter. You can check up the upload progress with insert page down.
A notification will appear when the upload is finished.

Run the installation wizzard

Assuming you have uploaded the content of WordPress folder up to the right folder in FTP, and the data modified in WP-config.php is correct, the installing wizard will appear in your browser when you type the name of the domain where you install WordPress.
In this wizard you must put a name for your site, a username for admin, an e-mail address and a password.
Presuming you have created before an e-mail under that domain, where WP installation runs, type that address.
Leave the tick box marked in case of wish to leave Google to index your blog.
If you plan to put the content later is good to tick that box until content is posted.
Press tab key until install button and press enter.
A success installation message will come up, displaying your chosen username and a link to login in your blog dashboard.
Job done. It is the time to start blogging and customise your site.

Conclusion

Keep in mind, to install a blog is not a big deal, but posting quality content regular is the path to a successful blogger.
I have performed all this using a Windows 10 machine, Jaws 2018 and Google Chrome as browser.

Stil need help?

In case of any information is not clear enough, please listen the podcast episode below, where I have recorded all steps from scratch, down to the moment of having the brand-new blog installed.
For any questions about blogging as blind don’t hesitate to contact me.
Also, Accessible Computer provides training courses one to one for blind people interested to learn blogging with screen readers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download