August 2015 / Volume 1, Number 2
In This Issue
· Tandem Trekkers Charity Gig
· KNFB Reader Scanner That Reads Printed Text Aloud
· The New Online Today Project
· Windows 10 for Windows 7 Users
· Leisure Event
· Big 5 Petition
· Northern Ballet’s 1984 –
Touch Tour Insight and Audio Described
· OK Google – Now What? (Credit:Jason Cross)
· Dates for Your Diary
Link to a Web page
www.kvin.org.uk
www.tail.org.uk
Contact Us
Kirklees Visual Impairment Network
Edith Key Centre
Upper Head Row
Huddersfield
HD1 2JN
t: 01484 817584
David Quarmby
Chairman
e:
t: 07736 087019
Martin J Eatherley
Vice Chairman
t: 07974 603699
Rachel McHale
Volunteer Co-ordinator
e:
t: 07811 571759
Solo
Sustainability & Development Manager
e:
t: 07941 852726
www.kvin.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1160580 /
Tandem Trekkers Charity Gig
We are holding a charity gig event on Friday the 25th of September from 8:00pm till late. This event will be held at Bar 1:22 in Huddersfield.There will be live music from String Fellows and KVIN band Out of Sight. Also live comedy performance. Pay on the door is £5 for a ticket and we will be holding a raffle with a chance of winning some prizes.
KNFB Reader Scanner That Reads Printed Text Aloud
There are many apps that can be used on the iPhone that capture written text to play, but none to date is as accurate as the KNFB Reader.It was first available on the Nokia N82 some years ago but due to improvements with IOS and the camera in the I-Phone, is now available on this platform. Work is being undertaken to also bring out an Android version but this is a little bit more problematic due to the range and models of phones produced by different manufacturers.
The KNFB Reader is the fastest, efficient and accurate of the applications for scanning on a smart phone.
Developed over four years, it is already being used by thousands of blind and visually impaired people throughout the world.
Many people were waiting in anticipation of this development, and in view of the first comments versed in the network can say without equivocation that never disappoints. It is able to scan printed words on paper and glass or plastic, either on a bottle of shampoo or a sign on the door of a building, bus schedules or restaurant menu, it plays it all with a precision never seen before now.
It is a sophisticated app that assists thousands of people in their day to day living. It even has a navigation facility that through the listening to small beeps helps the person in focusing a camera phone so that it is aligned with the text on the printed page and provides optimal capture of words or text. The control tilt facility is intuitive to use unlike other OCR applications on iOS. It is a must-have for all people who have visual impairments, although its price is somewhat high. It currently costs £69 but some of our members were able to take advantage of a 24 hour offer that was available a few months ago and purchased it for £39. Come and see it being demonstrated at our drop in sessions and test it out for yourself.
The New Online Today Project
· Online Today is a new Big Lottery funded project led by RNIB, and delivered in partnership, to help people with sensory loss across the UK get online.· We want everyone with sensory loss to get online and feel confident using technology in their everyday lives.
· Technology can make life easier when you have hearing or sight problems, but knowing where to start isn't always easy.
· We want to give you the information and knowledge to realise and enjoy the benefits of being online, understand how it can help with your everyday living and how to stay safe online, giving you access to the same opportunities as everyone else.
· Our team of staff and volunteers will help you find out how to get the most out of being online – from browsing websites and sending emails to keeping in touch with family and friends and up to date with news and leisure interests.
· We will explore with you what your needs are and how being online can help you. We'll be on hand to help you gain the basic skills and confidence to use technology through home visits, events, one-to-one and group sessions.
· Online Today is a new Big Lottery funded project led by RNIB, and delivered in partnership, to help people with sensory loss across the UK get online.
· We want everyone with sensory loss to get online and feel confident using technology in their everyday lives.
· Technology can make life easier when you have hearing or sight problems, but knowing where to start isn't always easy.
· We want to give you the information and knowledge to realise and enjoy the benefits of being online, understand how it can help with your everyday living and how to stay safe online, giving you access to the same opportunities as everyone else.
· Our team of staff and volunteers will help you find out how to get the most out of being online – from browsing websites and sending emails to keeping in touch with family and friends and up to date with news and leisure interests.
· We will explore with you what your needs are and how being online can help you. We'll be on hand to help you gain the basic skills and confidence to use technology through home visits, events, one-to-one and group sessions.
· For more information please call 0303 123 9999 and ask for details of Online Today.
Windows 10 for Windows 7 Users
Here’s What’s Different About Windows 10 for Windows 7 UsersUnlike Windows 8, Windows 10 actually feels designed for a PC with a keyboard and mouse. Windows 7 users will be much more at home with Windows 10, but there are still some big changes.
If you’re a Windows 7 user, you might be surprised to see just how much has changed after you upgrade. Thankfully, there are no weird hot corners to learn.
Microsoft Account Integration
When you set up Windows 10, the first thing you’ll be asked is whether you want to log into your Windows system with a Microsoft account.
This is similar to logging into a Mac or iPhone with an Apple account, or a Chromebook or Android device with a Google account.
If you log in with a Microsoft account, many desktop settings (including your wallpaper) will sync between your PCs. You’ll be automatically logged into Microsoft services like the OneDrive client integrated into Windows. A Microsoft account is mandatory to use some of the new features, like the Windows Store.
If you don’t want to use a Microsoft account, that’s also fine — there’s a small little link that allows you to set up a traditional, local Windows account.
You can easily convert it to a Microsoft account later, if you like.
The New Start Menu
The Start menu looks very different from how it did on Windows 7. The live tiles found on Windows 8’s Start screen make a return here. But, don’t worry — you can remove all the live tiles if you don’t like them. Just right-click them and remove them. The Start menu looks a bit different, but it has all the usual features you’d expect — a list of all your installed applications as well as power options for shutting down or restarting your PC. Move your mouse to any edge of the Start menu and you’ll be able to resize it.
Universal Apps and the Windows Store
Many of the apps that come with Windows 10 are “universal apps,” which are the successor to Windows 8’s “Metro apps” or “Store apps.” Unlike on Windows
8, these apps actually run in windows on the desktop, so you may actually be interested in using them.
To get more of these apps, you’ll need to open the Store app included with Windows and download them from the Windows Store. There’s no way to “sideload” these types of apps by downloading them from the Internet, although you’re free to avoid them entirely and install traditional Windows desktop applications from the web. You can also mix and match traditional Windows desktop applications and new apps from the Store. They’ll all run in windows on your desktop.
Settings App vs. Control Panel
The Settings option in the Start menu takes you straight to the new Settings app, which is evolved from the PC Settings app on Windows 8.
This is designed to be a more user-friendly way to configure your computer.
However, it still doesn’t contain every setting. The old Windows Control Panel is still included. Some older settings may only be available in the Control Panel, while some newer settings may only be available in the Settings app. To quickly access the Control Panel and other advanced options, you can right-click the Start button or press Windows Key + X. This menu is a useful holdover from Windows 8.
The Refresh and Reset options also make the leap from Windows 8 to 10. These allow you to quickly get your computer back to a like-new state without having to actually reinstall Windows.
You won’t be able to disable automatic Windows updates on Windows 10 Home systems. You’ll need Windows 10 Professional to defer updates.
Cortana and Task View on the Taskbar
The Windows taskbar has changed a bit. In Windows 8, Microsoft removed the Start button from the taskbar and you only saw icons for your programs here.
In Windows 10, the Start button isn’t just back — there’s a “Search the web and Windows” field that launches Microsoft’s Cortana assistant and a Task View button
that provides an overview of all your open windows and virtual desktop features.
Both of these features are enabled by default. If you’d like to disable them, you can just right-click the taskbar and choose to hide the Search and Task View options.
Edge Replaces Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is no longer the default browser, although it’s still available for businesses that still need access to its older rendering engine.
In its place is a modern browser named Edge. Microsoft’s Edge browser should be more standards-compliant and perform better. It also no longer supports
ActiveX controls, so all those old Internet Explorer toolbars and browser plug-ins will no longer function. If you’ve been using Internet Explorer, this is the browser you’ll be using instead. If you’re using Chrome or Firefox, you can install that and continue browsing normally.
Desktop and Security Improvements
Many other desktop improvements from Windows 8 are still here, but you won’t have seen them if you’ve been using Windows 7. The Task Manager was given an upgrade, so it’s easier to see what’s using your system resources and even manage startup programs without third-party software. Windows Explorer was renamed File Explorer and now has a ribbon — even if you don’t like the ribbon, File Explorer offers many useful features. For example, the file-copying-and-moving dialog window is much improved and Windows can mount ISO disc image files without third-party software.
There are also many security improvements from Windows 8.
Windows 10 includes Windows Defender by default — Windows Defender is just a renamed version of Microsoft Security Essentials, so all Windows systems have a baseline level of antivirus protection.
SmartScreen is a reputation system that tries to block harmful and unknown file downloads from harming your computer.
These are far from the only improvements found in Windows 10. For example, you’ll find a notification center and redesigned power, network, and sound icons in the system tray. Windows 10 includes Game DVR functionality for recording and streaming PC games. Microsoft has made many low-level tweaks that make Windows use less disk space, boot faster, and better protected against attacks.
Despite all the changes, Windows 10 is much easier to get to grips with than Windows 8 was. It’s based on the familiar desktop interface, complete with a start menu and desktop windows. Windows 10 does have a “Tablet mode,” but you have to enable that manually — or have it automatically enabled when using tablet hardware. You aren’t forced into tablet mode on typical PCs.
Leisure Event
Sunday 30 August 2015 Start time: 2pm Meeting point: Denby Dale Station.Denby Dale to Shepley Trail – An easy 4 mile walk (Allow 1 and half hour walking) from Denby Dale to Shepley Station. Stout footwear advisable.
Denby Dale and Shepley stations are on the Penistone Line, along which trains run from Huddersfield to Penistone, Barnsley, Meadowhall and Sheffield.
The Huddersfield to Penistone section in particular is a wonderfully scenic line through beautiful countryside. It climbs 367 feet during its thirteen and a half miles and boasts four impressive viaducts and six tunnels. The first trains ran on 1st July 1850, when the line was part of the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway.
The walk will include a refreshment stop at the end which will give members further opportunity to socialise during this activity. Suggested pub – The Black Bull – Shepley. If you would like to attend please contact Rachel McHale, KVIN Volunteer Co-ordinator tel: 07811571759 email:
Big 5 Petition
Did you know just five bus operators run 67% of bus services? Known as 'the Big 5', whilst some have audio visual (AV) technology on some of theirbuses, none plan to install AV on all of their new buses.
On Saturday 12th of September we are asking volunteers to get as many people as possible to sign our petition asking 'the Big 5' to install AV on board
all their new vehicles. This can be done in many ways, such as:
· dropping petitions in to local shops, cafes, public places ect and asking them to collect signatures, with someone popping back to collect the petitions after the 12th