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When disaster hits: A mobile app for people with disabilities | Voices from Eurasia – We help build better lives.

When disaster hits: A mobile app for people with disabilities | Voices from Eurasia – We help build better lives..

This is quite interesting. We don’t hear too much about apps like this for the hearing impaired, so this is a good sign. Hopefully it will be rolled out everywhere soon.

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comments on the 2 posted articles and things

Hi all.
well it seems I am away hacking cracking, testing and designing sounds for games, working out on other junk and this is what I finally motivate myself to come back for.
Firstly, heart hacks.
You know its probably possable, I mean everything including the moterways are controled by computer.
There was a case last year maybe even earlier this year where airbus revealed that a back door in its chips only meant for admins and diagnostics engineers was discovered by hackers and had potentual for issues.
I guess if the bad guys want to they could hack the chips in heart units and implants.
They chould change the speeds of those units, and moniter things.
However it would have to be pritty close.
I don’t think for example you can remotely hack into them yet unless there is that feature.
Generally though you need to be able to be close, so I guess if you got into the building or close to someone with the chip, was wirelessly in range of it, had the software and stuff, you could hack it.
I am not sure how close the range of those would be.
myself knowing this the easiest way to limit attacks like this would to be to make it quite hard to do.
Firstly reducing the range to near 0 so the doctor would have to be in the same room as the patient to do it.
True you could kill the doctor, get into the building and do it but you would have to be in real close.
At that range it would be easier to stab the person with a knife than do this junk.
Names and numbers.
Its a blessing and horrible curse of digital technology.
Everyone is a name, and also a number and also a bunch of 0s and 1s which may live past physical life on any number of computers.
All boxes are ticked and filled in.
We are after all machines.
Thinking, inteligent, emotional, but still machines.
In the programming of a machine its on or off.
It works or its failed.
Its logged, reported, completed.
It doesn’t matter how its done as long as the job is stamped, filed and completed.
Actually quite scary to be honest.
Have a computer do an opperation.
get the patient nice and open say a heart transplant or something.
now hack the system and make the system say its complete, file the job and its done.
its not but it thinks it is.
And there you go, its on and its finnished and its off but it isn’t.
Machines do not care about the middle junk.
its all data.
Its what the world has come to become sadly.
News just out at least locally has put our regular snailmail to be basically halved and maybe eventually none of us will get mail which is bad for old people.
On the other hand a lot of the generation after 11980 sertainly the 90s and such are going to use computers.
its the generation born in the 70s and less that are the issue.
Not to many of those now but still.
My grandpa has a computer.
Its not the state of the art but it exists.
He never really attempted to use it, and never secured it properly.
He got hacked into all the time.
I never bothered because so much of his stuff was paper the hackers would only get pictures of tenis and such nothing sensitive.
The new system came a couple years ago mainly so I could admin it better.
He never used it though I keep it secured for him.
Now he has dimenture and will never use it.
It was pushed by the family though to be honest he was happy to use the phone and letters.
And on that note the phones are going out of fashion.
faster fibre nets are coming on, no power, no coms but the world does not care.
Copper will be heavily taxed and probably eventually disposed of totally.
I have also read the article on bullying and aggree something needs to be done.
However punnishing the parents, I don’t know.
Its this name and number thing yet again.
It would be easy just to put them all in jail.
Sadly especially with ilander and maori and maybe others a lot of these people are usually poor, or abbused themselves, some on drugs etc.
Their history may have been in the jail out of jail cycle, the cycle needs to be broken because it won’t help.
It costs the tax payer loads to put muderers and others in jail.
I’d personally have them shot, it would probably cost less and with the echonomy and all.
either that or serious fines.
In singapour where I went on holiday, littering is fined.
stealing is fined.
if you have drugs, you are shot.
No trials you are just shot.
and its well sign posted.
its clear, you know the law, you break it and its your own issue.
If the law is clearly posted everywhere then it shouldn’t matter how its inforced.
Ofcause its how a lot of us me included think.
technology has made it easier to think about states on and off.
We no longer need to think of stuff in between.
Manual braille is also dropping.
its all computers.
On that note last week an article on a radio station I listened to said due to tech we were losing our ability to navigate.
And the same article said we were loosing our ability to invent at least men are.
You don’t fix things you are encouranged to buy things.
if your computer stops working you throw it away and replace it.
Unless you spend cash on a good one.
And we worry about landfills!
I think the whole world needs a reeducation on tech, there needs to be a ballance, eventually no one will need to move.
Robots will do it all then we become fat lazy and will eventually die or get bored with life or something like that.
I was born in the 80s early 90s and at that time we were just coming out of the manual tech ballence age.
now its to much.
Yesterday I looked at getting internet since the isp I am on I wish to change at some point maybe.
The prices at least in new zealand are crazy.
The net is not cheap unless you have dialup.
Then just about every previder seems to be owned by vodafone.
True thats fine but um.
If I could travel in time, I’d like to go back, maybe to the 70s and 80s maybe 60s when we did have computers but not so much dependance on tech.
Its why I don’t have a twitter I tweat with or facebook.
Its why I try to get away from tech when I can.
Its almost impossible but I do manage it though I am almost on it all day and night and I still have not enguaged in the frivilous muckings of a normal socialite.
In other news of tech, I have started at least the first few steps on registering for a job with accessworks to test websites oversease and another company for local testing.
I have a research project due in the next month or 2 and should be ok on that front.
later all

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Lawyer Wants New Law To Hold Parents Criminally Liable For Their Kids’ ‘Cyberbullying’ | Techdirt

Lawyer Wants New Law To Hold Parents Criminally Liable For Their Kids’ ‘Cyberbullying’ | Techdirt.

I was just reading a book dealing with cyberbullying. You can read a books blog post about the book. Its for grades 6-9, however, the info in this book hit home for me. I taped a podcast on this particular book, and my thoughts. The books title is Vicious: true stories by teens about bullying and it is by the Youth Communication group which advocates for teens in trouble to get in to writing and other groups. It is edited by Hope Vanderberg, and the reading time was almost 3 hours. I think this article should be read, I’d post it there on that blog, but its not an article posting blog. Take a look at this, let me know your thoughts, and oh, btw, some strong Language in the post.

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What’s in a name (and number)?: 6 lessons Comcast customer service needs to learn – Tech Strategy Trends

What’s in a name (and number)?: 6 lessons Comcast customer service needs to learn – Tech Strategy Trends.

I think this is more of a company issue not relative to comcast, but check this crap out anyway. Now this is too much.

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Dick Cheney Was Scared of Getting Assassinated By a Heart Hack

Wow. I have never heard of this, but glad to hear something can be done. Heart hack. Thats a new one. Check out this article.

Dick Cheney Was Scared of Getting Assassinated By a Heart Hack.

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Re: eRumor Alert – McAfee Warns of Security Issues on Obamacare Website-Truth!

To: TruthOrFiction Subscribers

From: TruthOrFiction.com Team

Re: eRumor Alert – McAfee Warns of Security Issues on Obamacare Website-Truth!

You may have gotten a forwarded email with a YouTube video clip of software security expert John McAffee warning of the risks of identity theft to computer users who visit the Obamacare Website.

The video is real and was taken October 3, 2013 when John McAfee told Neil Cavuto on the Fox Business Channel that the Obamacare website was a hacker’s dream when asked about privacy and security issues.

For more details go to:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/m/john-mcafee-warning-101613.htm”> http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/m/john-mcafee-warning-101613.htm

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articles

Windows and prism.
I would say that the prism program was a fecking outrage.
Sadly I can no longer comment on this.
The government has done the same thing here all in the name of security.
Its doubtfull that it will come to anything, I mean our government spends most of its time fighting itself into the ground.
And lets face it, we knew something like this needed to happen.
as the net starts to mirror the real world we will need real world laws.
Its harder to handle this like it is but I don’t think a lawless net is good either even though I used to do the alegal piracy caper.
I don’t aggree with what was done however I aggree something had to be done, and something like this was probably the only way at least for the time being of doing it.
The issue I would have would be abbuse by those that could afford it, ie big corperations and such if they broke the law could be in position to pay for it without breaking anything.
Or governments to decide just because it would be a good idea at the time.
Sometimes without thinking how things would pan out simular to system updates.
On the windows phone thing.
Narator in windows, no way.
However if they do include apis for access if we could load nvda or something on there then there is some hope at least for the future.
if I could use my reader I use on a desktop for windows as the same as on the phone it would be a pluss.
On the other hand, with ms going bing and mega ribbons touch metro and stuff would we want to use windows mobile as it stands anyway.
I still use xp for some of my sound design because some of 7 is funkey as.
Going back to prism, I have no issue with the law, however if its used wrongly or over used or not regulated in itself there is potentual to have issues in the long run.
I don’t aggree we don’t need controls over the net like we don’t need gun control but its just that right now there are issues.
And the fact at least with the us that the government is quite corperation run people run the laws for their own ends.
I doubt that if a corperation broke a law that they would go to prison and I doubt that any real fine however large will ever make them stop.
On the consumer end though, who knows.
There is potentual to be really messy situations however if it does save our ass then it works.
Ofcause we don’t know and probably don’t need to know what is managed internally in general unless it mangles and gets covered up
in which case it may break and cause issues further down the line.

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PRISM. Why you should be outraged by US government surveillance

PRISM. Why you should be outraged by US government surveillance.

This is something to think about anyway. I know one reader who would comment on this for sure. I don’t like the blanket surveilance of us just because, there really needs to be a reason on why we are being watched. If I have not done anything to cause me to be watched, I should not be watched. Period. End of sentence. Check out this article, and let me know what you think.

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Windows Phone 8 Update 3 Preview | Windows Phone content from Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows

Windows Phone 8 Update 3 Preview | Windows Phone content from Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows.

This is good news for the blind and windows phones.

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US trumps EU on blind-friendly high-tech consumer products | EurActiv

This article is very interesting.

US trumps EU on blind-friendly high-tech consumer products | EurActiv.

What do you think? Do you think the U.S. is winning, or do you think we can all learn from each other?

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Re: eRumor Alert – Crypto Locker Virus Warning-Truth!

To: TruthOrFiction Subscribers

From: TruthOrFiction.com Team

Re: eRumor Alert – Crypto Locker Virus Warning-Truth!

There are warnings to be very cautious about opening attachments that are in emails from strangers.
A harmless looking doc, xls, jpg or ppt file could lock up your computer and hold it for ransom until you agree to pay to get a key.

The warning are real and so is a ransomware called “Crypto Locker.”
Simply by opening an email or visiting a contaminated website computer uses can infect their systems and the solution to the problem is not easy.

This is why it is important to keep your computers with anti virus software that performs updates daily.

For more details go to:
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/Crypto-Locker-100913.htm

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GW Socialeyes full price change coming soon

GWSocialEyes, an application for Windows-based PCs that provides access to Facebook via a consistent, keyboard friendly and fully accessible user interface, has become enormously popular among the blind and visually impaired community. Its user base continues to grow each and every day. If you have not already purchased GWSocialEyes, now is the time!

As you may remember, the retail price of GWSocialEyes is $50 for a 12-month subscription. Starting on Friday, October 18, our introductory price of $25 will end and the cost will increase to $39 for an annual subscription. This gives you one week to purchase GWSocialEyes at the very special introductory price.

To learn more about GWSocialEyes, please check out the Introduction to GWSocialEyes audio/video tutorial. The video can be accessed from GW Micro’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/gwmicro and can also be downloaded from the GW Micro website: www.gwmicro.com/Training/Tutorials/Video/SocialEyes_Intro.mp4. A text transcript is also available at: www.gwmicro.com/Training/Tutorials/Text/SocialEyes_Intro.txt. You can also listen to the archived webinar covering GWSocialEyes at http://www.gwmicro.com/Training/Webinar_Training/.

Order online or call GW Micro at (260) 489-3671 to place your order today.

The GW Micro Team

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Updating windows is like taking a dump

Hi.
Yip its patch tuesday or should it be crap tuesday.
Firstly you may have noticed the dodgy update released by adobe last week.
Aparently they were hacked no real dammage though.
Today adobe updated all their programs, acrobat, and flash.
There has also been an issue with youtube not playing sound on videos because the volume has gone down to 0.
I was all for blaming google but today adobe released updates to flash and now it all seems to work.
Speaking of updates ms released at least 30 updates for several things.
The same things as it seems to be these days remote execution for specially crafted fonts or documents.
There was so much of it.
Silverlite, dotnet and a few other things.
after you update on xp you will have to get another old dotnet package installed go figure ms have already broken something important again.
msse has also been updated.
Not sure what to believe about the article on howtogeek saying it was not protecting as well or that it would be abandoned, it seems all the industry is shouting norton though it clogs systems.
And since ms has updated their engines today, thats a clear indication that its not going away.
What should be a big concern to users is that ms is yet again trying to restrict certifficates again to get away from hackers.
I am all for increasing incription but to be honest I am tired of ms messing with the checksums.
There is a period where software will not work because its not the right length.
Thank god for those not on server software and for those of us not on anyting below vista that it won’t effect us though it may who knows.
To be honest I’d just scrap the signature program.
Its all fine and good but bar ms itself and maybe big companies like oricle and adobe I have not seen anyone actually using it so it must be really costly to get one.
And what was up with windows update anyway.
This morning it took hours to even check on all my systems then they did not cooperate fully and then weird things went round.
Eventually I got them installed but I still wander.
More testing today, almost on top of everything.
All I need to do is test my recordings I did.
If I get through this and the load of washing I need to do and some other stuff then maybe, just maybe I can do something that does not require a computer.
Aah or alter?
Though to be honest I have run out of things to do there, unless I need to explore more.
I’ll get back to the vertual world soon.

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ReadIt Air Now Shipping

The ReadIt Wand has been a very popular solution and offers a number of unique features including support for intuitive touch gestures, motion detection for multiple page capture, and automatic language switching. It is also one of the only accessible OCR devices that specifically targets the needs of low vision users while also remaining fully accessible to blind customers. The ReadIt Wand’s six enhanced visualizations for displaying text, as well as its fast and accurate recognition, continue to make it one of the leading products on the market.

GW Micro and VisionAid International want to continue to be at the forefront of technology. As part of that effort, we are retiring the ReadIt Wand camera and in its place introducing the ReadIt Air. Weighing in at only slightly over a pound, the sleek design of the ReadIt Air is the product that every student will want. Professionals who are visually impaired will admire its smooth facade. The powerful ReadIt software combined with the stylish new Air camera make it the perfect solution for both the classroom and the workplace.

Along with a smaller and lighter footprint comes a new, lower price. We are happy to announce that the retail price of the ReadIt Air package is only $1,495 plus shipping. With the improved design, easy-to-use yet powerful software, and new low price, it’s the perfect time to purchase the latest technology.

To get all of the details and view pictures of the ReadIt Air, check out http://www.gwmicro.com/Reading_Systems/ReadIt_Air/. If you have any questions or comments, please contact GW Micro at (260) 489-3671 or email .

The GW Micro Team

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a raft of news

Hi all.
Well I am officially back from vacation, more on that in my personal journal.
The articles here.
I have read through the load of stuff, but to be honest am only just getting on top of my stuff.
About all I have done is worked through most of the blogs, forums and done some more game testing.
I have barely touched email though.
The articles.
spam is wanderfull only on toast.
Its easy to spot.
jar files are java programs by the way jared.
The troll thing its old news.
The chair.
I don’t know, personally I have listened to several studdies and such, I am even in experiments for concepts.
All of them are good ideas.
But time will tell if any of them ever make it.
There were some changes that went through while I was away.
If you use adobe flash player you may have recieved an update yesterday that did not install.
It appears to be some bad files on adobe’s end and adobe took them down.
If you have mangled flash you may need to uninstall it and there are instructions how to clear it fully.
Youtube.
sadly google has chosen to have youtube always start with volume turned down quite low.
To fix this with nvda, start youtube then find the video you want.
play it hit o hit space quit nvda push up till the volume is back to normal restart nvda.
If you want an easy interface I have found the program at
http://tube.majestyc.net to be quite easy to use.
For direct links or downloads the dvdvideosoftware at dvdvideosoft.com is and should be bar a few adds quite usefull.
On the adobe front I got an email from them since I had an account to tell its users that someone has lifted their account database.
All accounts need to be reset immediately.
Patch tuesday is in 2 days time.
Thats right a number of patches for silverlite windows and office and probably ie to having to do with remote code execution as is always the case, 8 bullitins and most critical.
I prommise that if you have emailed me I will get back to you.
I am almost done but it will still take me a few hours to get through it all.
Any urgent mail is already done.
For those that want a article on the personal blog will have to wait.
Finnishing this blog stuff and email is probably first.
we will see
later all

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Spam Leads to Multi-Platform Mobile Threat | Security Intelligence Blog | Trend Micro

I’ve seen this recently. I think this article needs a read, especially if you’re on a smart device. Its too bad that Windows will download something, but I don’t even know what jar files are. I clicked on one play file just to see what it does and it wanted to download an executable. I knew this wasn’t any message system. Check out the article linked below.

Spam Leads to Multi-Platform Mobile Threat | Security Intelligence Blog | Trend Micro.

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Patent troll Lodsys chickens out, folds case rather than face Kaspersky Lab | Ars Technica

Here we go. A company gives up when they know theuy might not have a case. Check trhis article out. What do you think? Thoughts are welcome.

Patent troll Lodsys chickens out, folds case rather than face Kaspersky Lab | Ars Technica.

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A wheelchair that can help people with disabilities dance

This article entitled From the mind of a dancer comes a new kind of wheelchair and it was a facinating read. I think this could be something different. What are your thoughts? Comment if you want.

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