lynnskyi

@lynnskyi@dragonscave.space

Reader. Progressive Christian and political progressive. Law school graduate, now retired. DeafBlind. Enjoy chatting about books, current events, accessible technology, most anything. Books and my iPhone and Braille display are my wide open window on the world.

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lynnskyi, to random

Apple is now banned from selling its latest Apple Watches in the US - The Verge https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/26/24012382/apple-import-ban-watch-series-9-ultra-2

lynnskyi, to random

: On December 18, 1620, the English ship Mayflower arrives at modern-day Plymouth, Massachusetts, and its passengers prepare to begin their new settlement.

lynnskyi, to random

Before the end of the year, I need to check out the Smashwords end of year sale. I don't think I did that last year. 📚

dbsalk, to books
@dbsalk@mastodon.social avatar

Missoula: Rape and The Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer had been on my TBR since 2015, a couple years before the Me Too movement kicked off. I'm so glad this book surfaced in my reading rotation. I'm only about a fifth of the way through and am transfixed by so much: the horror and trauma these young women experienced, juxtaposed with such stoic narration and brilliant writing. I hate it and I can't stop listening. @bookstodon

lynnskyi,

@dbsalk @bookstodon it was a great read, I thought.

lynnskyi, to random

It's interesting! My smart phone is indeed capable of being smart sometimes. The weather app on iOS used to remind me I need to have location services se to always for best results or something like that. i have all apps requesting location set to off or, in the case of the wether app, only when using the app. My phone seems to finally understand that's what I mean, and it has quit pestering me about this. You get an A, smart phone. 🎉

lynnskyi, to random

I'm testing the boundaries of how long my iPhone will hold up, as my main tech device, under almost constant use. I'm hoping for four years, so we'll see how close I get to that, or if it'll hold up longer. My Logitech K380 bluetooth keyboard will be two years old in January, and it is still on its original set of batteries. This is basically the only keyboard I use.

lynnskyi, to random

I sometimes get upset about having to adapt to new technology when I'm not inclined to want to. But, the flip-side is, as technology evolves, users often have mor choice in platforms. I think this is a wonderful and positive thing.

lynnskyi, to random

So, Amazon execs say they want everyone to return to the office. That is just plain dictatorial in my book. Some jobs can easily be done remotely, and it's even cost effective, in many cases. Also promotes employment of people with disabilities. Really sad many employers don't care. They just want to control, IMHO!

lynnskyi, to random

I'm so happy that we have technologists today who have vision for the future, who are constantly expanding accessibility horizons and who know so much more about it than I ever will. But I'm also happy I do not have to use all these options, that I can choose those tech tools that work for me, and leave the rest to those who want to get into the complexities. i am so relieved and happy just using my phone, Orbit Reader 20 Plus, and a bluetooth keyboard. I didn't realize how much dealing with different operating systems was stressing me out until I made a change. Now tech is fun and enjoyable again. 🤔 😌

lynnskyi, to random

There's an update to Voice Dream - Read Aloud, Version 4.24.0 • 211.8 MB. Bug fixes and enhancements, but none specifically listed.

lynnskyi, to random

AI is good in many instances, but to give peanut butter is an example of a sugar free snack? No! Perhaps if it is all natural peanut butter, but not regular peanut butter.

I've tried a few natural peanut butters, and have found them all wanting. Not at all good tasting. So, I'll stick with a creamy peanut butter with some sugar. I really think it's so important to read labels in order to make an informed choice. Look at the ingredient list, as well as the nutritional facts listed, and read carefully. Also, be on the lookout for artificial sweeteners because they claim to be healthy. IMHO, they are far from healthy. 🤔

lynnskyi, to random

There is an update for Weather Gods. Version 4.4.1 • 259.5 MB.

Improvements for follow me on the Watch. Support for Siri Watch Face - you can configure the forecast type in settings, widgets and complications Seasonal adjustments to the ambient sounds e.g. no crickets when it's cold! Daily summary now includes snowfall accumulation for sleet Lots of bug fixes!

bmoore123, to random
@bmoore123@disabled.social avatar

well, got through today and didn't buy a thing. good stuff.

lynnskyi,

@bmoore123 I didn't buy anything today either. I've been thinking about the Hable One, for months, but not sure that I really need one. I normally don't buy tech unless I think I will really use it.

lynnskyi, to technology

I've come to realize something about my attitude toward technology. Yes, I enjoy it, and am grateful for accessible tech every day. I enjoy learning new skills also. However, I've discovered this is within limited parameters. Now that I'm using my phone for all tech tasks, I'm finding I want simple, uncomplicated interaction. This is why I've become so frustrated with Windows. It seems to me that Microsoft, with every version of Windows, makes interaction, from the setup experience, to usage, to updates, less streamlined and more involved, even with Narrator. All these choices concerning privacy settings and reporting activity to Microsoft, it seems to me, are not configured, by default, to benefit the user. On the contrary, default settings, in general, are set to benefit Microsoft, and give Microsoft as much control as possible. So the user has to adjust these privacy and reporting options to benefit themselves, and to do this requires time and some level of skill, on the part of the user, that often goes far beyond the skills a beginning tech user may have. Most users, I think, believe these settings are optimally configured with the users best interests in mind, and in my experience, this is not at all the case.

Apple, in iOS, also utilizes this mindset, to a certain extent. But it is far easier to adjust these settings. Apple, even during the setup process, makes the user aware of them by asking the user to choose certain privacy and reporting options. This is why I do not recommend a service provider such as AT&T or Verizon or even the Apple store, setup someone's device for them.

I had AT&T configure my first iPhone, only to discover that location services and tracking were turned on. I only later discovered this because I have a propensity to go through menus in detail. Yes, for certain apps, location services has to be turned on in order for some apps to function properly, but, in general, it only has to be turned on for specific apps, such as weather and maps, if a user is going to utilize GPS. Also, the default is to use your actual location, not your general location, which I believe is more intrusive than necessary. The average user, especially one new to technology, likely has no idea of these settings. I know I didn't.

I'm finding my iPhone and iOS experience so freeing from a lot of this constant intrusiveness. This is why I say, in general, once an iOS device is configured, it just works.

lynnskyi, to random

Something I've found rather annoying, over the years, is when sharing a link to an article or webpage, only the web address is copied to the clipboard. Well, there's an easy work around for this. When you open the share sheet, at the top of the screen, you will usually see the title of the article or webpage. Before proceeding, copy this to your clipboard, and then proceed to choose where you want to share it too, like Mona, for example. The link will be placed in the text field, so all you have to do is paste the article title before the link. Works like a charm. This is exactly what I did in my last post.

wesderby, to random

An old friend still owes me nearly 6 grand on a loan I gave her, and is struggling to pay anything…So needless to say, it’s been a rough November. Not going to Arizona for Thanksgiving obviously. Probably just spend it watching football and wishing for the day to be over. Otherwise, radio shows are going well…Apartment complex is working with me on the rent and lack of income, which is good. Thank God for HUD buildings. Hope everyone else is doing well. That’s it from here.

lynnskyi,

@wesderby I am so sorry you're going through all of this. It is so scary how much clerical and other errors with the social Security Administration can disrupt lives. Three times, I've had my benefits in jeopardy because of a determination I am not blind. If it were not for wonderful assistance from my local SSA office, I do not know what would have happened to me. But they were there for me, each time, and things got straightened out. I hope this is cleared up for you soon. 🙏

lynnskyi,

@wesderby Oh dear! Not good. In my case these "not blind" determinations came out of Baltimore, not the local office. Once the Director got involved, i felt like they had my back. They even helped me complete paperwork and forms. For a while, I got to be a regular of sorts around there. Now that I'm on regular SS and not SSDI, I don't have to worry about these evaluations, so that's one good thing. But it's awful to go through. I still keep absolutely every communication I receive, especially benefit statements. I have a box full of material.

I really hope you get this straightened out soon and can hold on until you get back pay. I wish we could be compensated for emotional and mental distress. It can be so awful. To this day, every time I receive something from Social Security, I have to force myself to take deep calming breaths and tell myself not to panic. I'm afraid this will always be a major cause of anxiety for me. And I'm sure I'm not alone in this.

lynnskyi, to random

NBC News, Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady and humanitarian who advocated for mental health issues, has died at the age of 96, according to the Carter Center.

lynnskyi, to random

Marked this to read: The Space Between Worlds (The Space Between Worlds #1), by Micaiah Johnson, 3.95 out of 5 stars, 35,769ratings, Published in 2020

Going to broaden my reading horizons a bit. hoping this'll not be too futuristic for me. There is also a 2nd book in the series.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43301353

lynnskyi,

@simon The second book is "Those Beyond the Wall (The Space Between Worlds #2)" by Micaiah Johnson. Apparently, according to Goodreads, its publication date is March 12, 2024. I just looked it up, so that's why you hadn't heard of it.

lynnskyi, to random

#X Just read lot of companies suspended advertising this week, large ones too, Apple being one of them. More of down the tubes in the future, I'm sure.

simon, to random

I've been using an app called Due for reminders, and I think it is legitimately going to change my life. It works on iOS and Mac, and is not free, but is worthwhile in my opinion. You can set a default snooze time, and Due will harass you about reminders at <snooze time> intervals until you say you've done it or postpone it manually. So you can have it ping you every five minutes to do something until you've done it. It works with Siri and has really nice notification sounds.

lynnskyi,

@simon I am going to check this out. Thanks for sharing.

lynnskyi, to random

My stars, mind! Please spare me from the "what ifs." When I think of having no computer, it suddenly came to me that I'd have to set up a new router, one day, via my phone--and would that be? Will it be difficult? I'm not going to keep a Windows machine around just to set up a new router, so why even be concerned about the specifics? I'm not the only person in this world that has had to deal with this, surely.

lynnskyi,

@blindbat84 What happens if you type in 192.168.1 and perhaps .1 again? Isn't that the default address for most routers?

lynnskyi,

@bmoore123 @blindbat84 I'm sure most will go to apps. Then you have the question of accessibility. Always something!!! 😖

lynnskyi,

@bmoore123 @blindbat84 Oh, what fun--not. There are two things that give me pause switching to iOS completely and giving Windows the boot. One is not being able to translate books into Braille directly, although on the Orbit I can use the onboard text translation, so that is a work around. And the second is this router accessibility issue, though I expect the same issues could arise on a webpage, since accessibility seems to be becoming less of a priority these days.

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