Newsletter Archive
Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA)
Improving the quality of life of disabled persons through ICT29th March 2005
Contents
Software of the Month : Star Downloader
Website of the Month : Blind Kiss
Question Box (Hints & Tips) : How Firefox Works (HowStuffWorks.com)Articles :
- Hello IT Initiative
- ICT Training
- National ICT Achievements Awards
Software of the Month
Star Downloader
Until recently I was using Getright as a download manager to download file from the Internet. Then someone mentioned to me the Star Downloader and I decided to give it a try.
There are two versions of the Star Downloader--the free version and the professional version. Both versions works very well. Both programs are blind user friendly and very easy to setup. In my case Star Downloader was much faster as a download manager than Getright. It is also capable of monitoring the clipboard to cupture urls that point to a particular file stored on the Internet.
Star Downloader in my opinion has only one missing feature--the ability to use "sound schemes" to announce certain events such as files added to the queue, or download complete notification.
The free version works sufficiently for the average user, but the professional version is quite inexpsensive, at $19 for a lifetime registration.
For large downloads, It is a good idea to use download managers like Star Downloader or Getright (from WWW.Getright.com) because if you encounter a broken connection during the download of a large file, after you reconnect the Download Manager will continue to download the file from where it left before the connection was broken.
If you install such download manager programs, I also suggest you to explore the myriad of options that both programs have in their configuration options. Obviously make sure to take note of all the changes you make in the configuration/options of the program, so that if something goes wrong you can return to that particular option and switch it back to its original value.
Happy computing.
Star Downloader can be downloaded from: http://www.stardownloader.com/downloads.php
Contributed by: Michael Micallef
Website of the Month
Blind Kiss
Sometimes you come across a website, which takes a completely new approach to a subject. BlindKiss is one such website. We would be very happy to learn about similar websites, maybe not only those related to persons with a vision impairment.
This website mixes a bit of down to earth irony into the reality of life as experienced by a disabled person. If approached with the right attitude, it will put a smile on your face, and its well meant contribution to the web, will shine through. As stated on the BlindKiss website, "If you're looking for traditional support or ideas on how to cope with this terrible affliction then, um, this may not be the place for you. We're here to explode some of those media notions that being blind is some kind of living death, a mystical twilight state or a call to bravely climb mountains."
Blind Kiss: http://www.blindkiss.com/
Question Box (Hints & Tips)
How Firefox Works
In 2004, 10,000 fans of an obscure, "alternative" Web browser donated their own cash to run an ad in the New York Times introducing their favorite browser to the world. What's so great about this piece of software? Learn all about the open-source browser that is slowly infringing on Microsoft's market share. While you are at it, browse the How Stuff Works website and look up the information that interests you. It is overflowing with information on the most diverse subjects.
Articles
Hello IT Initiative
As part of the HelloIT initiative, FITA is collaborating with the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology on the setting up of a number of regional ICT centres, intended to bring the benefits ICT nearer to the Maltese public. The Ministry has issued a call for applications, to Non-Government Organisations, wishing to participate in this initiative.
For more information, get the official MIIT document here: http://www.miti.gov.mt/docs/helloit.pdf
ICT Training
Presently FITA is working at three courses. A Maltese literacy course for deaf persons, and two ECDL Start courses for persons with an intellectual disability. The Education Division Adult and Evening Courses Section, the Malta College for Arts Science and Technology and ST-MicroElectronics are contributing actively to make these courses a success.
New basic ICT courses are planned for summer 2005. Disabled persons, interested in attending these courses, should inform FITA by end of April 2005.
National ICT Achievements Awards
For the first time ever, the Computer Society of Malta will be holding its first edition of the National Information & Communications Technology Achievements Award (NICTAA), to be held at the Hilton, 1st April, 2005.
he awards to be presented are:-
- Award for Best Innovation
- Award for Best Information Society Project
- Award for Best ICT Projects Applied in the Industry (End User)
- Award for Best ICT Projects Applied in the Industry (Provider)
- Award for Best ICT Enterprise
- Award for the Best ICT Company Performing Internationally
- Award for the Best ICT Professional
- Award for the Best ICT Prospect
A number of companies and organisations have confirmed their participation in CSM's first Malta ICT Expo, organised to coincide with the National ICT Achievements Awards. The Organisers are inviting companies including software houses, and suppliers of other innovative products to participate in this unique event.
The entrance is free to Students and the public in general. Some of the participants are using this EXPO to invite their business associates to visit their stand and see their latest innovative products and services.
For more information visit the NICTAA website at www.nictaa.com
Disclaimer
The reader is responsible for the use of information contained herein and its safe and lawful use. This includes work policies and restrictions applicable to the computer environment specific to the user. Descriptions of products or services are for information purposes only. FITA makes no claim, representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the information presented here, the performance of products and services, or any results that may be obtainable by their use. FITA also does not necessarily endorse the specific content or positions contained in the articles shown or referred to.
Send contributions, questions or comments about the newsletters to stanley.debono@gov.mt
Copyright © 2002 Foundation for IT Accessibility
Last modified: Monday, July 31, 2006
