Newsletter Archive
Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA)
Improving the quality of life of disabled persons through ICT29th June 2005
Contents
Software of the Month : VNC Remote Control
Website of the Month : Audio Games
Articles :
- MCAST and Education Division Courses
- Accessible ICT Training
- Microsoft Software Packages
Software of the Month
VNC Remote Control
VNC stands for Virtual Network Computing. It is, in essence, a remote display system which allows you to view a computing 'desktop' environment not only on the machine where it is running, but from anywhere on the Internet and from a wide variety of machine architectures.
http://www.uk.research.att.com/archive/vnc/
Contributed by: Anthony Caruana
Website of the Month
Audio Games
Amateur re-creations of '80s arcade shooters (in 2-D sound) exist in audio format. Elaborate war simulators like Tank Commander from GMA Games requires audio players to complete missions, shoot tanks and dodge missiles -- from all sides.
A growing library of computer games has been built specially for blind gamers, using sound instead of visuals to let players know what's going on around them. Now the games exist -- lots of them. Audio games represent almost every gaming genre, from multiplayer role-playing games to action-adventure titles, driving games, science fiction thrillers and puzzle games.
The popular first-person-shooter Quake was even turned into a purely audio experience by All in Play, a company that produces games for both blind and sighted players."It was basically a technology prototype to show that even in more graphically inclined games, anything is possible," said Jeremie Spitzer, co-founder of All in Play.
The demand is such that the niche has grown from text-based games coded by hobbyists to between 30 and 50 professional audio-game developers who sell 3,000 games a year, experts estimate.
Most of these games run on ordinary PCs and are often joystick- or keyboard-controlled. The player dons a pair of headphones, and elements of the game are delivered in stereo to help players shoot aliens on the left or avoid a tank on the right. Arcade-style audio games like Galaxica use the game's familiar beeps and bleeps to help players shoot aliens, while newer action games include opening scores, voice characters and elaborate sound effects.
Read more at http://allinplay.com/index.html
Question Box (Hints & Tips)
Articles
MCAST and Education Division Courses
In June we have concluded yet another set of courses, organised through the invaluable collaboration of the MCAST ICT Institute in Paola and the Education Division. The Maltese Literacy course attended to, by deaf persons was followed by a small certificate presentation ceremony at the Deaf Club in Floriana.
The ECDL Start course, will end on 30th June. The course would not have been a success without the support of voluntary representatives from ST Microelectronics, who assisted the tutors in the classes and are also managing the certificate presentation ceremony.
The total of 15 students, made good progress through the course, which focused on Module2 of the ECDL curriculum. FITA is coordinating the organisation of relevant ECDL examinations, which will take into account the requirements of the students, attending this course.
Accessible ICT Training
The deadline to apply for the courses being organised by TCTC and announced in our last newsletter, is closely approaching. Disabled persons interested in attending any of these courses, should contact FITA, in order to discuss the the accomodation required. The accessible courses will be held during the summer months of 2005. They will be held in accessible classes, and individual attention will be provided as necessary.
Microsoft Software Packages
As advised, the deadline for submitting applications for Microsoft software packages closes on 30th June 2005. Application received in the past month are being processed, and applicants will be notified by FITA, when the software is available. This initiative was made possible through the support of the Ministry for Investments, Industry and Information Technology and Microsoft Corporation.
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.
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Copyright © 2002 Foundation for IT Accessibility
Last modified: Monday, July 31, 2006
