12. Spellchecking with Tinyspell

According to their website "Occasionally you need to check spelling in an application that does not include a spelling checker and you don't want to launch your word processor just for that. This is when tinySpell becomes handy. It is a small utility that allows you to easily and quickly check and correct the spelling in any Windows application."

TinySpell

11. Zooming using QZoom

QZoom describes itself as a full screen zoom and operation tool like Mac OS X in Windows XP and Vista. There is little more to add!

QZoom

10. Stickies update

An updated version of the well respected Zhorn Stickies is now available, also in a portable (USB memory stick) version. That means you can put it on your memory stick and take it with you anywhere.

Stickies

09. Apple mouse

I see this new Apple mouse as something slick, but also as a chance to move the touchpad off the computer as I keep on touching it!

Apple Mouse

08. Online assessment

I thought I would be a little provocative today and mention about online assessment. (Readers please note that I have a commercial interest in online assessment, so my opinions may be biased!)

If there are 1,000,000 new school entrants every year in the UK, and 10% are dyslexic, that is 100,000 dyslexic kids. So, surprising as it may sound, we could solve the problem of assessments with just 500 assessors (assuming one assessment per day for 200 days a year). The problem with the maths is that we would have to have identified who to assess first (using an assessor?) and that these are all in accessible places. The alternative is to use mass evaluation of all kids, rather than just a select few. But, you say, don’t you mean screening? That depends on your point of view. If a computer can give the same degree of accuracy of, say, memory as a human assessor, do you need to be paying £100 an hour for the face-to-face service? (A human assessor is not as reliable as we may think. At least a computer is consistent!)

But what about support for those identified? Shouldn’t there be somebody on hand to provide emotional support? Yes, I agree. Therefore, at least in the short term, until we have a real Turing machine (where the you cannot tell if the support is human or computer, as is already happening in medical services) for me the concept of online screening/testing/assessment/evaluation is about combining human resources with computer resources to provide a service that is cost effective and easy to implement. For me, it is not about computers. It is about identifying the needs of dyslexic individuals and delivery of appropriate support as soon as possible and in the most effective way. It may not be perfect, but isn't it better than nothing?

07. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for free

Many dyslexic individuals turn to the visual arts as a means of expression. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is for those who want to get more out of a photograph. The link below shows how it can be accessed for free.

Lightroom

06. SEN Teacher

This is a website that provide resources for teachers of special educational needs children, including those with dyslexia. It includes computer based literacy activities as well as typing tutors.

SEN Teacher

05. Recording calls with Cogi

There are a number of phone call recording systems, and Cogi (pronounced Co-Gee) is yet another. It costs, but it does appear to offer a better set up, and can be arranged to record mobile conversations too as well as conference calls.

Cogi

04. Study skills project - DESSDYS

I thought that I would announce the start of a new dyslexia related EU project even thought the website is not yet launched. It is called DESSDYS, and is about providing online e-learning about study skills for dyslexic post-16 students. The project is a collaboration between England, Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria, Northern Ireland and Turkey, with resources available in all these languages. Let me if know if you are interested to be a part of this and I will forward information to the appropriate partner. (See my email address on the side of this blog.) I shall let you know when we have a website.

03. Tablet PC from Archos

This is a neat little table PC from the manufacturers as what I have seen for years as huge storage and media playing devices. So it is only logical that they made a touchscreen Netbook.

Archos Table Netbook

02. DysFest

I do not usually mention events on this blog, but in this case I make an exception.

Dysfest is the first dyslexia film festival in the UK. The aim behind the festival is to look at the different ways dyslexia has been portrayed in films.

It starts today, Monday 2-11-2009, and runs until Friday 6-11-2009, starting from 6.15pm. This will be held at University College London (UCL). It’s FREE entry but there is a need to reserve a place.

The Director of DysFest, Pietro Passarelli, like the Directors is dyslexic and a self confessed techno geek.

Unfortunately I was unable to help directly this week. But this is my way to promote the activity. Check out the website for more details.

Dysfest

01. October Review

This month I did not see any real highlights, though there were some good things. The decreased price of Captura was good (19). I like mini Homer (07). It is the sort of thing I would buy on impulse it I saw it. And the flash cards (28) seemed worth following up.

Collaborative work
04. Collaborative suites
20. Office live - from Microsoft

Commentary
01. September Review
10. Keeping up to date with technology - Google Wave
17. Keeping up-to-date - E-learning: How important
18. Search Me has gone! At least for now.

Hardware
07. Mini Homer, for where its at
14. Kindle in the UK
25. Wireless power

Memory and organisation
02. Highlight and save web pages with iCyte
09. Netnotes links the note to the net!
21. Notes taking with Knowledge Notebook

Resources
03. E-learning and assistive technology from Lexdi
13. Work lookup (and hearing) with WkiLook

Screen recording and sharing
16. Screen sharing with Skype

Text-to-speech
19. Shoot and hear from Captura

Miscellaneous
05. See your battery life in colour with BattCurso
06. Convert to PDF in many languages with doPDF
08. Open Office for Mac - NeoOffice
11. News Flash for smart phones
12. YouTube (and similar) easy downloads
15. Check that URL with URL Fixer
22. Learning languages with Lingoversity
23. Magnifier with PCLoupe
24. Keeping up-to-date with Twitter
26. Tracking what works
27. Photo editing with Picnik
28. Flash cards with BambooApps
29. Security software - from Microsoft

31. Zotero video tutorial - from Edenskills

I have had Zotero, a reference logging software, on my computer for some time, but have never utilised it because I am not sure how to use it. Here is a video from Edenskills which takes you through the basics.

Zotero video tutorial

30. Free text to speech from Yakitome

This is free text to speech that is used around the world. It appears to be available in English, Spanish, French and German.

Yakitome

29. Security software - from Microsoft

Microsoft have launched free security software that is for XP, Vista and Windows 7. One should be grateful, though also asking why now? Is somebody trying to start a Class Action about "reasonable liabilities" of the provider?

According to their site "Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple."

Google sidebar removal

28. Flash cards with BambooApps

Want a simple program to make flashcards? This could be the answer.

Bambooapps

27. Photo editing with Picnik

This is another picture editing tool that is free, though there is a subscription based upgrade.

Picnik

26. Tracking what works

This is not directly assistive technology for dyslexic individuals, but one that would be useful for website developers. The part that caught my eye was tracking for websites. That is, for a small fee, web designers can see which parts of their website are most commonly used, and what does not work. By careful use, it should be possible to make websites more dyslexia-friendly.

Crazyegg tracking

25. Wireless power

It seems the "wireless power" technology is moving forward. This is the one where the put your device down in a certain place and it recharges without being plugged in. It seems now that Nokia has joined the ranks of Duracell, Nokia, Olympus, Philips, Samsung, Sanyo, ST-Ericsson, and Texas Instruments and others. But there are no dates for technology release.

Wireless Power Consortium

24. Keeping up-to-date with Twitter

If, like me, you are pragmatic and will use anything where its advantages are obvious, you will still be "dubious" about value-added with Twitter. Sadly, the first time I have seen it of "use" was when I watched the progress of a two fundraisers on a journey to London. (Cracknell and Foley riding a Rickshaw from Edinburgh in 60 hours.) But this is not exactly learning, and not dyslexia related. But rather than be out in the cold and dismissive, I try to be inclusive. So here is a website that has a whole collection of links that may help you get started. I look forward to reading of uses that support the dyslexic individual.

And do I have a Twitter account? Yes, currently averaging one entry a month.

50 sources of Twitter help

23. Magnifier with PCLoupe

This is a simple, free little download which provides a magnifier around the mouse.

PC Loupe

22. Learning languages with Lingoversity

According to their website "Lingoversity is specifically designed to increase your vocabulary in an effective and friendly way. Unlike traditional learning methods, our concept has the power to stimulate, excite and motivate students. Our unique technology guarantees that you will never forget the words you learn." Sounds like it may be dyslexia friendly.

Lingoversity

21. Notes taking with Knowledge Notebook

This is an offline notes program that provides association and search capability beyond that of most notes programs. Unfortunately after the 15 day free trial, you need to pay €29. But may be worth the trial.

Knowledge Notebook

20. Office live - from Microsoft

It was almost by chance that I stumbled across OfficeLive. It is a Microsoft development. The site allows you to (according to them):
* Access and share files from anywhere
* Work with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
* 5GB of free online storage (thousands of Office documents)
* Share password-protected documents—you control who views and edits
* Use for work, home, and school

Similar to several others, but worth exploring since it should be there a little longer than some other sites!

Office Live

19. Shot and hear from Captura

The Captura System has been developed by Iansyst Ltd, and is a quick and always accessible way to capture text and hear it spoken. Basically you can run the software on a Windows Mobile 6 mobile phone. All you do it take a photo of the text, and then you can hear it read back to you. The prices have tumbled from when I last checked, and with a price of only £275 (for the micro SD version, using your own phone), it is worthy of serious consideration.

Captura

18. Search Me has gone! At least for now.

One of my favourite dyslexia-friendly websites, Searchme, has gone! It is, sorry was, a browser site where it showed internet pages instead of lists of words. What a pity! The website simply says "The worlds leading visual search engine has gone off line. We are selling our IP (Intellectual Property)". I hope something appears to replace it soon.

Searchme

17. Keeping up-to-date - E-learning: How important is it?

I came across a report on an Oxford Union debate that happened at the beginning of October, and I was intrigued by the result. (Below is a link for others to read the details.)

The motion was: "This house believes that the e-learning of today is essential for the skills of tomorrow." The motion was defeated, with 90 in favour and 144 against. That is, the attendees agreed it was not necessary. Personally, I am in favour of the new wave of learning, p-learning. And in case you are unsure, it Paper-based Learning. I love it!

This link provides a brief summary with a link to the longer version.

Oxford Union Debate Summary

16. Screen sharing with Skype

It seems that everybody now is using screen sharing. The latest that I have used is Skype. All you need to do is start a conversation with somebody and then in the conversations window click Share > Share Your Screen in the IM toolbar (in Windows) or ShareShare Screen (on a Mac). It could hardly be simpler. Then you can expand the image to cover the whole of your desktop if required.

Skype Screen sharing

15. Check that URL with URL Fixer

It can be very annoying when you type an address only to find you typed google.con instead of .com. This Firefox addon takes a number of the most common extensions and check that they are correct before failing to find the website. Don't expect miracles, but it will check common misspellings of .com, .net, .org, .edu, .gov, .biz, .info, .mobi, and .travel

URL Fixer

14. Kindle in the UK

After what seems like a long delay, Amazon's Kindle is finally coming to the UK (and the rest of the world!). Reports suggest that the issue was trying to make it compatible for the 3G mobile networks (they set it to work with the US ones only, for reasons I cannot understand!) Apparently it due on the 19th October, with orders only being possible through the US site. Cost will be around £200 (including possible export taxes). What I cannot find out is what books the text-to-speech will work with.

BBC Report on Kindle