Talks & Zoom 3.60 release notification

TALKS&ZOOMS Version 3.60 – Release Notification

1.   Introduction

We proudly announce the release of the Nuance Accessibility Suite – Nuance TALKS and Nuance ZOOMS – Version 3.60 for Series 60 3^rd Edition for September 1st, 2008.

This is mostly a maintenance release for version 3.52, that implements support for S60 3^rd Edition FP2 handsets, like the Nokia N78 and 6220.

2.   The new handsets

2.1.                    Changes to the list of supported phone models

The Nokia 6220 and N78 have been added to the list of handsets compatible with TALKS&ZOOMS Version 3.60; other devices running S60 3^rd Edition FP2 most likely work as well, but have not yet been tested, like the Nokia 6210, 6650 from T-Mobile, etc.

Some new devices use S60 3^rd Edition FP1, like the Nokia E66 and E71 (see notes below).

3.   What’s New?

3.1.                    Automatic Progress Announcement

A new option in the advanced settings allows to activate automatic read-out of progress indicators, for progress bars (like during software installation), and while loading a web page (announcement of the data size that has been read so far). “For 5 seconds” is the default, same as for previous releases of TALKS. “Never” means that no progress read-out occurs. Otherwise, progress is checked in the set interval.

This option can be found in the application-specificc settings as well, allowing the user to define different progress announcement for any specific application.

3.2.                    List of Symbols and Edit Menu

When pressing [*] while not typing a word with T9, a list of special symbols appears. The top row of this list can display the most recently used symbols, and it has not been read by previous releases of TALKS. For handsets that do not have an [Edit] key, or for newer firmware versions of handsets that have this key, pressing [*] or [Edit] brings up a list, allowing to choose from the most recently used symbols, choose from other symbols, and set the edit mode and language.

All of these cases are now read properly by TALKS.

3.3.                    Improved Support for Wayfinder Access

TALKS now reads the textual display of the map view in Wayfinder Access. This usually shows the name of the closest street, if GPS is active, and the user can move around using specific key commands, like 1 to move to all POI’s close to the current GPS position, the arrow keys (or 2, 4, 6, to move into the corresponding direction. While this is of limited use for a fully blind person, a partially sighted user can use the map view with the new speech support to improve her/his orientation along a route, or at a given position.

In addition to that, TALKS is offering better support by completely reading out long screen content, like for the Vicinity “Around you” feed view, where speech has been cut off in previous versions.

3.4.                    Other Improvements

·        TALKS now reads lists that previously could only be read by turning off “Read full list items” in the advanced settings.

·        Arabic: Fixed incorrect reading of calculator display when using Indic digits (e.g. on N95)

·        Arabic: Fixed random loss of characters on web pages

·        Nokia 6110 Navigator: Added workaround to allow inputting text into fields in the web browser

·        Nokia 6110 Navigator: Fixed crash in splash screen of Route66 with FW 4.22

·        Changed TALKS key on E71 from [Shift] to [Chr], in line with E61 and E61i

·        Fixed some possible application crashes when TALKS is enabled

·        Fixed specific crashes when showing unknown objects in the Object Viewer

4.   Known Issues

·        Not all icons are labelled on newer phones, so some status indicators may not be read in all situations.

·        The new calendar application on the Nokia E66 is not yet supported.

·         3rd Edition FP2: The status indicators can not be read while the phone keyboard is locked.

·        3rd Edition FP2: Currently, no speech is available during a call, not even with the Nokia TTS (this may depend on the firmware version).

·        3rd Edition FP2: Built-in Help screens are not read because they use the web browser in a way that is not yet supported by TALKS.

·        3rd Edition FP2: You will notice a slow response of voice recognition “beep” after holding [Key 2] when TALKS is not muted

5.   FAQ

Q: Your software does not install on my E-Series handset or branded device, and reports a Certificate Error! Why?
A: While TALKS&ZOOMS for S60 3^rd Edition itself is certified, and thus can be installed on any supported S60 3^rd Edition handset, the installers for the TTS engines (Eloquence or RealSpeak Mobile) are not signed. E-Series handsets and some branded devices do only accept the installation of signed software, unless you turn of the corresponding option inside the Application Manager:

·        Open the phone menu.

·        Open the App. Manager inside the Tools folder

·        Press “Options”, then select “Settings”.

·        Set “Software Installation” from “Signed only” to “All”.

·        Press “Back” to close the Settings dialogue, then “Exit” to close the App. Manager.

·        Now, you can install the TTS engine.

Another reason could be that the date on your phone is not set correctly – as 3^rd Edition software is digitally signed, SIS files can only be installed if the phone is set to a valid date.

Q: Can I install the new release of TALKS&ZOOMS, while a previous release is active?

A: Yes, iff the new version is installed to the same memory location as the previous release. If you would like to change the memory location, you have to remove the previous release first!

 

Q: Why do I get an “Upgrade error” when installing the S60 3^rd Edition version?

A: The most likely reasons are that you have used a beta release, or already have the Nokia TTS driver available that was installed as a separate file with version 3.10. Please remove any beta version, as well as the Nokia TTS driver, before upgrading to TALKS 3.52.

TestTalker

TestTalker is a software solution designed to help individuals be more successful with test taking, worksheet completion, and study materials. It also aids completion of electronic forms. TestTalker provides a computerized version of a test, worksheet, or other form that can talk.

ENGINEERING JOKE

Q: What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers?
A: Mechanical Engineers build weapons, Civil Engineers build targets.

The graduate with a Science degree asks, “Why does it work?”
The graduate with an Engineering degree asks, “How does it work?”
The graduate with an Accounting degree asks, “How much will it cost?”
The graduate with an Arts degree asks, “Do you want fries with that?”

To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

Q: How do you drive an engineer completely insane?
A: Tie him to a chair, stand in front of him, and fold up a road map the wrong way.

Q: When does a person decide to become an engineer?
A: When he realizes he doesn’t have the charisma to be an undertaker.

Q: What do engineers use for birth control?
A: Their personalities.

Q: How can you tell an extroverted engineer?
A: When he talks to you, he looks at your shoes instead of his own.

Q: Why did the engineers cross the road?
A: Because they looked in the file, and that’s what they did last year.

There was an engineer who had an exceptional gift for fixing all things mechanical. After serving his company loyally for over 30 years, he happily retired.
Several years later his company contacted him regarding a seemingly impossible problem they were having with one of their multi-million dollar machines.
They had tried everything and everyone else to get the machine fixed, but to no avail. In desperation, they called on the retired engineer who had solved
so many of their problems in the past.

The engineer reluctantly took the challenge. He spent a day studying the huge machine. At the end of the day he marked an “x” in chalk on a particular component
of the machine and proudly stated, “This is where your problem is.” The part was replaced and the machine worked perfectly again.

The company received a bill for $50,000 from the engineer for his services. They demanded an itemized accounting of his charges. The engineer responded
briefly:

One chalk mark………………$1

Knowing where to put it………$49,999

It was paid in full and the engineer retired in peace.

A programmer had been missing from work for over a week when finally someone noticed and called the cops. They went round to his flat and broke down the
door. They found him dead in the still running shower with an empty bottle of shampoo next to his body. Apparently he’d been washing his hair.

The instructions on the bottle said:

1. Wet hair
2. Apply shampoo
3. Lather
4. Rinse
5. Repeat

WHEN A LIZARD CAN, WHY CAN WE?

This is a true story that happened in Japan .

In order to renovate the house,

someone in Japan breaks open the wall.

Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls.

When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there

because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet.

He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail,

it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.

What happened?

The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years!!!!!!!!!!

In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind-boggling.

Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years!!! Without moving a single step–since its foot was

nailed!

So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating.

Later, not knowing from where it came appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.

Ah! He was stunned and touched deeply.

For the lizard

That was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years…

Imagine? it has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.

Think, will u do that to your partner?

Think that will you do it to your Mom,

Who brought you after a big struggle of nine long months?

Or at least to your Dad, Friends, Co-workers, brothers and Sisters?

Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can’t.

As information and communication technology advances,

our access to information becomes faster and faster.

But the

Distance between human beings . . . is it getting closer as well?

Please never abandon your loved ones

Never Say U R Busy When They Really Need You …

You May Have The Entire World At Your Feet…..

But You Might Be The Only World To Them….

A Moment of negligence might break the very heart which loves you thru all odds..

Before you say something just rememberâ?¦It takes a moment to Break but an entire life to make…
To Live Use Heart and to Survive use Brains.

Then Life would be a paradise Unfurling only Love Joy and
Happiness…..

Liz Jackson MBE – Inspirational Blind Entrepreneur

Liz Jackson MBE – Inspirational Blind Entrepreneur and Motivational Business Speaker

 

At the age of 25, Liz Jackson launched her company with the help of the Prince of Wales Trust, where she received a £1000 grant.  Today, Liz’s Marketing Company is turning over more than £2.5 million and growing at a rate of forty percent per annum.  With eight branches across the UK, the company is booming. Liz Jackson’s company is an outbound business-to-business appointment making agency.

 

For Liz especially, this is an amazing achievement as she is totally blind. The year Liz started her business, she lost her sight completely.  However, this didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams.  With no advanced education, no money and no property for security, she truly is an inspirational figure.

 

In 2004, Liz’s company won the Customer Focused Award (part of the National Business Awards – sponsored by Orange).  The award was presented to the company that best demonstrated its ability to place the customer at the heart of its business and deploy and manage its resources to most effectively meet the needs of its customer base. These prestigious awards were described by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.

 

In September 2003, Liz Jackson won the ‘Women Mean Business Award’ that was sponsored by T-Mobile and the Sunday Express – Britain’s biggest award dedicated to women running their own businesses.  The award is designed to recognise the growing importance of independent businesswoman to both the economy and the community.

 

Liz took away with her a big cheque of £10,000 and £3000 worth of telecommunications equipment all from T-Mobile.  It was a fabulous evening where Prince Charles even sent Liz a message to express his congratulations!

 

More recently Liz was crowned Entrepreneur of the Year at the South East Chamber Awards 2005.

 

Not only has Liz Jackson launched a successful company, she has also written a very memorable book. Start Up! is a unique blend of highly entertaining story, fantastic inspiration and highly practical advice for starting a business with little or no funds to help you get going. It includes a wealth of useful business tips that are clearly identified throughout each chapter of the book. This is a must for anyone thinking of starting a business that requires inspiration and motivation.

In 2007, Liz was commended in the New Years Honours and awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to business. Liz was acknowledged not only for her achievements in business but also for setting an incredible example to others and being a real inspiration.