Blind Bargains

News

The 9th Let's Go Shopping Event is this Weekend



Back just in time for the holidays, Let's Go Shopping is a two-day, virtual mall crawl featuring businesses owned by blind and low vision individuals. We are excited to once again join this dynamic event, November 8 and 9.

Using AI to Remember the First Blind Bargains Weekly Podcast



The first Blind Bargains podcast was more than nine years ago, back when Window-Eyes 9 was released and Be my Eyes was a brand new app. Technology as come a long way since then, and now we are able to take a look back using AI tools.

Remembering Access Technology Pioneer David Holladay



David Holladay, the cofounder of Raised Dot Computing, and a longtime employee and supporter of Duxbury Systems, has died.
David's impact can be felt both in the early development of talking software for Apple II computers and in his relentless drive to provide the best braille software.
Here is the transcript of an in-depth interview from the Legends and Pioneers of Blindness Assistive Technology series from 2003.


Deals


Podcasts

BBQ 230: BTactile Is The Place To Find Tactile Graphics



This week, we continue our coverage of CSUN 2022? Turns out we found some interviews in a closet somewhere that for whatever reason were never released. Thankfully, the subject of this tactile graphics exploration is still around and ready to serve up more than 6,000 graphics and growing. Below is how Joe described in words this interview in 2022. Stay tuned for more coverage of some year of CSUN and other things coming soon.

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CSUN 2022?: BTactile

The "Last Word" has been known to be that part of a BBQ episode where Joe can astound, annoy?, J.J. with tales of superheroes or their movie counterparts. Yet J.J. has not experienced reading a comic strip on his own until 2022 at CSUNATC. John Alexis Guerra Gomez, Co-Founder of BTactile, takes J.J. on an amazing tour of tactile delights that came courtesy of the many images curated by the BTactile repositories. John and his wife began the service in 2015 to provide a place where others can find suitable images for an array of tactile options such as 3d printers and other methods for creating tactile materials. The privately funded service utilizes more than 23 sources across the globe that is presented in an easy to use searchable format. Tune in to hear J.J. become an art critic in real time thanks to the team at BTactile. To search the collection yourself, visit the site at this link

BBQ 229: HIMS Describes The Feelings You Get From The Braille eMotion



This week's show features the last of our CSUNATC24 interviews. It also features JJ's return to his vocal stylizing of some famous songs. We apologize in advance for that. By the way, if you have been looking for us on what used to be Twitter, well, don't. Our official feed has moved to Mastodon, and you can experience the same content you know from us there.

BBQ 228: A New Experience With The newHaptics Multiline Braille Display



We are back with another interview from the CSUNATC24 Exhibit Hall floor. Only one more to go after this one. Take your bets now as to who holds the last interview slot. And no, just because a robot makes a surprise appearance, the last interview is not with eBot thankfully.

BBQ227: Free-Styling Glidance



JJ is back with some sad news about his AI driven co-star. But do not fret too much as he has some other AI powers up his sleeve with another CSUNATC24 interview. Also, as we are reaching the end of our California coverage, drop us a line about what you thought were the big takeaways from ATIA and CSUN. Send your ideas to feedback@blindbargains.com and we may feature those comments in a future episode.

BBQ 226: Huge Harry Says Hello From Blazie Technologies



We are back to prove last week was not a one off April Fools joke. And we have an interview about a product you old timers might know, but in a more modern style than you might remember. Plus, for good or bad, this interview is not from Florida and does not feature a poolside parrot in the background. Break out your floppies and those connector cables that are worth more than gold for BBQ 226.

BBQ Be My AI 225: Placeholder Title Needs Update



Things like grammar and sentence structure are hard. That's why we do more talking than writing on this site. Except, for a considerable time, we haven't been doing a lot of that either. Well, that changes today as we replaced the batteries, dust off the cobwebs and have knocked off some of the krust with an all new BBQ episode featuring an interview from CSUNATC24!


Classifieds

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Interested in trading Levelstar Icon for BrailleNote mPower BT / QT


I have a used Levelstar Icon which I barely use at present. I got it thinking I could potentially modernise the software, ETC, but never got around to doing it, so I'm willing to trade it because perhaps someone will find more use for it then I do. Just as a heads-up, I have by accident once played verry high frequencies through the speaker of the device, which caused the speakers to potentially break a bit, although I'm not certain if that's not entirely placebo. They seem to have a slight buzzing / crackling effect while Eloquence speaks at high volumes, but it's not super noticeable. I'm looking for a relatively decent condition BrailleNote mPower, either the BT or QT model, but QT is preferred. I'm mainly looking to use it as a hardware speech synthesizer and to potentially read some books on it. The battery doesn't have to be in great condition, as I can replace it fairly easily. If you'd like to sell it for a not too expensive pricepoint, I might also consider the offer.

Orbit Reader Q20 - Excellent Condition - $650


I have the Orbit Reader Q20 for sale. It is a QWERTY keyboard with a 20-cell Braille display. It can be connected to computer or smartphones and has both USB and bluetooth connectivity. All keys and Braille cells work perfectly. Asking $650.

If you love Wax melts, we’d love to have you in our group.


I have been collecting wax melts for my warmers for years. I have lots that I share with people because it brings me great joy for others to smile and enjoy melting. These fabulous wax melts in their homes. I started a ministry and what happens is that I fill up a bag and then once the bag is full of wax melts that you choose by letting us know in our group which ones you like, we send you a full padded envelope of wax melts and the only thing you pay for is the shipping. I would say probably 80 or 90% of our group have blind and or visually impaired members. And it is a big family where in all of us love wax melts and we would love to have a few new members. The group is on WhatsApp messenger.

Looking for customized ASMR recording


I am looking for someone that would be willing to produce a recording that features ASMR specifically of a dental role-play appointment. The patient that will be introduced will be named Amy, she will be on the more nervous side, because she has never been to this particular office. There will be a hygienist who sees this patient, and she will of course introduce herself and her name will be Maddie. She will introduce herself, and she has a very kind tone to her voice. She will then look over Amy’s chart. She will see that she requested to have her upper Front and Lower bottom teeth gently rubbed and tapped. You will need gloves for this, this is of course for safety purposes. You would offer to do this for roughly 30 seconds to a minute and you will again offer to do this if you notice that she is getting nervous particularly during the cleaning portion. Or if you notice that she is getting rather tense. For the cleaning portion, you can use any kind of toothbrush and you will explain to her what is going to happen before you proceede, that way she does not get startled. I would like this recording to be anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. And I am willing to offer compensation. Anywhere from $50 to $80 Should you have any questions, and if you are interested, feel free to contact me at andylopez263@gmail.com Andy

Perkins Brailler and Allen & Heath broadcast console


I have two items for sale. First up is a Perkins Brailler, classic model, in very good shape. No sticking or jamming of any kind. Includes dust cover. Asking $375 but willing to consider reasonable offers. Only selling because I don't use it often enough to make it worth keeping around. Second, I have an Allen & Heath XB-14-2 broadcast console. This board has 14 channels, including 4 xlr mic inputs. It also has two telco channels where you would connect a phone hybrid for putting callers on air, standard 1/4 and rca inputs, and can handle both usb in and out. In addition to this, it has several outputs so you can hook up studio monitors or other external equipment. It has separate feeds for the operator and for guests, so you can send a different feed to guest headphones. Also, it has a main bus, plus audition, so you can be broadcasting on the main, and also record from the same board, by just running an rca to 1/8 cable from the board to the input on your computer. It is a very good board, but offers way more than I need, or will probably ever need again, and takes up a lot of space which I don't have in my small studio. This board served me well, but is just overkill for me at this point, so time to find it a new home where it will actually get used. Asking $500, but also, willing to consider reasonable offers. Feel free to reach out with any questions about either item.

Mantis q40 - Lightly used - £1500 - Ships outside UK on arrangement


Hi all! First time I've posted anything up here. I've got a lovely Mantis Q40 here I got for university. My studies are complete and, if I'm completely honest, I didn't use it once, instead using an old 20 cell display I already had for reading novels. It comes with the leather executive case, which is very nice indeed. Also, there has just ben an update which is installed on the device that allows for TTS via bluetooth headphones or connected bluetooth speaker. This will make a superb display for someone, especially if they are a windows user as it is a windows keyboard with a 40 cell brail display on the bottom. If I had to guess at usage since receiving it eight months ago, I'd say I've used it no more than 15 hours. It's clean, it's tidy, it's a bargain... The current cost for a new device here in the UK is around the £3000 mark which, like all brail displays and specialist devices is, I think, over priced. Please don't hesitate to get in touch to ask any questions. I'd rather sell to someone in the UK, makes my life a lot easier, but if you are abroad, North America, for example, or Europe, dependent on shipping options, I'd like to think we could sort something out. If you want to verify who I am, hop over to AppleVis where I post a lot, also on X at @OliverKennett or bluesky at the same. I know buying through the internet is a difficult thing so am happy to provide any authentication you need that I'm real and above board... Thanks O


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