Author Archives: dnw

Report Disabled people often poor

A report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare earlier this month comes to what to me, and I suspect many, would think obvious. Disabled people often poor Thursday, 02 April 2009 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Economic hardship can be both a cause and a result of disability, according to the study.ContinueContinue reading “Report Disabled people often poor”

Dasher – Single Finger Alternative Text Input

A video demo of Dasher. A single finger interface that allows you to enter text without a keyboard. Dasher is free software, and it works in all languages, and on many platforms.   Keyboards are inefficient for two reasons: they do not exploit the redundancy in normal … all » language; and they waste the fineContinueContinue reading “Dasher – Single Finger Alternative Text Input”

Open-Source Hardware for Prosthetics

Scientific American has an article about the Open Prosthetics Project. The Open Prosthetics Project has applied the “open source” model to the design of inexpensive prosthetic hands and arms that a small demand can still support. The designs are free for anyone to use. This is an exiting project to me as it’s an example of whatContinueContinue reading “Open-Source Hardware for Prosthetics”

Report in – Disabled people often poor [sic]

This startling news just in from the ‘no shit, sherlock’ Department. Disabled people often poor Thursday, 02 April 2009 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Economic hardship can be both a cause and a result of disability, according to the study. Image: iStockphoto There is a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and severe disability inContinueContinue reading “Report in – Disabled people often poor [sic]”

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-19

@jobsworth @simonmcmanus pointed me in direction of google group. I just need work with it more now to see if it’ll do what I need. Thanks. in reply to jobsworth # @Studebaker Sometimes wonder if these are from ‘within’ the #disability community or just others trying to exploit a ‘market’ <sic> in reply to StudebakerContinueContinue reading “Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-19”

Tweenbots: displaying our humanness

Tweenbots http://blip.tv/play/AejAL5OoUw Something about this is neat. The act of helping is so ingrained and helping robots reveals something inherent about our humanness. Were these ppl helping to be a part of something? Or because they knew there must be human behind it? Unorganised crowd sourcing. Fascinating. Dave [via David Weinberger]

Ergodex customisable input system now for Mac

Update Jan 2021: Ergodex is now Ergodox When I heard about this Ergodex customisable keyboard on a podcast I immediately thought it would have uses in Assistive Technology circles and yes, they do already have information on such application of the device. As it happens, this device has been around a while but only forContinueContinue reading “Ergodex customisable input system now for Mac”

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-12

@mickyj Is it? in reply to mickyj # @delin Gee mate that looks teh cool on me 24″ iMac in cooliris! in reply to delin # Back from good meeting with @fang and the folk at Siblings Australia – http://is.gd/qYsE – #sibaust # @mickyj not really…unless you’re asking me for help. I now where probContinueContinue reading “Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-12”

Voice Activated iPod Controller

I once had one of these ‘fat nano’ ipods. Had to sell it as I couldn’t use it due to the touch nature of the ipod control wheel. Now if I’d had one of these devices that controls the basic functions of the ipod by voice I would’ve been set. [Voice Activated iPod Controller] viaContinueContinue reading “Voice Activated iPod Controller”

Will Apple’s 10-inch touchscreens still need skin?

Reuters reported last month on Apple ordering larger touch screens: Taiwan touchscreen specialist Wintek already makes small screens for Apple iPhones, and has received orders for the larger ones that are roughly the same size as those used in mini PCs – [http://www.wintek.com.tw/] I bet you’ll still need skin! Source [Apple orders 10-inch touchscreens forContinueContinue reading “Will Apple’s 10-inch touchscreens still need skin?”

GM and Segway new balancing two-wheeler transport project

My ex-boss, when talking about the language of disability, always used to tell people that “wheelchair bound” should refer to those who do not use a wheelchair, as they’re potentially headed there and we’ve already arrived! Well, now take a look at this experimental vehicle from Segway. See, he was right! The Personal Urban MobilityContinueContinue reading “GM and Segway new balancing two-wheeler transport project”

RFID controlled phone dialing

More and more uses are surfacing for RFID chips and I can foresee many practical applications for alternative access to a myriad of life related activities. Hackaday reports on a phone prototype which uses RFID tags to dial. It is common for our motor skills and eyesight to deteriorate as we get older. There areContinueContinue reading “RFID controlled phone dialing”

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-05

@scenariogirl crossing fingers for you in reply to scenariogirl # @leolaporte article http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090329/NEWS/903290372 # @Luiz147 whats the score? in reply to Luiz147 # @cblake morning in reply to cblake # “Sometimes a wind comes out of nowhere and knocks you off your feet.” # watching neil finn on ABC2 thinking of @NickHodge in reply toContinueContinue reading “Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-04-05”

Diabetes Device & iPhone

ReadWriteWeb reports on iPhone app that wirelessly connects to a Bluetooth-enabled glucose meter. A good example and model of technology assisting health and well-being. I think lots more work on hardware device interfacing needs attention allowing software <-> hardware interactions as these types of things tend to foster possibilities for environmental control. [Diabetes Device &ContinueContinue reading “Diabetes Device & iPhone”

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-29

Reading review of Bruce Cockburn’s latest album # reading feeds as a distraction to what I should be doing because I’m not really sure what *that* is. # wondering if the HP Touchsmart has a restive or capacitive touch screen. # watching videos of nifty glass experingmenting # reading postsecret http://tinyurl.com/cl6zlo # @SilkCharm *laughs* AsContinueContinue reading “Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-29”

Schmap used one of my Flickr photos

Got an email this morning from Schmap – recognition is always nice. The Scmap ppl do an excellent job of integrating Creative Commons licensing. :: Schmap: Adelaide Photo Inclusion Hi David, I am delighted to let you know that one of your photos with a Creative Commons license has been selected for inclusion in theContinueContinue reading “Schmap used one of my Flickr photos”

Doc snippet on Gilmor Gang Advertising Bubble Bursting

Doc Searls while talking about the Advertising Bubble writes: In fact, last May I reported how Mike Arrington of TechCrunch was “outraged” by my suggestion that advertising was a bubble (or something to that effect… it’s in this podcast somewhere… maybe one of ya’ll can hunt down the quote). Well, there’s a few quotes inContinueContinue reading “Doc snippet on Gilmor Gang Advertising Bubble Bursting”

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-22

Ahah.. just noticing some podcasts are starting to emminate from #SXSW into me itunes – http://feeds.feedburner.com/SXSWinteractive # grrr…the sxsw feed is coming through ok in reader but in itunes the enclosures are failing. suspect google getting in way of feedburner. # Ahhh… it seems the #sxsw guys are putting out 0length enclosures in the sxswinteractiveContinueContinue reading “Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-03-22”

A Clue for The Information Economy Directorate

I really wish the Information Economy Directorate, part of the SA Govt. Dept. DFEEST, would at very least put a link to their Newsletter in their RSS feed so I can get to it from the feed … post in rss reader – no link rather than make me click through to their website toContinueContinue reading “A Clue for The Information Economy Directorate”

A myriad of relay controls for Makers incl USB

There’s been discussion previously on the blog about some off the shelf, usb controlled power outlets that a few readers were chasing. I recently received the below email from a reader, Tom Stephenson, about USB control of devices using relays. Thanks Tom. Hello Dave – Lifekludger, I think you might have interest in a USBContinueContinue reading “A myriad of relay controls for Makers incl USB”

Preserving Digital Identity in my Will

I made a decision yesterday while travelling home – I’m going to make allowance in my will towards the ongoing existence of my digital identity. Now, don’t panic, I’m not ill and don’t intend on dying anytime soon. But it will happen. And it so happens that with recent changes in living arrangements I’ve beenContinueContinue reading “Preserving Digital Identity in my Will”