General - Wi Bolton Wi Barmey

Reveal was good yesterday with many attendees.  It’s always nice to have a bustling show.  After the exhibition I went for a very scrummy Chinese buffet with Wagger grl and her dad.  I enjoyed that actually and was impressed since many of these establishments are rather poor in fodder quality.

We then took the bus to Outwood and nattered for a bit before I hit the bed couch and had the best kip for a few days.

I am now in first on the Leeds to Manchester chugger winding my way over the Pennines  to Manchester and then changing for Bolton.  This afternoon I hit Blackpool and then a stop off in Preston to have a meal with Kirsty.  I should arrive at my parent’s house latish this evening.  The drinks trolley has just been round so time to tuck in.

Quotes

I love these few quotes.

"If you mean whiskey, the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster that
defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty,
yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean that
evil drink that topples Christian men and women from the pinnacles of righteous and
gracious living into the bottomless pits of degradation, shame, despair, helplessness,
and hopelessness, then, my friend, I am opposed to it with every fiber of my being.
However, if by whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the
elixir of life, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts
a song in their hearts and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean
Christmas cheer, the stimulating sip that puts a little spring in the step of an
elderly gentleman on a frosty morning; if you mean that drink that enables man to
magnify his joy, and to forget life's great tragedies and heartbreaks and sorrow;
if you mean that drink the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions
of dollars each year, that provides tender care for our little crippled children,
our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitifully aged and infirm, to build the finest
highways, hospitals, universities, and community colleges in this nation, then my
friend, I am absolutely, unequivocally in favor of it. This is my position, and as
always, I refuse to be compromised on matters of principle.
(Address to the legislature by a Mississippi state senator, 1958, "Whiskey Speech")
"The proper drinking of Scotch whisky is more than indulgence: it is a toast to civilization,
a tribute to the continuity of culture, a manifesto of man’s determination to use
the resources of nature to refresh mind and body and enjoy to the full the senses
with which he has been endowed."
(David Daiches, Scotch Whisky 1969)
"There are two things a Highlander likes naked, and one of them is malt whisky."
(Scottish proverb.)

General - It's been up a year!

This blog has been up for just over a year now. Thanks for reading my nonsensical babble  guys.  It’s something I have enjoyed creating and lots of people check in to read it.  I guess most of them are at work wasting time!!.

General - The movements of an AT guy

The time I spent with friends in Glasgow was kind of restful in a way.  We spent the evenings either out or in relaxing.  Preston was another matter however with Dave and I going for it like we were kids and attempting to visit as much of the city with friends as possible.  Yesterday I was in Bournemouth, today its London, Leeds at the reveal exhibition and Thursday in Bolton and Blackpool.  With all this travelling about I will probably spend time with my parents on Friday and work from their house before heading down to Nottingham for more training on Saturday.  A long week ahead and a sadly messed up sleeping pattern.


Do check out Dave’s blog entry about our fun in Preston.

More later.

Bourbon - Elijah Craig 12 Year

I do love a bourbon in the summer.  One of my purchases in Preston on Saturday was a bottle of possibly the best one I’ve ever tasted, Elijah Craig 12 year.  It is just over £20 and at 47% so a very good buy indeed.  Made at the Heaven Hill distillery.

Nose: liquorish bbq wood and a pinch of lemon.

Pallet:  chewy sweetness from the charred barrels, mouth filling with a drying bitterness and vanilla pods with sugar.

Finnish: melts in the mouth, smooth and drinkable.

Comments: Lovely even in winter.  It would be a shame to put ice with this.  The would does tend to dominate unlike Maker’s Mark which takes more of its flavour from the grain mash rather than the oak.

Score:  79%

General - Dolphin Dave II

The secret is out of the bag. Dave W has left ACB Radio and got a tech support job with Dolphin Computer Access in the UK.  I’m sure that in time he will be a valuable asset to them helping to improve what is already a good screenreader from a support context.  Given more time its beyond question that he’ll be a thorn in my side too.  I am glad we have someone of Dave’s calibre in the AT industry.  He will be a good ambassador for not only access technology but blind people.  Congratulations mate.

Thinking ahead we have lots of pubs around the Worcester area to explore, so not quite time to grow up yet.

General - Going over the boarder

For once a Virgin train is ahead of schedule.  We have just chugged in to Carlisle station.  I will be in Scotland for the majority of this week but  I’m taking Friday off to spend it with Dave for our last Preston session bringing to an end an interesting 8 years in my life.    More on this later in the week.  

My vacuumed blew up today, not the start I was after.  I guess it ul be a squint at reviews and then order a new something or other online.  I will not be purchasing another Dyson though!

Just left Carlisle now and off up to Glasgow.

Whisky - Laphroaig 10 year cask strength 55.5%

This legendary bottling of Laphroaig from the cask is for some the very reason an antipathy is created against Islay and it’s malts.  This cask strength monster is chock full of peat smoke and sweet bourbon goodness.  Bottled  at over 55% I always take this with water.  One swig from a hipflask to keep out the chill on Leeds station can send one a bit loopy.  As tested on a close mate of mine!

Nose:  peat smoke and wood.  Alcohol prickle rubber tires.  Bandages.

Pallet: big, bold in ya face, peaty Smokey but with a nutty sweetness bursting through from the 1st fill bourbon casks.  Kippers.  

Finnish:  lingering and long, will last for hours.  Probably could use this stuff to power small cars.

Comments:  my favourite Laphroaig.  Always dependable and was a particularly good price last Christmas.  If you’re after subtlety don’t bother.

Score:  91%

technology - Sendero GPS 3.5 announced

Sendero have just announced Braillenote GPS 3.5. The list of changes and enhancements’ is impressive and too extensive for me to cover, but the beta versions have been ausum over the last 6 or so weeks. Map data for the UK is much improved.  This friends is  100% the most fully featured GPS solution for the blind.

Check out the full list of changes.

Swedes plan to colonise Moon | The Register

‘We always knew the Swedes were a shifty bunch - softening hearts worldwide with a pleasing blend of inoffensive europop, cheap yet effortlessly stylish flat-pack furniture and fun-loving, pneumatic blonde fillies - but now the horrible truth can now be revealed: they're planning to colonise the Moon thereby ensuring their own survival as the Earth's resources dwindle and lesser nations are returned to a primitive Stone-Age state enslaved to Sweden's galactic ambitions*.’

Technology - Royaltek BT-GPS RBT-2001 SiRF Star III

The relatively new Royaltek BT-GPS RBT-2001 SiRF Star III Bluetooth GPS receiver   is based on the same chipset as the Holux slim 236 but with newer firmware.   It appears to be a little beauty in  combination with the Trekker and also Braillenote GPS.  After extensive but unscientific tests on Friday I’m glad to report similar performance to the above Holux receiver, a favourite of mine since getting hold of one last summer.  Maybe the satellite acquisition time is even a little faster.  Independent reviews also tend to favour the Royaltek for accuracy over others in the same class.    I think that one pays a little precision price for the better sensitivity over older generation chips with the relatively new SiRFstar III based receivers but for my requirements the trade off is more than worth it.

It has an on off switch and can also use standard Nokia batteries, a good job really as autonomy is poorer than similar specked systems.  The package we received didn’t contain a case or manes charger, but this won’t be a problem for Trekker users as the critter fits on the charger shipped with our system, and because the profile is the same you can use the 1000sT case.  I guess the lack of a pluggin charger could be a problem for some users.  Maybe we received an incomplete package.

Note:  I don’t recommend the Holux Slim 236 with Trekker yet as we have found some problems with the combination.
The Royaltek 2001 costs just under £80 when purchased online and it rocks!

Irish Whiskey - Connemara NAS 40%

It was a hard call when deciding how to celebrate saint Patrick’s day with a drop of Irish Whiskey.  I have two bottles in my collection, the beautiful Christmassy redbreast, or a peaty number made by Cooley Ireland’s only independent distillery, a whiskey that is distilled twice and then matured in bourbon casks like most scottich malts.  Against Derry’s better judgement the Connemara got the nod.  I like an underdog, and wasn’t Patrick in his day?

No age on the bottle

Nose:  linseed smoke, icing sugar and nuts.

Pallet: peaty but not medicinal like some Islay whiskeys.  Big honey and gentle bourbon.  It tastes like wet burning twigs smell!  A big departure for Irish whiskey!

Finnish: soothing, gentle smokeyness continues filling the mouth for ages.  Sweet and smooth.

Comments: smashing.  I have asked Derry to bring me another in the summer.  The best Irish I’ve taken the time to make notes on.

Score: 79

General - awake at last

I went out for dinner in London on Thursday with some customers.  Now my dinner time is in the middle of the day, what southerners call lunch, in South Yorkshire it’s breakfast dinner and tea, none of this brunch or supper nonsense!! It cost over £80 for 3 people.  This wasn’t a 3 course dinner, and nothing special, no service charge included.  I nearly died!

Friday was spent in Nottingham with Alan.  A hard trip as sleep had avaided me the night before for some reason, not one of me best days at all.  I guess all the travel over the last few weeks has run me down a bit.    My parents were ensconced in my flat when we got home but I was too tired to be a good host and somewhat selfishly let them look after me.  It’s so  shameful as they made a big effort to come down to Surry and brought me lots of things from Yorkshire for the flat.  I was even too tired to make notes on the drop of Irish whisky opened for St Patrick’s day.

Today finds me much better after a 13 hour sleep!  I’ll try that Irish whisky now and get sorted out for tonight.  We’re having tea then going out, not sure what we will do as it’s cold, but…

Whisky - Bruichladdich Rocks 46%

The guys are Masters of spin on that little island of Islay.

Bruichladdich Rocks!  A name to appeal to the yoof if ever one were spoken for a giggle  and this one isn’t.  Rocks, oh yeah, it wrings.  I’ll tell ya what, lets make it a young whisky, one to drink on ice with water.  Polish it in wine casks to give a fruity nose and complexity. (a few weeks in Banyuls casks actually darling!)  Cracking idea!  Add a good top dressing of 1990 AND 93 older stock to keep the aficionados happy and use the taglines we always do.  No filtration, Islay bottled and cut down to strength with Islay spring water.  A marketers wet dream.    That word again, rocks.  Should keep the metal heads and queen fans in high spirits. Plus connotations  of natural and remote surroundings. some of them blind punters can have a snigger too!  Genius to a degree, and something for everyone.  

Nose: the wine casks are still detectable but young rubbery spirit overtakes it at first.  Rather clean however.  Water brings out spice and kills the rubbery notes.  Given time a strawberry hint.  

Pallet:  oily!  It has to be in order that it may take the water well.  Very nice actually with an without water and or ice.  Echoes the nose. Rather smooth.  A little grain still sweet and enjoyable.

Finnish:  creamy with a little smoke, not harsh at all.  made to be slugged but at the same time give a feeling of drinking something natural.  Should do well in Epsom!  GRIN

Notes: does what it advertises on the shining metal tin.  It works on all levels.  Enough complexity to contemplate but a low price from Morrison’s means it is accessible.  When I first opened the bottle the nose was extremely winy and Clare liked it.  Other none whisky drinking friends of mine have enjoyed this with water and ice.  The independent distillery on that remote Scottish Island would appear to have a winner.  I hope it kills some of the snobbery around malt.

Score:  83%

Whisky - Springbank 10 Year 46%

The weather conditions are a tad inclement.  Just the excuse for a drop of springbank after taking the dog out.  Purely medicinal you understand.

The Springbank distillery is unique as it is the only producer to carry out the full process from malting the barley to bottling on the same premises.  No chilfiltration or colouring is aloud for the companies output.  The same distillery in cambpeltown also creates a triple distilled spirit called Hazelburn  and the heavily peated Longrow, Springbank, it is said is distilled two                   and a half times a little like Ardbeg but using a different method.

Nose:  tangy, rum current butterscotch and gooseberry.    Hint of milk chocolate.    It really opens up if given time.

Pallet:  a rush of that toffee sprinkled with salt and sharp citrus notes.  Smoke coming through with a little coconut.   Medium bodied.

Finnish: a little harsher than the nose would suggest, but bloody good fun and a solid winter warmer.  

Comments: this really changes from batch to batch. The first time I tried it with friends the coconut and a very pronounced mintyness were sure markers.  Other bottles have offered up variations on all the flavours mentioned above.  That coconut is in the background with this batch.   Lovely and not as formulaic as many whiskeys.  Complex.

Score: 87%

Technology - Trekker 2.7.1 now available for download

Humanware have a new version of Trekker and Maestro available for download.  This is a free update and maybe downloaded by all 2.5X users.  Just go to www.humanware.ca then select English/downloads/north American.

The most notable new features are below.  Note: We still appear to have a technical problem with the Holux receiver. I look forward to getting my Royaltek 2001 SiRF III receiver on Friday which has received glowing reviews from beta testers.

·              Three new receivers have been added to the list:
a)                       HOLUX GPSlim236
b)                       Fortuna Slim Bluetooth GPS
c)                        Garmin GPS 10
·               The start/exit process in Trekker
“standalone” devices has been modified. The process is now identical to the
Maestro with Trekker
option process. It is now possible to exit
Trekker
to the system bar through the
Trekker menu or the
Escape button.

Technology - Window-eyes and Vista

I found this bit of info that maybe of interest to window-eyes users.  Posted on a mailing list by Doug Geoffray:
As I am typing this I'm currently at 35,000 feet flying back to Microsoft
for the second week of working very closely
with the key teams of Vista to guarantee that Window-Eyes will fully support
it when it is launched later this year.  Along with myself two of our
engineers spent all of last week and again all this week working there.
Because I'm under a non disclosure agreement at this time I can't get into
the details but rest assure we are working very hard to make sure that
Window-Eyes 6.0 will work out of the box with Vista.
Although Window-Eyes 5.5 had preliminary support for Vista when using XPDM
(meaning using XP video drivers) there were still many issues.  Meaning if
you want Vista support you will need Window-Eyes 6.0.  We hope to support
both XPDM (XP video drivers) and LDDM (Vista video drivers).  Both modes are
very
different from each other.  XPDM will still use DCM (Display chain manager)
where the Vista drivers will be using different technology which is better
designed for the future in mind.  Again, more information will be coming as
the year progresses.  But as it stands now Window-Eyes 6.0 and Vista are on
track <smile>.

technology - Blind Confidential

Check out Blind  Confidential and this post on the upcoming CSUN technology conference.  Lots of funny goodness like the below.  . It’s worth wile and I’ve taken a snippety from this post to encourage you to pop over.  This is really technology for the visually impaired and satire done amazingly well.

‘Mike Mountain, Chief Technologist at Porpoise Systems in the UK, announced an interesting
genetic engineering project that they will demonstrate on the Los Angeles beaches
during the conference.  “We realized that guide dogs had a major limitation,” said
Mike, “they did poorly in aquatic environments.”  So, they came up with an incredible
solution.  “This year, we will be demonstrating the alpha test version of the first
ever guide dolphin.”
According to Mike, Porpoise Systems has engineered a bottle nosed dolphin that can
speak human languages and has a handle on its back.  “The lovely critters ask the
blind swimmer where he wants to go, swiftly brings him there and lets the rider sit
on his back while fishing.”  Mike continued to explain that the final version, due
out in 2009, will have Braille dots on the back of the dolphin’s head for the deaf-blind
rider, rod holders and even a built in beer cooler and tackle tray.  Bubba Clemson,
salt water writer for Field and Stream said, “This may be the greatest advancement
in sport fishing since the advent of the DOA Shrimp lure.  A dolphin can bring a
fisherman directly to the best fishing holes and far outperform a Wal-Mart sonar
device for finding game fish.  Sure they are meant for blind people but I want one
too.”

Music - Radio Balads

I spent an hour yesterday evening listening to the first of the 2006 Radio Ballads commissioned by the BBC.  a project setup in the late 1950s, these montages’ of everyday people talking about aspects of their lives were groundbreaking when first commissioned and broadcast not least because regional accents had been aloud on the BBC.  Previously actors would have read out the lines  and this because of the corporations fear of common people talking on the radio!  Surely working class vernacular shouldn’t be acceptable in upper class parlers!! Go and check out some tasty extracts from these first early ballads.  Take a look at this breakdown of the first shows from a social policy point of view.  The article also gives some historical background.

The 2006 versions touch on topics as diverse as hunting with hounds, the Sheffield steel industry and living with AIDS.  

You will have to be a little open minded, but patients is rewarded by vivid and touching sound-scapes set to beautiful modern songs presented acoustically and in a folk format.  Cast prejudice aside relating to this form of music and listen to these masterpieces for what they are, a truly fascinating record of how social policy has changed our life in the UK.
I was particularly intrigued by the steel industry ballad and not least because I spent 10 years at school in Sheffield around the time Thatcher destroyed the manufacturing of steel in the city.  On reflection this was just a test and prerunner to the coal strikes of the mid 1980s.  giving the time to Take a listen to stories of the Toil harsh conditions and resolve of these people is moving, interesting and at times witty.

Do your self a favour and listen to at least one of these shows at this link.  If these come out on cd I’ll be making a purchase.

Whisky - Bruichladdich 12 YO 46%

A gentle malt to sip whilst listening to the new Cara Dillon album.  Like the first two tracks though it’s surprisingly lively.

An unpeated Islay whisky, Bruichladdich can be amazing and somewhat beguiling.  I was a little dismissive of it at first until Dave W put me on track with the 10 year old.

Nose:  Pineapple bitter orange and fudge, yummy with a saltiness, so clean

\Pallet:  silky with a tang.  Young kiwi, fruits zesty and almost refreshing.

Finnish:  it tingles sherbet.  Slips down.

Comments the descriptors don’t do this malt justice.  Unchallenging and moreish.   The best Bruichladdich I’ve tasted in a year would do well in the summer though it will not last that long I’m afraid.

Score:  85%, loses because it’s not too complex but gains immeasurably with simple enjoyment.

General - Aha

It’s snowing in Ipswich, well it was when we left earlier today simple proof that spring is on its way.  Since departing the trains have been held up because of mechanical problems and this bleak platform on Norwich station is damned cold.  The platform is full of kids running around all over the place and I have half an hour to wait until my next train to Attleborough.

Can’t complain too much though as the trains normally run rather well for me at least.

beer - Fuller's Vintage Ale 2002

     Once a year Fullers brings out a vintage ale made with the finest hops and malt of that particular season.  I purchased a bottle of the 2002 vintage a few months ago and shared it with Clare. 'golden-themed' beer for the Queen's Jubilee in 2002, using Goldings hops and
Golden Promise malt.


Nose:  malt nose with berries and toffee.

Pallet:  toffee dark treacle and  something tangy.

Finnish:  lovely and warming, like nothing I’ve had before, rich.

Comment:  not my kind of thing really.  Too alcoholic tasting for a beer

General - Scratching About in Walsall

Walsall, that place in the west midlands famous for Pork Scratchings and um, anyone else know what it’s famous for apart from the football club?

Well the town is actually pretty cool and quite friendly from what I gathered.  The dem went splendidly and once again our clients gave me some grub which was really generous and much appreciated.  Like groundhog day, I was wet through on the GPS walk so we’ve definitely had a patern formed this week.

Yet another train, this one on it’s chugging perambulation to Ipswich. So ends a week of intense travel Wonder how many miles I’ve covered?  I’m looking forward to a rest now.

Just a bit of advice from a reasonably uninteresting webpage if you plan on going to Walsall.  ‘Perhaps less well known is the fact that  for a packet
of pork scratchings to be authentic, it must have come from an industrial estate
somewhere within the boundaries of Walsall. Likewise, no visit to Walsall is complete
without a trip to the
pub  and a packet of scratchings to accompany your pint (bitter, not lager).
NB: If you are a pork-product beginner, or you are otherwise unsuited to eating
pork scratchings (for example small children, the elderly or  infirm, girls and southerners) you might want to consider pork crunch. While these puffed up salty snacks are anathema to the true scratching aficionado, they  may suffice for you. If you fall into more than one of these categories  (for example if you are an elderly southerner) you might want to avoid pork products all together and stick to dry roasted nuts.’

General - Hopping from Hampshire

Both Jaid and I had a cracking time in Wales.  The potential client was very enthusiastic and I was made extremely welcome by my kind hosts the evening before.

They made a huuuuge bowl of curry for me which had a good kick plus lots of tender beef, then we listened to music and I had a whiskey or 3.

The only low point of Wales was the persistent rain all the time, not good.

Today’s demo was in New Milton In Hampshire.  I set off in good time but the gods were conspiring against me. First the clowns at Clapham Junction put me on the wrong train with the result that I was late for the appointment.  Secondly I’m starting to get a little tired after all this weeks travelling, but arriving in to Epsom early this evening should be possible as trains appear to be running on time.  I am damned hungry and thirsty though.  No food on the earlier trains and just no time to get anything.  The buffet car is my destination in the short term.  In the long term it’s Epsom tonight followed by an appointment in Walsall on Friday.

General - Barging to Bargoed

Upon  arriving into Cardiff the dog and I had to find a Natwest bank because of an unfortunate incident with a cash card a few weeks ago.  Even though the building in question was not in the Braille Note gps database we located it and drew out some cash.  after creating a route  back to Cardiff Central all of 8 or so minutes we went in search of refreshment.  The first pub named Prince of Wales didn't give off particularly good vibes, plus they had crap beer so I walked out and made my way with a little help to the Yard Arm, a pub beneath the old Brains brewery.  I ordered a pint of Dark plus a drop of water for the dog and managed to catch up on a little work at the same time dried off a little because the rain was persistent and  must have followed me from central London.

This is being Brailed on the mPower as the train slowly and noisily grinds it's way to bargoed, my final destination for the evening, so on to the valley I go!  Yes ladys and gentlemen, this stop is really at the end of the line.     
The Cwm Bargoed Express - A Satirical Welsh Newspaper.
Bargoed Rugby Clubhttp://www.bargoedrfc.org.uk/

General - Chavs and Stuff

The trip from Lowestoft to Epsom last night was a bit of a slog. We didn’t get back home through the door until 11:20.  still it was good to listen to one of the last episodes of Home Truths’ on radio4 while on the train, but also very cold.  That show was never the same without JP and maybe he just can’t be replaced.  My late homecoming ment that Jaid couldn’t play with Clare.  Actually Going through Ipswich station without stopping and boarding the bus for her gaff was something that really made me think.  Every time my travels have taken me through Ipswich station Clare’s house has been the destination so not to actually go was a bit odd.

It was rather excitable walking back through Epsom to with the drunks and chavs kicking off outside the towns excuses for nightclubs, the second time I’ve seen this in 4 days to be honest.  Maybe the news a few months ago that Epsom is the most desirable place to live in England is enticing all the like David beckham wanabeys and  jodie marsh  style chavettes to the quiet portals of leafy Surrey!!

Talking of Chavs Jaid and I are now off to the home of a superchav, yep harlotte um, sorry, Charlotte Church!!  That’s right people, I’m off to Cardiff in Welsh Wales with heavy rain lashing the train window for a day or so.  Now I’m not saying Cardiff is full of Chavs, but our Miss Church is the queen of them all IMHO. Don’t knock me, I have me manic Street Preachers and Catatonia on the mPower so am taking an interest in the music.

Ok, I’m all chavved out now and will get on and drink me brew.  The notion of a      lovely pint of Brains Dark is an uplifting thought at the moment.

Music - Those old games

If you’ve ever played videogames and enjoyed them, grab some cracking midis from your fave titles from.  Vgmusic.com

What will it be sir?  Sonic, Outrun, Street Fighter or Bubble bobble?

Music & Technology - allofmp3.com

I have been using a cool online music shop called allofmp3.com

They are based in Russia and have some very interesting technology.  You can download tracks in many file formats including ogg Monkeys Audio and other lossless codec’s plus the ubiquitous mp3 and wma.  They don’t add any digital audio locking technology so you can play the files on any device.  Nearly forgot, you can also select the bitrates you wish and it’s encoded for you!!

The best part of this has to be the price,  a full album at a reasonable bitrates of 244 KBPS in mp3 will cost around $1.80ish!!  The page is fully accessible and legal too!  The reason for the cheep prices?  The Dollar is king in Russia. I really can’t say enough good about this outfit.  The RIA hate them which is good but can not do anything because of the copyright agreements under Russian law.  It still doesn’t take the place of cD for my listening requirement but is a nifty way to get hold of items that are not available on the illegal grapevine.  Not that we’d do that anyway.  
  Check this independent info page out.

Technology - HumanWare Appoints New CEO

Hi

This looks a good appointment to me.  Try googling for him.

ChristChurch, March 6th, 2006 --
HumanWare, the leading provider of information access products for blind, visually
impaired and learning disabled customers, today announced the appointment of Dr Richard
Mander as its new CEO following the death of Dr Russell Smith and his wife Marian
in a plane crash in August last year.
Dr Mander has a strong background in technology, research and product development.
He has a particular interest in the human interface with technology.  Dr Mander worked
for 14 years in the
United States
, including seven years at Apple Computer.  After leaving Apple, he spent seven years
as a consultant advising technology companies on customer-centred product design
and methods for improving product development.   He has advised international companies
on these matters and in 2004 received the World Class New Zealander Award from New
Zealand Trade and
Enterprise
.  This is an annual award for New Zealanders working oversees who make an outstanding
contribution to
New Zealand
’s economic development.
Dr Mander was appointed as Chief Technology Officer at Navman in
New Zealand in 2004.
Dr Mander has a Ph.D in educational psychology from
Stanford University in the United States
.  He is married with four children and lives in
Christchurch, New Zealand.
“We are very pleased to be able to appoint a person of the calibre of Dr Mander”,
said Tim Robinson, Chairman of the board of HumanWare.  “His experience in research
and development and understanding of how products can be better designed to meet
customers’ needs will be invaluable for HumanWare.”
Dr Mander said, “I am very excited about this opportunity and the challenges that
lie ahead.  HumanWare has some clever technology and great products.  I am looking
forward to working with the team there to take the company to the next stage of its
development.”
Gilles Pepin has been Acting CEO of the group since the death of Dr Smith.  Mr Robinson
said that HumanWare has a significant presence in
Canada
and Mr Pepin will return to his CEO role of HumanWare
Canada
. “Gilles has done an outstanding job as Acting CEO over the last six months,” said
Mr Robinson.  “He has successfully led the company through a difficult period following
Russell’s death.  We are indebted to Gilles and on behalf of the board I express
our thanks to him.  Gilles will continue to play a major part in the further development
and growth of HumanWare through his role in
Canada
and as a director of the company.”
About HumanWare
HumanWare designs and manufactures innovative technology for people who are visually
impaired and learning disabled. Formed in 1988, and formerly known as Pulse Data
International, HumanWare exports approximately 98% of its products worldwide to more
than 30 countries.  In January 2005, Pulse Data and VisuAide of Canada merged to
form HumanWare, one of the world’s largest companies in the blindness and low vision
industries.  Sales offices have been established in the
United States, United Kingdom,
Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, Australia and
New Zealand
and the company supports a strong distribution network throughout North America,
Europe, Asia and the
Middle East.
Contact:
Tim Robinson,
Chairman of the Board,
HumanWare

Technology - Pope plugs in to iPod Nano | The Register

I love stuf like this. I have to get a life!!
Sadly, God's Rottweiler will evidently not be moshing to Megadeth, nor contemplating
things spiritual while enjoying a quick fix of Rush, but rather chilling to Beethoven,
Mozart and Chopin, the
Catholic News Service
reports.

Hmmm, we can't help feeling that His Holiness will be looking to grab a quick 10
minutes at a PC with his new toy and his Vatican Platinum executive credit card in
search of some more lively material. Might we suggest the soundtrack to
The Passion of The Christ
for formal occasions and a quick blast of U2 when he wants to kick back and crack
a beer?'

General - Lowestoft

My favourite time to blog is on a train it would appear.  I spent an enjoyable day in the company of some kind people in Lowestoft which is actually a port and the most easterly part of England. The demos were all Trekker and went well.  Even better though was the lovely home made soup of which I had a hearty portion, and the once again homemade sausage roles and cake.  I honestly didn’t want to leave such was the warmth and conviviality of the prospective clients to whom I was showing the kit.

Tomorrow takes me to the department of Transport in London for a demo and in the afternoon Cardiff is my destination as we have a demo first thing on Wednesday.  Wonder if I’ll get to chat to Kenny Livingston?  I’ve been lucky enough to make some good friends while doing this job, and Jaid and myself are guests of two such people on Tuesday evening.  That’s one of the nicest parts of the job and makes the early mornings and late nights so worth it.  Sometimes like anyone they can get you down, but I’m in particularly high spirits this evening what with the cold nearly gone and the good day just past.

I wanted to get together with Clare tonight, but the demo took longer than I anticipated so it’s strait home to pack for Cardiff and Hampshire on Thursday.

More later.

general - a cold on a Satterday

I have a stinking cold. Should have been with Clare this weekend but I stayed in bed most of the day.

Snack time, got to raid the freezer.  A packed week next but more about that later.