On Jan 5, 2017, at 10:47 PM, Melissa <angel.melissa0107@gmail.com> wrote:

Got it set up with no sighted assistance required. The app on the
Iphone is easier to use than the alexa app.

On 1/5/17, Melissa <angel.melissa0107@gmail.com> wrote:

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 5, 2017, at 6:21 PM, Joe Giovanelli <joegio100@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello All,

Alexa has competition. Last November Google introduced its device: the
Home. I just got mine set up this afternoon and thought you'd like some
early thoughts.

Physically, this unit is perhaps a bit more than the height of the Echo.
Its diameter is just a shade smaller, but it tapers a bit as one moves
toward the top. The top surface slopes down for an inch or two. This part
of the Home is a touch surface. Sliding on it in a clockwise direction
increases the audio level. Moving counterclockwise lowers it. Tapping the
surface pauses or resumes play.

The lower portion of the Home feels like a cloth mesh. This mesh can be
removed and replaced by a mesh, or screen, of a different color.

With this removed, we can see three small speakers. One faces left and
one faces right. These are the mid/high-end drivers. The remaining
loudspeaker faces forward and is the subwoofer. It is capable of wide cone
excursions and can produce considerable low-frequency response down to
perhaps 55 Hz. Believe me! this is very impressive, although somewhat
boomy at times. Overall, the sound is better than that of the Amazon
Echo.

There is no jack for obtaining audio to a sound system. This reminds me of
how Apple has removed audio jacks from some of its devices. Audio can
still feed a sound system via a small device known as a Google Audio
Crhomecast. TV can be supported by a Video Chromecast. (I do not have that
unit so cannot discuss it.)

The price of the Google Home is $130. The Audio Chromecast costs $35.

Like the Echo, the Home must be set up using a Google Home app. There are
28 steps to set it up. I had an experienced sighted helper and he got it
going in a bit over a half hour.

Again, like the Echo, most items are opened, or linked, via the app. Some
services have a monthly charge. Lots of music can be heard at no charge.
Pandora and Google Play can be heard that way. If, however, you ask to
hear a particular artist, you'll hear him or her but mixed with other
artists.

The Audio Chromcast must be linked to the Home. If you give each device
its own name, you can hear your selection from the device you ask for when
requesting an item.

If no name is called, the sound will emanate from the Home. Like the Echo,
the Home uses a wake up word, either Okay Google or Hey Google.

I wish this list could accept attachments. I could have described the
equipment in greater detail, and you could have heard the amazing sound
this equipment can produce.

This does it for now. I look forward to hearing from others as they
experiment with this product. If you find that I made any errors in this
presentation, I look forward to knowing about them.

Joe Giovanelli, W2PVY


Thank you Joe would you be willing to send me an attachment I just got one
for my husband for his birthday and I'm hoping that I can set it up
without cited help thank you so much for your review

----- Original Message -----

From: ashleygrobler04

To: main@TechTalk.groups.io

Sent: Friday, January 06, 2017 4:23 AM

Subject: [TechTalk] virtual dj question

virtual dj question

Hello to al of you.

I am ashley grobler and i am 15 years old, and i am slo blind, and i like it to dj.

But i saw the virtual dj accessability file on the sam page where i downloaded the virtual recorder setup.

With whitch vertion of virtual dj does that file work?

please tell me.

Best regards...    

I believe that on the Dell one can reverse the default function key actions
from media mode to standard function keys by pressing the hotkey combination
of FN + Esc. Have not tried this as I don't have a Dell, but those who have
say it retains the setting even after a reboot which suggests it changes the
BIOS setting for this function.

John.


-----Original Message-----
From: main@TechTalk.groups.io [mailto:main@TechTalk.groups.io] On Behalf Of
Carlos
Sent: 06 January 2017 08:54
To: main@TechTalk.groups.io
Subject: Re: [TechTalk] another laptop question: keys that light up

Although it is worth noting that renaming with F2 by itself may not work on
many laptops where the standard F key operations are reversed by default.
If this is the case as it is with many laptops, you will have to use the Fn
key in combination with F2 for the standard rename functionality. You can
usually change this behavior either in the BIOS, with a manufacturer
supplied utility, or Mobility Center depending on the brand/model. With
some Dell laptops you can change this behavior in Mobility Center.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Gregory" <stratplayer@gmx.com>
To: <main@TechTalk.groups.io>
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2017 3:34 AM
Subject: Re: [TechTalk] another laptop question: keys that light up

Hi Bill,

Firstly, try the Alt key + F10 key to turn off the keyboard light. If that
doesn't work, then try the FN key + F10 option. The FN key is normally
located to the left of the spacebar. Is there 4 keys to the left of the
spacebar? Normally the one to the far left is the Control key and the one
nearest the spacebar is the Alt key. Now, you should be left with 2 keys
in
the middle. Just press the one next to the Control key and if the Start
menu
pops up then that is the Windows key. If not, then try the one next to the
Alt key to pop up the Start menu. Whichever pops up the Start menu is the
Windows key, so the one remaining would normally be the FN key. Probably
as
clear as mud, but try the various options. Unfortunately I do not have
Windows 8 installed, so cannot exactly say what Narrator will announce
when
the Start menu pops up. Incidentally, which version of Windows 8 are you
using, 8 or 8.1? I am assuming it is 8.1 as I don't think 8.0 has a Start
menu as such.

Regarding renaming desktop icons, the simplest way I have found to do this
is to ensure that I am on the desktop by pressing Windows key + M. I can
then use the arrow keys to move between desktop icons. So, assuming you
have
pressed Windows key + M and can move to each of the icons on the desktop,
you should be able to rename any of them. Move to the icon you want to
rename and press the F2 key. The name of the icon will appear in an edit
box
and you can rename it to whatever you want. Note, the name may be on 2 or
3
lines, so move to the beginning or end and delete unwanted characters and
replace with preferred name. Press Enter to complete the changes and your
icon should be renamed. The only icons I have found that cannot be renamed
are 'Control Panel' and the name of the user, i.e. in my case 'John'.

HTH. Any problems please do ask.

John.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@TechTalk.groups.io [mailto:main@TechTalk.groups.io] On Behalf
Of
Bill Koppelmann
Sent: 06 January 2017 07:35
To: main@TechTalk.groups.io
Subject: [TechTalk] another laptop question: keys that light up

Hi John,
that was very helpful, and I'll have to find out how to turn that light
off, but I need to know one thing, where is the fn key on the keyboard,
can you give me any clues, and or can you tell me how I'll know when
I've found it?

One other question while I'm here, I just can't quite seem ti figure
out how to edit the names under the icons on the desktop. As you
probably guessed, you can't press the f2 and be able to edit it that
way. Your help would be most appreciated.
Bill K.

Hi Bill,

Firstly, try the Alt key + F10 key to turn off the keyboard light. If that
doesn't work, then try the FN key + F10 option. The FN key is normally
located to the left of the spacebar. Is there 4 keys to the left of the
spacebar? Normally the one to the far left is the Control key and the one
nearest the spacebar is the Alt key. Now, you should be left with 2 keys
in
the middle. Just press the one next to the Control key and if the Start
menu
pops up then that is the Windows key. If not, then try the one next to the
Alt key to pop up the Start menu. Whichever pops up the Start menu is the
Windows key, so the one remaining would normally be the FN key. Probably
as
clear as mud, but try the various options. Unfortunately I do not have
Windows 8 installed, so cannot exactly say what Narrator will announce
when
the Start menu pops up. Incidentally, which version of Windows 8 are you
using, 8 or 8.1? I am assuming it is 8.1 as I don't think 8.0 has a Start
menu as such.

Regarding renaming desktop icons, the simplest way I have found to do this
is to ensure that I am on the desktop by pressing Windows key + M. I can
then use the arrow keys to move between desktop icons. So, assuming you
have
pressed Windows key + M and can move to each of the icons on the desktop,
you should be able to rename any of them. Move to the icon you want to
rename and press the F2 key. The name of the icon will appear in an edit
box
and you can rename it to whatever you want. Note, the name may be on 2 or
3
lines, so move to the beginning or end and delete unwanted characters and
replace with preferred name. Press Enter to complete the changes and your
icon should be renamed. The only icons I have found that cannot be renamed
are 'Control Panel' and the name of the user, i.e. in my case 'John'.

HTH. Any problems please do ask.

John.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@TechTalk.groups.io [mailto:main@TechTalk.groups.io] On Behalf
Of
Bill Koppelmann
Sent: 06 January 2017 07:35
To: main@TechTalk.groups.io
Subject: [TechTalk] another laptop question: keys that light up

Hi John,
that was very helpful, and I'll have to find out how to turn that light
off, but I need to know one thing, where is the fn key on the keyboard,
can you give me any clues, and or can you tell me how I'll know when
I've found it?

One other question while I'm here, I just can't quite seem ti figure
out how to edit the names under the icons on the desktop. As you
probably guessed, you can't press the f2 and be able to edit it that
way. Your help would be most appreciated.
Bill K.

Hi Bill,

Firstly, try the Alt key + F10 key to turn off the keyboard light. If that
doesn't work, then try the FN key + F10 option. The FN key is normally
located to the left of the spacebar. Is there 4 keys to the left of the
spacebar? Normally the one to the far left is the Control key and the one
nearest the spacebar is the Alt key. Now, you should be left with 2 keys in
the middle. Just press the one next to the Control key and if the Start menu
pops up then that is the Windows key. If not, then try the one next to the
Alt key to pop up the Start menu. Whichever pops up the Start menu is the
Windows key, so the one remaining would normally be the FN key. Probably as
clear as mud, but try the various options. Unfortunately I do not have
Windows 8 installed, so cannot exactly say what Narrator will announce when
the Start menu pops up. Incidentally, which version of Windows 8 are you
using, 8 or 8.1? I am assuming it is 8.1 as I don't think 8.0 has a Start
menu as such.

Regarding renaming desktop icons, the simplest way I have found to do this
is to ensure that I am on the desktop by pressing Windows key + M. I can
then use the arrow keys to move between desktop icons. So, assuming you have
pressed Windows key + M and can move to each of the icons on the desktop,
you should be able to rename any of them. Move to the icon you want to
rename and press the F2 key. The name of the icon will appear in an edit box
and you can rename it to whatever you want. Note, the name may be on 2 or 3
lines, so move to the beginning or end and delete unwanted characters and
replace with preferred name. Press Enter to complete the changes and your
icon should be renamed. The only icons I have found that cannot be renamed
are 'Control Panel' and the name of the user, i.e. in my case 'John'.

HTH. Any problems please do ask.

John.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@TechTalk.groups.io [mailto:main@TechTalk.groups.io] On Behalf Of
Bill Koppelmann
Sent: 06 January 2017 07:35
To: main@TechTalk.groups.io
Subject: [TechTalk] another laptop question: keys that light up

Hi John,
that was very helpful, and I'll have to find out how to turn that light
off, but I need to know one thing, where is the fn key on the keyboard,
can you give me any clues, and or can you tell me how I'll know when
I've found it?

One other question while I'm here, I just can't quite seem ti figure
out how to edit the names under the icons on the desktop. As you
probably guessed, you can't press the f2 and be able to edit it that
way. Your help would be most appreciated.
Bill K.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 5, 2017, at 6:21 PM, Joe Giovanelli <joegio100@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello All,

Alexa has competition. Last November Google introduced its device: the
Home. I just got mine set up this afternoon and thought you'd like some
early thoughts.

Physically, this unit is perhaps a bit more than the height of the Echo.
Its diameter is just a shade smaller, but it tapers a bit as one moves
toward the top. The top surface slopes down for an inch or two. This part
of the Home is a touch surface. Sliding on it in a clockwise direction
increases the audio level. Moving counterclockwise lowers it. Tapping the
surface pauses or resumes play.

The lower portion of the Home feels like a cloth mesh. This mesh can be
removed and replaced by a mesh, or screen, of a different color.

With this removed, we can see three small speakers. One faces left and
one faces right. These are the mid/high-end drivers. The remaining
loudspeaker faces forward and is the subwoofer. It is capable of wide cone
excursions and can produce considerable low-frequency response down to
perhaps 55 Hz. Believe me! this is very impressive, although somewhat
boomy at times. Overall, the sound is better than that of the Amazon
Echo.

There is no jack for obtaining audio to a sound system. This reminds me of
how Apple has removed audio jacks from some of its devices. Audio can
still feed a sound system via a small device known as a Google Audio
Crhomecast. TV can be supported by a Video Chromecast. (I do not have that
unit so cannot discuss it.)

The price of the Google Home is $130. The Audio Chromecast costs $35.

Like the Echo, the Home must be set up using a Google Home app. There are
28 steps to set it up. I had an experienced sighted helper and he got it
going in a bit over a half hour.

Again, like the Echo, most items are opened, or linked, via the app. Some
services have a monthly charge. Lots of music can be heard at no charge.
Pandora and Google Play can be heard that way. If, however, you ask to
hear a particular artist, you'll hear him or her but mixed with other
artists.

The Audio Chromcast must be linked to the Home. If you give each device
its own name, you can hear your selection from the device you ask for when
requesting an item.

If no name is called, the sound will emanate from the Home. Like the Echo,
the Home uses a wake up word, either Okay Google or Hey Google.

I wish this list could accept attachments. I could have described the
equipment in greater detail, and you could have heard the amazing sound
this equipment can produce.

This does it for now. I look forward to hearing from others as they
experiment with this product. If you find that I made any errors in this
presentation, I look forward to knowing about them.

Joe Giovanelli, W2PVY


Thank you Joe would you be willing to send me an attachment I just got one
for my husband for his birthday and I'm hoping that I can set it up
without cited help thank you so much for your review

On Jan 5, 2017, at 6:21 PM, Joe Giovanelli <joegio100@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello All,

Alexa has competition. Last November Google introduced its device: the Home. I just got mine set up this afternoon and thought you'd like some early thoughts.

Physically, this unit is perhaps a bit more than the height of the Echo. Its diameter is just a shade smaller, but it tapers a bit as one moves toward the top. The top surface slopes down for an inch or two. This part of the Home is a touch surface. Sliding on it in a clockwise direction increases the audio level. Moving counterclockwise lowers it. Tapping the surface pauses or resumes play.

The lower portion of the Home feels like a cloth mesh. This mesh can be removed and replaced by a mesh, or screen, of a different color.

With this removed, we can see three small speakers. One faces left and one faces right. These are the mid/high-end drivers. The remaining loudspeaker faces forward and is the subwoofer. It is capable of wide cone excursions and can produce considerable low-frequency response down to perhaps 55 Hz. Believe me! this is very impressive, although somewhat boomy at times. Overall, the sound is better than that of the Amazon Echo.

There is no jack for obtaining audio to a sound system. This reminds me of how Apple has removed audio jacks from some of its devices. Audio can still feed a sound system via a small device known as a Google Audio Crhomecast. TV can be supported by a Video Chromecast. (I do not have that unit so cannot discuss it.)

The price of the Google Home is $130. The Audio Chromecast costs $35.

Like the Echo, the Home must be set up using a Google Home app. There are 28 steps to set it up. I had an experienced sighted helper and he got it going in a bit over a half hour.

Again, like the Echo, most items are opened, or linked, via the app. Some services have a monthly charge. Lots of music can be heard at no charge. Pandora and Google Play can be heard that way. If, however, you ask to hear a particular artist, you'll hear him or her but mixed with other artists.

The Audio Chromcast must be linked to the Home. If you give each device its own name, you can hear your selection from the device you ask for when requesting an item.

If no name is called, the sound will emanate from the Home. Like the Echo, the Home uses a wake up word, either Okay Google or Hey Google.

I wish this list could accept attachments. I could have described the equipment in greater detail, and you could have heard the amazing sound this equipment can produce.

This does it for now. I look forward to hearing from others as they experiment with this product. If you find that I made any errors in this presentation, I look forward to knowing about them.

Joe Giovanelli, W2PVY


Thank you Joe would you be willing to send me an attachment I just got one for my husband for his birthday and I'm hoping that I can set it up without cited help thank you so much for your review