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​News Roundup

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Microsoft Products
​Ending Support in 2023
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It's game over for Windows 7, Extended Security Update 
Windows 8.1 & Windows Defender for Windows 8, & 8.1

Passwords may soon be a relic of the past

Introducing passkeys in Chrome
We
announced in October that passkey support was available in Chrome Canary. Today, we are pleased to announce that passkey support is now available in Chrome Stable M108. Reed more  
by Ali Sarraf, Product Manager, Chrome​
​

UNDERSTANDING DELIVERY SCAMS.

With more people shopping online, many opportunistic scammers are targeting internet users by sending emails and text messages that impersonate delivery companies.

They are designed to obtain the personal or financial details of the person receiving them. Read more
from Netsafe

Your mobile phone is probably the most important device you own

Your mobile phone is probably the most important device you own. We’re here to make sure you choose the right one – from connectivity to storage and everything in between.
What do you really need in a phone? Some people need a giant screen, a huge processor and as many hi-res cameras as possible. Others just need something basic that can send messages and make calls. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. Which is best for you?
​
Things to think about
Read More from Consumer NZ

Mesh Wi-Fi vs Traditional Routers: Which is better?

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When it comes to setting your home up with Wi-Fi it's easy to get stumped on the question of which Wi-Fi type is best: A traditional home router, or one of the new Wi-Fi mesh systems? Here are the basics to help you make the right decision.  Read more
from PC World NZ

Celebrating the baguette with five bite-sized facts

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Some love it for its crispy golden crust, others for the fluffiness of its crumbs, but the French all agree that the baguette is their favourite loaf. Indeed it’s so embedded in the French way of life that the French Ministry of Culture is campaigning for the baguette to be on UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage in autumn 2022. Read More
from Google The Keyword   
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Coming soon to a learning Centre near you 
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Chat GPT by Open AI

Revaluation or Evaluation,
​are we at a new beginning?
watch this Video by ​Marques Brownlee  

Census to be held in March 2023 with extra $110m to ensure turnout

9:02 pm on 28 September 2022 

The next census will be held in March next year, with extra measures aiming to ensure a high turnout after the 2018 edition fell short.
Stats NZ this afternoon announced the date of the national five-yearly survey, the census, would be 7 March 2023.
Click here to read more from RNZ.

​The Kiwi YouTuber taking down the crypto scammers from his Christchurch home

​It was an email from a friend offering a investment opportunity he couldn't turn down that  transformed Christchurch man Danny de Hek into a self confessed Crypto Ponzi Scheme buster. 
​Read more or Listen  
from RNZ

'Merry Christmas': 30 years of the text message

The text message is celebrating its 30th birthday - the first was sent to a mobile phone by a Vodafone engineer in Berkshire in the UK on 3 December 1992.
It was sent in order to test out the tech, and read "Merry Christmas".  Read more
from RNZ

​Microsoft is going to clamp down on OneDrive data caps

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Microsoft is placing additional limits on the amount of data users can store in OneDrive, beginning in February and removing a significant anonymity feature shortly thereafter.
According to an email sent to users, Microsoft will begin counting attachments linked to your Outlook.com address against your data cap beginning February 1, 2023. Read More
from PC World NZ


​Accessing Information and Technology 


Using Technology

  • Braille Service
  • Using Technology
  • The Adaptive Technology Helpdesk
  • Telephone Information Service
  • Accessible information
Blind Low Vision NZ offers training to help you learn basic keyboard skills and computer navigation with specialised software or hardware which magnifies the text, turns text into speech or displays the text as braille.
Our adaptive technology courses cover topics including word processing, spreadsheets, email and using the internet for accessing services, reading the news, social networking, shopping, travelling and accessing books.
We also provide training in the use of apple devices such as iPads and iPhones, scanning systems and specialised notetaking devices.

Technology options
Smart speaker
You can now read audio books and magazines from Blind Low Vision NZ with your Alexa, using Blind Foundation skill. With over 17,000 titles, Blind Low Vision NZ library features New Zealand and international audio books, and selected magazine titles produced in the Parnell studios. Just ask Alexa to find a book or magazine, and you can listen to the audio directly online. You can search by author, title, or just ask for a random book to start reading.

Screen readers
Screen readers read aloud what is on your screen. They also read out menu, file and folder information, and dialogue boxes. Screen readers work on PCs, laptops, tablets like the iPad, and smartphones.
Screen magnifiersScreen magnifiers enlarge the size of what you see on your screen. You can also use it to customise what you see – colour and contrast, for example.

Electronic braille devices
You can use a standalone device or one that connects to your PC, laptop, smartphone, iPad or other tablet. Can’t read braille but would like to learn? Find out more in the Braille section.

Mobile apps
This is a world that just keeps on growing.  More and more apps to help those who are blind or have low vision are becoming available.

Available apps include a colour identifier, a money reader, GPS and book readers. Many apps not specifically designed for those who are blind or who have low vision are also accessible. These can provide access to bus timetables, newspapers, online shopping and banking, Microsoft Word and Skype, to name a few.
Specially designed devicesSometimes called adaptive technology, these devices have been developed with the specific needs of blind and low vision people in mind. They include scan-and-read devices, audio and music players, and personal organisers and diaries.

Suppliers
The following companies are NZ Suppliers of adaptive technology devices:
  • Adaptive Technology Solutions
  • Pacific Vision
  • Vision Associates
  • Zabonne
Work or study- adapting to your needs
If you are studying or working, you might need particular equipment, or modifications to existing equipment or a workplace environment, to suit your needs. You may need some training. A Blind Low Vision NZ Employment Consultant can work with you around the process for this. For support call us on 0800 24 33 33 or email info@blindlowvision.org.nz. You might also be interested in our Employment Readiness Section.

Eligibility and costs
Technology training and support is free for all Blind Low Vision NZ adult clients. School-age students may be eligible. This can be considered on a case-by-case basis when support is required outside the school curriculum.
For some courses you will need prior skills, e.g. a computer course will require keyboarding skills. One on one training can be provided to help you develop these skills. If you’re looking to do an advanced course, then you will need to complete a basic one first, if you don’t already have the required entry skills.

There may be a small cost for some training materials.
To find out how Blind Low Vision NZ can help you with your technology needs call 0800 24 33 33 or
email generalenquiries@blindlowvision.org.nz
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Learning Together
​SeniorNet M​anawatū​   
manawatu@seniornet.nz
  021 197 3476
 Milson Community Centre, Milson Shopping Centre 
 77 Milson Line, Milson, Palmerston North
  • What's On
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