the blog of a bear

this is where a bear will post stuff.

e-mail

beginning computer skills? writing HTML five and CSS, and more! it's all found in the 2013 semester from cavi, enroll today!

by Leave a Comment

Do you know how to use your Windows or Mac PC and your screenreader? Are you curious about the hardware inside of your computer? Do you want to sharpen
your troubleshooting and computer maintenance skills? How about designing a website or running a Linux server? Perhaps you would like to build a computer
or home network of your own.
The Cisco Academy for the Vision Impaired enables blind students to enter the world of computer and Information technology whether for career advancement
or to pursue a hobby. We provide courses tailored for blind and visually impaired students around the world. We do this using live online lectures by blind
and vision impaired instructors, written lessons, and a community of students and instructors to network with even after students have graduated our courses.
The academy is currently taking applications for the first semester of 2013. We will be offering Computer 101 for Mac or Windows, IT Essentials, Intro
to HTML 5 and CSS, Audio Editing Fundamentals, Discovery 1 with Exploration 1, and Linux server administration courses starting the second week of February.
Computer 101 is taught as separate courses for Mac and Windows users. It teaches basic computer and screenreader skills including adjusting screenreader
options, working with files, chatting online, using email, and using web pages.
Intro to HTML 5 and CSS teaches blind people how to design attractive business and personal websites including graphics, audio, and video. It assumes no
prior knowledge of HTML.
Audio Editing Fundamentals teaches principles of audio including how to choose and place a microphone, single and multi-track editing using tools like
Goldwave and Reaper, and adding various effects to audio tracks.
IT Essentials is an introduction to PC repair including Hardware, installing and maintaining an operating system, Troubleshooting, portable devices, and
customer service.
Discovery 1 is focused on home and small business networking. It is being combined with our Exploration course to provide a thorough background in networking.
Exploration is a more in depth look at networking, both theoretical and practical for those students who wish to really get into building and designing
networks. After completing Exploration 1, students will have the skills necessary to take the CCENT exam.
The Linux Administration course introduces server-based Linux systems administration for vision impaired users. Students will learn how to install and
configure a Ubuntu server system and install and configure a number of server based programs such as a web server, Email and a wiki. The course aims to
take a student from asking, “what is Linux?”, to installing and using a Linux-based server system via SSH.
Each class runs for a total of six months, with online lectures. The classes are self-paced so you can finish them in a month, or take the entire semester
if desired. The cost for each course is 500 US dollars however; scholarships are available to students who are paying for their courses out of pocket that
lower the price to $150. Your eligibility for a scholarship will be assessed as part of the application process and payment plans are available. Students
are required to have good internet access skills and be familiar with their screen reader of choice, or be willing to teach themselves the necessary skills
as we go along. Students in the more advanced courses should be familiar with reading Adobe PDF documents, as they may be encountered while doing research
projects. Course content is online, so a broadband internet connection is highly recommended. Students should also have a working headset/microphone and
be willing to install Skype and Ventrilo, in order to attend lectures and communicate with instructors. Applications will be accepted until February 6,
2013.
For more information on any of our courses or to request an application, please email
[email protected]
or visit our website at:
www.ciscovision.org
Enrollment forms are on our Intake page at
http://www.ciscovision.org/2011/intake.php
If you are enrolling in the Computer 101 courses and need help enrolling, you can call 914-620-2284.
finally, we have a podcast about the CAVI program from our student’s point of view at:

We’re looking forward to hearing from you. Start learning new skills today.
Regards,
The CAVI Team

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Suck it and suck it hard, FSU!

by 1 Comment

Ok, so maybe that title got yanked straight out of an IM window, but that’s alright. When emails like the following drop into your inbox and then get forwarded, that’s what kind of response you get via IM.
From: “Morin, T”
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:16:04 +0000
Subject: Congratulations! You have made the Dean’s List.
To:
My school email
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
June 25, 2012
President Daniel M. Asquino, your professors, staff, and I want to
congratulate you on your outstanding academic achievement. You have
made the Dean’s List for the spring 2012 semester.
This is quite an achievement, and it required a great deal of
dedication and hard work on your part. You should be very proud of
yourself.
If you wish to receive an official letter, please contact
Academic Affairs Administrative Assistant, at or call phone number withheld.
Best wishes for your continued success. If you have the time, please
drop by my office so that I can congratulate you personally.
Sincerely,
Melissa A. Fama Ph.D.
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Mount Wachusett Community College
………………………………………………………………………………………
Sent on behalf of Melissa Fama

This is one of those weeks I wish I had an alcohol tolerance.

by 1 Comment

Below are various notes to the stupid, in no particular order because Window-Eyes and WordPress just had an argument and I had to intervene and force them to fight nicely.
1. If I tell you something 2 weeks before I do something with which you may or may not have an issue, and then sit on my thumb for ages, I’m going to assume you’re either an idiot who doesn’t pay attention to email which is the only form of contact I have with you, or that you really don’t give a goddamn what I do.
2. If I get an email hours before the deal’s already sealed, and then you don’t say word 1 to me after the fact, you have already put me in a precarious position, one from which I hav to do metaphorical gymnastics to rebound.
3. Whining to Mommy don’t get ya nowhere. Whining to the boss is not how you solve your problems like an adult!
4. If you don’t have any solutions for contortions which I can use to extract myself from the fuck shit stack I am currently stuck in, shut up and get outa my way because stuff’s gonna fly. A person 4 feet and 10 inches in height cannot easily extract herself from a pool of quicksand and dog shit 10 feet deep.
5. Communication is your happyfriend. Fucking use it and stop avoiding me.
6. When I’m already stressin’ right outa my mind, that is not the time to start hammering on me! Once again, I’ll say, step the hell off.
7. Again with the communication: there are multiple ways to, say, check your email. Hi, can we say I’m kissin’ data overages this month?
Done now. The humidity in this room is doing shitty things to this keyboard, and I think I’ve hammered my points to death in various other forms. If the dude across the room wants the floor on the situation at hand,he can have it.
Sidenote: Window-Eyes or wordpress has eaten my categories for an after-dinner snack. Damn it. Not cute.

and people wonder why?

by 20 Comments

so at this point and time I sit back and wonder

what the goddamn hell did i ever do to deserve the way people treat me.

I’ve probably posted here numerous times about my childhood, so we won’t rehash that.
But going through e-mail, and cursing the spam filters as I had to go digging for an order receipt, this message, got through.
Because I’m not a total heartless prick I’ve removed the e-mail and name of the sender, and my own for the security of all.
I’m going to reaferm my stance, I’m not responsible for the actions of others as a result of this post, and I’m not responsible if you aquire equipment to blow this person to kingdom come. But I’ll support the efort and join you in jail, k?
So here we go.

from: my biological mother
to: me
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 4:17 AM
subject:
This message is to inform you that we heard about your surgeries back in July, and what has transpired since then.
What right did you have denying your biological parents access to your medical history, or your state of health.
We fucking brought you into this world, we have a fucking right to know what’s going on with you.
How’d we find out? By reading your goddamn blog, and if this goes on the blog, you won’t like the consiquences.
I hope someone does kill you because you don’t deserve to live, and the next time you have surgery hopefully they’ll fucking kill you so your out of our lives.
As for you dating some gutter slut whore from the states? Your a goddamn canadian, stay the fuck on this side of the boarder, you don’t need to be dating some fat, no good bitch that can’t even fend for herself and who won’t even get up the balls to come up here.
The only relationship from that side of the boarder that did you any good was the one that knew that slapping you around was the only way to keep you in line.
Don’t ever deny us access to your information again young man, we brought you into this world, and we’ll take you out of it.
Your foster parents can’t and won’t stop us from removing you from our lives, even if you think they will.
You can’t hide from us, so don’t try.

see above, I need not repeat myself.
The comment boards and this database might just blow up. Sorry
james
and
dream host
if I cause the
MY SQL
server to shit all over the floor.

a small note to a list moderator.

by Leave a Comment

a note to a list moderator;
Please kindly stop acting like a fucking prick to me.
your not god, and never will be.
Teling me repeatedly that a topics off topic on a *tech* list when it’s not then banning me after the list owner specifically told you not to, is a violation of your moderator privilidges.
I hope you never become a moderator again.
I’m glad you got your ass fired.
with no love,
me.

Christmas Cake Recipe

by Leave a Comment

on occasion things like this… land in my inbox.
Have fun.

Christmas Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
* 2 cups flour
* 1 stick butter
* 1 cup of water
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 cup of sugar
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup of brown sugar
* Lemon juice
* 4 large eggs
* Nuts
* 2 bottles wine
* 2 cups of dried fruit
Sample the wine to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the wine again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it’s best to make sure the wine is still OK. Try another cup… Just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Pick the frigging fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner.. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the wine to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Check the wine. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or some fink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don’t forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the wine and wipe counter with the cat.
Go to supermarket and buy cake.
Bingle Jells!

things I find while reading rss feeds… just… lmao!

by Leave a Comment

So while reading through my RSS feeds, I come across a post titled, who to ask me out on a date.
I found some of this amusing, so it’s being put here.
enjoy and we’ll post again soon.

I realize that it’s usually considered déclassé to discuss exs during
the first date, and probably even more so before the first date. But
this is a funny story. And, in a roundabout way, it serves a function.
Once upon a time, the year before I came to law school, I went out
with a guy named S. He was a a PhD candidate from the
Anthropology (don’t you always want to spell that like the store now?)
department at —. On our second date, I went over to his house so he
could feed me fresh fried chicken from his deep fryer. His idea, I
swear.
Anyway, so a bottle of wine or two later, he leans in and kisses me.
One kiss turns into a full make out session. Then he starts to get a
little hands-y. I stop him, because it’s the second date and I’m a
recent graduate of — looking to reform my image into “career girl”
from “crazy undergrad slut who hit on her broadcast prof.” After a bit
of blocking, he gets all flustered and says, “You know, L.? We’re
going to have to reach a compromise here.”
“What are we compromising, exactly? My boundaries and your reputation
as not a rapist?”
“It can’t be all about you, L.”
I wish I could have spoken. I wish I could have said something really
clever. Instead, I tried to see past the red that blinded my vision,
and I left.
He called the next week and told me that he was sorry, would I have
dinner with him? Because I was still in that transition phase and knew
more about vibrators than I did about boys, I accepted his apology and
went out with him.
At this point, I should mention that he only owned a scooter. No car.
Just a tiny little scooter. And I knew enough not to trust him to
drive.
So he gets in my car to go out to dinner, and the first thing he says
is, “I want to talk about last weekend.”
“Go for it.”
“I just feel like things are moving too fast. I just can’t handle it
when you’re affectionate and attentive.”
No lie. Word for word, he said that.
He went on and on for a few minutes about how he wasn’t used to being
treated well by his girlfriends and said, “You know, sometimes, I just
wish you would be more of a bitch.”
He was so busy waxing philosophical on the deeper meanings of why he
wanted me to change everything about myself to cater to his needs that
he didn’t notice that I turned the car around until we were five
minutes away from being back to his apartment.
“Did you forget something?” he asked.
“No.”
“Why are we back here?”
“Because you said that you needed someone who would be a bitch. Well,
this is me being a bitch. Get out of my car. And don’t call me again.”
We’re facebook friends now.
Anyway, the whole point of this is, if the situation was reversed, if
I had to be me again and you were S., I would be that bitch for
you. And this time, I wouldn’t drive off and ignore your phone calls
for three weeks and tell you, the next time that I saw you at our
favorite Indian restaurant (okay, fine, the only Indian restaurant in
Baton Rouge) that what you really needed was to pay a hooker to be
your dom for the night, in front of your friends and that boy who I
later learned was your brother. No. I would stick around and be
bitchier than a dog in heat. Because I care.
Now, when are you free for dinner and drinks?”

Is freedom scientific finally losing their touch?

by 2 Comments

Hello fellow blog readers
It’s been awhile since I posted something of major substance to the blind community here.
On
this blog
We have some very interesting posts to reference.
I’m going to post each of them below, exactly as posted, and I’ll follow each one of them up with my comments.
The first one is entitled

Critical security flaw in JAWS

and was posted on october 16, 2009.

Critical security flaw in JAWS
October 16, 2009 by Tyler Spivey
I have found a critical security flaw in the JAWS Screen reader that allows an attacker to gain full system-level access to
the machine. I have tested this on 32-bit Windows Vista
with JAWS 10.0.1154 and 32-bit Windows 7 with JAWS 11.0.611 Beta.
Instructions:
1. From the Windows logon screen with JAWS running, press insert+f2. Run JAWS Manager will appear.
2. Select Settings Packager, and press ok. Settings Packager will open.
3. From Settings Packager, go to File menu > Open, or press ctrl+o.
4. In the open dialog, type “%windir%\system32\*.exe” into the file name field (without the quotes) and press enter.
5. In the list of files, find cmd. Right click on it, or press the applications key and select Run as Administrator.
A system-level command prompt should open. To get out of it, type exit and press enter, then close the Settings Packager.

my comments on this one
Note that this was during the last public beta build of jaws 11, build 611. I was able to varrify this issue with this build of jaws on all machines I have access to. After build 729 the final release to the public on DVD version of jaws came out on october 19 2009, tyler reported in his next post, see below, had been fixed. but as this next will show, this problem still exists using a different set of varrifiable instructions.
The next post entitled

JAWS security flaw, round 2

has this to say.

JAWS security flaw, round 2
October 19, 2009 by Tyler Spivey
In my First Post, I described a security vulnerability that allowed local users to gain system-level access to a machine. A quick test with JAWS 11.0.729, the release build of JAWS 11, reveals that it is fixed. Here is a slightly different set of instructions that will do the same thing.
1. From the login screen, press insert+j, and navigate to utilities/configuration manager.
2. When configuration manager opens, press control+o.
3. press the Import button. The open dialog will appear.
4. On my Windows 7 test machine, I got an error box that can safely be dismissed. Once done, type %windir%\system32\*.exe into the open dialog.
5. find cmd in the list, and press the applications key on it. Select Run as administrator if it appears. If not, keep following these steps.
6. From cmd’s context menu, pick select. answer no to the question asking you to overwrite settings files, if it comes up.
7. press import, and pick cmd from the list again. Activate the context menu, and select Run as administrator.
If done correctly, you should have an administrative command prompt

I took that set of instructions and again tested them on as many systems as possible, and low and behold, I received an administrative command prompt.
But the ensanity doesn’t end there.
On the same day, this post

Gathering passwords with the JAWS builtin keylogger

hit his blog.
The text is below.

Gathering passwords with the JAWS builtin keylogger
October 19, 2009 by Tyler Spivey
JAWS so helpfully contains a built-in script that logs all keys pressed on the keyboard. This method has a better chance of working on XP than the others. You must have a user account on the machine to make this work.
1. Open Keyboard manager, and open the default file. Add a key to the “ToggleKeyboardLogging” script.
2. Once done, log out of the machine. Your profile will still be loaded. Press that key. The only thing JAWS will say is “enabled”. Log into the machine, then open keystrokes.log in your jaws program directory. all keys pressed will be there, from the last time the script was enabled

At the time of writing, do to my keyboard manager acting up, I have not been able to test this particular vulnerability relating to the keylogger.
At the time this went to press, Freedom scientific LLC,
http://www.freedomscientific.com
was closed.
But the following e-mail was dispatched to both the support and info addresses.

subject: freedom scientific’s response to the security wholes found in jaws 11?
To whom this may concern,
I am writing this message in reference to three blog posts available at:
http://tspivey.wordpress.com/
and who’s text and my comments were placed on my own blog at
http://stickbear.me/blog
To summarize these posts, it was discovered that not only can system level access to the computer be gained using your software, but your program includes a hidden keylogger that isn’t even documented that logs all keystrokes entered and can gain sensative information from a users computer?
These keys hense are logged to keystrokes.log.
I would like to ask, what is freedom scientifics stand on these issues, and is freedom scientific willing to comment publicly for airing on ACBRadio’s main menu and in other public venues regarding these security wholes?
I Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Shane Davidson

We shall see what comes of this.
until then.
piece yall.

blindies can be daddies to, by Chris Meredith

by 1 Comment

the following is an e-mail from Chris Meredith. I include his original message and then the attached file’s contents he included.

From: Chris Meredith
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 5:35 PM
To: “kerri Murtland” ; Shane Davidson
Subject: Letter
Attached in Word 2007 format. You may wanna change the filename before you put it on removable media for any lawyer types.
Regards,
Chris Meredith
Software Development Engineer in Test II
Windows ESC/WAP/BCD Team
Ph.: (removed for privacy)
Mobile: (removed for privacy)
Fax: (removed for privacy)
Email: (removed for privacy)

and now for the attached file’s contents as referenced above.
note the filename was blindies can be daddies to.

To whom it may concern:
I am writing this at the personal request of Kerri Murtland, with regard to court proceedings started against her by one Barb Jenkins.
First, a bit of background. I am a software developer with Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington. I am the father and, in many instances, primary caregiver for a blind, nonverbal and autistic child (not named here). Further, due to various disabilities from which my wife suffers, I must frequently act as transportation for said child.
Now, to the matter at hand. Ms. Jenkins states that, amongst other allegations to which I am unqualified to speak, “… present boyfriend is completly blind” [sic] and that this, amongst other factors, “…presents danger issues where my grandson is concerned” [sic]. From the information at hand, clearly, Ms. Jenkins attempts to present blindness as an unconditional barrier to caring for a child, further citing a similarity between blindness (which resides in the eyes, and only affects the eyes) with cerebral palsy (which resides in the brain and whose effects, as can be gleaned by rudimentary research on the matter, can vary from a slight limp to complete immobility with a side of cognative difficulties) with her statement that “… In light of the fact his own father is disabled with Cerebral Palsy and cannot look after him safely that why he has supervised visits in my home” [sic]. Whilst logic here would dictate that any “for all” statement, such as the one that Ms. Jenkins is making, can be proven false by finding a single exception, I am willing to go even further than just presenting my case as a counterexample (which, admittedly, in this format, is perhaps redeemable for a coffee, providing it was submitted with the requisite $1.99). I am willing to provide the following information to back up the above assertions:
• Assertions from my son’s caseworker(s) that are handling his case with the Division of Developmental Disabilities that I do not, due to my blindness, pose any sort of safety risk to my son
• References from friends and/or family as required (names of people other than myself will be redacted)
• Testimony, if need be, at any hearings regarding this manner, including but not limited to answering any questions that Ms. Jenkins or her representatives may pose as to their safety concerns vis a vis blindness. Testimony can be given by teleconference or in person, though in-person testimony would require 14 days’ notice, due to travel expenses from Seattle. In lieu of 14 days’ notice, compensation for said travel would be required. Further, if blindness is found not to be an issue in these proceedings, I reserve the right to seek compensation for my time and costs from Ms. Jenkins and her representatives, unless seeking such remuneration is impossible under civil law for reasons of which I am not aware.
 
Please be advised that this statement is in no way meant to state or imply expertise in any of the other areas put forth in Ms. Jenkins’ complaint, and only stands as a response to her allegation that blindness, rather than any other condition put forth in her assessment of any of the visually impaired people she has chosen to mention, creates a safety risk. Should there be a need to contact me further, my contact information is below.
Warmest regards,
Chris Meredith
Software Development Engineer in Test II, Windows ESC/WAP/BCD Team
Ph.: (removed for privacy)
Mobile: +1 (206) 235-8535
Fax: (removed for privacy)
Email: (removed for privacy)

That’s it for now.

Qualcomm Hands Off Eudora to Mozilla

by Leave a Comment

Good morning everyone.
this
article
from
beta news.com
entitled:
Qualcomm Hands Off Eudora to Mozilla
is interesting.
I will post the article in it’s entirety below.
enjoy.
Qualcomm Hands Off Eudora to Mozilla

By
Nate Mook
and
Scott M. Fulton, III,
BetaNews

October 11, 2006, 2:57 PM

Qualcomm on Wednesday joined up with the Mozilla Foundation to announce it is transitioning
Eudora
into an open source e-mail client that will be based upon
Thunderbird.
In turn, all future versions of Eudora will be free and Qualcomm will discontinue the current paid client.

Although it may seem like Eudora is simply abandoning its e-mail software, which has a small but strong following of loyal users, the company claims the
Thunderbird-based client will retain “Eudora’s uniquely rich feature set and productivity enhancements.”
The first release of the open source client is expected in early 2007, at which point Eudora will cease selling the product commercially. In the meantime,
Eudora will be priced at $19.95 USD and come with three incidents of support in a six month period. Until today, Qualcomm sold Eudora versions for a suggested
retail price of as high as $49.95 USD.

Current Eudora users can choose to keep running the ad-supported version indefinitely after upgrading to version 7.1 for Windows and 6.2.4 for Mac OS X,
released last week but announced only today. Qualcomm says it will stop displaying advertisements in the client sometime early next year.

“Qualcomm has decided not to remain in the email market because it is not in alignment with the core business or strategic goals,” the company said. “By
moving Eudora to an open source product, Qualcomm can exit the Eudora business while still supporting Eudora users and advancing the Eudora e-mail client
at a faster pace than before, through the power of the open source development community.”

“We’re pleased to welcome Eudora and its millions of users to the world of open source,” said Frank Hecker, executive director of the Mozilla Foundation.
“This effort should further enrich the Thunderbird technology platform and provide users of both products with an even richer email experience.”

In recent months, reviewers continued to give Eudora the performance edge for use with enterprise e-mail, compared against Thunderbird (though not against
Microsoft Outlook). However, in practice, some have noted Eudora has suffered limited performance problems with recent versions, prompting in at least one case suggestions that users (in this case, students) try Thunderbird instead.