Internet Error Codes: What Do They Mean?

It happens to all of us. We're just surfing along and up comes an error. What do all of those error codes mean? Here's a quick rundown of the most common.

400 - Bad Request - You probably typed in a URL wrong and the server has no clue what you're looking for, or you aren't allowed to have access. Usually, it's a matter of the URL being typed in wrong. Maybe you mixed upper and lowercase letters or something like that.

401 - Unauthorized Request - You tried to get to something on the Web server you're not allowed to play with. In other words, you ain't on the party list.

403 - Forbidden - You can't access the page. You may not have access (it may require a password), or it may be blocked from your domain.

404 - Not Found - The page you were trying to look at was not found on the server. This is probably the most common error you'll come across. What has probably happened is that the Web page you were going to has been removed or renamed.

500 - Internal error - Usually caused by a CGI error. You fill out a form, but the script used to process it is not working properly.

503 - Service Unavailable - The server may be overloaded, down or have other similar problems. Try later.

F4: So Many Uses

There are several uses for the F4 function key located on your keyboard. First of all, you can use it to close any open application. Just make sure the program you want to close is selected, press Alt+F4 and that window will automatically close. Now, if you're using a single application that has many different documents within it, press Ctrl+F4 and just that one window will close instead of the whole program.

You can also use F4 to shut down your computer. Make sure all of your programs are closed and press Alt+F4. That will bring up the "Turn off computer" box and you can proceed with the normal shut down. Pressing Alt + F4 is the same as Start, Turn off computer.

Who knew one little key could have so many important functions?!

Tips for Selecting Spatula's

Setting up a first time kitchen can be quite a task. You don't know exactly what you need and when you do look, there are a billion choices. For a bare bones kitchen here is an item that you will want to have on hand. Please remember when you are making your purchases, don't skimp on the quality. If you spend a little bit more now, you will save a lot of money down the road.

A good silicone spatula is a cook's friend.

Find one that is firm enough that you could use to turn food in a skillet, yet soft enough to use as a scraper for removing food from bowls and dishes.

For super easy clean up, just toss in the dishwasher.

How to Clean Candles

You are having a special dinner tonight and have the table set with your best china and silver.

You go into the closet to find your candles, and when you do find them, they are covered in dust and who knows what else? How are you going to clean them up?

A quick and easy way to clean your candles is to grab some rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball.

Soak the ball with the rubbing alcohol and gently wipe off your candle sticks.

The rubbing alcohol should remove most of the debris to make your candles presentable again.

Tips On Writing Successfully for the Web

Online readers love free information. They scour the Internet daily looking for specific information to solve their problems, help them be successful, live longer or get healthy. You should join the information revolution too! Publish your free, helpful solution-oriented articles to Fred's Head or the Fred's Head Companion.

1. Make your article scan ready. Your impatient web readers will want important information to jump out at them. Some practical ways to make your text scannable include:
   
   
   • headings
     
   • sub-headings
     
   • bulleted lists
     
   • numbered lists
     
   • easy steps
     
   • typeface variation

   For example, compelling headlines are considered an art. Are you drawn to the author's article as "How to Write Web Articles" or "5 Tips to Write Winning Web Articles?"
   
   

2. Keep it short. Get and keep the attention of web readers by delivering short messages. You put effort into gaining your web reader's attention; now make their click worthwhile with brief compelling copy in bite sizes. Start with the conclusion. Your readers may not make it to the end of your piece to get it. Web readers don't want to get bogged down in long blocks of text. So get to the point early and use the rest of your article to support that main point.
   
   
3. Make your title sizzle. Dull titles will not capture your readers' interest. It will make your article fade into the sea of other boring articles listed in article banks these days. You have to create a title that will reach out and grab your reader by the collar. Make it short. Create interest. Include the main benefit or solution in your title.
   
   
4. Talk to your target audience. Your information is not for everyone. Avoid generalities. Choose a friend or family member that's interested in your topic. Write your article to them. Writing to a friend will make your copy personable and friendly. You won't come across as a fussy hen, do this, do this, don't do that. You will connect with your readers as a friend giving advice. Your article will do a better job of building credibility for you.
   
   
5. Add substance. Resist fluffing your articles. Include practical, valuable information in your copy. Everyone loses when you don't take the time to impart substance. It increases the reputation of the web being an unreliable source of knowledge. Additionally, lack of substance will block your road to profitable referrals. Do the research and/or draw from your knowledge and experience to illustrate. Your stories and real life examples will meet your reader's need for practical information and connect with their emotion. It's a known fact emotions will move people to action. Whether you desire them to act by signing up or making a purchase, add substance and improve your reader responses.
   
   
6. Make it web professional. Create a more web professional look by using short sentences, then format your page to approximately 65 characters per line. Long stringed sentences that stream from side to side of the web page look visually unprofessional. Select a layout for your article from several short article formats that include the how-to, tips list, question-answer, problem-solutions and interview. Make your introduction and summary short but do add one. Your web readers don't want just a list of boring facts and information. They want to connect with you by reading your personable introduction and practical tips with a definite ending or summary. Remember, excited readers become enthusiastic buyers and enthusiastic buyers will refer your product or service to all their friends.
   
   
7. Don't spice the article with "optimized" keywords to flatter search engines -- this how-to is about how to write successfully for the web, not search engines, after all. Usually, the search engines will follow the links of real readers, who actually liked your content.

You may use these guidelines for all kinds of web copy. The same elements (using keywords, making your article professional, adding substance, keeping it short and making your copy scannable) will improve the quality of your articles. Practice these simple principles and write winning articles to distribute on the web.

If you are interested in writing an article for Fred's Head or the Fred's Head Companion simply submit your material to fredshead@aph.org for consideration.

What Are Soba Noodles?

You found a cool recipe that you want to try out, but it asks for Soba Noodles and you aren't quite sure what they are?

Soba noodles are packaged similarly to spaghetti and can usually be found in the oriental section of your market or at an oriental market.

Soba noodles have a distinctive gray-brown color and are made from Buckwheat.

Buckwheat gives the noodles a kind of nutty flavor and is very high in B vitamins and protein.

Spices vs. Herbs: What's the Difference?

By Sam Herbert

Spices and herbs are common in most foods around the world today. Both are used to flavor foods and some for medicinal purposes. Herbs and spices have both been prominent throughout human history. In earlier times, herbs and spices were considered luxuries and only available for the use of the wealthy. Herbs and spices were also traded frequently between nations in medieval times. Many people do not know the difference between an herb and a spice. There are many similarities between the two, and some of the differences are very subtle, but they are still valid.

The essential difference between an herb and a spice is where it is obtained from on a plant. Herbs usually come from the leafy part of a plant, and are usually dried. However, some herbs can be used fresh. Spices can be obtained from seeds, fruits, roots, bark, or some other vegetative substance. Spices are not necessarily as fresh as some herbs can be. Herbs can be found many places around the world, while spices are more commonly found in the Far East and tropical countries. Herbs are considered to have a few more uses than spices. For instance, herbs have been used more frequently than spices in the medical field. Also, herbs can and have been used to augment cosmetics and preserve foods.

Some argue that there is no distinction between herbs and spices, considering both have similar uses. However, a botanical definition reveals that an herb is a plant that doesn^D>'t produce a woody stem. It is common knowledge that in certain areas of the United States, a dried herb is considered to be a spice. This leads to more confusion because if a spice is simply an herb, then there cannot be a difference between the two. However, believing this is ignoring the fact that many herbs tend to be leafy green substances and spices are found in plants that are tropical in nature.

Because herbs and spices have so many uses and are great food flavorings, they have played important roles throughout history. The Portuguese navigator, Vasco Da Gama, sailed to India in search of spices. Even Christopher Columbus described the types of spices available in the "new world" to investors after he landed. Herbs have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbology (the study of herbs for medical purposes) has been used for thousands of years.

The debate between herbs and spices is ongoing. Some say that there is no difference, while others maintain that they are both completely different. Most learned scholars will say that the difference between an herb and a spice is found in where the herb or spice is obtained on the plant, and where that specific plant can be found.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Herbert

Pruning-tips CD a gardening soundtrack

It's always helpful to keep a good pruning book by your side when you trim your trees and shrubs in February and early March. There's a new way to get the pruning guidance you need -- and you can get it while you rake your yard, commute to work, take your daily walk or pick up kids at school.

A new 60-minute CD audio book on pruning covers most of the basics, and is broken down into 19 tracks, each one a minute to five minutes long. Those short but useful segments make it easy for you to pick up where you left off or to again pick up information you found most useful. Each track is accompanied by relaxing music and the soft-spoken voice of Nick Federoff, a master gardener and host of the syndicated radio talk show "Things Green Garden Minutes." The gardener is also author of "Basic Elements of Pruning," a 56-page pocket guide. It was one of his listeners who gave him the idea to put the same information on CD.

The CD segments teach you about the importance of pruning, why timing is tied to new and old growth on plants, the differences in tree shapes, how to root prune and how to select and use tools, including chain saws, axes and hatches. You'll also hear cautions about pruning too much.

The pruning CD can be purchased through amazon.com or Federoff's Web site at www.thingsgreen.com. You can also order it by calling toll-free 800-963-9927.

Adjust-A-Spoon Measuring Spoon System

Do you ever tire of fumbling around with a ring of measuring spoons? Well, this Adjust-A-Spoon was designed for you! Made of stainless steel and dishwasher safe, you can slide your way to your desired measurement with what appears to be a minimum amount of hassle. I could definitely see myself replacing my set of spoons with one of these when they finally wear out.

No more weeding through your gadget drawer in search of the correct measuring spoon. This measuring spoon system replaces those spoons with one adjustable spoon. Constructed of brushed stainless steel, they have santoprene inserts for a nonslip grip. Dishwasher safe (top rack).

Click this link to order the Adjust-A-Spoon Measuring Spoon System from Bed Bath & Beyond.

Say "I Love You" In Braille

It's that one day of the year when everyone's talking about love... and AFB has a cute, creative way to celebrate. If you visit AFB's Braille Bug web site, you can e-mail braille love notes (like "I love you") to your friends and loved ones. The recipient of your note will be taken to a page where they can easily decode your message. We think it's a fun, different way to say I love you. Rumor has it Cupid likes it too.

Contributor: Carl Augusto
American Foundation for the Blind's Blog: http://www.afb.org/blog

Left-Handed Mouse Clickers

Since Windows 98, a feature has been included for changing the buttons on your mouse to help you lefties out there. This feature allows you to replicate the feel of the right-handed mouse (like having the primary mouse click be your pointer finger).

To switch buttons on your mouse to a left-handed configuration in Windows 98 and ME, go to Start, Settings, Control Panel and double click the Mouse icon. On the Buttons tab, choose the left-handed setting under Button Configuration.

For Windows XP users, go to Start, Control Panel, select "Printers and Other Hardware" (if in category view), then Mouse. Go to "Button Actions" and change the Left button action to "Right Click" and the right button action to "Left Click." (Don't be surprised if your user interface looks different. Just check things out, the feature should be there.

How to Chop Onions without Tears

Do you hate cutting onions because they make you "cry"? Here's some ways to prevent that.

1. Put the unpeeled onion in the freezer.
   
2. Leave the onion in the freezer for about ten minutes.
   
3. Remove the onion from the freezer and peel it. The onion can now be sliced, chopped, or minced without tears.

Simply keep your onions in the fridge along with other veggies and you will never cry when chopping them - it's that simple!

You can freeze an onion, just prepare like you were going to use it. Pan fry it before cooling and putting into an airtight container and freeze. This stops the onion going mushy when defrosted. Use as you would any other onion.

If you use a sharp knife, there shouldn't be any tears. An onion makes you cry because acid is being released from the onion. Using a dull knife crushes the onion rather than cutting it, releasing far more of this acid into the air.

Onions that have been frozen raw may tend to be slightly mushy after thawing.

Tips On Ladder Safety

Ladders: Type and Use

There are two types of ladders: rigid ladders that can be leaned against a vertical surface such as a wall, and rope ladders that are hung from the top. The steps of a ladder are called rungs, and the vertical members are called stiles. With a bit of agility, one can slide down the stiles without climbing down each rung. Rigid ladders are usually portable.

Rigid ladders are available in many forms, such as:

• fixed ladder (two stiles joined by several rungs; no moving parts)
  
• extension ladder (fixed ladder divided into two or more lengths for more convenient storage; the lengths can be slid together for storage or slid apart to maximize the length of the ladder)
  
• step ladder (hinged in the middle to form an upside down V)
  
• roof ladder (rigid ladder with large hook at the top to grip the ridge of a roof)
  
• hook ladder (rigid ladder with a hook at the top to grip a windowsill. This is the type used by firefighters)

Rigid ladders were originally made of wood, but in the 20th century aluminum became more common because it is ligher. Ladders with fiberglass stiles are used for working on electrical wires, because fibreglass is an electrical insulator and provides additional safety for the workers.

For proper use, a rigid ladder should be leaned at a fifteen degree angle. To put it simply, the foot of the ladder should be a quarter of the height of the ladder or less. At steeper angles, the ladder is at risk of falling backwards when the climber leans away too far. At shallower angles, the ladder may lose its grip on the ground. Ladder stabilizers are available that increase the ladder's grip on the ground.

Rope ladders are used where storage space is extremely limited, or weight must be kept to a minimum. They may have rigid or flexible rungs. Climbing a rope ladder requires more skill than climbing a rigid ladder, because the ladder tends to swing like a pendulum. These are often seen on obstacle courses, or with military equipment, and are far less common than ridge ladders because ridge ladders have many more obvious and useful applications.

Ladderss serve the most basic of functions yet certain aspects of home improvement would be impossible without them. It's amazing to think how difficult many aspects of life would be without such a basic advancement.

The websites http://step-ladders.info and http://extension-ladders.info provide more information on ladders and their use.

When should a leaning ladder be used?

Work should be carried out on stable platforms with a proper edge to prevent falls. Ladders should ideally only be used to transport workers from one platform to another. Otherwise, leaning ladders should be used to carry out simple tasks taking no more than half an hour to prevent the risk of fatigue that could cause a fall and potential personal injuries.

Before stepping onto a ladder

• Make sure you are wearing sensible footwear
  
• Wear clothing of a sensible length so that it does not cause you to trip
  
• Check that the ladder is in good condition
  
• Make sure the ground is level and firm before leaning the ladder
  
• Make sure that the surface is not wet or slippery before leaning the ladder
  
• Slope the ladder at a safe distance using a suitable device (maximum slope 16 degrees, minimum slope 6 degrees)
  
• Secure the ladder at the top so it will not slip
  
• Leave around 1 metre at the top so that workers have something to grip
  
• Make sure your work area is well lit (if necessary)
  
• Keep the area surrounding your ladder tidy to prevent anybody tripping and knocking the ladder

When on a ladder

• Always grip the ladder when climbing, placing each foot carefully on each rung
  
• Do not let go of the ladder - only perform tasks that need one hand
  
• Make sure that you have your balance before attempting any tasks while on the ladder
  
• Do not overreach when on the ladder, move the ladder closer

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ranjit_Kaur

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Clifton Neighborhood

Join a local historian Joanne Weeter as we walk the streets of historic Clifton, exploring the historic transportation routes that defined its growth. The Louisville and Shelbyville Turnpike and the Louisville and Frankfort Railroad are part of the historic architecture that make the area so special.

Starting at the Printing House property (1883), we'll explore landmarks like the Three Mile Tollhouse (circa 1830), Widman's Saloon and Grocery (1858), the Stoll Firehouse, and the St. Francis of Rome Catholic School (1930). The tour date is Saturday, March 18, at 11:00 AM. To make reservations for this two-hour tour, contact Mike Hudson, 502-895-2405.

Call Forwarding: A cure for cell phone static

Have you ever noticed that your cell phone works great everywhere in the world except from within your own home? A friend recommended call forwarding from my cell phone to my land line. It may seem high maintenance, but if you miss calls because of poor cell phone reception, it's a simple solution that saves you the aggravation of shouting through static.

If you contact your wireless phone service provider, you can ask them if they provide call forwarding and how to set it up. Call Forwarding is actually included on all Cingular and former AT&T Wireless rate plans. Chances are pretty good that you may be paying for this service already and you just aren't using it!

If call forwarding doesn't work for you, you may want to consider changing your wireless service provider. cellreception.com can tell you which wireless service providers are best for your area through a list compiled of actual user comments and reviews.

How to Keep Lettuce Fresh and Crisp

Here are a few simple ways you can have crisp, fresh lettuce on hand for delicious salads.

1. Buy the freshest lettuce you can from a farmer's market or a grocery store you know typically has good produce.
   
   
2. Set your produce drawer temperature and humidity controls correctly. For me, this is about the middle level. You don't want your produce drawer temperature set too low or your lettuce will "sweat" and get soggy. If you have it set to high, the lettuce will frost which is equally as tragic.
   
   
3. If you buy iceberg lettuce, wrap it in a paper towel as soon as you get home from the store and place it back in the plastic bag before storing it in the drawer. The really absorbent kind of paper towel works best. With leafy greens, you can follow the same process. I have found though that it is better to remove leafy greens from their plastic bag and wash them before storing them. Use a salad spinner or rinse the leaves and dry them with a paper towel, then place them in a bowl. You can use the same paper towel (now damp, but will dry) to lay on top of the leaves. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
   
   
4. Store your lettuce in your produce drawer with plenty of breathing room. Leaves can be bruised if you have lots of other vegetables crammed in with the lettuce.

To save time in the kitchen, wash and tear your greens and make a big salad "base" that you can pick off for a few days during the week. Since you've already made a salad base, change up the salad with different vegetables, chicken, tuna, fresh herbs, etc.

How To Fold a Fitted Sheet

There is a foolproof technique for folding a fitted sheet. These instructions are for a right-handed person; just reverse them if you're left-handed. Now, let's Uncover one of Life's Greatest Mysteries.

1. Stand holding the sheet by the two adjacent corners of one of the shorter edges. With the sheet inside out, place one hand in each of these two corners.
   
   
2. Bring your right hand to your left, and fold the corner in your right hand over the one in your left, enveloping it. Next, reach down and pick up the corner that is hanging in front; bring it up, and fold it over the two corners in your left hand; the corner that's showing will be inside out.
   
   
3. Bring the last corner up, and fold it over the others; with its right side showing, it should envelop the other three corners.
   
   
4. Lay the folded sheet on a flat surface, and straighten it.
   
   
5. Fold the two edges in so all the elastic is hidden.
   
   
6. Fold the sheet into a rectangle.
   
   
7. Continue folding until the rectangle is the size you want it to be.

Oversink Organizer

I don't like doing the dishes. I really hate when you have to do the dishes and things keep falling off the top of the sink into the dishwater. You know, you reach for a rag and knock the bottle of soap in the water and get splashed? Now you get to change your shirt. There must be a way to get things organized at the sink. There is, and simplehuman has the answer.

The oversink organizer is designed to help keep your cleaning tools organized with various compartments for brushes, a bar of soap or a sponge, and even rings and other small items. A vase-shaped channel can also hold a decorative flower. Fits most double bowl sinks.

• rust-proof stainless steel & durable ABS plastic
  
• unique curved shape designed to fit around a single faucet
• 5 year warranty
  
• depth: 15.2cm x 6" width: 91.4cm x 36"height: 15.8cm x 6.25"

Click this link to purchase the Oversink Organizer: http://www.simplehuman.com/products/organizer/index.html.

Bed Light Scares Monsters Away

It's a known fact that monsters, who like to hide under kids' beds, don't like lights. This is why children have a built-in defense mechanism to turn on lights when they suspect a monster has taken residence beneath their place of slumber.

The Blue Moon Night Light manages this for them by preventing monsters from moving in, and allowing boys and girls to sleep in comfort.

Powered by 14 super bright LEDs, with a life span of up to ten years, it will last long enough until kids grow up to such an age where monsters take no interest.

Now, if your child is not bothered by the little nightly visitors, you can still use this device as one of the coolest night lights to keep you from tripping or stubbing your toes on the bed frame.

Click this link to scare monsters away with the Blue Moon Night Light.

Deliver Your Contacts Via RSS

A challenge faced by us all today is that we are a more transient society both in that we tend to change our jobs more frequently while as consumers we also are changing our preferences more easily. This double effect makes it more difficult for us to stay connected with people in our personal circle of acquaintances even with the advances made by the use of technology. Through no fault of ourselves or our contacts we simply lose some of the information which connects us - a phone number, email or regular mailing address - and then we lose contact. How often have we said "I wonder where John Smith is today?"

RSSContact has been developed as an easy-to-use service to overcome this problem of lost connections to whom you desire to stay connected. Now simply and securely you can stay connected with these individuals or businesses as you choose, sharing that contact information you wish to share. The RSSContact solution is designed to be both system and operating system independent with access to your community of contacts anywhere in the world where you have easy access to the internet.

RSSContact allows individuals to share their personal contact information among family, friends, and colleagues - utilizing the latest in Really Simple Syndication (RSS) technology, including RSS channel creation and aggregation. With RSSContact, you will be able to:

• Share your personal contact information in real-time with unlimited users.
  
• Control who sees your information. Ability to display or hide specific fields.
  
• Create RSS feeds that show your business and personal contact card information.
  
• Invite your friends, family and colleagues to subscribe to your RSSContact Channel.
  
• Automatically display changes and updates to subscribers in real-time.
  
• Create contact cards that your subscribers can import into MS Outlook (VCF Card).
  
• Bypass problems with firewalls and SPAM filters. Your information gets through.

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) is technology that allows certain programs called RSS readers to download new content from an RSS feed to your computer. RSS feeds are often found on blogs or forums and contain the latest posts to that blog or forum. An RSS feed can also be found on news sites and contains the latest articles found on that site. Just like an email program such as Microsoft Outlook saves you time by checking for new mail for you and downloading it so that you can view it, the RSS reader checks for updates for you and as soon as it sees an update, it will download it to your computer and can notify you by a popup message or dialog, etc.

Follow Your Favorite Comics with RSS

Tapestry Comics: http://www.tapestrycomics.com is a directory of feeds for online comics. They help you to keep up to date from within your favourite news aggregator, especially if you happen to miss a few days. Feeds include Dilbert and Peanuts just to name a few.

Note: this site and available feeds are not compatible with screen reading software like JAWS for Windows and Window Eyes. The feeds contain graphic files of each comic.

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) is technology that allows certain programs called RSS readers to download new content from an RSS feed to your computer. RSS feeds are often found on blogs or forums and contain the latest posts to that blog or forum. An RSS feed can also be found on news sites and contains the latest articles found on that site. Just like an email program such as Microsoft Outlook saves you time by checking for new mail for you and downloading it so that you can view it, the RSS reader checks for updates for you and as soon as it sees an update, it will download it to your computer and can notify you by a popup message or dialog, etc.

RSS TV Listings

ktyp's RSS TV Listings is a neat way of using RSS. Here you will find a collection of television channel listings for a large selection of channels sorted by timezone. All these feeds are valid RSS 2.0 that you can stick into your favorite RSS reader or aggregator.

RSS (Real Simple Syndication) is technology that allows certain programs called RSS readers to download new content from an RSS feed to your computer. RSS feeds are often found on blogs or forums and contain the latest posts to that blog or forum. An RSS feed can also be found on news sites and contains the latest articles found on that site. In the case of this site, the RSS feed contains each channel's individual programming schedule. Just like an email program such as Microsoft Outlook saves you time by checking for new mail for you and downloading it so that you can view it, the RSS reader checks for updates for you and as soon as it sees an update, it will download it to your computer and can notify you by a popup message or dialog, etc.

Click this link to visit the ktyp's RSS TV Listings website: http://ktyp.com/rss/tv/.

Create a Calendar to Share with RSS

RSSCalendar.com is an exciting new way for individuals and organizations to share their calendars with family, friends, and co-workers - utilizing the latest in "Really Simple Syndication" (RSS) technology, including RSS channel creation and aggregation. Not only is RSSCalendar easy to use but it is also easy to administer, and setup is a snap. RSSCalendar is well-suited for a variety of uses, including:

• Individual calendars
  
• Family calendars
  
• Company calendars
  
• School calendars
  
• Organization calendars
  
• Team calendars
  
• City calendars

The first step is to create a free account. Then add events to your calendar. Finally share your RSS feed link with family, friends or coworkers. Talk about accessability!

Click this link to visit RSSCalendar.com.

The EaseOut Bulb Remover

It happens to all of us. We go to remove a lightbulb, and the darn socket stays there. You got the glass bulb in your hand, you're standing on a stool, and you're wondering if you'll be electricuted if you try to remove the bulb's leftovers. Well, there's a good chance that you will get more than you wanted if you try, so why not get some help.

The EaseOut bulb remover safely extracts broken bulbs, from light sockets. These plastic pliers don't conduct electricity, and their long, sure-grip handle has a built-in safety shield to protect your eyes and hands from glass shards. What a bright idea! Measures 8 1/2 x 5 1/2".

Click this link to purchase the EASEOUT BULB REMOVER from Taylor Gifts.

Professional Adjust-A-Cup with Satin Finish

This seems like a great idea, an adjustable measuring cup. Now we can finally get rid of all those small measuring cups we have lying around.

The Adjustable Measuring Cup Pro in a beautiful satin finish replaces 6 conventional measuring cups. Its sleeve easily slides and seals for liquid and dry ingredients. It is great for sticky ingredients like shortening, honey, or peanut butter.

It is made from durable metal and polymer for a long life and it is dishwasher safe.

Click this link to purchase the Professional Adjust-A-Cup from Kitchen Kapers: http://www.kitchenkapers.com/16211.html.

Tips for Easy Lawn Bagging

You picked up some of those great big bags from your local home improvement store, but you are having problems getting your leaves and debris into the bag.

You can make a quick and easy "funnel" for using with your bag. Locate an old plastic laundry basket or tall trash can.

Open up your bag and place the basket/can inside the bag to make sure that it fits.

Once you have confirmed this, simply cut off the bottom of the basket/can. Now place back in the bag and start filling.

Once your bag is full, remove your basket/can and place in the next bag for use.

6.75 oz. Stainless Steel Vinegar Sprayer

I had no idea such a thing existed, but I was sure glad I found it. How many times have you tried to put vinegar on a salad and either didn't get enough, or worse yet got too much? What about fish and chips? It can be difficult, and embarrassing at a crowded table.

This gadget will allow you to spray on just the right amount of vinegar, no more messes, no more embarrassing moments.

Click this link to purchase the 6.75 oz. Stainless Steel Vinegar Sprayer from amazon.com

Drying Seeds for Gardens

My father has a farm with a rather large garden and I receive several loads of vegetables throughout the year. This is one of the ways we keep the good stuff growing.

1. Start by wiping them off gently with a soft towel, and place them on a brown paper bag, leaving them in a warm dry area.
   
   
2. Walk by and stir them up by hand 3 or 4 times a day--just move them around a little.
   
   
3. Drying time is normally around 8 hours to prevent molding & rotting when placed in a container for storage until planting time. I usually leave them on the bag for about three days to make sure they are really dry.
   
   
4. Put the seeds in a ziplock sandwich bag, be sure to LABEL EACH BAG with DATE and WHAT TYPE of seed. If it was a SPECIAL apple that made a really great pie, instead of just listing the name such as Red Delicious, you could add a note to remind yourself that this was a special seed for something you may wish to make again.
   
   
5. Keep all the seeds, which can turn into a very large amount after some time.
   
   
6. Plant all the seeds and with luck you'll see some growth.
   
   
7. Choose the seedlings your family will use. Any seedlings left over can be given away to friends and family.

Note: these instructions are for organically grown vegetables, produced from a family garden. I'm not sure of what the result would be using seeds from unknown sources or from hybrids.

I have better results by not washing the seeds.

Answer the Door with Your Phone

For those of us who love technology and who have just a little geek in us the DoorBell Fon is right up our alley.

When a visitor presses the button on the door intercom, the DoorBell Fon rings the phones in your home with a distinctive ring. Pick up the phone to converse with the person at the door. If you are on the phone when a visitor arrives a call waiting tone will sound to alert you. In fact, the DoorBell Fon system will even work without phone service. The system provides the necessary voltage to operate on its own.

Up to 2 intercom stations can be attached. Add the optional lock controller and an electric door strike and you can unlock the door from the phone by pressing "*". Easy 2 wire connection to door intercoms. Works with answering machines, most home PBX phone systems, and phone-company provided services like voice mail. Includes one door intercom station, which measures 3 7/8" X 5 1/8" X 1", and a power supply. A Brass Outdoor Intercom Station is also available.

Normally, after someone presses the button on the outdoor intercom station, the phone will ring and there will be approximately 20 seconds available for you to pick up the telephone and be automatically connected to the doorbox. By installing an add-on chip, you can add a total of 8 rings or about one minute.

This item is rather expensive, but man is it cool! Click this link to purchase or view installation instructions for the DoorBell Fon from smarthome.com: http://www.smarthome.com/5070.html.

How to Use A Cell Phone As A Baby Monitor

Parents may occasionally find themselves in situations where conventional baby monitors won't work, such as in a large hotel. While you should not use these instructions to leave your baby unattended while you are a significant distance away from the baby, you can use a cell phone as a baby monitor in certain situations where you remain physically close to the baby and are able to offer assistance if necessary. Remember, never leave your baby unattended.

• Obtain a cell phone with the "mute" feature and preferably the "speaker phone" feature. Top end cell phones such as the Treo 600 / 650 now have these features.
  
  
• Place one standard land line phone or cell phone near the crib. The parent should carry the cell phone with the mute feature.
  
  
• Connect a call between the two phones. Activate the mute feature on the parent's mobile phone.
  
  
• Test the connection to ensure any noise the baby makes is audible on the mobile speaker phone. If you have established the connection correctly, the parent will be able to hear the baby, but the baby will not be able to hear any noise from the parent's phone.
  
  
• Enjoy peace of mind, knowing you will be aware of your baby's safety and comfort even when you have to briefly leave the room.

Reduce the expense of using a cell phone by practicing this monitoring technique during the free nights and weekend minutes most cell phone plans have. Similarly, placing the calls between two cell phones from the same company (e.g. Verizon to Verizon) is often free on many cell plans.

Ensure you have enough power in your batteries to maintain the connection for as long as you need.

On the phone for the monitor side, look in the menu for an auto answer feature. This feature would be located under the Tools or Settings submenu. You may also want to silence the ringer. This would enable you to re-establish a connection without going back to the monitor phone.

Be aware of situations that will create a dropped call such as entering an elevator. If your call is terminated, you will not be able to re-establish a connection.

Never leave your baby unattended.

Cleaning Fruit and Vegetables

As we all know it's best to wash your fruits and vegetables before you use them.

Most fruits and vegetables should not be washed before storage, like mushrooms or raspberries, but everything should be washed before use.

You are not only washing off pesticides or dirt, but you are also washing off any oils/germs from the fruit being in transit and being handled at the store.

When rinsing, use fresh cool drinking water. Do not wash your produce with any detergents or bleaches that you would not want to consume yourself. Some produce can absorb what you are cleaning so it is not wise to use. There are a few commercial produced soaps out there, but their effectiveness has not yet been established. If you do decide to use one, read and follow the directions carefully.

One item that most people forget to wash before eating is melons. Granted we don't usually eat the rind, but your hands constantly come in contact with it during preparation and sometimes while eating depending on how it is served.

The first step is to clean up your work area. Washing the fruit/vegetables will not do you any good if your work area is dirty. Wash your hands, wipe out the sink and make sure your cutting boards or countertops are clean.

For produce that is soft or small like Berries or Beans, place them in a colander in the sink. Using cold-water spray off the produce well. Inspect each item after it has been rinsed to make sure that it is clean and remove any bad spots if needed. Place the cleaned items in a bowl or on a soft cloth to dry until ready to use.

For larger produce that has a firm skin, wash under cold water using a soft brush or your hands to gently dislodge any dirt. Also monitor each piece for any bad spots and cut out before use. Place on a soft cloth to dry until ready to use.

For leafy vegetables, remove and throw out the outer layer of leaves then rinse well.

Expanding/Folding Colander

The legs on this 5 qt. stainless^DDSsteel colander open up to straddle your sink or stand upright, then fold closed for storage. The bowl measures 12.5" x 9" x 4".

Click this link to purchase the Oxo 5 qt Expanding Sink Colander.

Simple Ideas to Organize Your Kitchen

The kitchen is often known as the heart of the home. It is the place where we gather to eat, cook, entertain, and spend time with friends and family. As a result, the kitchen can become one of the most difficult rooms to organize and keep clean. Try some of these tips and time savers to organize your kitchen and simplify your life.

Countertops

• Clean your countertops and remove any item or appliance you do not use at least once a week.
  
• Keep cookbooks to a minimum and store away the ones you don't use on a regular basis.

Pots/Pans/Containers

• Store pots and pans in a cabinet beneath or next to the stove for easy access.
  
• Place baking sheets, cake pans, pizza pans, etc. in a cabinet beneath or next to the oven. You can use a rack to help arrange baking sheets by size and those used most often.
  
• Consider suspending pots and pans on a wall or from a ceiling mounted rack to maximize cabinet and storage space.
  
• Store microwave safe containers in a cabinet near the microwave. Arrange containers by size and stack one inside of the other if possible. Throw away plastic containers that are no longer used.

Pantry

• Store each item so that it is easily handy and visible.
  
• Group canned goods together and stack so that their labels can easily be seen. Discard canned goods and jars that have passed their expiration dates or are more than a year old.
  
• Place pasta, cereal, rice, and other dried foods in labeled plastic storage containers.
  
• Store gravy packets, seasoning packets, etc. in a small, clear plastic tub for easy access.
  
• Line up boxes with their 'spines' facing front (like library books).
  
• If possible, store the most often used items at eye level.
  
• Choose a lower shelf for paper storage and place all napkins, towels and plates together.
  
• Store heavy items, such as boxes of soda and juice, on the floor or on a lower shelf.
  
• If you have extra wall space, consider hanging up storage hooks, a hand vacuum, a bulletin board or other helpful organizing items.
  
• Purchase handy space saving products such as stacking containers, caddies to store foil and wax paper, and sturdy baskets for onions, garlic and potatoes.
  
• If you have school-age children, create a snack shelf of parent-approved treats.

Refrigerator

• Designate certain shelves in your refrigerator for specific items. For example, use your top shelf for beverages, your bottom shelf for leftovers, place produce in its drawer, and place condiments in the door of the refrigerator.
  
• Delegate one day of the week to tossing out old foods. Consider cleaning out your refrigerator on the same day you go to the grocery store. Since you will be adding new items in your refrigerator it is a great time to toss out old food to make space.

Spices

• Organize spices on a spice rack and place the ones used most often in the front row.
  
• If you have a shallow drawer near your stove, consider laying all of your small spice jars in there. Place them label side up so it is easy to view them all at once.
  
• Most dried spices lose their flavor in six months. Discard any spices that are older than six months or you no longer use. To keep track of the freshness of spices, write the purchase date or throw away date on the bottle with a black marker or braille.

Misc.

• Consider recycling products to help organize your kitchen. You can label shoe boxes and use them to store items such as cookie cutters, candles, appliance accessories, etc. You can also use checkbook boxes to store items such as matches, batteries, and smaller items.
  
• Square containers take up less space and fit more efficiently on shelves than round ones.
  
• Place hooks inside a cabinet door to hang cooking utensils on. This will help to clear drawer space.
  
• If you have school age kids or someone who carries their lunch to work, create an area in your kitchen for lunch-making. Stock it with lunch boxes and/or brown bags, plastic wraps/bags, thermos, quarters and small containers.
  
• Utilize bins and baskets to keep "like items" together.
  
• Store trash bags near or in the bottom of trash can for easy changing.

By using some or all of these tips, you can be well on your way to a more organized kitchen.

Happy Organizing!

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, a shopping marketplace, articles, decorating pictures, free projects, and more. http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lesley_Dietschy

Get A New View of Food with Foodie View

When you're cooking, do you ever feel like you've slipped into a rut? I know I sure do. It seems like we have meatloaf, tacos, chicken, pasta, and corn every week. I'm really trying to get out of this rut. I found Food View and it met all my needs.

This site is a great search engine for recipes. I can search by ingredient, dishes, chefs, cuisine and so much more with the handy search engine on the very front page. Or if I really want to give it some more thought, I can use the links on the side menu. On the side menu you'll find:

• Browse by Category - I found this section helpful when I just wanted to browse around with nothing particular in mind or when I had too many ideas to narrow it down.
  
  
• Recipe Box - with a free registration, you can have your very own recipe box on this site. This means that if you really like a recipe, you can add it to your recipe box and then you don't have to go through the hassle of searching the site for it at a later date. At the top of the recipes you search, you should see an Add to Recipe Box button. Just click it and you can find it in your recipe box.
  
  
• Product Reviews - With the Internet, there are so many ways to find recipes, and because most recipe books are in print, I have no need for them, but if you can see the things and like to own cookbooks, you can hit this section and get great reviews on cookbooks from people who have bought them.
  
  
• Restaurants - this is an experimental section that is only really good for those of you living in the San Diego area. It uses the Google Map to highlight the best restaurants around town. Screen reader users will get links to the restaurant websites where available.
  
  
• FoodieView Blog - this section includes great articles like how to eat chocolate! I just couldn't get enough of this blog. It does have an RSS feed, so be sure to add it to your news aggrigator.

This is a site to bookmark especially if you are really going to use the recipe box. You can keep coming back for recipes as often as you like to add a little zest to your cooking routine.

Click this link to visit Foodie View: http://www.foodieview.com/index.jsp.

How to Sort Your Laundry

Ensure crisp colors and fabric freshness by sorting your laundry according to each item's fabric, color and sturdiness.

1. If you have vision, inspect clothes for stains, and sort out the clothes that need to be presoaked.
   
2. Separate whites from colors. If you have enough vision, separate light colors from darker colors within the colored laundry, .
   
3. Separate lint generators (towels, sweatshirts, chenille, flannel) from lint magnets (corduroy, velvets and permanent-press clothes).
   
4. Wash delicates, such as loose knits and laces, separately.

As you sort, close zippers to prevent snagging, and empty pockets (nothing like soggy facial tissue in the washer!).

Remember that some fabrics should only be dry-cleaned. Others, such as lingerie, are best hand-washed in the sink. Check care labels to be sure.

The purpose of a towel is to absorb moisture. When using fabric softener in wash or fabric sheets in dryer, fabric softener creates a coating around fibers in the towels that keeps the towel from doing its job - absorbing. This is true for bed linens too.

How to Treat Mixed-Wash Accidents

Who hasn't accidentally tossed a soon-to-be bleeding garment into a load of laundry? When clothing dye runs and your garments pick up the wrong colors in the wash, there's good news: It's often possible to get the stains out.

1. Act quickly before the stain sets. It's much easier to remove a new stain than an old one.
   
2. Rinse the stained clothing immediately with cold water. Then wash the garment in cold water using liquid detergent.
   
3. If step 2 doesn't do the trick, soak the garment in a diluted solution of all-fabric bleach. Chlorine bleach isn't advisable unless you're certain it's safe for the fabric.
   
4. Wash the garment in detergent, and use bleach that you've tested on the fabric. To test your fabric, mix a small spoonful of bleach in 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) water. Place a couple of drops of the solution on a part of the fabric that doesn't show. If you don't see any color change or bleeding after a minute, the bleach is OK to use. You may need a sighted person for assistance there.
   
5. Be patient--up to five washings may be required.

If you need to rewash the garment in a machine with bleach, keep in mind that bleach works best in hot water. Warm water is the second choice, and cold water is the least effective option.

How to Wash a Wool Sweater

Most wool garments, which are very sensitive to chemicals and heat, require dry cleaning - check the label to be sure. If your sweater is machine-washable, do so in the delicate cycle using cool or cold water. However, if your sweater can stand to be hand-washed, follow these easy steps.

1. Lay sweater flat on a sheet of clean paper.
   
2. Hand-wash sweater gently using cool water and a wool detergent, being careful not to rub the product in.
   
3. Take note of the general size of the sweater on the paper.
   
4. Rinse with fresh water until it runs clear.
   
5. Squeeze out excess water, then roll sweater in a towel to absorb moisture.
   
6. Lay sweater on the paper again, and gently stretch it to fit the previous area you took note of earlier.
   
7. Pat sweater into the desired shape with a towel.
   
8. Dry flat by spreading the sweater out, in cool air and out of the sun.

A variety of products are available to care for wool, including some that allow you to care for "dry-clean only" products at home.

Soften sweaters by adding a capful of cream hair conditioner when rinsing.

To speed up the flat-drying process, purchase a screen that is designed to fit over the bathtub. Turn the garment over from time to time while it is drying.

Using such products as ammonia, enzyme digestants, alcohol, harsh alkaline cleaners and chlorine bleach can damage wool garments.

How to Fix a Sweater That Has Stretched

If the arms of your sweater are long enough for a monkey, or maybe the whole thing is a size too large, you might be able to get it back down to size. The following techniques work best with wool sweaters.

1. Fill the sink with warm water. Soak the sweater in the water for 10 to 15 minutes.
   
2. Take the sweater out of the water and roll it in a towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
   
3. Spread the sweater on a towel placed on a flat surface, scrunching the sweater into the size and shape you want.
   
4. Return to the sweater every few hours, rescrunching it as necessary, until the sweater is dry.
   
5. If the above steps haven't fixed the problem, you can try tumbling the sweater in the dryer on low heat, checking it every few minutes to see if it's the right size. If you're not careful, however, you can ruin the sweater. Drying it can weaken the fibers.

To avoid stretching your sweaters, store them flat rather than on hangers.

How to Fix a Sweater That Has Shrunk

When your sweater has shrunk more than a size or two, you might as well cut off the arms and use it to keep Fluffy warm next winter. But if your sweater has become just a bit too snug, try these steps to return it to its original size.

1. Mix 2 tablespoons baby shampoo into a sink full of warm water. The shampoo will relax natural fibers like wool.
   
2. Soak the sweater in the shampoo-and-water mixture for 15 minutes.
   
3. Without rinsing the sweater, take it out of the soapy water and roll it in a towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
   
4. Spread the sweater onto a large corkboard, pulling it into the size and shape you want.
   
5. Fasten the sweater to the corkboard using pins, being careful not to snag the sweater.
   
6. Return to the sweater every several hours, restretching and repinning it as necessary, until the sweater is dry.

To avoid shrinkage in the first place, don't machine-wash your sweater unless the label specifically says you can. Even if you use cold water, the agitation may cause the sweater to shrink.

Salvage Your Device After Liquid Spill

You did what? You were working around the computer with a tall glass of water, and knocked it over while reaching for the radio? The water spilled into a valuable electronic device? Now when you try to use the device it doesn't work?

Don't worry. You may not be in as big a mess as you think. The following steps may help you save that electronic device. I won't guarantee that it will work, but what do you have to lose at this point?

It doesn't matter if you have a keyboard with coffee or a laptop with coke, you can always clean it. Most electronic devices can survive a little water, it's the stuff in the water that causes problems.

What we're going to do here goes against all current rules about static electricity protection and other things that you're not supposed to do with your electronic devices. You may wish to get some sighted help for this, and remember, do at your own risk.

1. Disconnect your device as soon as you realize liquid has dripped into it. Electronics normally just stop working, but you could receive an electric shock or it might be further damaged by leaving it connected.
   
   
2. Take the device apart. Every box has its own way of being disassembled but don't use too much force and if you can't get it apart then there's usually some hidden screws under a label or a foot.
   
   
3. If the substance is already dry, use a toothbrush to brush off as much as possible. Remember not to brush too hard as you might damage the components.
   
   
4. Rinse the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) under the shower. If you have one of those showers with high pressure or a massage handle then use that as the pressure will help to remove the substance. You can continue to use a wet toothbrush to gently scrub the board. You should be able to get most of it off. Note! Even though most components handle water well, you should be careful of buttons and other parts that are supposed to move (like a processor fan). If you get water into these areas you may not be able to get it out. Water in a fan can damage the lubricant for the ball bearing.
5. Use kitchen paper to carefully dry off all the water. Don't rub but simply put the paper over any wet places and apply a little pressure to suck up the water. Do not use toilet paper because the fibres will fall apart when wet.
6. Now put the PCB on top of a warm radiator and let it dry for at least 12 hours. It's tempting to use a hair dryer to speed up things but don't do it. The air is too warm and can zap your device with the static electricity the moving air produces.
7. Now that it's been drying for at least 12 hours it's time to clean the components so that the last of the residue is removed. This is easiest done by using a solvent that is clean and only contains a substance that evaporates. Do not use nail polish remover (acetone) which contains oil. You can use pure alcohol but it usually doesn't clean as well.
8. Carefully rub each soiled component to clean the remaining substance away. Be careful if you are removing rust as this usually corrodes with the copper and the components can fall off.
9. Reassemble the unit and insure it is absolutely dry before plugging it in. Does it work? I hope so.

How to Peel an Egg Quickly

Removing the shell from a hard boiled egg can be a pain, but with this simple process it will take you less than three seconds every time.

1. Prepare a hard boiled egg and let it cool.
   
2. Crack the shell at each end by firmly tapping the egg onto a hard surface such as a counter. Do one end, and then the other.
   
3. Place the side of the egg on a counter and roll forward for one revolution with your palm firmly down on the top of the egg.
   
4. Submerge the egg in a bowl of warm water and slip the entire shell off in less than a second.

Alternate Methods

• Slide a spoon in between the egg and the shell, and pop it out. This works rather fast, but it is tricky. Be careful not to damage the egg during the process, and the egg has a tendency to fly all over the place.
  
• Put salt in the water before boiling. The salt stops the egg from leaking out if the egg cracks while boiling and adds flavor.
  
• Boil the egg; when done, quickly dump the boiling water. Refill the pot with very cold water from the tap; the egg will contract and the shell will peel off without ripping the egg white.

If you are making egg salad, let the peeled egg dry for ten seconds. If you don't, the thin covering of water will not mix properly with the mayonnaise.

Don't over-boil the egg. If you do, the shell will fracture into thousands of very small pieces and not peel easily at all. Worse, the interior of the shell may stick to the egg, and you end up peeling part of the egg away with the shell.

Movie Sounds from The Daily .WAV

Are you one of those folks who love sound effects? I do too! I like finding cool movie quotes or sounds to liven up my rather boring Windows sound schemes.

Well, you're really going to enjoy this website. At The Daily .WAV: http://www.dailywav.com you can get a free movie or TV audio file everyday for free.

When the page first loads you'll hear the wav of the day, or you can check out their archive of great audio files. What makes this so cool is that the files are in .wav format, making it easy to replace your default sound schemes with something a little more unique.

Accessible Textbook Initiative and Collaboration (ATIC)

The strategic vision of the ATIC Department, a textbook division of APH, is to effectively respond to the textbook needs of blind and visually impaired students by delivering custom-produced accessible textbooks in a variety of media in a timely manner. In addition to "hard copy" textbooks, this commitment provides textbooks through on-demand braille transcription or large print, as well as in electronic media that can be downloaded from a file repository on our web site.

ATIC Small-Size Large Print Books: A Revolution in Textbook Design!

The new ATIC Large Print Process is now fully available. This process uses proprietary software to create large print textbooks at standard textbook size! Inclusive classroom students appreciate carrying textbooks that look just like those of their peers. This standard-size ATIC textbook is full-color with a minimum 18-point font size.

Did you know there is a new form for ordering large print textbooks? (To find the form, see the web info below.) Note that to process a large print textbook order, APH must receive two clean copies of the textbook, an APH textbook order form, and a Federal Quota Order Form or Purchase Order.

The traditional APH enlarged print process continues to be available. All enlarged print books are in full color (if the original submitted book is in color). These are the books in the larger-size binding.

ATIC Braille Textbooks

ATIC continues to offer braille textbooks that feature full-color covers and a unique, easy-to-handle fold-back binding.

ATIC Workshops Available

ATIC offers training in ATIC's textbook transcription specifications, "Promising Practices for Transcribing Early Literacy Textbooks and Materials," created by APH and the Braille Authority of North America (BANA). In addition, ATIC offers a 2-day workshop on "Creating Tactile Graphics for Textbooks." Contact ATIC for more details on training opportunities.

To order an ATIC textbook in braille or large print you can download the order form at www.aph.org, click on "Accessible Textbook and Media Production." Or you can email atic@aph.org.

American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085
Toll Free: 800-223-1839
Phone: 502-895-2405
Fax: 502-899-2274
E-mail: info@aph.org
Web site: http://www.aph.org

APH News: February 2006

APH News

Your monthly link to the latest information on the products, services, and training opportunities of the American Printing House for the Blind.

February 2006

Need Your Materials in an Audio Format? APH's Digital Recording Studios Are Ready to Work for You!

APH's primary focus is creating educational materials, but did you know that our award-winning narrators are experienced in reading fiction and non-fiction materials, including books, magazines, annual reports, training manuals, and more? With our state-of-the-art studios, we can narrate, edit, master, and duplicate your choice of 2-track or 4-track audiocassettes, CDs, or DAISY digital Talking Books. Our fulfillment services can distribute your materials directly to your customers.

For additional information please contact Doug Trent in Contract Administration (dtrent@aph.org or 800/223-1839, ext. 267).

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Did You Know...
APH Offers Custom Braille, Large Print, and Tactile Graphics Production?

In addition to custom audio production, APH can create braille, large print, or tactile graphics on demand - your demand! Our state-of-the-art processes and exacting standards allow us to create materials for your customers, shareholders, and employees who are blind or visually impaired. This enables you to be ADA-compliant with materials such as:

• Financial statements
• Corporate reports
• Invoices
• Training manuals
• Marketing materials
• Transportation schedules
• Floor plans
• Newsletters
• Tests

Braille: APH produces millions of pages of braille per year with the capability of reproducing one page or hundreds of books.

Large Print: Each year, we produce millions of large print pages-we have the experience to create your custom large print piece.

Tactile Graphics: Let APH create your maps, floor plans, layouts, graphs, drawings, and other tactile images.

For a no-obligation cost estimate on your next project, call Custom Media Solutions toll-free at 1-800-223-1839, send a fax to 502-899-2274, or email contracts@aph.org

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Accessing Archived Webcast about Fred's Head

On January 18th, APH hosted a webcast entitled Accessing Information through the Fred's Head Companion. The session introduced participants to one of the newest trends on acquiring information, and how APH now delivers articles from the Fred's Head Database directly into your email, news aggregator, and pod catcher. The webcast also explained how Fred's Head articles can be read aloud from the Companion site and how you can download articles to your Book Port or portable MP3 player.

The archived presentation is now available in our webcast archive page at: www.aph.org/webcast

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New SRS Web Interface a Huge Success

The Field Services Department proudly shares that the new web interfaced Student Registration System for Federal Quota (SRS) has been up and running for a week now. The reaction from our Ex Officio Trustees (EOTs) is overwhelmingly enthusiastic. To date, eighty-seven (87) Quota accounts have been accessed through the web interface by seventy-two (72) Ex Officio Trustees who have begun the 2006 student registration process for the Federal Quota Census. One account has even completed the registration of their students for 2006! How exciting!

Field Services thanks APH Computer Technology Services personnel, specifically Edwin Shelton and Daniela Brooks. Without Edwin's knowledge, patience, and endless hours of dedicated work, this transition to a web interface would have been impossible.

Thanks also to the Trustees and all others who spent hours beta testing and emailing their comments and suggestions. Every idea is important to us. If you have questions about the interface, please contact Cindy Amback at 800/223-1839, ext 257, or camback@aph.org

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Exploring Paths to Make Tests Accessible

The room was filled with a highly diverse audience including a doctoral student from the University of Pittsburgh and the Executive Director of the Association of Test Publishers. There were artists, content specialists, test publishers, item developers, assessment specialists, project managers, program directors, consultants and more. What common goal brought this group together at APH? It was their interest, enthusiasm, and desire to learn about making test items accessible for students who are visually impaired.

For two days, this captive audience focused intently on many of the issues relevant to making test items accessible in large print, tactile, and audio formats. Dr. Tuck Tinsley, President of APH, and Bob Brasher, Vice-President of Advisory Services and Research, got the workshop off to a positive start with their messages of welcome, background information, and motivating quotes. Dr. Carol Allman, lead presenter and facilitator, was joined by APH staff with expertise in product development, braille transcription, textbook and test editing, tactile graphics, large print, low vision, and assistive technology.

Day two included a demo of an accessible computer system, more discussions, and a tour of APH's production areas. By its close, paths leading to accessibility had been explored; expressions of appreciation, emails, perspectives, information, and resources had been shared; a new network and synergy had been formed.

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NIMAC Partners with OverDrive to Deliver NIMAS Files

APH is pleased to announce a partnership with OverDrive, Inc. to provide the technology solutions for the National Instructional Materials Access Center. OverDrive Inc. (www.overdrive.com) is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been in the business of providing ebooks and digital audio books since 1986.

OverDrive is also the vendor of choice for a multi-state beta test of delivery of audio books to those who are blind or visually impaired: http://www.unabridged.info/about.htm. We are confident that OverDrive Inc. will provide an accessible, secure system for the NIMAC that is easy to use.

To keep you informed of center progress, APH has added a NIMAC informational page to the web site. The address is www.aph.org/nimac/

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APH InSights 2006 Art Competition and Exhibition - Reminder

Get your artwork ready, the time to enter is almost here.

Artists of all ages who are blind or visually impaired are invited to submit artwork for the fifteenth annual international art competition, APH InSights 2006.

There are two deadlines: April 1 is the deadline for entries from students in preschool through high school; April 15 is the deadline for entries from adult artists.

Competition rules and forms that may be printed and completed will be posted on the web site by the end of February (www.aph.org). Artists may also contact APH to request a print or braille copy of the entry form and rules of the competition. You may contact Roberta Williams at 800/223-1839, ext. 357 or rwilliams@aph.org

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APH Participates at ATIA

In January, Sandi Baker, Field Services, Julia Meyers, Resource Services, Rodger Smith, Larry Skutchan, and Tristan Pierce, Educational Research, attended the 2006 ATIA Conference (Assistive Technology Industry Association) in Orlando, FL. Julia provided an update on the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC). Larry presented sessions covering what producers can do with software and NIMAS files, the state of the art in e-book access from a Kentucky perspective, and an information and training session on Money Talks' accessible financial management software. Tristan presented how to use the electronic assessment database of the new Sensory Learning Kit. All APH staff worked in the exhibit hall and enjoyed meeting conference attendees and introducing new APH products.

Photo: Students from the Florida School singing at an ATIA session

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Family of Russ Williams Donates Artifacts

An important collection of material was added to the Callahan Museum collection this winter from the family of Russell Williams, a 2002 Hall of Fame inductee recognized for his contributions to orientation and mobility training. Williams (1918-2001) was blinded in WWII in France. He served as a counselor in the rehabilitation program at Valley Forge Army General Hospital when Richard Hoover was developing techniques of the use of the 44" long cane. In 1948, Williams began the Blind Rehabilitation Center at the V.A. Hospital in Hines, IL. While there he refined standard techniques for mobility instruction. By 1959, Williams was the Chief of Blind Rehabilitation for the V.A. in Washington. The collection includes photographs, award plaques, certificates, and one of William's white canes. His wife Jean donated the cane with the note, "This is one well used artifact that Russ used for years."

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APH Museum Celebrates National Braille Awareness Month

The Callahan Museum hosted a special program in January in recognition of National Braille Awareness Month. Carla Ruschival, co-host of the Louisville radio program Sound Prints and ACB Board Member, read from the Braille edition of the C.S. Lewis classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Seated on pillows and blankets in front of the reader in the museum's reception hall, the children were entranced as she began the tale of four children who stumble into a magical land behind the doors of their uncle's musty wardrobe. The literacy awareness program was part of a series of Saturday educational programs at the Callahan Museum in 2006. Upcoming programs include a Valentine's Day card making workshop on February 11, a walking tour of the Printing House neighborhood of Clifton in March, champion fiddler Michael Cleveland in April, and storyteller Kathy Claus in May. For more information, call the museum at (502)899-2364 or see our website at www.aph.org/museum/

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Hall of Fame News:

Robert B. Irwin Now in the Hall

The bas relief plaque of Robert Irwin, long-time Executive Director of the American Foundation for the Blind and founder of Helen Keller International, is now installed in the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. During his tenure as director of AFB, which spanned from 1929 to 1949, Irwin built it into one of the most important agencies in work for the blind.

Entering Last Full Month of the Nomination Process for the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field

If you are interested in learning more about the process and/or submitting a qualified nominee for the Hall of Fame, please visit the following link on the APH web site: www.aph.org/hall_fame/nom_letter.html or email bbrasher@aph.org

Wall of Tribute Stones Now Viewable on Web Site

Approximately 100 engraved stones now appear in columns on the Wall of Tribute in the Hall of Fame. The wall, which acknowledges your mentors and organizations, serves as the primary fund raising method for the Hall of Fame. To view the listing, as well as the actual stones, visit www.aph.org/hall_fame/wall_tribute.html and click on New! See the Wall of Tribute Stones.

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APH Reading Survey Two

The American Printing House for the Blind is assessing the need for reading materials and reading programs for students who are blind or visually impaired. This survey is in response to the interest expressed by Ex Officio Trustees, focus groups, and individuals who have submitted Product Submissions for specific reading programs. The first survey addressed Remedial Reading Intervention Programs. The second survey addresses supplemental reading materials including leveled reading materials for guided reading. If you are an Ex Officio Trustee, a classroom teacher, itinerant teacher of a child who is visually impaired or family member of the student, we would appreciate your response to this survey. Fill out Survey #2 at www.aph.org/edresearch/reading_two.html

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APH Welcomes New Ex Officio Trustees

James Sucharski, the Missouri School for the Blind replacing T. J. Hunt.

Ruth E. Otero, the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind of Puerto Rico, replacing Milagros Lopez.

David E. Parmer, the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, replacing Frank Ruzycki.

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APH Travel Calendar

February

February 5-8, 2006
Association of Test Publishers Conference;
Kissimmee, FL

February 13-16, 2006
DC/MD AER Conference 2006;
Baltimore, MD

February 21, 2006
University of Arizona Teacher Training Program Inservice;
Tucson, AZ

February 23-25, 2006
National After School Conference;
Louisville, KY

March

March 2, 2006
IDEIA and You: Implementing NIMAS-Jo Taylor Pre-meeting;
Atlanta, GA

March 3-5, 2006
Jo Taylor Leadership Institute;
Atlanta, GA

March 9-12, 2006
CTEVH Conference;
Anaheim, CA

March 21-25, 2006
CSUN;
Los Angeles, CA

March 22-24, 2006
KAER 2006;
Lexington, KY

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Find Accessible APH Catalogs at www.aph.org

All of our catalogs are available in accessible formats on our website. They can be read on screen or downloaded to your computer.

1. From our home page, www.aph.org, click the word "Products" (third link in the left-hand column).
   
   
2. On the "APH Products" page, the third section down is titled "Catalogs." The first link is "APH Accessible Catalog Download Center," which takes you to all of our catalogs. The links just below this go directly to each individual catalog.

Types of Catalog Files Offered

• HTML: Primarily for synthetic speech users or large print users. You can navigate by links. This version does not contain photos.
  
  
• Text: Primarily for synthetic speech users. This version contains no styles, photos, or links.
  
  
• PDF: Primarily for regular print or large print users. Looks exactly like the page in the print catalog, complete with photos. Is divided into sections for faster download. Requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader (a free program, we provide a link to Adobe).

Two Quality Levels of PDF Catalogs

• High Bandwidth PDF: has better quality photos, files are larger and take longer to download.
  
  
• Low Bandwidth PDF: has lower quality photos, files are smaller and download faster.

Catalogs We Offer Online

• APH Products Catalog: Contains our full line of products, including a list of replacement parts. Most useful for schools or other similar organizations.
  
  
• APH Adult Life Catalog: Contains products and services for daily living, including recreational items, writing supplies, and electronics. Designed to promote independent living for all consumers.
  
  
• APH Family Life Catalog: Contains products and services for families with visually impaired children of all ages. Contains a resources list for families.
  
  
• APH Bookstore Catalog: APH produces recreational reading titles in addition to our textbooks. This catalog lists only a sampling of the many enlarged print and braille titles we offer.

Free Catalogs on CD-ROM

APH Demo Disc: In addition, APH offers all of the above catalogs on a free CD-ROM. The CD also contains demo versions of our educational and recreational software titles. Write catalogs@aph.org or call 1-800-223-1839 for your copy.

APH News Credits

President:
Dr. Tuck Tinsley
ttinsley@aph.org

Designer:
Malcolm Turner, APH Web Site Coordinator
webmaster@aph.org

Thanks to the following APH staff:

• Cindy Amback, Support Specialist, Field Services
• Sandi Baker, Field Services Representative
• Janie Blome, Director, Field Services
• Scott Blome, Director, Communications
• Maria Delgado, Field Services Representative
• Mike Hudson, Museum Director
• Artina Paris-Jones, Assistant, Field services
• Becki Moody, Support Specialist, Communications
• Julia Myers, Director, Resource Services
• Tristan Pierce, Multiple Disabilities Project Leader, Research
• Jeanette Wicker, Core Curriculum Project Leader, Research
• Roberta Williams, Public Affairs and Special Projects Manager
• Debbie Willis, Director, Accessible Tests

Editor:
Bob Brasher, Vice President, Advisory Services and Research
bbrasher@aph.org

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For additional recent APH News, click the following:
January Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2006adv01.html
December Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2005adv12.html
November Issue - www.aph.org/advisory/2005adv11.html

Archive of all previous issues - www.aph.org/advisory/advarch.html

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Please share this web link or any items that appear in this publication with anyone who might benefit.

Thank you.

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