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In order to better communicate with our subscribers, NFB-NEWSLINE is now
on Twitter. Our posts, or “Tweets,” which come out on a weekly
basis generally, advise subscribers of new publications added and new
features or system enhancements, such as the ability with NFB-NEWSLINE
Online to view publications on our Web site or download them to your
digital talking-book player. Occasionally we also post Tweets that
bring attention to interesting articles that we feel subscribers might
enjoy. If you would like to follow us, please visit
<a href="http://twitter.com/NFB_NEWSLINE">
http://twitter.com/NFB_NEWSLINE</a>. For those of you unfamiliar
with Twitter, it is a social networking site that consists of
“microblogs,” time- or topic-sensitive posts that are 140 characters or
less. You may read our tweets on the Web or use one of many
available Twitter clients, most of which are free to use. <br><br>
<br><br>
A podcast, called “Twitter from a Blindness Perspective,” is available at
<a href="http://www.blindcooltech.com/">www.blindcooltech.com</a> and may
be of help in learning more about the service.<br><br>
<br><br>
Below is a sampling of clients available:<br><br>
<b> <br><br>
McTwit</b> is a free, open-source desktop client for Twitter.com.
The program is designed with productivity of keyboard users in
mind. Additionally, if the JAWS, System Access, or Window-Eyes
screen reader is active, some information is conveyed efficiently through
direct speech messages. This client is available at
<a href="http://www.mctwit.com/">www.mctwit.com</a>. A more
complete introduction to this client may be found at
<a href="http://www.fredshead.info/2009/08/mctwit-accessible-interface-for-twitter.html">
http://www.fredshead.info/2009/08/mctwit-accessible-interface-for-twitter.html</a>
.<br><br>
<br><br>
<b>TwInbox</b>: Formerly known as outTwit, this add-in to Microsoft
Outlook 2003 or 2007 provides a method of integrating Twitter into your
e-mail system. Tweets can be displayed in your Inbox or a
designated folder. Outlook commands for Reply and Reply to All can
be used to reply to messages as private, direct, messages or replies can
be sent to the "timeline." Tweets can be manipulated and
stored just like any other Outlook item. The advantage of this
client, for those users who routinely have their e-mail open all day, is
that it brings the Twitter experience into an application with which you
are already familiar. TwInbox is available from Techhit at
<a href="http://www.techhit.com/">http://www.techhit.com</a>.
Further information on this client is available at
<a href="http://www.fredshead.info/2009/12/tweet-from-outlook.html">
http://www.fredshead.info/2009/12/tweet-from-outlook.html</a>.<br><br>
<b>Twittelator PRO</b> is a low-cost application for the iPhone that
allows you to utilize most Twitter functions, including the managing of
multiple accounts. Twittelator Pro also offers a search feature,
the ability to post shortened URLs, and the ability to differentiate
direct messages from ordinary tweets. Visit
<a href="http://www.stone.com/Twittelator/">
http://www.stone.com/Twittelator</a> for more information and downloading
instructions.<br><br>
<b>Qwitter</b>: This client, mainly designed for use by the blind,
provides a number of interesting features that make it appealing to power
users. The program runs in the background and checks for new tweets
at specified intervals, and keyboard commands are then used to review the
new messages. Qwitter provides access to its interface from
anywhere in the operating system, making it unnecessary to leave your
current task to access new tweets. Qwitter presents different
tweets in "buffers," which provide a way for you to access your
timeline (showing all the messages from people you follow), replies
(showing all messages with your @username in them), direct messages
(messages sent privately to you), and sent (displaying messages you have
sent). Additionally, Qwitter provides the ability to define search
buffers, which will search the Twitter public timeline for a designated
string and present them to you. The Qwitter client supports speech
output directly to your screen access program, or uses a SAPI voice if no
speech software is running. This program is available from
<a href="http://www.qwitter-client.net/">http://www.qwitter-client.net</a>
. You can become more familiar with this client by accessing a
podcast on the subject at
<a href="http://www.lalrecordings.com/node/31">
http://www.lalrecordings.com/node/31</a>.<br><br>
<b>Tweets60</b> is a free Twitter client for Nokia S60 smartphones, and
is compatible with the Talks screen reader. Tweets60 is the first
free native Twitter application for Nokia S60, providing a simple and
accessible way to manage your Twitter account on the go, providing access
to most standard Twitter functionality on the move. Once installed
Tweets60 is accessed through the application tab on your menu and will
automatically connect to your Twitter account, showing you new tweets,
direct messages, and your latest updates. You can then change your
status, read the tweets of people you follow, re-tweet, and manage who
you follow. You can even leave Tweets60 running in the background
and it will automatically update. You may download this client from
<a href="http://www.tweets60.com/">http://www.tweets60.com</a>. <br><br>
<b>Jawter</b> is a tool that essentially turns your screen reader into a
Twitter client and allows you to use Twitter with a minimum of
fuss. You simply install it, set it up, and read your Twitter
updates with hot keys that work anywhere in windows, wherever you are,
and whatever you’re doing. Your tweets can be navigated from within
the screen reader, then there’s no need to go launching separate programs
just to see what your friends are saying.<b><i> </i></b>This client
may be downloaded from:
<a href="http://randylaptop.com/software/jawter-2/">
http://randylaptop.com/software/jawter-2</a>. Blind Cool Tech has a
podcast you can listen to in order to learn more about Jawter, available
at
<a href="http://media.libsyn.com/media/bct/bct1319Jawter.mp3">
http://media.libsyn.com/media/bct/bct1319Jawter.mp3</a>. <br><br>
<b>Twitterrific</b> is a free application created for Mac users that lets
you both read and publish posts or "tweets" to the Twitter
community Web site. The application's user interface is clean,
concise, and designed to take up a minimum of real estate on your Mac's
desktop. You may access the download by visiting
<a href="http://iconfactory.com/software/twitterrific">
http://iconfactory.com/software/twitterrific</a>.<br><br>
<br><br>
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at
<a href="mailto:nfbnewsline@nfb.org">nfbnewsline@nfb.org</a>. <br><br>
<br><br>
<b>From the NFB-NEWSLINE Team<br><br>
</b> <br><br>
Renee West<br><br>
Manager, Marketing and Outreach<br><br>
Sponsored Technology Programs<br><br>
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND<br><br>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
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Wells Street<br><br>
Baltimore MD 21230<br><br>
Phone: (410) 659-9314 ext. 2411<br><br>
Fax: (410) 659-5129<br><br>
Websites: <a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a>;
<a href="http://www.nfbnewsline.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.nfbnewsline.org</a>;
<a href="http://www.nfbnewslineonline.org/"><font color="#800080">
www.nfbnewslineonline.org</a><br><br>
</font> <br><br>
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