Blind Planet

Forty eight years ago today, I entered the world in mid-afternoon, completely ruining my mother’s obstratrician’s holiday party somewhere in New Jersey.  I picture my slippery, sloppy infant self shooting out into a catcher’s mitt held by Yogi Berra who kept my mother, the doctor and nurses amused with his constant jawing about whatever entered the great ballplayer/philosopher’s mind.  With a puff of dirt as I hit the mitt, I, in my tiny way, had declared my own independence.

Today, the 232nd anniversary of our founding fathers declaring the independence of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia, I sit in what was then a territory still owned by the Spanish who never tried to settle the place but, rather, exploit its natural resources,, torment and kill as many of its indigenous people as possible and, from time to time, head off on a mission to find the fountain of youth which would certainly be located in a place where the heat and humidity and bugs and dangerous animals ruled and people acted as bit players.  Sometime after actually gaining independence from England, the nation would purchase this god forsaken sandbar from Spain and send Andrew Jackson and his gang of genocidal maniacs into the territory to kill as many of the native people as possible because they were known to harbor escaped African slaves, a group to whom the independence from King George did not apply.

Women, white, black, native or European also got excluded by the independence movement and even incredible autodidacts like Abigail Adams and Dolly Madison who could counsel their husbands, presidents  of the nation on complex affairs but not vote to select their successors. 

Thus, Independence Day, for me, meant that I could survive as a being apart from my mother but it would take nearly 90 years to free the slaves and over a century after signing the document that suggested that all were created equal to permit women to vote.  The genocide of the native people continued into the twentieth century and some would contest that the poverty on the reservations and the ethnic cleansing they represent remains as a continued reminder if not an actual form of genocide.  Sure, the Seminole nation owns the Hard Rock casino chain but how does that compare to owning all of Florida, including all of that pricey waterfront real estate?

Someone I heard speak or read something by (probably Studds Terkel I think) made the assertion that, given the history of government from the ancients to today, the absolute rarity of a ruling body doing anything actually good for the population it dominates or any external people for that matter makes such events truly exceptional.  Thus, while the American style of representative republic has done many tragic things it has also taken a number of good actions which, for the most part, set it in its own category as, it has actually taken numerous actions in the name of a greater good than most, if any, governments in history.  Of this, we white Americans of European ancestry can be proud of our immigrant forefathers who elected governments that invented public education and, after a while, universal suffrage and even some degree of civil rights protections.  Some nations have done more but most have done far less so, even with the black eyes on our national integrity, we can claim a lot of good in our history.

For me, I am now 48 years old.  It's been 30 years since high school graduation and twenty-five years since the death of the cool – the end of the hardcore punk years and the start of my long journey into blindness, software development, access technology and all of the fun I’ve had doing all of that.

I will never be cool again.  Then again, how many people can really claim any part of the cool much after their twenties have ended?  Surely, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis  and others of the “mega cool” can carry it for the rest of their lives and beyond; we mere mortals need to pass the baton to the next generation, move gradually into middle age, grey hair, pot bellies and memories of when we made the scene and, now and then, if we retain any morsel of the cool, listen to new music and perhaps actually go out to a club or larger performance space to hear a band that is not on a reunion tour or hasn’t simply continued into their geriatric years becoming less relevant with each boring new album and greatest hits tour.

Recently, I heard an interview with Winton suggesting that the whole world should have a funeral acknowledging the death of the cool as defined by Miles and the “Birth of the Cool” album released in the early fifties.  That album and attitude embodied by Miles, Monk, Trane and so many others of the era who acted with the nonchalance of an ice cube and, in attitude if nothing else, passed the behavior along into the hip of the sixties, the punk of the seventies, the grunge, alternative, hip-hop, rap, indie, you name it that has come since.  Winton suggested a funeral for the cool, a return to the chalance and permission to publicly show emotion, admiration and even joy and sadness in a public forum once again.

Thus, those of us who barely turned our heads when Lou Reed walked into a club where punks hung out, maybe tipped our beer in his direction might actually say that we admired his work, the Velvets and his influence on the New York scene that today can still be heard in the poetry of the Williamsburg hip-hop kids.  We can actually admit that Dylan, Springsteen and Motorhead made our blood rush with excitement rather than hanging in the back, leaning against the bar and saying, “they’re alright.” While inside feeling the rush of a great performance.  Those guys, the heavily influential acts, Iggy Pop, MC5, The Fugs, The Kinks, Rolling Stones, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars deserved wild audiences but, alas, the cool got between us and our emotions. 

I suppose Lou Reed may have noticed that the early punks at least all did our best to dress like him – we had the biker jacket, the Ray ban Wayfarer sunglasses, the white t-shirt, the jeans with a hole in the knees and the Chuck Taylor high tops.  We were too cool to approach Lou to tell him we loved a particular performance but we turned into kinetic sculptures of the man, phenomena of which he must have been aware.  Notably, The Ramones, the first true break away punk band also donned this look.  Digging a little deeper, this was more or less what Springsteen wore.  Yes, we were highly informed by the previous generation but we punks wouldn’t admit it even if tortured.

So, I find myself agreeing with Winton.  It's time to bury the cool and move into some sort of twentieth first century non-nonchalance.  Will this be the post-post modernism the academics have been searching for?  Will we end up with a hyper generation of hero and ancestor worshipers digging through stacks of MP3 on their favorite download sites just so they can admire Blue Oyster Cult and Scorpions like we did?  Conversely, is trying to find an appropriate philosophical metaphor for pop culture a waste of useful brain power and that we should let it progress without social criticism or theory?  If I only had the answers to these weird questions about the peculiar things about which I think.

n  -End

In order to raise an issue or proposal in regards to the HTML5 specification you do not have to be a member of the W3C HTML Working Group (HTML WG). Anyone can simply enter a bug into the HTML Bugzilla. If the proposal or issue is rejected by those that control the specification and the issue is related to accessibility, you can refer the issue to the W3C Protocols and Formats Working Group (PF WG). Probably the best method is to subscribe to and send an email to the WAI-XTECH mailing list.

I would suggest that you take this course of action if you consider that the issue raised to be substantive and it has not been given appropriate consideration due to lack of accessibility expertise or understanding of the obligations of the HTML WG to ensure deliverables will satisfy accessibility requirements.

The PF WG is responsible for ensuring accessibility considerations are taken into account in all specifications produced within the W3C.  If the PF WG considers the matter substantive they may formally request that the HTML WG, not just the editor, reconsider the matter. This may lead to the HTML WG as a whole having a vote on the matter, that is up to the HTML WG Chairs to decide.

By following this course of action you at least guaranteed that the issue will be discussed by a group within the W3C that has expertise in relation to accessibility and the web. It will also be considered employing the W3C consensus process, which is not a process currently used in practice within the HTML WG.

You can also bring matters to the attention of W3C member organisations, so when it comes time to review and vote on the HTML5 specification before publication, those organisations can make an informed decision about whether the specification takes the accessibility requirements of their constituents into account.

W3C members include organisations such as the Royal National Institute for the Blind and vision australia who represent the interest of people with disabilities, so you can voice your concerns with them directly.

• Clarification of process for raising html5 accessibility related issues
• Re: Clarification of process for raising html5 accessibility related issues
• on involvement of PF
• RE: on involvement of PF

Hello Everyone,

I am delighted to inform you that AT&T Wireless has finally activated its online phone-specific Quick Tips help page.

NOTE:
I strongly recommend that you confirm with your wireless provider that you have an unlimited data plan in place before using any mobile browser as data transfer charges will apply.

To launch the Quick Tips page:

NOTE:
The following is for the Samsung Blackjack 2 Smart Phone running on the AT&T Wireless network.  However, if you have an AT&T Wireless network compatible device, explore its menus to see if you have a similar feature.

1.
From the Today/Home screen, press the Left Soft Key to open the Start Menu.

2.
Select Settings.

3.
Select Quick Tips.  Mobile Internet Explorer will open with the Quick Tips web page.

Enjoy,

Mark

Craig Stuntz details a bug in JAWS and comments upon the lack of a developer program for JAWS. This topic is followed up on the Blind Access journal.

We already know that Freedom Scientific's JAWS end user license agreement is not friendly to mainstream developers and testers as they work to implement accessibility into their products, services and web sites. As a follow on to this concern, we now hear from Craig Stuntz who reports that no developer program exists for those who have purchased JAWS for this critical purpose. In his most recent blog article, he writes:

We in the connected online blind community very much do want to see developers striving to improve the accessibility of their applications! The accessibility or inaccessibility of technology makes the difference between our inclusion or exclusion from participation in critical life activities such as those involving education and employment. We urge mainstream developers to continue their efforts using screen readers from companies and open source projects that actively invite and request participation from the mainstream developer community:

• Window-Eyes by GW Micro


• System Access by Serotek


• Nonvisual Desktop Access (NVDA) by NV Access - A Free Open Source Project

We ask all mainstream developers to increase the accessibility of their software and to do so in the most favorable economic manner. Spending a thousand dollars on a screen reader for testing purposes is unnecessary. Download free evaluation copies from companies with more friendly license agreements toward developers or take advantage of free open source alternatives. Accessibility need not break the bank. We're not asking you to go out of business. Instead, we are just asking for the reasonable accomodations that can afford us the opportunity to learn, work and participate in leisure activities.

Last week, I participated in a summit on the technology needs of university students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing (“deaf/HH”). The summit was hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology National Technology Institute of the Deaf.

The primary purpose of the summit was to collect input from various stakeholders about communication and learning issues in universities today, especially for deaf/HH students in Science, Engineering and Technology. Another goal of the summit was to brainstorm ways technology (and support processes) can help these students become even more successful in academia and in a transition to the workforce.

If you are designing features that will be used by deaf/HH people, or planning research, here are some user experience factors to consider:

-          The Deaf/HH community is diverse and likewise, their technology needs and preferences are diverse. When creating new innovations or research, it is imperative to get the perspective and input from the community along the way.

-          ASL is a language (just like a spoken language, like Spanish), not a representation of spoken English. ASL is an evolving language. There are new terms being created by the community. For example, there are several ways to sign “computer’.

-          In the various academic environments (lab, ad-hoc, etc), students have to process a lot of information coming at them visually. They have to quickly decide whether to focus on the interpreter, professor, text, visual materials, or other students.

-          Along with access to spoken language, dead/HH students also may learn concepts in different ways than hearing students. Relevant academic research points to the need to better understand the learning cognitive processes and areas of the brain used to process ASL and text.

-          Providing access to spoken language can be accomplished in different ways (captions vs ASL), but these ways are not equal in all circumstances. Reading the text captions is not the same visceral experience as communicating in ASL.

Overall, the summit was very insightful for me. It was a chance to learn from various perspectives, and a respectful dialog about different opinions. I was inspired by the dedication of the students, researchers, Dr. Hurwitz (the VP and Dean of NTID, and Dr. Diaz-Herrera (the Dean of the RIT’s College of Computing and Information Sciences), and other summit leaders. I look forward to the formal report that will compile the input and recommendations from the summit.

I'm off to the American Council of the Blind National Convention to gather information for Fred's Head and to work the booth for the American Printing House for the Blind. If you're coming to convention, I look forward to seeing you, if not, have a wonderful 4th of July and I'll be back in a week with more posts.

For many years, blind and visually impaired computer users have struggled with the cost of a screen reader. As helpful as computers are, they are useless to a blind person without a screen reader, but the average price can run around $1,000.

Natural Reader is a free text-to-speech toolbar that will run on top of almost any program. This makes it an excellent option for learners who are still required to use Internet Explorer as their web browser.

Natural Reader can be used to read email, whether in Outlook, Thunderbird, GMail, or HotMail. It works with word processors, and in a variety of web browsers. In short, the toolbar works effectively with digital text almost everywhere.

In addition to the toolbar option, Natural Reader offers a window where copied text can be pasted. Whether using this window or the toolbar, it is easy to change the reading rate and the pitch of the voice. Program functions can be accessed with user-defined keyboard commands.

Natural Reader will work with the voices built into the Windows operating system. It is noteworthy that if additional voices are installed on the computer, these voices are available for use with Natural Reader as well. A selection of high quality voices can be purchased from Nextup.com.

Click this link to visit http://www.naturalreaders.com.

Mike Calvo gave a well-received talk at the July 3rd morning General Session of the 68th Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. Everyone is now invited to listen to an archive of this special event.

In the world of cell phones, there are two kinds of people. There are those who never use up their minutes and have a roll over plan that continually forwards them to some distant future, and there are those who continuously go over their minutes and have to pay a large cell phone bill every month.

There are several different ways to keep track of cell phone minutes, none of them are very accessible if you can't see a screen. Many phone companies allow you to check your minutes online and make any changes to the service as needed. These same phone providers often don't have accessible websites, navigating them with a screen reader is almost impossible.

You can usually dial into your phone, enter a pass code and check your minutes, but if you don't have an accessible talking phone this service is useless.

Finally, you can add software to your phone in the form of widgets that will keep track of the information for you. Same problem, if you can't see the screen, you can't install the widget.

Now, there is another way to keep track of those minutes. OverMyMinutes.com is a free service for consumers, non-profits and small businesses. It automatically keeps track of your minutes and then alerts you when your minutes are close to being used up. OverMyMinutes.com says that one of the benefits is that it will monitor your minutes whether the phone is on or off, even if your network connection is down.

Click this link to visit http://www.OverMyMinutes.com.

Most consumers are just now becoming aware of the mandated transition from
analog to digital broadcasting scheduled for February of 2009 and how it
will affect the TV viewing that they rely on daily. Blind or deaf consumers
who purchase digital TV sets, and subscribe to cable, satellite or
fiber-optic TV services have expressed frustration with set-up, reception
and incompatibility problems regarding access services (captioning and video
description), few of which are understood or even documented by
manufacturers and retailers.

In addition, people who want to continue receiving free over-the-air
broadcasts using their analog sets and an antenna must purchase a set-top
converter box to do so - and figure out how to make captions and
descriptions work for them. NCAM previously published an overview of
problems confronting deaf or hard-of-hearing people trying to access
captions via DTV or through a converter box. The "DTVCC" paper can be found
on NCAM's Web site listed below.

This new paper focuses on challenges facing blind or low vision viewers who
rely on video description to enjoy and fully understand television
programming. Topics covered include:

- Set-top Converter Boxes
- Accessible Menus
- Tips for Finding Video Description in DTV
- Troubleshooting
- and a Technical Note about PSIP (or Program and System Information
Protocol)

This paper, along with much more information about the DTV conversion from a
variety of resources, can be found at NCAM's DTV Access site,

http://dtvaccess.org or http://ncam.wgbh.org/dtv

We want to hear from you...
NCAM has established a one-way e-mail address, dtvaccess@wgbh.org, as an
aggregator of complaints and problems related to the DTV rollout. If you
send a report about a DTV access problem to this address, you will receive
an automatic response that says that your report has been received and that
we are gathering information but cannot respond to your inquiry, and that we
will pass along common issues to relevant parties.

--
Mary Watkins
Director of Communications and Outreach
Media Access Group at WGBH
mary_watkins@wgbh.org
http://access.wgbh.org
One Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135
617 300-3700 v/fax
617 300-2489 TTY

WGBH Boston informs, inspires, and entertains millions through public
broadcasting, the Web, educational multimedia, and access services for
people with disabilities.

Explains why the people of Fort Benton, Montana, still honor the beloved sheep dog, Shep. Relates that when Shep's master died in 1936, the dog followed the coffin to the train station and waited there for the rest of his life for his master to return. Juvenile Literature. Grades 2-4. *(AR Quiz #106478, BL 5.3, Pts. 0.5)

Aesop's Fables
Catalog Number: T-N1655-70

Tales, with morals, about animals who talk and act like human beings. Originally told by the Greek slave over two thousand years ago, the hundred-plus fables include such favorites as "The Hare and the Tortoise" and "The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse." Juvenile Literature. Grades 3-6. *(AR Quiz #52289, BL 9.7, Pts. 5.0)

Rash by Pete Hautman
Catalog Number: T-N1672-90

United Safer States of America, 2070s. Sixteen-year-old Bo Marsten is locked up for unsociable behavior like fighting. At an Arctic work camp, he's recruited to play the illegal game of football until the disgruntled warden releases him into a wilderness full of polar bears. National Book Award. Fiction. Senior High readers. *(AR Quiz #106129, BL 4.7, Pts. 7.0)

An Ordinary Man: An Autobiography by Paul Rusesabagina
Catalog Number: T-N1668-50

Autobiography of the manager of the hotel Mille Collines in Kigali, Rwanda. Paul Rusesabagina, a man of mixed Hutu and Tutsi heritage, describes how in April 1994 he saved twelve hundred Rwandans from the genocide that slaughtered eight hundred thousand. Basis for Hotel Rwanda movie. Violence and strong language. Biography. Adult.

The Ladies of Garrison Gardens by Louise Shaffer
Catalog Number: T-N1668-70

The Three Miss Margarets are down to two with the death of Peggy Garrison. And Laurel Selene McCready, who was like the daughter Peggy never had, has inherited everything. When Laurel begins going through Peggy's things, she uncovers some long-hidden secrets. Some strong language. Fiction. Adult.

Kidnapped at the Capital: Capital Mysteries, Book 2 by Ron Roy
Catalog Number: T-N1681-30

While KC and her best friend, Marshall, attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., KC's mother and the president of the United States are kidnapped. And the ransom demanded is the International Space Station! Juvenile Fiction. Grades 2-4. *(AR Quiz #74863, BL 3.7, Pts. 1.0)

The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
Catalog Number: T-N1659-00

Fifth-grade class geek Brenton figures out how to get his computer to do his homework for him. His mistake is letting his seating group (the class clown, the teacher's pet, and a slacker) in on his secret. Juvenile Fiction. Grades 3-6. *(AR Quiz #103771, BL 4.8, Pts. 4.0)

Born to Rock by Gordon Korman
Catalog Number: T-N1692-70

Young Republican Leo Caraway loses his Harvard scholarship on a technicality and learns that his biological dad is a legend--former punk rocker "King Maggot." Hoping for college money, Leo joins King's comeback tour as a roadie and grows up along the way. Fiction. Junior and Senior High readers. *(AR Quiz #105987, BL 5.3, Pts. 8.0)

Eavesdropping: A Life by Ear by Stephen Kuusisto
Catalog Number: T-N1691-20

The author of Planet of the Blind, who has been legally blind since birth, explains how he perceives the world around him through listening. In these essays he describes childhood influences, adult travels, artful eavesdropping, and love of poetry and Caruso's singing. Biography. Adult.

The Alibi Man by Tami Hoag
Catalog Number: T-N1690-90

Horse trainer Elena Estes, a former narcotics detective, discovers the body of her coworker Irina Markova in a canal. Elena's investigation leads to her previous Palm Beach, Florida, circles, where she finds ties to the Russian mob and society elite, including Bennett Walker--her ex-fiancé. Violence and strong language. Fiction. Adult.

Night of the New Magicians: Magic Tree House, Book #35 by Mary Pope Osborne
Catalog Number: T-N1658-50

Merlin sends Jack and Annie to the 1889 World's Fair in Paris, France. Their mission is to find four new magicians in the crowds at the Eiffel Tower and protect them from an evil sorcerer. Juvenile Fiction. Grades 2-4. *(AR Quiz #105864, BL 4.0, Pts. 2)

Caddy Ever After by Hilary McKay
Catalog Number: T-N1674-60

Casson siblings Rose, Indigo, Saffy, and Caddy present individual accounts of events leading up to Caddy's wedding, including a helium balloon stalking and a Ghost Club accident. Rose, upset that the groom is not darling Michael, intervenes. Sequel to Permanent Rose. Juvenile Fiction. Grades 4-7. *(AR Quiz #107066, BL 5.2, Pts. 5)

Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies) by Justina Chen Headley
Catalog Number: T-N1674-20

Fifteen-year-old Patty Ho, half-Taiwanese and half-white, feels like she never fits in. However, when her strict mother sends her to summer math camp at Stanford, Patty begins to accept her biracial heritage and has her first brush with romance. Fiction. Senior High. *(AR Quiz #105939, BL 6.1, Pts. 10)

The Widow's War by Sally Gunning
Catalog Number: T-N1668-40

Cape Cod, 1761. After her husband is lost at sea, Lyddie Berry finds herself a dependent of her miserly son-in-law Nathan Clarke. Inspired by the words of attorney and woman's suffrage supporter James Otis, Lyddie challenges the terms of the will--and society--and attempts to live on her own. Fiction. Adult.

To Catch an Angel: Adventures in the World I Cannot Seeby Robert Russell
Catalog Number: T-N1673-80

The life and achievements of the author, who was blinded at the age of five. Refusing to acknowledge any essential difference between himself and sighted people, he succeeded in obtaining a Ph.D., went to Oxford to study, married an English girl, and became a college teacher. Biography. Adult.

Who Cloned the President? Capital Mysteries, Book 1 by Ron Roy:
Catalog Number: T-N1681-20

Since KC Corcoran watches the news on television every day, she notices that the president of the United States is behaving oddly. Deciding he must have been cloned, KC and her best friend, Marshall, set out to investigate. Grades 2-4. *(AR Quiz #49426, BL 3/5, Pts. 1)

Darkhenge by Catherine Fisher:
Catalog Number: T-N1673-40

Avebury, England. While his younger sister Chloe lies in a coma after a riding accident, talented teen Rob works at a secret archaeological dig. There he encounters a centuries-old shapeshifting Druid called Vetch, who promises to help retrieve Chloe from her imprisonment. Grades 6-9. *(AR Quiz #110255, BL 4.3, Pts. 9)

An Untamed Land: Red River of the North, Book 1 by Lauraine Snelling:
Catalog Number: T-N1672-80

1880. Roald Bjorklund, his wife Ingeborg, and their five-year-old son Thorliff leave Norway in search of a better life in America. They journey to the Dakota Territory where they build a homestead in the Red River Valley with faith, love, and hard work. Senior High. *(AR Quiz #53292, BL 5.4, Pts. 19)

Islam for the Western Mind: Understanding Muhammad and the Koran by Richard Henry Drummond:
Catalog Number: T-N1658-20

Presbyterian minister and religious historian examines the fundamental teachings and cultural impact of Islam from a Christian viewpoint. Discusses the Koran, the founding prophet Muhammad, and the haditha or the prophet's extra-Koranic teachings, as well as negative feelings between Christians and Muslims and the modern clash of civilizations. Adult.

Saved in the City by Jacquelin Thomas:
Catalog Number: T-N1657-40

New York City. Three beautiful women try to succeed as black models: Macy, who flunked out of college, Patterson, who escaped rural Georgia, and widowed L.A. social worker LaRue. As the three become friends and face inevitable challenges, they trust in God's plan for their happiness and fulfillment. Adult.

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin:
Catalog Number: T-N1662-40

While Pacy's Taiwanese American family prepares the Chinese New Year feast, Pacy hopes the Year of the Dog will be lucky for her. She does make a new best friend at school but "finding herself"-- discovering her own talent--takes longer. Grades 3-6. *(AR Quiz #104901, BL 4.2, Pts. 3)

Killer Rocks from Outer Space: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites by Steven N. Koppes:
Catalog Number: T-N1657-60

Describes the role that collisions with meteors, comets, and asteroids have played in the history of Earth and other planets in the solar system. Examines actions being taken to protect Earth from future collisions. Grades 5-8. *(AR Quiz #101039, BL 9, Pts. 4)

Dark Dreams: The Story of Stephen King by Nancy Whitelaw:
Catalog Number: T-N1668-10

Biography of award-winning horror writer. Discusses King's difficult childhood in Maine, a setting for many of his stories, as well as his adolescence, college years, marriage, and eventual success. Describes King's struggles with censorship, fame, and the creative process. Senior High School to Adult. *(AR Quiz #103059, BL 8, Pts. 4)

Wish You Were Here: The Official Biography of Douglas Adams by Nick Webb:
Catalog Number: T-N1634-80

Writer and personal friend of Adams pens an account of the man who created the Hitchhiker novels. Webb discusses Adams's childhood, schooling, time with the BBC, marriage to Jane, birth of daughter Polly, fascination with gadgets, atheism, and creation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Adult.

The Little Book of Bridal Etiquette for the Twenty-First Century by Martha A. Woodham:
Catalog Number: T-N1662-20

Concise guide to proper wedding conduct by Elegant Bride magazine etiquette columnist. Offers time-tested, practical advice for brides-to-be to avoid tackiness and social blunders. Discusses invitations, registration, guest lists, ceremonies, receptions, receiving lines, attire, and family issues. Includes marriage myths, budget tips, and cautionary tales of bad taste. Adult.

Mariel of Redwall by Brian Jacques:
Catalog Number: T-N1657-20

Mousemaid Mariel undertakes a quest for vengeance against the searat Gabool and his Rodent Corsairs, who imprisoned her father and left her to drown at sea. She journeys to Redwall Abbey and finds stalwart companions to accompany her through the Mossflower woods back to Gabool's stronghold. Grades 5-8. *(AR Quiz #7168, BL 5.7, Pts. 16)

The Fledgling by Jane Langton:
Catalog Number: T-N1647-20

Young Georgie's fondest wish is to be able to fly. When she meets a Canadian goose, the Goose Prince, her dreams come true for a while. Newbery Honor Award Winner. Grades 3-6. *(AR Quiz #114, BL 5, Pt. 6)

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman:
Catalog Number: T-N1668-90

Julie and Ashleigh are high school sophomores, best friends, and Jane Austen fans. Looking for their own Mr. Darcy, both girls fall for the same boy and hide their feelings while rehearsing for a school play. Despite comic errors, everyone experiences a happy ending. Senior High School. *(AR Quiz #105009, BL 5.4, Pts. 8)

Star Wars: Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn:
Catalog Number: T-N1646-30

Jedi Master Jorus C'baoth heads an ambitious intergalactic expedition to the Unknown Regions. Fearing C'baoth's hidden agenda and the involvement of the Sith, the Jedi Council orders Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan learner, Anakin Skywalker, to join the ill-fated mission. Companion to Survivor's Quest. Bestseller. Senior High School to Adult. *(AR Quiz #108725, BL 6.2, Pts. 19)

Riding Gain: A Talk Radio Mystery by Joyce Krieg:
Catalog Number: T-N1657-70

Sacramento radio talk show host Shauna Bogart struggles with work problems when her boss forces her to give air time to a psychic. Then someone kills Shauna's former intern during a drug deal, and the grandmother of the accused killer asks Shauna to prove the grandson's innocence. Violence. Adult.

The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose by Arnold Lobel:
Catalog Number: T-N1673-90

Treasury of some three hundred nursery rhymes including "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "London Bridge Is Broken Down," "Sing a Song of Sixpence," "Three Little Kittens," "Simple Simon Met a Pieman," "Old Mother Hubbard," and "Who Killed Cock Robin?" Grades K-3.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell:
Catalog Number: T-N1646-90

England, 1870s: Black Beauty, a good-natured and strong stallion, tells of his adventures working with many types of people, some kind and others cruel. Written to encourage better treatment of horses. Some violence. Grades 4-7. *(AR Quiz #8, BL 7.7, Pts. 11)

Margaux with an X by Ronald Koertge:
Catalog Number: T-N1656-40

Smart but troubled high school student Margaux cannot escape a mother addicted to the home-shopping channel, a gambler father, or a secret from her past. An unlikely friendship with kindhearted Danny, also struggling with the emotional impact of family abuse, helps Margaux confront her feelings. Senior High School. *(AR Quiz #80661, BL 3.8, Pts. 4)

The Bishop in the Old Neighborhood> by Andrew M. Greeley:
Catalog Number: T-N1646-50

Chicago: Bishop Blackie Ryan investigates three murders in St. Lucy's parish, which is headed by Father Mikal Wolodyjowski. Blackie discovers a connection between the current crimes, the 1944 deaths of six college students, and Father Mikal. Some strong language. Adult.

Lewis and Clark through Indian Eyes by Alvin M. Josephy and Marc Jaffe:
Catalog Number: T-N1656-60

Modern members of the tribes that Lewis and Clark encountered during their 1804-1806 western travels provide nine wide-ranging essays on the impact of the expedition on Native Americans. Contributors, including Kiowa Pulitzer Prize-winner N. Scott Momaday and Sioux professor Vine Deloria Jr., blend familial, tribal, and American history.

Rachel Ray Express Lane Meals: what to keep on hand, what to buy fresh for the easiest-ever, 30-minute meals by Rachael Ray:
Catalog Number: T-N1661-80

More wholesome, easy-to-prepare meals from the Food Network television show host. Lists seventy basic but versatile ingredients, both nonperishable and frozen, to stock. Recipes supplement these staples with a few fresh items so shoppers can use the express lane. Bestseller.

Saint Valentine by Ann Tompert:
Catalog Number: T-N1627-90

This short biography of the Christian saint covers those facts known about him and the reason his name is connected with a holiday celebrating friendship and love. Grades 2-4. (AR Quiz #79996, BL 5.4, Pts. .5)

>Hershey: Milton S. Hershey's Extraordinary Life of Wealth, Empire, and Utopian Dreams by Michael D'Antonio:
Catalog Number: T-N1634-00

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist examines the life and career of Milton Snavely Hershey, whose name is synonymous with chocolate. Presents the corporate titan's flaws as well as his ideals. High School. (AR Quiz #107482, BL 9.5, Pts. 21)

The Triumph of Numbers: How Counting Shaped Modern Life by Bernard I. Cohen:
Catalog Number: T-N1628-40

Harvard science historian's history of numbers and the role of counting in public and private life. Traces the growing importance of numbers from Biblical times to the scientific revolution and modern era. Discusses Florence Nightingale's use of statistics and includes commentary on Kepler, Galileo, Benjamin Franklin, and Charles Dickens. Adult.

Million Dollar Dilemma by Judy Baer:
Catalog Number: T-N1634-50

Twenty-eight-year-old preacher's daughter Cassia Carr inadvertently participates in an office lottery pool and wins twenty million dollars. When Cassia decided to donate her ill-gotten wealth, her neighbor Adam Cavanaugh, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and lapsed Christian, tries to convince her to contribute the money to the impoverished Africans. Adult.

The House by Danielle Steel:
Catalog Number: T-N1646-10

A client has left workaholic lawyer Sarah Anderson an unexpected inheritance with the caveat to have fun with the money. Sarah decides to renovate a mansion and becomes absorbed in its history. Soon she finds herself falling in love with architect Jeff Parker. Some strong language. Adult.

A Kick in the Head by Paul B. Janeczko
Catalog Number: T-N1627-50

This guide to twenty-nine poetic forms includes examples and a narrative description of each. Grades 5-8. (AR#86581, RL 6.0, Pts. 1)

Norman Tuttle on the Last Frontier by Tom Bodett
Catalog Number: T-N1627-30

Fifteen short stories about Alaskan teen Norman Tuttle chronicle his adventures from fishing to falling in love. Junior high and up. (AR#83557, RL 5.3, Pts. 7)

Hard Truth by Mariah Stewart
Catalog Number: T-N1634-70

Lorna asks ex-FBI agent TJ Dawson to investigate an old crime involving the disappearance of a childhood friend. Strong language and violence. Adult.

Links by Nuruddin Farah
Catalog Number: T-N1627-60

NY professor Jeeblah returns to his native Somalia after two decades to settle his mother's estate. Adult.

What it Takes to Pull me Through: Why Teenagers Get in Trouble and how Four of them Got Out by David L Marcus
Catalog Number: T-N1633-90

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist profiles four successful teens from Massachusetts's Academy at Swift River, an exclusive therapeutic boarding school utilizing rigorous courses, wilderness training, and group therapy. Some strong language. Adult.

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan:
Catalog Number: T-N1627-70

When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father. Grades 4-7. Schneider Family Award. (AR#82864, RL 5.4, Pts. 6)

Tracker by Gary Paulsen:
Catalog Number: T-N1656-30

A thirteen-year-old boy must come to terms with the approaching death of his beloved grandfather, with whom he shares a very special relationship. Grades 5-8. (AR#647, RL 5.3, Pts. 2)

Help, It's Broken! A Fix-It Bible for the Repair Impaired by Arianne Cohen:
Catalog Number: T-N1634-10

Basic home repair and maintenance guide includes safety information and money-saving tips. Adult.

Let the Lion Eat Straw by Ebele Oseye:
Catalog Number: T-N1647-10

A young African American moves to Brooklyn, where she pursues her musical dreams despite a number of hardships. Adult.

Lighthousekeeping by Jeanette Winterson:
Catalog Number: T-N1628-50

A young orphan learns the value of stories when she is apprenticed to a blind lighthouse keeper. Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. Adult.

Fly Like a Bumblebee: A Blind Magician Shares his most Powerful Secrets by R.W. Klamm
Catalog Number: T-N1628-20

Witty and humorous book reveals how magic helped build self-confidence for living with congenital optic atrophy disorder. Explains easy tricks. Adult. (AR not available.)

You Can Do the Math: Overcome Your Math Phobia and Make Better Financial Decisions by Ron Lipsman
Catalog Number: T-N1628-30

Professor offers introduction to the mathematics of personal finance, including car buying, home ownership, credit cards, taxes, and more. Includes links to web calculators. Adult. (AR not available.)

Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury
Catalog Number: T-N1647-00

Eddy and his friends join the US Army in 1941, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, their Japanese ancestry causes them to become targets themselves. Some violence. Grades 6-9. (AR#89207, RL 3.9, Pts. 6)

Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay
Catalog Number: T-N1627-40

While trying to locate her friend, Tom, eight-year-old Rose learns an important secret about her adopted sister, Saffy. Sequel to Indigo's Star. Grades 4-7. (AR#87995, RL 4.7, Pts. 6)

Geogra - Fleas! Riddles All Over the Map by Joan Holub
Catalog Number: T-N1656-80

Riddles about dogs and geography include oceans, planets, land formations, US facts, and more. Uncontracted braille. Grades 3-6. (AR not available.)

Piratica: Being a Daring Tale of a Singular Girl's Adventure upon the High Seas by Tanith Lee
Catalog Number: T-N1627-20

Artemesia runs away from Angels Academy to return to the high seas, where she encounters a rival for the title of pirate queen. Grades 6-9. (*AR#82281, RL5.0, Pts. 12)

Nursery Tales Around the World by Judy Sierra
Catalog Number: T-N1634-30

International collection of eighteen folktales in six different categories contrast cultural variations in stories. Grades 3-6. (AR#70868, RL 4.6, Pts. 2)

Medical Marvels by Catherine Nichols
Catalog Number: T-N1656-90

Depicts four unusual medical events. Uncontracted braille. Part of True Tales Series. Grades 3-6. (AR#82450, RL 4.8, Pts. 0.5)

How to Avoid Falling: A Guide for Active Aging and Independence by Eric Fredrikson
Catalog Number: T-N1628-10

Provides information on fall-proofing your home, negotiating stairs, avoiding hazards, and recovering after a fall. Adult. (AR not available.)

Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark
Catalog Number: T-N1646-20

After the ransom is paid, only one of the kidnapped twins is returned with a note claiming the other child is dead. But could she still be alive? Adult. (AR#106297, RL 5.7, Pts. 13)

21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey, Including Facsimile of the Manuscript; the Aubrey-Maturin Novels by Patrick O'Brian
Catalog Number: T-N1595-50

Sequel to "Blue at the Mizzen." Jack Aubrey, now a rear admiral, is ordered to South America but trouble brews when Catholic inhabitants resent the Protestant crew. Manuscript unfinished at the author's death in 2000. Strong language.

The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips
Catalog Number: T-N1595-60

Through journal entries and correspondence, the mystery of King Atum-hadu's tomb and a series of murders unfold. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. (*AR #83962, RL8.1, Pts. 26.0)

State of Fear by Michael Crichton:
Catalog Number: T-N1589-20

Environmental terrorists plan natural disasters to promote the theory of global warming. Strong language and violence. Adult. (*AR #84981, RL 4.7, Pts. 21.0)

Cat Fear No Evil: A Joe Grey Mystery by Shirley Rousseau Murphy:
Catalog Number: T-N1595-70

Tomcat detective Joe Grey investigates a sophisticated thief and the death of a waiter.

Reflex by Steven Gould:
Catalog Number: T-N1617-20

A mysterious organization kidnaps a National Security Agency operative to use his teleportation powers. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. Senior high and up. (AR #103041, RL 5.4, Pts. 19.0)

Light Years by Tammar Stein:
Catalog Number: T-N1589-50

After a suicide bomber kills her boyfriend, Maya leaves Israel to study in the US. Strong language and violence. Senior high and up. (AR #86118, RL4.7

Girl, 15, Charming but Insane by Sue Limb
Catalog Number: T-N1617-30

Jess Jordan deals with having an imperfect body, a beautiful best friend, and a crush on an unattainable boy. Senior high readers. (*AR #81218, RL 5.1, Pts. 8.0) RI Teen Book Award Nominees, NY Publishers Library Best books for Teen Age.

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Catalog Number: T-N1595-80

In an abbey on Egret Island resides a mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint who, legend claims, was a mermaid before her conversion. Some descriptions of sex. (AR #86815, RL 6.2, Pts. 15.0) Quill Book Awards.

Kid's Guide to Working Out Conflicts: How to Keep Cool, Stay Safe, and Get Along by Naomi Drew
Catalog Number: T-N1577-20

Details strategies for dealing with conflict in a variety of settings including school, home, and in the community without resorting to physical contact. Includes anger management and handling bullies. For grades 6-9. (AR#84816, RL5.9, Pts. 6.0) Nappa Gold/Honor Book.

Suspect by Michael Robotham
Catalog Number: T-N1589-30

A psychologist is accused of murdering a patient and must attempt to clear his name. Strong language and violence. Adult.

Runaway: Stories by Alice Munro:
Catalog Number T-N1577-10

Eight short stories about women of all ages and circumstances. (Adult -- Fiction)

Charming Grace by Deborah Smith:
Catalog Number: T-N1575-00

Superstar comes to a small town to film a movie about a local hero killed in the line of duty, only to be thwarted by the agent's widow. Explicit descriptions of sex. (Adult -- Fiction)

The King and I: Uncensored Tale of Luciano Pavarotti's Rise to Fame by his Manager, Friend, and Sometime Adversary by Herbert Breslin and Anne Midgette:
Catalog Number: T-N1575-10

Luciano Pavarotti's manager/publicist candidly recounts his thirty-six year relationship with the opera singer. (Adult -- Non-Fiction)

Indigo's Star by Hilary McKay:
Catalog Number: T-N1573-70

After a long illness, twelve-year-old Indigo returns to school filled with dread but finds the courage to stick up for the boy who has replaced him as the target of school bullies. (*AR #81579, RL 4.9, Points: 7.0)

Dying in the Dark: A Tamara Hayle Mystery by Valerie Wilson Wesley:
Catalog Number: T-N1575-20

Troubled by the murder of her best friend from high school, Private Investigator Tamara Hayle explores the secrets of Celia's troubled life. Strong language. (Adult -- Fiction)

The Havana Room by Colin Harrison:
Catalog Number: T-N1578-00

His career and marriage over, lawyer Bill Wyeth agrees to help an acquaintance finalize a private deal but his new client's dangerous obsessions soon ensnare him. Strong language, explicit descriptions of sex, and violence. (Adult -- Fiction)

More Damned Lies and Statistics: How Numbers Confuse Public Issues by Joel Best:
Catalog Number: T-N1577-90

Best explores common problems in numerical thinking: omission of data, confusion about categories, and unquestioned authority. (Adult -- Non-Fiction)

Inside Grandad by Peter Dickinson:
Catalog Number: T-N1574-80

Eleven-year-old Gavin tries to enlist the help of selkies (seal people) to communicate with his grandfather who is left in a coma after a stroke. (*AR #76700, Reading Level 5.5, Points: 5.0).

Dinner for Two by Mike Gayle
Catalog Number: T-N1574-20

Dave Harding copes with his wife's miscarriage and his own unemployment by taking a job at a teen magazine, but a young girl claiming to be his daughter could threaten his marriage. (Adult -- Fiction)

Murder is No Mitzvah edited by Abigail Browning
Catalog Number: T-N1577-80

Short mysteries set against a background of Jewish culture and tradition. (Adult -- Fiction)

Scattered Shadows: A Memoir of Blindness and Vision by John Howard Griffin
Catalog Number: T-N1575-10

The author recounts losing his sight in 1947 from a war injury and unexpectedly recovering it ten years later. Some strong language. (Adult -- Non-Fiction)

Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-32 by Joan W. Blos
Catalog Number: T-N1577-40

A New Hampshire farm girl writes about quilting, berrying, her new stepmother, and helping a runaway slave. Newbery Medal. (*AR #221, RL 6.7, Points: 5.0)

Rumpole and the Primrose Path by John Mortimer
Catalog Number: T-N1536-40

Six stories featuring British barrister Rumpole, including the title piece in which Rumpole investigates a fellow patient's death at the Primrose Path convalescent home. (Adult -- Fiction)

The Ironwood Tree: Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 3 by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
Catalog Number: T-N1574-60

Twins try to rescue their kidnapped sister from evil dwarfs who want to make her their queen but face an impossible task when their Field Guide turns up missing. (*AR#77859, RL 4.3, Points: 1.0)

Manatees: Returning Wildlife by John E. Becker
Catalog Number: T-N1563-80

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and history of the manatee and attempts to ensure the survival of the species. (AR#67154, RL7.9, Points 1.0)

What is the World Made of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Catalog Number: T-N1574-90

Introduces the states of matter and their attributes. Gives examples and simple science experiments. (AR#41750, RL 3.7, Points: 0.5)

Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara:
Catalog Number: T-N1539-80

As his small town celebrates Christmas in the 1930s, aristocratic Julian English begins his rapid descent towards self-destruction. (Adult -- Fiction)

A Rage for Glory: The Life of Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN by James Tertius deKay:
Catalog Number: T-N1540-00

Portraying Decatur as a brilliant, fearless and adored commander, deKay recounts his rise to national prominence, exploits in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, and his tragic death in a duel. (Adult -- Non-Fiction)

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry:
Catalog Number: T-N1563-10

Orphaned Kira is placed in the care of the Council of Guardians, along with Thomas, a young Woodcarver, and Jo, a talented singer. (*AR#44063, RL 5.0, Points: 7.0)

The North American Beaver: Returning Wildlife by John E. Becker:
Catalog Number: T-N1563-70

Discusses the animal's habits and habitat, history of beaver trapping and the fur trade, the near extinction of the species, and reintroduction efforts. (AR#63719, RL7.5, Points 1.0)

Marvin One Too Many by Katherine Paterson:
Catalog Number: T-N1540-10

Marvin starts first grade in a new school but has trouble learning to read until he tells his father about the problem. (AR#53490, RL 2.0, Points: 0.5)

Summer of the Sea Serpent: Magic Tree House Book 31 by Mary Pope Osborne
Catalog Number: T-N1539-70

The magician Merlin sends Jack and Annie back in time where they are reunited with boy sorcerer Teddy, transformed into seal people, and discover an old sword. (*AR#76983, RL3.8, Points 1.0)

Wild Turkeys: Returning Wildlife by John E. Becker
Catalog Number: T-N1563-60

Describes the wild turkey of North America, its near extinction and successful comeback, as well as the ongoing efforts to preserve this species. (AR#64864, RL8.2, Points 1.0)

Lucas by Kevin Brooks
Catalog Number: T-N1540-30

Local bullies accuse sixteen-year-old drifter Lucas of rape, setting off a tragic turn of events. For senior high readers due to some violence and strong language. (*AR#71259, RL 4.7, Points: 14.0)

Love's Proof by Catherine Palmer
Catalog Number: T-N1536-10

Jane Fellowes, descendant of Sir Isaac Newton, discovers a mysterious box of papers that may establish scientific proof of the existence of God. (Adult Fiction)

Francisco Goya by Evan S. Connell
Catalog Number: T-N1540-50

Traces the life and career of Spanish painter Francisco Goya during the last days of the House of Bourbon, the turmoil of the Inquisition, and Napoleon's invasion. (Adult Non-fiction)

Sanity and Grace: A Journal of Suicide, Survival and Strength by Judy Collins:
Catalog Number: T-N1536-80

The Grammy-nominated recording artist reflects on the suicide of her thirty-three-year old son and her struggles to cope with and understand his decision, supplementing her account with diary entries and song lyrics. (Adult -- some strong language)

Vagabond: Grail Quest, Book 2 by Bernard Cornwell:
Catalog Number: T-N1547-80

In this sequel to Archer's Tale, Thomas of Hookton battles adversaries as he searches for the Holy Grail, rumored to have once been possessed by his family. (Adult -- some violence)

Run If You Dare by Randy Powell:
Catalog Number: T-N1564-10

This novel tackles the theme of finding meaning and direction in life, by contrasting Gardner's efforts as part of the track team with his father's mid-life crisis after becoming unemployed. (*AR#48141, RL 4.6, Points: 6.0)

How Animal Babies Stay Safe by Mary Ann Fraser:
Catalog Number: T-N1573-80

Let's Read and Find Out Science book describes how animal babies are cared for by their parents and their own instincts. (AR#55905, RL 3.7, Points: 0.5)

Ninety-Five Pounds of Hope by Anna Gavalda:
Catalog Number: T-N1574-70

Thirteen-year-old Gregory leaves his feuding parents and the school he hates for a technical school where he can use the woodworking skills he learned from his Grandpa Leon. (AR#71428, RL4.3, Points 2.0)

*Accelerated Reader number, reading level, and point value. For more information on the Accelerated Reader program, click this link: www.renlearn.com/ar/.

Click here to purchase this book through our Quick Order Entry page: http://shop.aph.org/quickentry.asp

If you need assistance, click this link to read the Fred's Head Companion post "Purchasing Products From The APH Website Is Easy".

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

Word PlayHouse provides students with visual impairments the opportunity to participate in classroom activities that focus on phonics, spelling, and phonemic awareness. Use Word PlayHouse to teach beginning phonics and reading skills including letter recognition, braille code recognition, decoding, vocabulary, and spelling skills.

• 436 letter tiles in large print with a braille overlay and a Velcro® backing. The tiles include vowels, consonants, blends, diagraphs, word endings, and word families. Tiles containing contracted and uncontracted braille are included for some blends and word families to better meet the needs of all students.
  
  
• A bi-fold felt work board provides a working space for the student. One side can be used for working storage of letters that will be introduced during the lesson. The other side can be used as a working space for manipulating letters and building words, word families, and new spelling and vocabulary words.
  
  
• A storage binder, with five Veltex® covered binder inserts, provides space to organize the many small pieces in the kit.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD--Small Parts. Not intended for children ages 3 and under without adult supervision.

Word PlayHouse Kit:
Catalog Number: 1-03562-00

Click here to purchase these items through our Quick Order Entry page: http://shop.aph.org/quickentry.asp

If you need assistance, click this link to read the Fred's Head Companion post "Purchasing Products From The APH Website Is Easy".

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

For the last 10 years or so, view-process-mode has been my task manager of choice for monitoring and controlling the state of processes on the Emacspeak audio desktop. As of Emacs 23, AKA Emacs from CVS, that module does not work anymore --- in fact it has not been updated for several years. On the positive side, Emacs now bundles module ProcEd --- a task manager that does for processes what module DirEd does for files and directories. As of this morning, proced.el is fully speech-enabled by Emacspeak. You can install module ProcEd for Emacs 22 by obtaining the file from the Web --- you can easily find it via Google.

Share And Enjoy ... And have a great July 4th Holiday!