#135 – The Long wrap Up

Episode Notes A relaxed, gear-forward wrap-up with Damashe, Steven, and Michael: we talk favorite portable keyboards, why a tidy desk matters (especially when you’re done optimizing for TV backdrops), and how changing screen-reader pricing/models ripple across the community. Along the way we compare headsets, celebrate NVDA, reminisce about third-party Twitter apps, and poke fun at shipping hacks and world travel plans. Highlights ProtoArc Tri-Fold keyboard (with numpad) Folds small, charges over USB-C, pairs to 3 devices with one button. Paging/Editing keys (PgUp/PgDn/Home/End/Delete) sit in a vertical strip between the main keys and numpad. Verdict from Steven: “Sold.” Damashe: “It’s been my favorite.” Studio reset > comfort over cameras Steven’s annual clear-out: retire “dead cables,” stop designing the room for TV backdrops, and optimize for radio/podcasting comfort. One-cable desk: laptop on a Belkin 11-in-1 wedge dock; power and peripherals route out the back so you unplug just one cable and go. Headsets & open-ear audio Damashe’s pick: Shokz OpenComm (OpenComm/OpenComm UC). Bone-conduction, comfortable, hardware mute button that works with Zoom/Teams—perfect for “mute-and-talk-to-the-cats” moments. Steven’s rotation: OpenComm boom when it counts; otherwise inexpensive open-ear “TrueFree” style buds (à la OpenFit/OpenFit Air). Caveat: if you don’t use them daily, they’ll be dead when you need them. Screen readers, pricing, and real-world choices UK JAWS “Home” subscription discussed as ~£420/year with no monthly option—raising hard questions for home users. Many will weigh NVDA more seriously; workplaces may still fund JAWS, but at home, cost and consistency matter. Michael notes he’s productive with JAWS plus add-ons (e.g., Leasey), but could script NVDA add-ons for what he needs. Sustainability & “single-developer” risk Open projects like NVDA thrive on community—but dependence on a few key people is a risk. Corporate stability (e.g., Vispero) helps, yet platform owners can break hooks/APIs at any time. Platforms that shift under our feet X/Twitter cut third-party apps—many accessibility gaps those apps filled never returned. Google’s habit of retiring products makes people wary (Gemini likely safe; everything else… maybe). Pixel leaks are practically a calendar feature. Chromebooks: fast for web, but hard to justify versus a Windows PC or a discounted M1 MacBook Air when prices climb. Travel & life bits October is packed: conventions (NFB state events, Texas), cruises, and training new employees. Future trip goals: Scotland soon—and Giza by 2028 for the pyramids promise. Mentions ProtoArc Tri-Fold Keyboard with numpad Belkin 11-in-1 wedge dock Shokz OpenComm / OpenComm UC NVDA, JAWS, Leasey (JAWS productivity add-ons) Twitterrific, Spring (third-party Twitter clients, RIP) Google Gemini / Nest, Chromebook/ChromeBox MacBook Air (M1) Follow Double Tap Double Tap Newsletter Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/de4de5fa-9dc0-4594-b071-f05c2fc0f126 Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.