THE MARK TAYLOR CANDLESHORE BLOG

Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA. 

(Click Here to listen or download the approximately 17-minute audio podcast of this historic speech)

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.  (more…)

Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.

[APPLAUSE]

My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.

A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him. [BOOING]  (more…)

The United States of America 2008 presidential election takes place tomorrow, November 4, 2008.

Where will you be and what will you be doing Tuesday night when the results are reported?

If you think you may be out participating in a good old-fashioned race riot (Smile) or something as equally productive, (Even Bigger Smile), you should prepare now to access the results from your mobile phone or wireless device.  (more…)

Hello Everyone,

I hope you like this approximately 30 minute episode of the Beyond Midnight radio drama.

This episode, entitled “Fortieth Birthday” is complete with the original broadcast commercials.

I decided to publish this episode as a Candle Shore podcast because it is important to keep in mind that although it is sometimes necessary to second-guess ourselves, never should we second-guess our spouses.  As you listen to this wonderfully timeless drama, you’ll see what I mean!!  (Big Smile)

Listen to this episode either on your computer, MP3 player or, as I do, on your mobile phone and always remember, especially on your next birthday.

Enjoy,

Episode:  Fortieth Birthday

Mark

Hello Everyone,

Well, it’s official,  as of this date, Saturday, November 01, 2008, I have officially crossed over from the Samsung Blackjack II Smartphone to the Samsung Epix (Blackjack 3) SGH-i907 Smartphone. 

I’ve had to make a few hardware and MSP Function key adjustments on the Epix in order to provide roughly the same level of accessibility as on the Blackjack II, in lieu of the touch screen incompatibility (which I’m sure Code Factory will address in an upcoming release version of Mobile Speak) but other than that, the Epix is a beautiful thing to behold. 

Those using Mobile Speak for Pocket PC, the version required on the Epix, for the first time, as opposed to those using Mobile Speak Smartphone, required for the Blackjack II, be aware that there are some significant differences in the command structure even when not using any of the touch screen features.

Of course, I will continue to support the Blackjack II, my first love, but I must admit that this new game in town is most exciting. 

Most Sincerely,

Mark

Hello Everyone, 

The following link will take you to my revised review of the Samsung Epix SGH-907 Smartphone when access with Code Factory’s Mobile Speak software for the blind and low vision.

In short, I would say that 80% of the Epix phone features are screen reader accessible.  I definitely recommend this phone for Mobile Speak Pocket PC intermediate and advanced users as well as technology early-adopters.

A special thanks to Mr. Chris Polk for teaching me the finer points of Mobile Speak for Pocket PC which made this revised review possible. 

“Chris, I owe you one, Man!” 

Most Sincerely,

Mark

Click Here to Continue:

CRY FOR ME
By Mark Marcus
(Saturday, October 25, 2008)

1.
Cry for me. 

Will you not cry for me? 

Why do you not cry for me?

I have seen you cry for the brave, the bold, and the blundering who do nothing but blame you for their misdeeds.

I have seen you cry for the rancorous, the vicious, and the wicked who only seek to destroy you. 

Often have I seen you cry for the rich, the famous, the beautiful, and the well-to-do.

Though rarely, I have even seen you cry for the downtrodden, the peacemaker, and the innocent.

You readily cry for yourself at each opportunity, be it self made or self-fulfilling, of which I do not know.  (more…)

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you enjoy this excellent article, written by Jen Laskey, that offers 7 Ways to Make drinking Water Taste Better.

Enjoy,

Mark

Seven Ways to Make Water Taste Better
By Jen Laskey
 
Simple tips for livening up your drinking water

Not everybody has a taste for water, but we all need it to ensure that our bodies continue functioning properly. If you want to drink more water, but aren’t crazy about the taste (or lack thereof), here are some tips that can make it more enjoyable:

1.
Add fresh fruit. Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, and oranges, are classic water enhancers, but other fruit flavors might also tempt your taste buds. Try crushing fresh raspberries or watermelon into your water, or adding strawberry slices. Cucumber and fresh mint are refreshing flavors as well — especially in summer. (more…)

AT&T Introduces Samsung Epix, the First Smartphone with Built-In Optical Mouse

New Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Handset Boasts State-of-the-Art Features Including Wi-Fi, Built-in GPS, Video Share and 2.0 Megapixel Camera

Dallas, Texas, October 21, 2008

AT&T customers can now have a smartphone of “epix” proportions. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today the availability of the Samsung Epix™, an innovative new smartphone featuring both an advanced touch screen and new optical mouse technology that is powered by AT&T’s 3G network, the nation’s fastest, and the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system.  (more…)

Hello Everyone,

I hope you like this approximately 30 minute episode of the Beyond Midnight radio drama.

This episode, entitled “The Room” is complete with the original broadcast commercials.

I decided to publish this episode as a Candle Shore podcast because I know that as you listen to it, you will find yourself falling into your inner consciousness.

Listen to this episode either on your computer, MP3 player or, as I do, on your mobile phone and always remember.

Enjoy,

Episode:  The Room

Mark

Hello Everyone,

For better or worse, I am a non-recovering news junky.

It’s true.  Yes, I enjoy reading about (more…)

Hello Everyone, 

I am delighted to introduce DashWire, an award winning online dashboard utility and interface that seamlessly lets you manage, backup device data and add Visual Voicemail to your mobile Smartphone.  (more…)

Hello Everyone, 

I am sure that many of you have already heard about the latest application from Google called Mail Goggles as its announcement is spreading across the Internet like wildfire. 

Nevertheless, if there are some who have as yet not heard of it, Google Mail Goggles is a beta feature you can enable on your G-Mail account that will keep you from sending messages that you would otherwise not send, were you sober.  (more…)

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you like this approximately 52 minute episode of the 1970’s CBS Radio Mystery Theater program.

This episode, entitled “The Man Who Asked for Yesterday” is, without a doubt, one of my most favorite in the series.

I decided to publish it here as a Candle Shore Podcast because the subject of this episode is particularly relevant to those of us who sometimes blame the proverbial stars instead of ourselves for the seemingly endless turbulence we encounter in the  beautiful deep blue ocean that is life.

Listen to this episode either on your computer, MP3 player or, as I do, on your mobile phone and always remember. 

Enjoy,

Episode:  The Man Who Asked for Yesterday

Mark

Dearest,

You are more than welcome for this little token of my effection.

You know, so often during the course of a day, week, month, year, etc, one can forget her value in life.  As one deals with the day-to-day trials and tribulations of both work and family, it is so easy to forget that she is someone special and, as such, touches the lives of so many in very extraordinary and wonderful ways.  (more…)

FROM CLAIRE (Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008)

No offense here, but since I’ve been on this Code Factory mailing list, I’ve seen several posts of what I’d consider to be a negative spin in regard to Mark’s postings. 

If this is true, and I’m in fact reading this correctly, then let me simply ask, “Why?”  (more…)

QUESTION FROM JAY

Hey Mark,

I wanted to talk to you in regards to the principle of why you posted that article in your blog. [Click Here to read the article being discussed.]  Not to harshly criticize the content, or even the effectiveness of the application, but more so for my own interest as I am looking at entering into assistive technology consulting for my local area.  (more…)

From Marco

Subject:  Doctor Doctor Give Me The News

why aren’t you having a balanced approach to the technology reviews that is out there.  Every  thing that you have been posting on to your blog has been favoring google as if they need support and you have been demonstrating an anti Microsoft bias in your postings to your blog.  Kind of funny considering you are using or probably using windows mobile on your mobile device since google doesn’t have an accessible operating system for any of their products.  (more…)

Hello Everyone,

INTRODUCTION
Recently, I received several emails requesting that I make a recommendation for an accessible medication prescription reminder application that can be used on a mobile device.

While there are both commercial and free medication prescription reminder applications available for use on a mobile device, I cannot recommend them at this time for several reasons not the least of which being that they are not comfortably accessible with screen reading software, like Mobile Speak, for the blind and low vision.

Not to worry my friends for as is often the case, Google provides a free, easy-to-use, and reliable tool that will remind you when to take your medicine.  (more…)

Hello Everyone, 

I invite you to, like me, start tripping
with TripIt. 

TripIt is a personal travel assistant that automatically organizes all your travel plans. TripIt is free and makes it easy to (1) quickly organize all your travel plans — flights, hotels, cars, trains, cruises and more; (2) automatically get itineraries with all your plans, weather, maps, restaurants and more; (3) easily access your itineraries via paper, email, personal calendar or mobile device; and (4) share your trips and see where you overlap with friends and colleagues. (more…)