1156. Accessibility: Microsoft Accessibility Magnifier

 The Microsoft Accessibility Magnifier is a great tool for visually impaired people. I wanted to address some hints/usage guidance.

First, Accessibility Magnifier can be set up via START->Settings->Accessibility->Magnifier

Options exist there to :

>> Turn it on, go to Magnifier and throw the switch ON

   -> Use the keyboard 

        .. to magnify more via the combination of the Windows Key (the one that looks like a window pane probably on bottom left of keyboard) and + key

        ..  reduce the magnification using the combination of Window Key - key

        ..  to turn off magnification (return to minimum) by combination Windows Key and ESC key

>> If you want a minimum magnification, look at ZOOM LEVEL. Here you can tell Windows how much magnification (e.g., 600%) you need at a minimum.

>> VIEW is nice, but needs explaining:

  -> You begin with FULL View, versus Lens View. This means as you move around the physical screen, the entire image moves with you. When greatly magnified, your view (larger than physical screen) moves left-right-up-down, on-off physical screen. This mode allows you to view entire area necessary to read. For example, if you have a form with entry fields, all is magnified and you an type in the fields while also reading the areas around it also on the physical screen. This mode makes me dizzy moving the area I needed to read onto the physical screen as needed. Anyway, hitting Ctrl+Alt+F together, gets you to FULL view if you are not there.

  -> LENS View is like having a rectangular hand magnifier and put it over a paper. You see the magnified area under the lens glass. Important here is that the physical paper doesn't move, only the Lens on it does. Likewise on the PC screen, the image displayed remains fixed on the physical screen, but the Microsoft Magnifier Lens blows up the area you desire. This is fine for reading a typing, but disallows view the areas not under the lens should you need those for referenced too. All may be good for you just move the lens around where you need it. This mode is my preferred way. The physical image, maybe a form, remains fixed and I can simply move the lens to examine it and complete the fields. The way it works is that it outlines the lens and then allows you to increase, decrease magnification within the lens via the Windows Key+ or Windows Key- as described above. I like this mode. You use Lens Mode by doing a Ctrl-Alt-L combination. It can be set up as default via the VIEW under Accessibility->Magnifier.

Other slick options available for colors, plus a pointer to more info on this settings screen.

Enjoy life again by using the Magnifier. I have mine turned on with default 100%. Thus, I can use the keyboard to use the Lens and magnification as desired.

1155. Windows locked - call Microsoft scam

 On 7/17/23 I was hit by a scam that locked m system and told me to call Microsoft technicians. THIS IS A SCAM! Microsoft staes they nor any other reliable company ould ever lock your system out. Do NOT get caught in repsonding to a scam like this or another related to reCAPTCHA authentication!

First, the lockout: It locks everyhing -- keyboard, mouse, etc. Usually you could get to Task Manager and free your self from the lockout by ending the browser task. Cant do that now. Plus, it scares you into believing that if you power off your system will be damaged. NOT TRUE. The only wy to get rid of this lockour IS TO POWER OFF , AND most importantly, HOLDING that power key about 10 seconds to assure your system relly powers off. Otherwise, it remains in standby mode and restarting (power on) goes back to lockout issue. So, HOLD the power key 10+ seconds and when your system indicates it is fully powered off, then power back on.

According to Internet articles, this scam is NOT dangerous in itself, meaning that it doesn't load malware or a virus. I certainly wouldn't believe that, So, I ran FULL Windows Security scan. BUT, I am having bad luck doing that. It seems to NOT complete some times. After the third try (one was even the OFFLINE scan by defender), the FULL scan did complete and found a low malware that I had it remove. However, today I was hit again and it took 2 FULL scans to complete one and it showed no threats.  Suggestion is DO run a full scan of some product to be sure. 

How did I get into this lockout? One time I wsa reading a historical genealogy article that had a lhypertext link to more detail, and WHAM! Today, I simply mistyped a website and WHAM. I can only beieve the scam triggers by IP Address activity that some machine is monitoring for active state. Somehow it can catch some interation of the IP with a site and send out the scam to that IP address. Microsoft needs to get a handle on this!

Now, a secon scam is the CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA popup telling you further authentication is required. This happens sometimes when websites mistyped and you go off to one that is a scam site. It sends out the reCAPTCH popup and wants you to respond. DO NOT! Do not respond to one of these unless you are expecting to require an authoentication for real! This is a common way for hackers to get you to hit that enter key and establish a connection tho their machines. Yesterday I was helping an old age 85) friend set up his genealogy PC software. He was visual impairment, so his screen it at about   400$ magnification and that is minimum size he can see with glasses on. Anyway, a mistype on that screen (I had terrible time working in that mode) a red screen cmae up with a box in the moddel being reCAPTCHA! I immediately informed him that I had to have gone to invalid site and this was a SCAM screen and never to respond to it ! So, beware! You can red all about these types of scams re reCAPTCHA yourself.

1154."Calico" by Lee Goldberg – 5 Stars

 

Calico by Lee Goldberg – 5 Stars

Publisher: Severn House

ISBN: 9781448310135

 

Calico is a magical unique mix of past and present. It is a current day mystery combined with an old western adventure. Movement between past and present flows smoothly making time travel almost believable. There are interesting characters, history, romance, humor, science and surprises flawlessly woven together into an entertaining story.

I have been a fan of Lee Goldberg’s books for some time. This is my favorite.

 

Reviewer: Nancy