Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

I know several deaf bloggers have been doing some experiment with caption/subtitle lately.

I am proud to say that I was able to learn how to add “look real” caption on video.

A fellow name James Short (www.harkle.com) who have been patiently assisting me how to create “real” caption with black background. Almost like real one on TV.

You will see 33 seconds of my video (old video) with captioned in it. I did not do it well at first time but I did alright overall. If you guys want to learn how to make one like that, please feel free to give it a try!

It is not just new experience for me but I find it challenge to make "transcript" before you start adding into it.

Click here to read Magpie2 tutorial online – it show you how to make one for all three different formats. (Quicktime, Windows Media, and Real)

Also, read my first post which leads James to jump and suggest me to give it a try at this link - make sure you get to read comment too. Thanks, James Short!

The real question is which procedure is easy and quick way to add caption/subtitle? If you think your method is better and faster than other, please share it with us :) 

Jared Evans provided his own "How to add subtitle to video" procedure on his blog site, check it out. Click here.

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Top tech kept saying we need to stop using mass mailing list and start use RSS. They are right but unfortunately RSS stuff is slowly evolved around especially in deaf community.

RSS have been around for almost 10 years but it did not get off fast till few years ago.

I am proud to say that our Crazy Technologies LLC division Deaf Network (RSS link) of Texas and Florida mailing list does support RSS/ATOM feeds. Which means anyone with RSS Reader (standalone-based or web-based) can take advantage of it and eliminate subscriptions via email address. It helps reduce spam - big time.

It is very exciting however I am not going push you. I urgently you to give it a try! I do use it personally but not all the times. I just can’t find perfect program for me yet. Maybe Bloglines.com will be good start for you. Jared showed how to add deafread.com blog as example into bloglines.com - take a look. Click here.

It may be off slow at first time if you never try this way before. It is perfect okay. Over times, it will be paid off. Also, many services do support export/import which should be easy to try it out different service without starting over.

Just remember, RSS Reader doesn’t work if their website doesn’t support RSS/ATOM. For example, CNN website doesn’t support it – you would still have to stick old way for now but many website like WashingtonPost.com or DallasNews.com do support it. You even can select which category (business, sports, etc.) to add on your RSS Reader list.

If you are member of deaf-related YahooGroups.com, many of them RSS feeds enabled which can add to your RSS list easily. Remember, it is okay to have as many as 200 or 1,000 — it is pretty normal.

How do you know if they support it? Look for RSS/ATOM logo. (See above)

For example, we now have deaf-related website with RSS support such as DeafRead.com, DeafToday.com and Deaf-Blogs.com – it’s been wonderful because it helps less emails in your inbox. I sure hope others will follow in near future.

Almost all blogsite such as Wordpress.com, Blogger.com, Xanga.com have built-in RSS feeds. Look up Jared’s blog and read how to find your blog RSS link.

How do you get RSS Reader? There’s plenty freeware and free trial program out there.

Web-based and/or Web-based Add-On RSS Reader: (all free)

• Google Reader, Email and/or Desktop2 - http://www.google.com
• Yahoo RSS Reader inside Email and more - http://www.yahoo.com
• Sage RSS Reader for Firefox - http://sage.mozdev.org/
• Bloglines - http://www.bloglines.com/

Standalone & Add-On RSS Reader

• RssReader by Ykoon (Free) - http://www.rssreader.com/
• Pluck RSS Reader (Free) - http://www.pluck.com/products/getpluck.html
• FeedReader (Free) - http://www.feedreader.com/
• NewsGator for Outlook (30 days free trial) http://www.newsgator.com

Personally, I don’t know which program that most people like the best. There’s a lot more RSS Reader out there and I only listed few of them. If you see something I overlook, let me know.

Also, you should take advantage of del.icio.us free service. This service is a lot like your personal bookmark or favorite list online. This is great because you will never lose this way in case your computer data got destroy, lost, or stolen. It is also great when you’re on multiple computers all the times.

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

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This is interesting stuff.

I am sure that many places (private or public) with large deaf population will get it installed right away. Also, it would be nice if we can get it installed at airport. (probably eventually) They are going have a lot of possibilities with this device.

It doesn’t say if we can use this public videophone to call friend or relative’s videophone. Of course, it would be plus if we can call anyone – not just VRS. Can we use it to call 911 emergency services? I guess we will find out soon!

I know Sorenson VRS have similar idea but nothing like this. They simply use "public booth" to anyone who need it at public places like Galladuet University. See this website link to get idea what it is like and it is not same as CSDVRS public videophone.

Click here (PDF format) to view CSDVRS Public Videophone with all details in it or read it on text only version in yellow box below.

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

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