I just found this post, and I, too, have been wondering the same thing. Is there a way just to see my original posts, and not my boosts? I know that if I have an idea of a keyword, I can search for it with from:me, but that's a little different.
2026-03-09 20:40:22
2026-03-07 15:28:27
2026-03-07 15:28:27
216956377
2025-06-23 21:03:04
2025-06-21 01:53:59
2025-06-21 01:53:59
93708363
This site was, is, and I hope, always will be, 100% accessible, with no compromises ever. The developers truly care about their users and make the experience as positive as possible there. If you would like to keep a journal, or even write articles of any kind, make friends, join groups, and enjoy a slower pace, I strongly encourage you to try it. My own journal can be found here. Anyone may read and comment on public entries, whether or not he is a member.
If you would rather see my posts in a format similar to this one, I can also be found at the following site. Please note that I am keeping my Akkoma and Friendica accounts open, but I will be posting to Mastodon for the foreseeable future.
The original post that inspired this can be found here. It's longer, with an explanation of some of the problems I have seen related to accessibility over the many years I've been on the Internet.
GeraintLlanfrancheta reshared this.
2025-06-19 04:49:06
2025-06-19 04:49:03
2025-06-19 04:49:03
92811996
Attention!
If you have seen a follow request from dandylover1@someplace.social, it is from me. I am trying it out. I will not be deleting this account. But this was recommended to me at the Blind subreddit, so I know it is actually accessible! I just joined tonight, so I am learning the interface and haven't posted much yet. While the character limit for posts is 16,000, the limit for the biography is ridiculously low, so I directed people to dreamwidth and blob.cat.
2025-06-18 23:40:04
2025-06-18 23:32:11
2025-06-18 23:32:11
92703157
Does anyone know what is happening with TWBlue? Every time I try to update it, it doesn't work. The old version works correctly. I just deleted it from my spare computer and downloaded the portable version, which is what I normally use. I ran it and told it to update. I authorised my account, but when I started it, it asked about donations, then quit. When I tried it on my primary computer, it kept saying that there was an error, to the point that I just deleted it and restored the old version. Is anyone else having this problem? While we're on the subject of accessible Fediverse clients, does anyone know if TweeseCake is receiving an update soon? It still doesn't work with Akkoma, though it does work with Friendica. I have no idea why.
#accessibility #Akkoma #blind #Fediverse #Friendica #TWBlue #TweeseCake
2025-06-22 11:44:23
2025-06-18 19:42:58
2025-06-18 19:28:29
92589219
Georgiana Brummell reshared this.
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
I am copying this from a friend, because I can't share it the regular way. I have added a few extra tags so that both the blind and sighted community can be made aware of this wonderful project.
"Broadfork, Boosted from @KuJoe: For those of you on mobile (and desktop) who find it difficult to write alt text for images you upload, Iāve built a simple website to do it for you.
Itās very basic right now, but it uses Googleās Gemini AI to write the alt text for images you upload.
Current testing indicates I probably need to dial it back to make the alt text less detailed, but if youād like to try it out and see if it works for you then feel free:
#AltText #Android #Accessibility #AccessibilityTesting #blind #developers #Gemini #GoogleGemini #IOS #images #NVDA #ScreenReaders #Talkback #Voiceover #Windows
AltTexty - Alt Text Generator
AltTexty - A free to use alt text generator. Upload an image and let Google Gemini AI produce the alt text for you.alttexty.org
Georgiana Brummell reshared this.
I find BeMyEyes' image description service better for generating Alt Texts. Pity it does not work on Mac, but definitely better on iOS.
2025-09-08 15:47:59
2025-06-18 02:32:23
2025-06-18 02:32:23
92148155
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
I just wrote a huge entry about the Fediverse here. It is a guide with all sorts of tips and explanations, and links to many useful pages. Please feel free to share it with anyone who may be interested in joining. Note, though, that I am not the type to care if you're on a mainstream platform or not. Thi sis just meant as a guide for those who may need it, not as a way of bashing those who use non-Fediverse platforms. As a side note, Dreamwidth is one of my favourite sites on the Internet, precisely because of its wonderful accessibility.
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/248ā¦
If you would rather read it on Reddit, here is the same post there.
reddit.com/r/BlindAndFine/commā¦
#accessibility #Akkoma #Android #blind #Dreamwidth #Fediverse #Friendica #guide #IOS #MacOS #Mastodon #Reddit #technology #tips #TWBlue #TweeseCake #Windows
#friendica
#mastodon
#fediverse
#reddit
#akkoma
#iOS
#technology
#accessibility
#windows
#macos
#android
#blind
#twblue
#tweesecake
#guide
#tips
#Dreamwidth
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fatchy, HïMY SYeDš©, Chris Alemanyšŗš¦šØš¦šŖšø, Alton Barrett and Georg Tuparev reshared this.
Sorry. I meant "this is" not "thisis". I cannot edit on this platform, unless I use TweeseCake, and I posted this with TWBlue.
2025-06-20 13:55:48
2025-06-17 04:32:33
2025-06-17 04:32:33
91599900
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Cassana š»
in reply to David McMullin
in reply to Cassana š»
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to David McMullin
Unknown parent
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
To make a very long story short, I am forty-one and became interested in opera in February of this year. I had been listening to operetta for several years by this point, with special attention to the works of Ivor Novello and Franz Lehar, always preferring original cast recordings, or at least older ones, when possible. Even now, all of the opera singers I like were born prior to 1923. I am interested in learning how to sing for pleasure, and possibly for performance, though not in full operas, as I am totally blind and I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. I would most likely be singing Neapolitan songs, Italian art songs, a few English parlour songs, and some arias that I enjoy. I am untrained and my voice type has not yet been designated. However, , this is a post that I made reguarding my own discoveries about my vocal range. To summarise, I am a woman, but I feel most comfortable singing in the tenor range and would prefer to stay there. I don't like how high composers force contraltos to sing.
reddit.com/r/opera/comments/1kā¦
I adore the tenore di grazia voice type and also enjoy lyric tenors. My favourite singer is Tito Schipa, and I wish to learn what he taught, or at least, what he learned. I have the ten exercises that he recorded, including short narrations for each. I wrote about them here, with a transcription of the Italian and an English translation. This way, you will know the school of thought that I am attempting to follow. The one thing I cannot find is the booklet that came with said exercises, which offers more guidance than the record.
reddit.com/r/opera/comments/1kā¦
Since Schipa left little behind, I began researching his teacher, Alceste Gerunda. It is true that he technically started with Giovanni Albani, but hardly anything is written about him at all in Schipa's biography, and it seems that Gerunda was the one who gave him all of the exercises in any case.
reddit.com/r/opera/comments/1kā¦
reddit.com/r/opera/comments/1kā¦
I learned that Gerunda was born in 1847, and that his teacher was Saverio Mercadante. Neither left books, exercises, or published notes. But I found the school where Gerunda taught prior to opening a private one in his home. It has since become a library. They have two books on him that I want and that may shed light on some of his teaching practices. These are "ALCESTE GERUNDA E LA SCUOLA LECCESE DI CANTO" by Silvia Mandurino (ITES 1969) and "IN MEMORIA DEL MAESTRO ALCESTE GERUNDA NE L'AVVIVERSARIO PRIMO DE LA SUA MORTE" by Giulia) Lucrezi (Palumbo.
biblioteche.regione.puglia.it/ā¦
Perhaps, there are anecdotes within them that can help me. They may also have the books that he used to teach, assuming he used any. I have written to them asking if they could assist me, but haven't yet received a response.
In the meantime, I am trying to find information about the pedigogs of his time, so that I can at least learn the ideas and methods that he may have passed down to Schipa. But, of course, there were as many schools of thought as there were teachers. To make matters worse, Gerunda and Schipa themselves appeared to differ in their teaching style. While the former would tell the latter when he made mistakes in exercises, Schipa seemed to just give them and play the piano without giving much commentary. Ironically, Mercadante is said to have taught like that. From what I understand, if I did follow the regular bel canto style, I would need to work on notes, then scales and arpegios, then ornamentation, then songs/arias, all of this taking many years. It seems that Schipa didn't work on breath control, individual notes, tone, tamber, and so on with his students but went straight to vowels and scales. I don't know if this is from his own teacher or if it was his personal philosophy. I have definitely heard of the breath-first and larynx-first schools of thought, so it could stem from there.
People keep saying that i need to see a teacher, but most charge $100 or more per lesson, and at that rate, I can't afford more than two lessons per month. Plus, I want to find someone who knows the old ways, not modern ideas and terminology that I will need to unlearn. As it is, I am already studying harmony from "Harmony its theory and practice" by Ebenezer Prout, and Italian from "An Italian conversation grammar" by N Perini. It's just voice that is giving me a problem.
#AlcesteGerunda #BelCanto #Italy #Lecce #MusicTheory #NineteenthCentury #opera #SaverioMercadante #singing #TitoSchipa #VocalPedigogy
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@petrnuska Just thinking out loud, but @mcmullin, this may perhaps be more your wheelhouse than mine. Iāve been to some operas, and have talked to some singers who were going to study at Trinity College London. Itās a very specific performance and vocal style. In direct response to the post, Iāve also sung in a choir with a female tenor and a male alto, so some people will happily judge purely on vocal range and passagios. That said, true low contraltos can be absolutely amazing.
@cassana @petrnuska
Iām afraid this is not my wheelhouse at all! Itās clear that @dandylover1 already knows much more than I do about her area of inquiry. But there are many choral singers and a few opera singers on here who may be able to help. I know almost nothing about classical vocal training except that it is very much an oral tradition, probably not something you can learn from books, and potentially harmful to try without guidance.
Iām afraid this is not my wheelhouse at all! Itās clear that @dandylover1 already knows much more than I do about her area of inquiry. But there are many choral singers and a few opera singers on here who may be able to help. I know almost nothing about classical vocal training except that it is very much an oral tradition, probably not something you can learn from books, and potentially harmful to try without guidance.
@cassana @petrnuska
So even if itās just the occasional lesson, it would help to have a teacher at least point you in the right direction and check on your progress. As far as voice types go, itās not that unusual for women to sing tenor parts especially in choirs, and in the solo repertory you mention, I think pretty much anything goes. So by all means, sing where you sound good and feel right.
So even if itās just the occasional lesson, it would help to have a teacher at least point you in the right direction and check on your progress. As far as voice types go, itās not that unusual for women to sing tenor parts especially in choirs, and in the solo repertory you mention, I think pretty much anything goes. So by all means, sing where you sound good and feel right.
@Cassana š» @David McMullin @Petr Nuska Just to clarify. I am absolutely not against finding a teacher, even if I can take only a few lessons. My problem is finding someone who actually has the knowledge that I seek. From what I have read, modern training and pedigogy is quite different, even if people sing the same repertoir. Just listening to the older versus modern recordings demonstrates this. I don't want to learn certain things, only to have to unlearn them later. I also recognise what was said about the voice and working alone. I highly doubt Schipa's exercises will damage my vocal cords. They are extremely simple and don't strain them. My question is, what do I do after that? And of course, having a professional pair of ears to guide me wouldn't hurt either. I wonder if I can, perhaps, upload myself doing the exercises and receive suggestions that way.
@cassana @petrnuska
It sounds like what you really need is a teacher whose pedagogical lineage preserves the old methods youāre drawn to. I have no idea how to find such a person. But I imagine itās possible that there are āmodernā teachers who do know about this and could guide you in it, even if itās not what they offer most of their students.
It sounds like what you really need is a teacher whose pedagogical lineage preserves the old methods youāre drawn to. I have no idea how to find such a person. But I imagine itās possible that there are āmodernā teachers who do know about this and could guide you in it, even if itās not what they offer most of their students.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@David McMullin @Cassana š» @Petr Nuska Yes. This is exactly what I am seeking. I am also really hoping that someone at the Bernardini Library responds to me within the next week or two. They may not even be able to help me, but at least I'll know I tried. I also wrote to Seth Riggs, who actually studied with Tito Schipa, but that was a few weeks ago, and he never responded either. That, though, is understandable, given that he's in his nineties and extremely famous.
@andijah @mcmullin @cassana @petrnuska I would add that many good teachers would be happy to have one or two trial lessons with you to find out whether they can meet your needs, and the best would be able to say "I'm not the right person for you, but my colleague so-and-so might know someone."
Another option is finding modern singers whose style you like and asking who they study with.
Two lessons a month might be okay if (and only if) you are diligent in practising on your own.
I canāt comment on your spesific question about style, but I recognize the feeling of being most comfortable in the lowest part of my vocal range. I started singing lessons with a new to me teacher last fall, and asked if we could work especially on the lower end, since before, all my teachers had seemed to just to want to push me to sing higher. Turns out that working on the chest register has really helped me feel more comfortable singing higher up as well!
I also recognise how hard it is to find a teacher that you really can trust to guide you in the right direction. But I think you might need to take the risk of learning a few wrong things along the way while you seek your goal. Learning a skill isnāt a linear process anyway.
I know I could have done exercises for ever by myself and not gotten to where I am now after just one school year of lessons. So having a couple try out lessons with different people I think really is a good idea. They may know other people again who they can point you to.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
2025-06-10 02:50:20
2025-06-08 01:52:27
2025-06-08 01:52:27
86281551
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
This is for my fellow NVDA users. I just saw this on Reddit and wanted to share it. This is a wonderful add-on. I used it when it was first created, but I stopped because the author was still working on models, apparently, and the one I was using was no longer available. (It was the only free one at the time.)
Recent updates to AI Content Describer
reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/1lā¦
#accessibility #add-ons #AI #AIContentDescriber #ArtificialIntelligence #blind #blindness #images #NVDA #Reddit #technology #Windows
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Technology Channel, Joshua, D.Hamlin.Music and Jonathan reshared this.
i downloaded it in the past but deleted it, i don't remember why but i just downloaded it again and it has improved since the last time i used it
2025-06-10 11:39:15
2025-06-07 23:43:50
2025-06-07 23:43:50
86233692
Do you know what would be really wonderful? Actually being able to read and edit my own posts on this platform! Of course, if you're sighted and/or don't use a screen reader, you have no idea what i'm talking about. This is why I joined blob.cat on Akkoma. They have a few glitches, but nothing like this. Unfortunately, not everyone federates with them, so I'm also still here. But it would be nice to feel like I'm a normal member of the site, who can do normal things that everyone else takes for granted. Instead, it's just like Facebook, after they removed the Basic Mobile site, which is why I came to the Fediverse in the first place. It's really a shame, because Friendica, itself, is wonderful.
Georg Tuparev reshared this.
2025-06-10 11:37:53
2025-06-07 23:20:01
2025-06-07 23:20:01
86225794
Aside from being a crazy day weather wise here in New Jersey, it is also a wonderful day to celebrate. Today marks the 247th birthday of George Bryan (Beau) Brummell. This man has had a profound effect, not only on my life by changing it into something truly wonderful, but on the world and the entire history of fashion. He rose as high as a commoner could possibly go in society, even befriending royalty, then fell as low as anyone could possibly go, ending his life penniless in an assylum. Along the way, he touched the lives of an untold number of people in his own lifetime and billions who came after him. Sophistication, eloquence, wit, dry humour, talent in several fields, curiosity, and a drive to succeed were all his. He carved a name for himself, not due to the achievements of anyone else, but to his own unique characteristics that made him the consomite dandy, and for me personally, the ideal man upon whom I base my own desires fora partner. Even now, in 2025, his influence can be felt and seen everywhere and is appreciated by anyone who values cleanliness, proper dress, excellent speech, a biting tongue, and the confidence to enjoy life to the fullest, no matter what anyone else may think, do, or say.
Below is a post from Dreamwidth related to dandies. In it, is an entire section devoted to The Beau.
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/181ā¦
#birthday #BeauBrummell #dandies #dandyism #fashion #history #Regency
2025-06-01 15:27:19
2025-05-16 04:43:03
2025-05-16 04:43:03
74373222
(Note. The bit about watching/listening and Tagliavini refers to a Reddit post in which I asked about four different versions of La Boheme that I have in my large list of opera links. Also, Schipa is still my favourite singer of all time. But Gigli is second, Tagliavini is third, and Battistini is fourth.)
"I just finished listening to La Boheme from 1938. I say "listening" because several people mentioned that I said "watching" in the post where I was trying to decide on a version. I am totally blind, so it's all listening for me, whether there is a video or not. But I'm accustomed to saying "watch" when referring to things that I find on Youtube, which is odd, as I usually download them as mp3s, but anyway. This is the full opera.
youtube.com/watch?v=mE5vRfD7uCā¦
This is the libretto that I used.
opera-arias.com/puccini/la-bohā¦
The first act basically told the story of the characters themselves. The second made me laugh in several places. Marcello and (Musetta were quite funny, in general. Poor Alcindoro) kept trying to calm Musetta and was ultimately stuck with the bill, but that was clever. The third, of course, was more serious, and forshaddowed things to come. I'm glad the fourth act had some comedy in it, because the ending was heart-breaking. Even though I knew what would happen, it was played so well that it brought me to tears, and I had to calm down before writing this review! Even Schipa himself couldn't do that, and I have the last scene with him in it! Gigli was an absolute master of this role, and while complaining about his sobs in other instances may be justified, he used them expertly in this performance, and truly brought the character of Rodolfo to life. What really surprised me is how much I liked Licia Albanese. I am usually not a fan of high-pitched female voices, but for some reason, I liked her, and the chemistry between her and Gigli's characters could be felt. I am really glad that I chose this version and would highly recommend it to anyone."
"Since I mentioned being caught between Gigli and Tagliavini in my other post, here is Che Gelida Manina by both of them.
Gigli
youtube.com/watch?v=b5Ba_MSygGā¦
Tagliavini
(I am providing two versions because he sings them quite differently. The first is extremely sweet and the second less so, but it still sounds like it's before the voice change. I have always loved his version, but I don't know how he would handle the rest, particularly the really dramatic parts.)
1
youtube.com/watch?v=ux1QuTbQscā¦
2
youtube.com/watch?v=2DdPoNsTRDā¦
Now for Schipa.
youtube.com/watch?v=gqcuAAA_2mā¦
And this is the final scene that I mentioned in my review. Naturally, it is played well, as Schipa always sang everything beautifully. But Gigli added his own elements to it.
youtube.com/watch?v=IMTQ7gGyuwā¦ "
Since I mentioned it, here is my large list of operas.
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/242ā¦
#BeniaminoGigli #FerruccioTagliavini #Gigli #LaBoheme #opera #Puccini #review #Tagliavini #TitoSchipa #Schipa
Georg Tuparev reshared this.
2025-05-15 19:22:07
2025-05-07 06:44:59
2025-05-07 06:44:59
70523068
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Titia Schuurman
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to skribe
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
I love when people sell things for the blind and say "see pictures"! Anyway, can someone please tell me what this is? I doubt it's a Perkins. Could it be a New Hall? I can't believe the price!
If it helps, here is a page on old braillewriters.
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Sunshine likes this.
It has text at one end saying Amer. Printing House For The Blind, Louisville, KY. There are 4 rows of 36 cells if I counted correctly. And it has hinges.
I hope this helps. This is the first time I've ever seen what a braillewriter looks like!
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skribe and Georgiana Brummell like this.
@titia @Georgiana Brummell just adding to what Titia wrote, it looks like the metal slate in the second link. I think they're also selling an antique typewriter (non-braille) with it.
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Titia Schuurman and Georgiana Brummell like this.
I thank both of you. How anyone can call that a typewriter of any sort is beyond me. I guess, since he's selling a typewriter, he wrote it like that. But it's very annoying. I thought it was an actual braillewriter with keys, not a slate. That explains why it's so cheap.
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Titia Schuurman and skribe like this.
@Georgiana Brummell what was the listed price for you? For me it was more than $300 plus an additional $200+ for delivery.
I feel the description was deliberately ambiguous btw.
The ad as I'm seeing it says:
US $13.25
Approximately EUR 11.72
or Best Offer
Shipping: US $26.00
US $13.25
Approximately EUR 11.72
or Best Offer
Shipping: US $26.00
skribe likes this.
It's a long flat metal device, with 4 rows of small rectangular holes in it. It looks most like the "slate" mentioned on the page you linked to.
Hope this helps, I don't have any expertise in the matter!
2025-04-29 12:22:57
2025-04-29 05:03:36
2025-04-29 05:03:36
66825154
(for opera lovers)How would you describe your favourite singer, particularly to someone who is unfamiliar with his work or who doesn't know much of it?
Every time I try to describe the voice and style of Tito Schipa, I find myself unable to do so adequately. This is not only because I might lack a few technical terms, but because I find it to be so perfect that words seem insufficient to convey its essence. It is unlike any other operatic voice I have ever heard. There is a quality to it that some have described as husky, but that I think gives it a well-rounded sound. It is sweet but not overly so. It can be assertive when necessary but never dark or overwhelming. His ornamentation is always just enough, never less or more than is required. Everything, including messa di voce and dynamics in general, breath control, portamento, legato, vibrato, etc. blends seemlessly. I don't yet know Italian, and somehow, I can feel every emotion in what he is singing, and when I read the English translation of the words, my feelings are justified. He can express the greatest joys and the deepest sorrows of the human heart, and the quiet moments in between. The clarity of his pronunciation is unparalleled, even in acoustic recordings. I can't describe his style technically, but I would know if someone were imitating it. On the negative side, some say that his top notes were thin, but I personally can't hear it. He did transpose various arias, particularly as he aged, and he stopped singing truly high notes in his forties or so, but I can't say I notice a diminishing in vocal quality until some time after 1955. In his concert that year, he sounds wonderful. But by 1962, I do notice some deterioration,and in 1964 (at seventy-five), it was pronounced, though he could still sing.
2025-04-29 12:31:00
2025-04-29 05:02:40
2025-04-29 05:02:40
66824520
I am seeking general recommendations for my next opera. I have seen Don Pasquale (1932), L'Elisir d'Amore (1949), Lucia Di Lamermoor (1939), Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (1929/30), and La Sonambula (1952). I'm thinking of Le Nozze di Figaro (1944 or 1949), but I'm not sure. I saw it, (via another video) but it was in English and a modern, amateur production. I was not impressed,but I am willing to give it a chance with a professional production. I like light-hearted operas, comedy (particularly wit and wordplay), relationships, the upperclass, the supernatural, etc. I don't mind some realism, but I'm not one for extreme violence, serious depictions of poverty, loud, dramatic singing, discordant melodies, and so on. I might try La Boheme (1917 or 1948)) or Rigoletto (1915-18 or 1927-30), , since they are mostly just sad from what I know. But I would love to find more works by Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, and some by Pacini, Paisiello, Cimarosa, and other similar composers. I'm also interested in those performed in English, whether translations or written that way. I know Purcell wrote some but am not very familiar with English opera as a whole. The problem with all of the above is that I don't know how many of these were recorded in full prior to the 1960's. I will definitely watch Massenet's Werther and Manon, but I want to hold off on them a little longer, since Werther (1948) is the only other full opera with Schipa in it, (Don Pasquale is the first) and Manon (1939) is the last big fragment of an opera with him in it (Act II/I will need to supplement with either 1929 or 1954, if I can find the latter). Can anyone suggest anything that might be of interest?
#Bellini #Cimarosa #Donizetti #Massenet #opera #Pacini #Paisiello #Purcell #Rossini
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2025-05-03 09:20:08
2025-04-29 04:57:40
2025-04-29 04:57:40
66821077
I just finished the 1952 version of La Sonambula.
youtube.com/watch?v=-LVLs6WrQlā¦
I used this English libretto.
murashev.com/opera/La_sonnambuā¦
The first thing I noticed was the extreme clarity. Usually, I listen to things from the 1940's and earlier, so I am not accustomed to it. I also observed how important the chorus was in this work. I like operas with light themes such as this. Both the music and the singing were excellent. Referring to what was said in another thread, while Tagliavini's voice was definitely sweet, I didn't think it was overly so when he was angry. He managed to portray that quite well. As for the ending, in reality, I would say that anyone who is so jealous in the first place (see Act I) and who would choose to marry someone else the day he had his heart broken doesn't deserve someone as sweet and innocent as Amina. But as an operatic twist, it worked very well. The fact that Lisa and Elvino were clearly former lovers also explains why she was so sad and jealous at the idea of Amina and Elvino marrying. I would like to think that Lisa and Rodolfo became a couple afterward, but with him being a count and her a commoner, I doubt it.
I definitely want to find more operas with light-hearted themes and beautiful music. The trouble is that I don't know how many of this sort were recorded in the 1950's and earlier.
2025-04-26 02:47:37
2025-04-26 02:47:23
2025-04-26 02:47:23
65428537
I had a discussion with Perplexity in which I mentioned my favourite singers, namely Tito Schipa, Mattia Battistini, Edmond ClĆ©ment, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Enzo de Muro Lomanto, Beniamino Gigli (particularly his lighter works), Leopold Simoneau, Dino Borgioli, Mario Ancona, and Salvatore Baccaloni. It gave me an initial list of recommendations. After explaining that I usually prefer those with lighter voices, it refined the list to include the following. Cesare Valletti, Alessandro Bonci, John McCormack, Georges Thill, Giovanni Manurita, Fernand Ansseau, and Luigi Infantino,. It then added notes (copied here)to the following Jussi Bjƶrling (Retain only for Mozart (e.g., Don Giovanni, 1959) where he minimizes vibrato for classical poise), Tito Gobbi (Avoid verismo roles; seek 1938 Il barbiere broadcasts for buffo deftness sans heaviness), Giuseppe di Stefano (Pre-1952 recordings (e.g., Lāamico Fritz) reveal gauzy lyricism before spinto transition), and Giacomo Lauri-Volpi (Caution advised ā his 1920s Puritani (Cetra) has squillo, but post-1935 work leans dramatic). The original recommendations omitted from the final list included Titta Ruffo, Giuseppe De Luca, Pol PlanƧon, Gino Bechi, Vic Damone, Sergio Bruni, and Carlo Tagliabue.
I already know Valletti, Bonci, McCormac, and PlanƧon, and have heard Bjƶrling once or twice. The rest are new to me, though I have heard a few names in passing. Do you agree with these recommendations? Can you provide any others? I actually found Edmond ClƩment, along with Leonid Sobinov and Dmitri Smirnov whose voices I also enjoyed. , in a wonderful suggestion in my Introduction post, to the Opera subreddit. I never thought I would be listening to those who sang only in French or Russian, but they were so good that I couldn't ignore them. ClƩment is now in my Regular folder (those whom I listen to frequently, as opposed to Extras, those whom I just have but don't often listen to).
2025-04-26 02:28:11
2025-04-26 02:27:52
2025-04-26 02:27:52
65421529
I posted the following on Reddit yesterday (24 April).
"A little while ago, I finished the 1939 version of Lucia Di Lamermoor. I had never heard this opera at all, so it was completely new to me, though I did know the last aria and.
youtube.com/watch?v=3RQDLmQ-X0ā¦)
I used this libretto in English.
opera-arias.com/donizetti/luciā¦
Admittedly, I would have liked to have heard Baccaloni as Raimondo and de Muro Lomanto as Edgardo, but since Lucia is naturally so important, I'm glad I chose this version and not the one from 1929. Lina Pagliughi did an excellent job. Having heard the voice of Mercedes Capsir from Barbiere, I couldn't imagine her in this role. Her voice isn't powerful enough. Having said that, I liked Pagliughi's restrained approach. It was elegant, graceful, and emotional without being exagerated. I heard that some play Lucia as a means of showing off and/or in a very dramatic way. This was more subtle and somehow more captivating. I'm glad that I was told about the cuts, so I knew to expect them. It's a shame, as Giovanni Malipiero barely had a part as Edgardo, though he played it well. I also liked Muzio Giovagnoli as Arturo, so I must research both of these singers. Despite the dark plot, I was surprised to find that so much of the music was light. This makes three operas that I've seen by Donizetti and I've loved all of them. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be able to see any more, unless I sit through a modern performance."
Note: I might be willing to consider one by Teatro Nuovo, since from what I hear, they are reviving bel canto singing.
Here is the Reddit link for those who may be interested. As of this writing, there aren't any comments, so there isn't anyting to see beyond the above post right now.
2025-04-29 23:07:45
2025-04-26 02:22:16
2025-04-26 02:22:16
65419682
I posted the following on Reddit on 21 April, but there were problems with Akkoma then, so I couldn't share it here and postponed doing so on Friendica.
"Tonight, I listened to the 1929-30 (two dates are given in two different videos) Il Barbiere Di Siviglia with Riccardo Stracciari, Mercedes Capsir, Dino Borgioli, Salvatore Baccaloni, and Vincenzo Bettoni.
youtube.com/watch?v=LbuDjd65Ayā¦
I was quite familiar with Borgioli, though I hadn't heard him in a full opera prior to this. I heard and enjoyed Baccaloni in Don Pasquale and L'Elisir d'Amore, and was pleasantly surprised to find him here. I heard a few recordings of Stracciari, so he was not wholely unknown to me, but the others were new. Since I am still learning Italian, I read the English libretto before each part so that I could follow the plot.
opera-arias.com/rossini/il-barā¦
I enjoyed the story and found it to be quite humorous. The singing and acting were also good. That said, I read that the role of Rosina was originally written for a contralto. I would have loved to have heard that. Did any ever sing it? Also, I know there is a different opera with the same name by Paisiello. I found several modern recordings of it, but do any older ones exist? Does anyone know the other full opera that Borgioli recorded? Its name escapes me at the moment.
Finally, if anyone here is a Wikipedia editor, they missed two recordings, this one and the one from 1918 with Fernando de Lucia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Barbā¦ "
(Update 25 April 2025)
Due to some wonderful replies, I had my question answered, as well as receiving a new recommendation for another version of this opera, this time with Cesare Valletti, famous student of Tito Schipa! He appears in several complete works in my list (pinned on my Blob.cat profile and on my Dreamwidth page).
youtube.com/watch?v=G6pwX6Ngjfā¦
Dino Borgioli was also in Rigoletto, recorded around the same time (video says 1927-30).
youtube.com/watch?v=Z5uQWPK8Onā¦
This is the Reddit link for those interested in the discussion.
2025-04-25 08:09:09
2025-04-20 06:16:08
2025-04-20 06:16:08
62626298
Today, I have a real treat for all of you. This is a huge list of full operas from 1901 to 1956, complete with links to most. Despite my own preference for bel canto and lighter works, I have included all sorts of performances for you to enjoy, covering evrything from Mozart to verismo. While most are Italian, some are in French, German, and even English! If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to make them, but try to keep them from the 1950's or earlier. Since the list is so large, I am providing the link to my Dreamwidth entry containing it, so as not to clutter this page.
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2025-08-09 13:53:21
2025-04-13 01:49:21
2025-04-13 01:49:21
58752661
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Anyone who is blind, or who has worked with the blind, knows how expensive our technology can be. This couldn't be more true with relation to braille displays. Even the cheapest costs at least $799, and it's already behind the newest in that line, at $899. This is the Orbit Reader 20 and 20+. Now, a student in India wants to change that by creating a display that is truly affordable (under $50)! Please pass this on, so that we can give him greater recognition within the blind community. Even if it costs a bit more than he initially suspected it would, there is no excuse for the $2,000 to $5,000 average price of such technology when cheaper alternatives can be designed! He is determined to bring this to market, so let's help him do it and show our appreciation for his hard work on this life-changing project!
forbes.com/sites/kevinandertonā¦
#access #ACB #accessibility #affordability #blind #braille #BrailleDisplays #children #education #employment #independence #India #learning #NFB #ocr #parent #reading #science #school #students #teachers #technology #work #writing
#School
#Science
#writing
#technology
#accessibility
#Work
#teachers
#education
#reading
#india
#blind
#learning
#braille
#students
#children
#access
#employment
#parent
#affordability
#independence
#ocr
#NFB
#ACB
#BrailleDisplays
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Daniel Django (Akkoma), Starprophet, tivasyk, azalea šø, joe aka Minami-o, Tired Bunny, g1nger_bread, Rhysy and Luna Dragofelis is moving to void.lgbt like this.
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his name is Yash Mehta
Chewy design! š
This is similar but different to the Hackaday solution:
hackaday.io/project/191181-eleā¦
Electromechanical Refreshable Braille Module
The big drawback to refreshable braille devices has always been their cost. The loose rule of estimation applied to these products has translated into something like $100 to $150 per braille cell.hackaday.io
It would be worth his looking at the Sensorica business model:
They only work on OSHW, but the people working on the hardware get paid for the designs, and, then use localised manufacturing for the distribution. š
It gets the overall energy-costs down per end-user, but still means that the engineers involved can get paid a fair rate. š
peer into the future - Ventures
All ventures are open and collaborative. They are forkable and remixable. Some ventures create products and services, but not all ventures engage in market transactions, some disseminate their production through alternative means.www.sensorica.co
This entry was edited (11 months ago)
What this boy needs is IP protection and funding, ASAP!
there's some dodgy JavaScript halfway down that page that crashes my browser š
Anyway, this is the type of projects I'd definitely give to if they crowd fund!
thinkerbelllabs.com/ is another project/company in the same space, hoping to use the lower costs of manufacturing for lower pricing
Thinkerbell Labs - Showcased on Shark Tank
Thinkerbell Labs feels passionately about the need of inclusive education driven by intuitive engineering and design.thinkerbelllabs.com
this looks great but it's just a single module, right?
If someone wants to read braille, I imagine (but I don't know, I'm very happy to be corrected) they'll want to move their finger along the word or phase and be able to go back and forth if needed.
Wikipedia reckons most braille displays have 40-80 characters, while some note taking devices have less.
If he can still keep it cheap and robust with that many characters then great!
Amber reshared this.
This, and also, is 86% recognition enough for actual use ?
@hypra would you know that ?
There's also the question of the time needed to read (which I guess is related to the issue you're mentioning); though a 30$ braille reader would still be useful even if very slow I suppose, for those who have no way to afford the costlier ones.
I've looked at making a project before with a braille display and noticed the actual tiny blocks with their little pistons were horribly expensive. It does seem like a difficult manufacturing problem (since they have to be reliable) but I hope there's room for it to get cheaper
NGL, I really hope the kid makes it open source, because I feel like that's part of why a lot of the reader tech is so expensive, everyone ends up being forced to design their own without real competition to innovate
This would be awesome if it actually came to market, even if its like $200 or something,that's still a steal compared to any display on the market.
I still can't believe people want to charge $17,000 for a multi-line display.
This is a rad story? @podfeet I bet youāll like it too.
@geekosupremo I sure hope he's successful. I've seen quite a few companies demo affordable Braille displays but none that came to market.
@samanthaash That logic doesn't really hold up though. NVDA doesn't cost thousands and it actually works better than Jaws in a lot of cases.
@samanthaash You don't know though if this new one would do that. this is a developer who's trying to come out with an inexpensive alternative to the displays that cost the same as your average transatlantic flight these days.
Is there any articles on this? I'm totally getting this young man recognized. And... it's about time!
@mcourcel yes, I am in if we can get him some exposure!
@bmoore123 Found it. This kid is cool! forbes.com/sites/kevinandertonā¦
14-Year-Old Boy Invents Digital Braille Reader And Wins $3,500
He is in the ninth grade and has a passion for engineering and helping others. He had a goal of creating a digital braille reader for less than $50 and he succeeded.Forbes
@JStark @Jage Yep, we get about 40 of these a year across the #OurBlind platforms, I do not know one that has resulted in any product. Also the $50 price listed above is for a single cell, which works out to $1000 for a 20 cell #BrailleDisplay, IE the same price as the #OrbitReader Q20.
@dhamlinmusic @JStark Yup you're not wrong, I'm also not going to discourage someone from trying as the more people that work on this, the more likelihood of a breakthrough.
@Jage @JStark I think the more likely route for this is improving cheaper technology that's already in production, the Orbit electromechanical ones, and the magnetic resistance ones that I believe the BrailleMe used. Along with improved availability of long term loan programs like the #NLSEReader, and expanding grant programs like the Association of Blind Citizen's Assistive Technology Fund.
@dhamlinmusic @JStark Thinkerbell, also in India, was showing a 32-cell display at CSUN that they were aiming for a $1,000 price point with a November release. It was also quite tiny and would definitely be something I would consider for a travel bag. It seemed a bit similar to the Orbit tech but quieter. I'm not sure if this is at all related to that.
@Jage @dhamlinmusic that's interesting actually...
I'll have to dig around, I am not finding much online.
This entry was edited (11 months ago)
2025-04-06 03:32:17
2025-04-02 02:59:22
2025-04-02 02:59:22
52444768
I've been buying from this site for years and just did it again. At least twenty percent of every order goes to helping dogs in a shelter near you. Sadly, I don't know a company like this for cats. Maybe, a great tea-lover can create one, so we have both coffee and tea! Either way, this is a great way to help animals in need. They also sell all sorts of other things from hot chocolate, to coffeemakers, to mugs, to clothing, to toys for dogs.
#animals #coffee #dogs #DoingGood #GroundsAndHounds #puppies #pups #rescue #shelters
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2025-03-31 03:54:37
2025-03-31 03:54:35
2025-03-31 03:54:35
51100336
On 30 March, 1840, the long and terrible suffering of a truly magnificent man finally ended, and the world lost the best example of dandyism it has seen before or since. While I normally love to celebrate the birth of George Bryan (Beau) Brummell with links, facts, and a sense of excitement, there is a sort of quiet acceptance on his death anniversary that some things must, and should, end. The last year and a half of his life was torture. But the life, itself, was one filled with so many highs and lows, from being at the very top of society and friends with the Prince Regent to at the very bottom and penniless in an assylum, from dictating fashions and the whims of the upper eschilons of the bon ton to having only one pair of trousers, that it could very well be a tragedy written for the stage. Yet, in his sixty-one years, Brummell single-handedly changed the face of male fashion forever, and bent the will of his superiors to his own, thereby achieving a goal that most in his own class, let alone below it, could only dream of. And his dreams, when they did come in fits of madness, were not generally of regrets and things that he wished he could have done and seen, but of ones that he actually experienced. From him, we learn not only about the necessity of cleanliness and dressing well, but also about enjoying all that life has to offer, persuing one's passions, and that one not need change the world through grand deeds or conventional accomplishments. Sometimes, just being oneself and following one's own path to reach one's dreams is enough. And really, what do we take with us but our memories? What do we leave behind but the memories of those who knew us, and at times, glimpses into our lives and world via letters, diaries, memoirs, and biographies, if we are lucky enough to have them written about us? The world of Brummell may be long gone, but these lessons, this great achievement of immortality, shall remain with us. And, for those of us who love dandyism, we will have a great model to learn from, and in some cases, to base our own desires for a partner upon. Who better to represent the ultimate ideal than the man who embodied it?
To learn more about The Beau, go to my link on dandyism. There, you will find an entire section on him, with everything from quick articles to books.
2025-03-28 20:46:03
2025-03-28 20:35:32
2025-03-28 20:35:32
49705297
I am posting this to both my usual blob.cat account and my Friendica one, in the hopes that someone can help me. It seems that the new version of TWBlue isn't working for me at all. Every time I start it, it says that the program quit unexpectedly the last time it was run, and that if the problem persists, I should report it to the TWBlue developers. I tried it on two different computers with the same result. Fortunately, the last version still works perfectly. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what can I do to resolve this issue?
#accessibility #blind #computers #NVDA #technology #TWBlue #Windows
2025-03-28 15:47:25
2025-03-28 04:03:39
2025-03-28 04:03:39
49269595
Here is another opera review, this time with a twist. I already know the results and have grouped them accordingly. In this case, it's those who have no business singing this and those who sing it perfectly. Make no mistake. Everyone here has a beautiful voice. But not every voice type can, or should, sing everything.
Let's start with those who should not sing this aria.
Louis Graveure E lucevan le stelle
youtube.com/watch?v=rH-B7ftmBXā¦
As I have said in other reviews, the story of Louis Graveure is quite amazing. He came to Clara Novello Davies unable to sing at all, with extreme congestion. Caruso's own doctor recommended him to her, knowing that she helped with breathing exercises. After years of study, he became a phenomenal baritone. However, at some point, he deliberately changed into a tenor. While he has a very powerful voice, I could hear him struggling several times. At the very least, his voice made noises that it shouldn't have and it detracted from the performance. He was far better off as a baritone, but he is still good when he sings less demanding tenor roles.
Puccini: Tosca / Act 3: "E lucevan le stelle" LĆ©opold Simoneau
youtube.com/watch?v=xYOqImv1PIā¦
When I read this, I burst out laughing. Simoneau has the sweetest voice I have ever heard from anyone, and he has no chest voice, which is not a bad thing, but it doesn't work here. His Mozart pieces are lovely, though.
Tito Schipa - E lucevan le stelle (1913)
youtube.com/watch?v=UD6tQ6wpqkā¦
It is no secret that I consider Tito Schipa to be the best singer in the world. I adore his voice. But I am eternally grateful that he stopped singing such things within a few years after this recording, though there is one from 1915 and another from 1919. This, from 1913, is one of his earliest records. It's not that he couldn't sing the aria well. In fact, he sang it so well that the conductor, during one of his performances of it, begged him personally for an encore! It's that had he continued in these heavy roles, they would have completely destroyed his voice. Those who know his incredible mezza voce and general control know exactly what I mean.
Ferruccio Tagliavini ļ¼E lucevan le stelleļ¼ Tosca
youtube.com/watch?v=8RuKd4hld6ā¦
Ferruccio Tagliavini had such a beautiful voice when younger that he could almost have equalled Schipa himself. But by this point, it was already changing, precisely due to singing roles such as this. Fortunately, he was able to adjust, but there is something to say for the phrase "you can never go home again". If you hear him in a lighter song, such as Una Furtiva Lagrima, in the 1940's and then in the late 1950's or 1960's, there is a huge difference. All the sweetness is gone in the later ones. Schipa's versions of it are beautiful from the 1920's straight to 1962, with only a few signs of age showing. As for this aria, Tagliavini does perform it well, but it's still a cautionary tale.
Now, we get to those who should be singing this sort of thing.
Enrico Caruso - E lucevan le stelle (Zonophone, April 19, 1903)
youtube.com/watch?v=rL6h90m2Igā¦
This is from 1903, so his voice transformation (careful and deliberate, not damage) hadn't taken place yet. But his strength and depth is still evident. He can very easily handle this aria, emotionally, vocally, and most of all, physically. There is no strain in his voice at all, and it's a pleasure to listen to.
Beniamino Gigli E Lucevan Le Stelle Audio HQ
youtube.com/watch?v=D5HwI2hMiDā¦
Gigli was born to sing this sort of role. His rendition sent shivers down my spine. (For a similar experience, listen to his Nessun Dorma, which is incomparable.) Here, he sings even the quieter parts with a certain authority and firmness, yet with such control that it is amazing. When he does sing at full capacity, his emotions are completely in tune with the melody and character. He reaches all notes with ease. Whereas Graveure had some kind of feature in his voice, Gigli's slight changes are a hallmark of his and have been described by some as almost like sobbing. Here, though, they work to great effect to bring out the meaning of the words. Yes, I did research this one in translation.
#EnricoCaruso #BeniaminoGigli #FerruccioTagliavini #LeopoldSimoneau #LouisGraveure #opera #TitoSchipa #review
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2025-03-12 05:05:54
2025-03-12 03:52:02
2025-03-12 03:52:02
39116879
I just found a wonderful article about full recordings of operas! This should help me in my search for decent materials to listen to. But these are only commercial recordings, so I will need to look elsewhere for radio ones as well as recordings that were preserved by listeners. At any rate, I was surprised by how many singers' names I recognised, all from the 1940's and earlier, of course. But there were still a good number that I didn't know and must, therefore, research. I was also surprised that Enrico Caruso appears not to have made any full-length recordings, or even large sections of a single opera. Also, Dino Borgioli wasn't mentioned, and I know he made at least two sets, that, while weren't complete, were extensive.
taylorfrancis.com/chapters/ediā¦
#music #opera #recordings #singers
2025-03-09 04:06:17
2025-03-09 04:06:16
2025-03-09 04:06:16
37264310
I'm posting this here as well as on my usual blob.cat instance, since that one doesn't federate as widely, so I apologise to those who may see it twice.
On 6 March, 1951, the world lost a genius and a truly amazing man. Known mostly for the lovely, romantic music in his operettas such as Glamorous Night, The Dancing Years, Perchance to Dream, and King's Rhapsody, among others, he also wrote one of the most famous songs of World War I (Keep the Home Fires Burning), at least one review (Theodore and Co.), and starred in several silent films and talkies. A man of many talents, Ivor Novello worked with a range of wonderful singers, as well as the librettist, Christopher Hassall, who brought his music to life. Below, I have provided some links for you to enjoy. As a side note, for those looking for gay role models, you should definitely research him. While it was illegal to be openly homosexual during his lifetime, he had a relationship that lasted for thirty-five years!
This is the Wikipedia entry for Ivor Novello.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivor_Novā¦
Since I mentioned him, and since he was such an integral part of Novello's work, here is the entry for Christopher Hassall. It's worth noting that there are several Youtube videos of him reading both his own poetry and the works of others.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopā¦
Incredibly, a mere two days after Novelllo's death, those who knew him best created an extraordinary tribute to him. It contains live performances, not only of songs, but of a few scenes from his earlier works and famous operettas, providing an invaluable window into the excellent vocal and acting styles of the time.
IVOR NOVELLO-Man of the Theatre- 8th March 1951
youtube.com/watch?v=etB7t_ETqSā¦
This is a play in which Novello himself starred. While he didn't normally speak this way (publically, at least) he was from Wales, so this is probably the accent he heard while growing up. This was later turnd into the full-length work entitled Valley of song, and was completed by Christopher Hassall upon Novello's death.
Choir Practice, by Cliff Gordon (BBC, 1946)
youtube.com/watch?v=UsM8_TW0ptā¦
Here he is narrating a few scenes from King's Rhapsody. This is extremely interesting, because no one else is acting. I'm not quite sure what this was meant to be. That is, a demonstration, a trailer, just the author's thoughts? Regardless, it's a wonderful treat for the ears.
Muranian Rhapsody part 1
youtube.com/watch?v=JIbrYatXPdā¦
Muranian Rhapsody part 2
youtube.com/watch?v=ciVi8L-KPeā¦
Finally, here is a wonderful series of highlights from King's Rhapsody, by the original cast!
youtube.com/watch?v=wOu-nuoi3fā¦
There are several other videos of Novello's work on Youtube, including full films (both silent and talking), individual songs, and a full tribute concert from 1979. But this should serve as a decent introduction.
#composer #gay #operetta #IvorNovello #music #radio #theater #theatre #tribute
2025-03-06 15:58:30
2025-03-06 02:04:26
2025-03-05 19:31:13
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My favorite camellia tree is blooming. #Bloomscrolling
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My favorite camellia tree is blooming. #Bloomscrolling
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2025-05-24 22:50:18
2025-02-28 01:59:37
2025-02-28 01:59:37
31258864
Have I mentioned how much I truly love Akkoma? I heard back from the developer, and she is going to try to do something about the accessibility issues! She's even putting them officially in the list of things to be worked on! Would I recommend this platform to the blind? Absolutely! We are finally getting a place where we belong and where we're respected! For the record, I am dandylover1@blob.cat, but as with other Fediverse platforms, there are many instances. The actual discussion can be found below, if anyone else wants to contribute either experiences or coding knowledge.
meta.akkoma.dev/t/minor-featurā¦
#Accessibility #Akkoma #Android #blind #Blob.cat #coding #IOS #JAWS #NVDA #Mac #Talkback #Voiceover #WCAG #WebsiteDevelopment #Windows
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2025-02-27 23:49:45
2025-02-26 05:23:31
2025-02-26 05:23:31
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in reply to Georgiana Brummell
First, they shut down the Basic HTML site, forcing many of us to switch to clients such as Thunderbird. Now, they're using qr codes which are not only inaccessible to the blind but also to those who don't use smartphones! This is ridiculous! Yes, they do still have the option to click whether it's you trying to sign in or not (which still requires a smartphone and a carrier, which they claim to be concerned about), but how long before they remove that, too?
pcmag.com/news/google-is-replaā¦
#accessibility #Android #authentication #blind #Google #GMail #IOS #Narrator #NVDA #sms #Talkback #technology #Voiceover #Windows
#iOS
#technology
#accessibility
#google
#windows
#android
#gmail
#blind
#voiceover
#nvda
#sms
#Talkback
#narrator
#authentication
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@WeirdWriter oh why you would want a crapphone, though?
it's better to have a smartphone because of all the features.
it's better to have a smartphone because of all the features.
er...
didn't an SMS require a phone, too?
QR codes are perfectly usable by the blind.
I agree that a text message works on a dumb phone, but if you're blind the accessibility of those is generally poorer anyway.
As a balance of security, SMS spooffing and whatnot is a real risk.
didn't an SMS require a phone, too?
QR codes are perfectly usable by the blind.
I agree that a text message works on a dumb phone, but if you're blind the accessibility of those is generally poorer anyway.
As a balance of security, SMS spooffing and whatnot is a real risk.
@quanin That link is heavily truncated on my end. However, if all else fails with the authentication system, they will likely still support the Google Authenticator app, which is using an open standard that other authentication apps and password managers also support. I'd say we have a lot of restructuring to go until we're completely locked out. I can see the QR codes being convenient for some people, even blind people who are comfortable aiming a camera and are using a computer with a screen. The only thing I'll say is that we definitely need the option of specifying whether we want to use that method or not.
2025-03-11 22:47:06
2025-02-23 17:29:26
2025-02-23 17:29:26
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(I am posting this from my Friendica as well as my Akkoma accounts, since some instances and groups don't federate with Blob.cat.)Please forgive the negative post, but this must be said. I'm sick of what I'm calling the switching crew. They constantly say things such as "switch from Facebook or Twitter to the Fediverse", "switch from Amazon to local shops), "switch from Windows or Mac to Linux", etc. They sometimes imply and sometimes outwardly state how easy it is. So let me explain something. Note that I can't speak for other disabilities, since I'm only blind, but I'm sure they have their own problems with these as well. I am also very good with computers, so I have the technical skills to do these things. Not everyone does.
- It takes research to join the Fediverse. Not everyone wants to join Mastodon, and even for those who do, [people still must find instances that align with their goals. Not all platforms here are accessible, either. I left Facebook precisely because they shut down their basic mobile site, and their main site and apps are terrible to use with a screen reader. I joined Friendica, but had more accessibility problems. Now, I'm on Akkoma and am finally happy. But it's taken over four months for me to find my place!
- Amazon offers free shipping, large discounts, and in some cases, Amazon Fresh to Prime members. They also have a wide variety of products, all at one place. All of this contributes to the independence, not only of the blind, but also of those who are house-bound. No one has yet to give me an alternative that has all of these features. It's great to go to local farmer's markets and little shops, but not everyone can easily get there, and even those places that do ship often require monthly payments, charge a lot, or charge shipping with every order. Are there blind people who do shop locally? Yes. Is everyone like that, or does everyone have such places near him? No.
- Prior to joining the Fediverse, this one annoyed me the most. Most sighted people can just turn on a computer or a phone and start using a new operating system relatively quickly, as long as it's graphical. It's not the same for those of us who are blind. First, the system has to have a screen reader installed. If not, we must find someone sighted to install it for us. Many Linux distributions don't have Orca installed by default. Secondly, even if said system is installed, there needs to be an easy way to activate it via a hottkey or during setup. Many Linux distributions have Orca but don't have an easy way to start it. Then, once all of that is done, we must learn how to use said screen reader, not to mention the layout and commands of the operating system itself, and withLinux, often, one must learn how to use the terminal in order to accomplish certain tasks. Even as a DOS lover, I found it to be frustrating. . Finally, after accomplishing all of that, if there aren't many programs that work with this operating system and screen reader, or if they don't work well, why should we switch from a system that we already know, where things are accessible, to one that we don't where they aren't? Linux is great for the sighted, but not for the majority of the blind. Again, are there blind people who use it? Yes. Is it as easy as simply turning on a computer and switching? No.
#accessibility #Akkoma #Amazon #blind #blindness #Facebook Fediverse fediverse #Linux #NVDA #Orca #technology ##Twitter #Windows
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2025-02-22 10:30:22
2025-02-21 19:32:05
2025-02-21 19:32:05
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(edited. I found it, after literally going through every post I ever wrote here. Fortunately, it was with Tweesecake, so it was simply a matter of going down the list, but it still took a very long time. No one should have to do this.)
Today, I was reminded, yet again, of why I'm leaving Friendica, or at least, making it my secondary (very secondary) account. I want to repost some of my pinned posts from here to Akkoma. I already did this with my dandyism and clothing posts, which I combined and condensed by simply including the original Dreamwidth links. But there is another one here regarding music theory, exercises, studying, etc. and possibly one about tutoring for singing (I'm fairly certain I savedthe one for Latin as I wrote it). Anyway, Even if I have the link to the posts, and whether or not I am logged in, I cannot read them. I can only read the comments to them. Can someone please either copy and paste the singing posts in a comment to the originals or here, or send me a private message with them? Thank you.
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2025-02-20 21:07:06
2025-02-20 21:07:06
2025-02-20 20:26:40
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#TIL that it's only young sunflowers that turn to face the sun (heliotropism). As they mature they end up facing east as that's where the bees that pollinate are mostly likely to come from. #nature
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#TIL that it's only young sunflowers that turn to face the sun (heliotropism). As they mature they end up facing east as that's where the bees that pollinate are mostly likely to come from. #nature
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Because heads facing that direction are warmed by the morning sun #NationalTrust
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
2025-02-21 11:05:51
2025-02-20 21:05:53
2025-02-20 18:37:36
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in reply to Fedi.Tips
in reply to Fedi.Tips
in reply to settima
in reply to Fedi.Tips
in reply to Fedi.Tips
in reply to Hitsu Yonai
Unknown parent
Are there accounts that are really important to you, and you don't want to miss any of their posts? Here's how to make sure you don't miss them:
1. Log in on your server's website or web app
2. Go to the profile page of the account you want to follow more closely
3. Click the š notification bell (it's next to the profile's follow and options buttons)
With this active, every time that account posts it will also send you a notification. More info at fedi.tips/how-to-be-notified-wā¦
How to be notified when your favourite accounts post on Mastodon | Fedi.Tips ā An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse
An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediversefedi.tips
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p.s. Just to be clear, on the Fediverse you will see all the posts from all the accounts you follow. Nothing is hidden.
The idea of the notification feature is to make extra sure you notice a particular account's posts, in case you accidentally scrolled past them in your timeline.
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Sensitive content
I'd love this option for hashtags. Is there any way to do that in the desktop version?
There isn't a hashtag notification system, sorry. You can follow hashtags so they show up in your timeline, but there's no separate notification of this.
Sensitive content
Thank you
I believe, but please correct me if I'm wrong, one is notified of orignal posts the user posts themselves, but not content they boost, nor any repiles they make to other posts?
Yes. It only notifies for their posts, not their boosts or replies.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
You might want to report them as well, you're not the first person to get confused š
I don't care if people make fun of me, but it is kind of frustrating that people just looking for advice are seeing the wrong account.
2025-02-21 00:40:43
2025-02-20 21:05:28
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The Architectural History of the Louvre: 800 Years in Three Minutes
openculture.com/2025/02/the-arā¦
The Architectural History of the Louvre: 800 Years in Three Minutes
Setting aside just one day for the Louvre is a classic first-time Paris visitor's mistake. The place is simply too big to comprehend on one visit, or indeed on ten visits.Colin Marshall (Openculture.com)
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2025-02-20 21:05:08
2025-02-20 21:05:08
2025-02-20 18:00:20
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David Attenborough Takes a Look at What the Dodo Bird Might Have Actually Looked Like laughingsquid.com/david-attenbā¦
David Attenborough Takes a Look at What the Dodo Bird Might Have Actually Looked Like
David Attenborough takes a look at what the dodo bird might have actually looked like while visiting the Museum of Natural History in London.Lori Dorn (Laughing Squid)
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2025-02-20 23:20:29
2025-02-20 21:04:56
2025-02-19 18:00:00
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Iguanodon Statue in Maidstone, England
A reminder of the dinosaur skeleton discovered in a local quarry.#museums #discovery #dinosaurs #section-Atlas
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2025-02-20 21:04:35
2025-02-20 21:04:34
2025-02-20 17:31:08
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š© High fertiliser use halves numbers of pollinators, worldās longest study finds
theguardian.com/environment/20ā¦
#fertilizer #agriculture #environment #pollinators #pollution
High fertiliser use halves numbers of pollinators, worldās longest study finds
Even average use of nitrogen fertilisers cut flower numbers fivefold and halved pollinating insectsPhoebe Weston (The Guardian)
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2025-02-21 12:36:07
2025-02-20 21:03:21
2025-02-20 20:23:29
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Reminder that this account has a website listing thousands of interesting Fediverse accounts sorted into categories and topics:
ā”ļø fedi.directory
To follow an account, copy-paste its Fediverse address into the search box on your server or app.
To find out more about an account, click on its Fediverse address.
Fedi.Directory ā Interesting accounts on Mastodon & the Fediverse
Interesting accounts to follow on Mastodon and the Fediversefedi.directory
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2025-04-14 15:44:17
2025-02-20 20:25:25
2025-02-20 20:25:25
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Attention, blind Akkoma users! I will be writing to the developer with my concerns about a few problems with accessibility on this platform. Most should be easy to resolve. Please let me know if you find any more, and also state what browser and screen reader you are using. Note: This is in reference to the site itself, not to your client of choice. I will post about that separately. For the record, I use NVDA with Firefox.
- Many buttons are unlabelled and simply say "button". This is true on the main page as well as when viewing posts and tabs in profiles. Most work once pressed. They just need to be labelled.
- Searching for people, tags, groups, and posts is inaccessible. I can enter the edit field and write my text, but then, there are two unlabelled buttons next to that. The first simply takes me back to the edit field. The second does nothing. I am assuming this is a submit button that doesn't work via the keyboard.
- It is impossible to view followers, as well as those whom I follow. I can see the numbers of each but not the people and groups themselves.
- I cannot read my own profile without editing it. There appears to be no link where I can simply view it, either as myself or anonymously. If I go to my page and am not logged in, however, I can view it. I can also easily edit it when logged in.
- The page renders very differently in Chrome than in Firefox. In Chrome, I can't see anything but my notifications, so I can't get to my page or the other timelines.
#accessibility #Akkoma #blind #Blob.cat #Chrome #Fediverse #fediverse #Firefox #JAWS #NVDA #html #ScreenReaders #SemanticHtml #Supermium #Windows
#fediverse
#akkoma
#accessibility
#windows
#firefox
#blind
#nvda
#chrome
#html
#jaws
#screenreaders
#Supermium
#SemanticHTML
#Blob.Cat
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2025-02-20 18:33:34
2025-02-20 18:33:34
2025-02-20 18:30:41
26906754
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š #NowPlaying on BBCRadio3's #InTune
Ivor Novello & Dion Titheradge:
šµ And her mother came too
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2025-02-14 02:16:23
2025-02-14 01:02:30
2025-02-14 01:02:30
23368609
Sometimes, with all of this going on today, I am reminded of the argument, or at least the disagreement, between Noel Coward and Ivor Novello, who otherwise were very good friends. Coward, who served as a spy during World War II, accused Novello of not doing enough and of trying to live life as normal. This was quite unfair, as he performed during the war years, taking The Dancing years around the UK, sometimes to bombed out theatres, just to bring the people a bit of joy and hope. Not everyone is meant to risk his life in the way that Coward did, be it openly as a spy or more covertly, or even by protesting, etc. In my case, however, he would be right. I do stay away from things. But I am also a follower of dandyism, particularly in its Brummellian form. It is true that Beau Brummell lived in luxury for a time, knew the highest members of society, including the Prince of Wales, and had a mass following. But the rest of his life was sheer hell, from poverty to syphilis. Yet even as he, and everything around him, was falling apart, he never lost who he was. He never willingly stopped living to the best of his ability, seeking the finer things in life, etc. As long as his mentality held, and even once after it was gone, he remained steadfast in his love of good things. I am the same way. I refuse to give up my life style, to be negative all the time (I do not suffer from depression as he did), to bring drama into my life, etc. I want to take it for all it's worth and enjoy it! If, and only if, I am forced to change, or to move, etc. I will do so. But the world, in itself, is not my concern. My concern is myself, my loved ones, and those about whom I care deeply. That's it. I may follow the physical and vocal exercises of Clara Novello Davies, but I don't follow her life's philosophy. I can say, however, that if the world did, it would be a truly beautiful and wonderful place to live. I'm just a bit more realistic than that.
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2025-01-29 22:40:29
2025-01-29 21:01:56
2025-01-29 21:01:56
14304259
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Jupiter Rowland
*This is a note for those who wish to follow me. First, please read my profile. Secondly, subscribers are those who follow me, but whom I don't follow in return. Friends are those who follow me and whom I follow in return.
People who will never be accepted: Minors. I don't feel comfortable having anyone under eighteen (preferably twenty-one) follow me, even as subscribers.
People who will always be subscribers: Those who constantly write about politics, who always use obscenities, anti-capitalists, anarchists, extreme leftists and rightists), religious fanatics, those who hardly post in English, only post about technology and/or games (not including accessibility), or medical/mental issues.
Note. I'm not talking about having a bad day or posting once about politics. I'm talking about those who barely post anything else.
People who will always be friends: Those who post about high culture (classical music, good literature, art, history, theatre, wine, coffee, tea, snuff, fine dining, etc.), male fashion, nature, pets (especially cats), plants/gardening, good news, writing, and daily life (without constant drama).
I'm replying to this in the hopes that, maybe, I can now see it on my actual profile page so that I can pin it. It's amazing the work-arounds I have to do just to be able to use this site.
Good. That worked. I can't see the original post, but I could at least pin it.
Ironically, you've connected to me first. My channel has only got two topics. The primary topic is a certain kind of 3-D virtual worlds, the secondary topic is the Fediverse beyond Mastodon, although this may include accessibility topics. Since this is not my personal, all-round channel, I don't post about anything else.
I'm working on a series of posts that will touch male fashion. But they'll touch male fashion in the above-mentioned virtual worlds, I'll post them on a dedicated (streams) channel, and this Hubzilla channel will only forward them. Also, expect each one to have both a summary and a spoiler tag for those who are easily triggered by even the slightest eye contact.
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #FediMeta #FediverseMeta #CWFediMeta #CWFediverseMeta
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@Jupiter Rowland I'm actually interested in the Fediverse beyond Mastodon. That's not what I meant by constantly posting about technology. I would also love to experience a virtual world, but I don't know of any that are accessible. That said, many other games are, both text-based and audio, and now, some mainstream ones as well.
2025-01-29 01:01:42
2025-01-29 00:34:06
2025-01-29 00:34:06
13823066
Rant ahead.
I didn't join Friendica to protest anything. I didn't join to make a political statement. I joined for one reason only. Facebook shut down their Basic Mobile site (not app), and their main site is a nightmare to use with screen readers. That's it. I was just looking for a place where I could find new friends (I lost almost all of mine after moving here), and read interesting things. Yet almost everyone I approve gets set to Subscriber, because of constant political posts, anti-capitalism/extreme leftism, or an obsession with technology. Yes, I post about artificial intelligence, but just as something interesting I read in the news. I don't live for technology. Likewise, I mostly don't choose the places I buy from based on politics, how the workers are paid, what the owners do, etc. It is true that I don't ever give to the Salvation army because of their stance on homosexuality. But I can't simply stop buying from Amazon. I could count the number of books I've bought from them in almost twenty years on one hand. What I do buy from them is everything else, like essentials for my life, from food, to body care, to technology, to household items, and more. I love it when people say "just buy locally". Great! Now can you give me a working pair of eyes, money, and a car? Then, there are those who say "try this site". That seems reasonable. But will they give me free shipping and discounts as Amazon does, and will their selection be as varied? If there is a site like that, I would be more than willing to buy from it. Anyway, I'm just looking for people who share my interests, and while I've found a few, they are very few, indeed. Even those who just post regular things, whether they interest me or not, seem rare here. This probably why so many people don't come to the Fediverse. It's like there's a little clique, and those of us who are not in it are shut out in the cold. Yes, we're invited, and some of the people here are truly wonderful individuals as a whole. But if we have nothing in common with most of them, how are we supposed to find our own? Thank you to those who do post wonderful things. I did find a few of you, and rest assured, you are set to friends and to all, so that I see all of your posts.
I didn't join Friendica to protest anything. I didn't join to make a political statement. I joined for one reason only. Facebook shut down their Basic Mobile site (not app), and their main site is a nightmare to use with screen readers. That's it. I was just looking for a place where I could find new friends (I lost almost all of mine after moving here), and read interesting things. Yet almost everyone I approve gets set to Subscriber, because of constant political posts, anti-capitalism/extreme leftism, or an obsession with technology. Yes, I post about artificial intelligence, but just as something interesting I read in the news. I don't live for technology. Likewise, I mostly don't choose the places I buy from based on politics, how the workers are paid, what the owners do, etc. It is true that I don't ever give to the Salvation army because of their stance on homosexuality. But I can't simply stop buying from Amazon. I could count the number of books I've bought from them in almost twenty years on one hand. What I do buy from them is everything else, like essentials for my life, from food, to body care, to technology, to household items, and more. I love it when people say "just buy locally". Great! Now can you give me a working pair of eyes, money, and a car? Then, there are those who say "try this site". That seems reasonable. But will they give me free shipping and discounts as Amazon does, and will their selection be as varied? If there is a site like that, I would be more than willing to buy from it. Anyway, I'm just looking for people who share my interests, and while I've found a few, they are very few, indeed. Even those who just post regular things, whether they interest me or not, seem rare here. This probably why so many people don't come to the Fediverse. It's like there's a little clique, and those of us who are not in it are shut out in the cold. Yes, we're invited, and some of the people here are truly wonderful individuals as a whole. But if we have nothing in common with most of them, how are we supposed to find our own? Thank you to those who do post wonderful things. I did find a few of you, and rest assured, you are set to friends and to all, so that I see all of your posts.
2025-01-27 08:19:25
2025-01-27 04:22:13
2025-01-27 04:22:13
13061009
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Linda Duval
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Linda Duval
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Linda Duval
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Linda Duval
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Linda Duval
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
As a grammar prescriptivist, I take writing and proper use of words very seriously. I recently saw a post about ending text messages with full stops. Apparently, some think this is a bad idea. No. It's called using punctuation correctly! Perhaps, they should read a few grammars instead of playing their silly video games! The same is true of netspeak, textspeak, corporate spaek, and abbreviating everything. Likewise, I have no use for political correctness. I refuse to use words such as visually-challenged, vertically-challenged, etc. I will say blind (or visually impaired if the person has some vision), short, fat, etc. Unless I'm writing poetry and am seeking flowery words for things, I call them what they are. Neither do I see any difference between saying "a blind person" and "a person who is blind", for example. I also have no time for so-called gender-neutral words, unless they honestly make sense and are actually descriptive, such as firefighter or police officer. But I'm just as likely to say fireman, policeman, waiter, steward, actor, chairman, etc. and change the gender when necessary. I refuse to use the singular they. There are two sexes (gender is for grammar). You're either one or the other. This absolutely doesn't mean that you can't change your sex. If, for example, I meet you as a woman and you change to a man or are a drag king/queen, I will certainly change my use of pronouns when discussing you or talking about you, either permenantly or temporarily, as the case requires. But unless you literally have multiple personalities or are a machine or an inanimate object, you are neither a they nor an it, and you're certainly not some made-up pronoun such as xe. I would never cause harm to those who use such words. I would just consider them to be silly or confused. If the sex is unknown, or if a sentence can apply to both sexes, I use the masculine, simply because it's grammatically correct to do so.
#English #gender #grammar #language #prescriptivism #properEnglish #sex #texting #writing
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I am the chairperson of an organisation and I'm not a chairman. You are more obsessed by your gramnar obsession than for the respect of the individuals. I am very certain that this should be the other way round.
At the end of the day, only humans use grammar. The use of grammar should focus on the respect of people.
@lindaduval No, but you very well could be a chairwoman. I'm not against changing the gender of a word when necessary to match the sex of the individual. Language exists for a reason and so do conventions. It would be quite strange if everyone call things according to his own idea of what they should be named.
I am the chaiperson of my organisation literally. Why do I want to pigeonhole myself? The chairperson terminology is valid and inclusive. Why should the focus be gender centric and exclusive?
I certainly rebel to the patriarchal society and will identity myself as a person, not a gender.
@lindaduval There's nothing exclusive about simply saying what you are. It also makes things easier when people speak about you. It would make far more sense to say "I received a letter from the chairwoman yesterday and she told me" rather than "they told me". I am speaking about one person, not a group. What if you had a name that could be either male or female and I were writing to you? I could say "Dear Madam Chairwoman". Of course, I could also say "Dear Sir or Madam", but it's better to use a title. The former salutation is really if you don't know who will be receiving said letter. "Dear Linda" would be far too informal and quite disrespectful in a business context in any case.
When people write to me, they simply use Dear Ms Duval or Dear Linda. Nobody has ever reported to me that they have struggled in finding an appropriate term.
Dear Sir or Madam are also acceptable when someone does not know the name of the person they are writing to. I would expect this to be rare since most people would make an effort to find out to whom they are writing to these days.
I sign my correspondence as Chair of (name of my organisation)
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@lindaduval @lindaduval Yes. In your case, Miss, Mrs. etc. makes sense. But if you had a name that could go either way or that was truly uncommon, just knowing it wouldn't help the writer decide which title to use. Fortunately, as you said, in your case, it's not a problem.
Mrs is also an unacceptable term. There is no need for women to have to advertise whether they are married. There is only one term for men and it is Mr. Women should use Ms. Women really need to move on from the old Victorian patriarchal society that entrapped women into submission.
Again, if someone needs to write to the chaiperson of an organisation, the most respecful thing to do, would simply to find out to whom they are writing to.
@lindaduval @lindaduval To whom they are writing. The extra "to" is redundant. I don't agree with all of these leftist/feminist/man-hating ideas that I've seen from various people, but from a grammatical point of view, the part about Mr. and Ms. does make sense. Either both sexes should have such titles to indicate marriage or there should be a single one for each. But I'm not so radical that I would abandon the old ones, and I myself am a Miss, though at forty-one, I very well may be a Madam. haha
English is my 2nd language, so I stand corrected!
What is important is to recognise when language is used, or has been used to entrap women into 2nd class citizenship.
Being feminist is not the same as being man-haters. Being feminist is the force that empowers women to achieve equality.
Grammar and language, when used appropriately, is an additional tool that can help women ascend to equality.
By the way, I am enjoying this conversation very much!
@lindaduval @lindaduval My sincere apologies. I always try to be gentle with non-native speakers. I must say, other than that tiny mistake, you write so well that I would never have guessed that English wasn't your first language! I am equal whether I subscribe to all of that or not. I don't need to be radical or to change the language in order to love myself, or to strive for the best, or to demand to be treated equally. I simply need to be, and I am.
Your preferences are yours and you choose what you prefer. However, we live in a society where it is important to be aware where language can be detrimental to women.
The difference can be simply felt in how much you get paid compared to a man in the same role. Please search "gender pay gap" and you will find that in the legal industry, for example, men can earn as much as 59% more than a woman in the same role.
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I am making a huge effort to use Alt Text nowadays. I hope you enjoy.
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As someone who is totally blind, the Fediverse is the only place where I have ever been able to follow people such as photographers, artists, or even those who post pictures of their cats or the food they ate. The reason is that most of them use alt text. They take the time to describe the images that my screen reader can't recognise. Some write the descriptions themselves, and others use tools such as altbot. Some worry that their descriptions aren't good enough, especially when they are new at this. Let me assure you, not only are they good enough, they are extremely appreciated! If the rest of the world thought as you did, it would be a much better place. Don't hesitate to ask if you're unsure of something, but never think that we don't notice your effort.
#appreciation #accessibility #altbot #alttext #blind #blindness #fediverse #gratitude #images #inclusivity #peoplewhocare #pictures #technology
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I once had to convert MBA lecturers' slides into tactile ones and describe in braille. This was Cambridge Uni so intelligent lecturers you would have thought but finally one said - I guess a picture soes paint a thousand words. My colleague then put up one slide from a lecturer and none of the others could work out what it said as it has some many graphs superimposed on each other. My sheer coincidence I was working on a bible (why it have never been done no idea) when some travelling missionaries knocked on the door. I had just got to the bit in Samuel 2 where God's chosen, King David, sent a man off to certain death in a battle so he could marry the man's wife. They went away
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They're pathetic, but we knew that already.
I really appreciate your post Georgina.Before I came here I had no idea of alt txt but now make sure it is always on my photos. I also try to spread the word outside Fediverse.
@MelSedds I didn't know what the Alt was for until an account (or maybe a bot) boosting cat pictures told me I should provide it. I've done so ever since (and edited the ones I posted before that) and besides the obvious benefit, I find creating the descriptions and sometimes giving more context great fun āŗļø (I even learned some new words when I wanted to give accurate descriptions, like calyx.)
Here's something I posted before about an easy way to get more consistent at this... š
mastodonapp.uk/@bytebro/113833ā¦
bytebro (@bytebro@mastodonapp.uk)
@loren@flipping.rocks I've posted this before, but I'm pretty rubbish at remembering alt-txt, but since I followed @PleaseCaptionBot@hachyderm.Mastodon App UK
Thanks for posting this.
I've shared a screenshot of your post on Bluesky as well: bsky.app/profile/drsybren.bskyā¦
@sybren I will do the same if thatās okay with you Georgina. I can omit your name/avatar.
Bluesky actually has a settings option where you can only send your post after adding Alt Text, which I have activated.
something Iām never sure about is how much text in alt-text is too much. I generally stay as coincise as possible by describing whatās actually interesting in the image for the conversation, which may include written texts or not. Do you think vision-impaired readers may prefer a more complete description?
@fdrc_ff I tend to write longer alt-text because I love details, but I wonder the same thing!
@lydiaschoch I find that I will put extra information in the alt text. Joke that's not in the post itself, perhaps. Pointing out what's strange in the picture. Explaining the joke. Something like it's a SPOILER tag you're only going to get if you check the alt text.
If web comics can do it, why not everyone?
Besides, the character count on alt text is HUGE.
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@xinit ā @Fedo Ā¶ @Lydia Schoch Wow! What a wonderful idea! Please forgive my ignorance, but is alt text something that sighted readers can see, or is it only available to screen readers? If so, this is one of the few times in which we actually get to have something that the rest of the world doesn't. If not, it's a great way to encourage sighted people to pay attention to the importance of alt text.
all the client applications i see allow anyone to see alt texts, there's a little "alt" button in the corner of the images. i think that does helps a lot for people to remember to put alt texts
if i didn't define my posts in english but in another language would you able to understand them?
@zy Some Mastodon sites offer to translate a post into the reader's language, which also translates the ALT text. As someone who likes to read posts in languages I'm not fluent with, it helps a lot to understand the pictures as well (e.g. memes or comic strips).
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@zy
You can also follow an alt text not that will remind you when you forget to add alt text. It just sends you a message requesting that you add alt text
You can also follow an alt text not that will remind you when you forget to add alt text. It just sends you a message requesting that you add alt text
@zy
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on desktop web browsers, there's a tag in the corner of an image - either ALT or just a scary red exclamation mark (indicating that there's no ALT text).
If a user drags the mouse pointer over the image, the alt text is visible to sighted users. I think most mobile apps show it on a click, but I don't really remember.
The IMG ALT tag (more correctly, the ALT attribute of the IMG tag) has been a part of the HTML standard since the mid 1990s.
I'm sighted. I haven't tested with a screen reader, but when looking at a Fedi post from a Web browser, the alt text is in the IMG ALT tag. Mouse over, and it just displays the alt text.
Most other social networking platforms seem to put the alt text behind a "click the small ALT button and a popup will pop up" mechanism.
I'm sighted. I haven't tested with a screen reader, but when looking at a Fedi post from a Web browser, the alt text is in the IMG ALT tag. Mouse over, and it just displays the alt text.
Most other social networking platforms seem to put the alt text behind a "click the small ALT button and a popup will pop up" mechanism.
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I'm sighted and I often look at the alt text on Fediverse graphics!
It's great for things like "here's a person I don't recognise, are they famous, is it a clip from a show and what's the show and why is it relevant here". There are cultural references which would just whoosh over my head without the description.
Or sometimes there'll be one like "photo of woodland, with a squirrel" and I'll be like "oh yeah! there _is_ a squirrel in the corner there" š
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@xinit @fdrc_ff @lydiaschoch
Alt text is visible to sighted people. When a photo misses alt text, someone will usually jump on that and ask the poster to add. But it's sometimes the servers' fault that the alt text didn't make it across with the photo (something related to Fediverse decentralisation).
I enjoy reading alt text: it tells me what the poster found interesting, where their focus is, what they want us to know. Alt text can add so much nuance to posts.
Alt text is visible to sighted people. When a photo misses alt text, someone will usually jump on that and ask the poster to add. But it's sometimes the servers' fault that the alt text didn't make it across with the photo (something related to Fediverse decentralisation).
I enjoy reading alt text: it tells me what the poster found interesting, where their focus is, what they want us to know. Alt text can add so much nuance to posts.
I have considered just using a big black PNG just to use the alt text for an essay.
That exact thought has crossed my mind several times! š
thank you for your kind words and especially thank you for making me discover altbot! It will make it easier to write alt text (but I will try to personalise it as much as I can anyway) š
I need to do that more, I am so sorry for all the times I have forgotten. You matter very much!
We ought to do something about some apps that does alt description of image out of their filename. "yay alt ! ...Oh it's 65fddf.jpg"
Thanks, that's so reassuring and encouraging!
for a second there I read "who post pictures of their cats they ate". Haha. I'm glad the fediverse makes you feel welcome!
It's good to know that it's so appreciated. I always try to make a little effort to write something!
I was always wondering "Am I trying to explain with too much detail? Is it too little? Does anyone actually ever use alt text of my images?" This post gave me all the answers I needed! Thanks! All hail fediverse š
Thank you for the feedback!
Manche machen sich Sorgen, dass ihre Beschreibungen nicht gut genug sind, vor allem, wenn sie neu auf diesem Gebiet sind. Ich kann Ihnen versichern, dass sie nicht nur gut genug sind, sondern auch sehr geschƤtzt werden! Wenn der Rest der Welt so denken wĆ¼rde wie Sie, wƤre es ein viel besserer Ort. Zƶgern Sie nicht zu fragen, wenn Sie sich bei etwas unsicher sind, aber denken Sie nicht, dass wir Ihre BemĆ¼hungen nicht bemerken.
Einige schreiben die Beschreibungen selbst, andere verwenden Tools wie altbot. Manche machen sich Sorgen, dass ihre Beschreibungen nicht gut genug sind, vor allem, wenn sie neu auf diesem Gebiet sind. Ich kann Ihnen versichern, dass sie nicht nur gut genug sind, sondern auch sehr geschƤtzt werden! Wenn der Rest der Welt so denken wĆ¼rde wie Sie, wƤre es ein viel besserer Ort. ā¦
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@HeliaXyana I will put in both. It's more important to describe the purpose of the image than to include every detail.
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Thank you for sharing your experience, this is truly inspiring to read!
@nunesdennis My technique is to imagine that I'm sitting in a movie theater next to someone who can't see the screen, and I have to whisper what I see to them so that they can be part of the experience.
Of course, I don't pretend that my ALT descriptions are perfect or accurate, but they are an extension of my own expression, with my own flaws, mistakes, and way of describing things. And well, I'm a human, not a machine, so I guess that's part of the homemade charm. šŗ
Of course, I don't pretend that my ALT descriptions are perfect or accurate, but they are an extension of my own expression, with my own flaws, mistakes, and way of describing things. And well, I'm a human, not a machine, so I guess that's part of the homemade charm. šŗ
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@HeliaXyana Whatever feels right at the time. You can scroll through some of my posts to read examples.
I'm glad you appreciate it. I have several vision impaired followers and each time I write my #AltText I think of them personally and do my best.
I admit that sometimes I struggle with alt tags. Understanding what there is to see in a picture is one thing, but providing info within the context of the overall post seems like it can come in handy
Curious to know if you tried Bluesky. I ask bc I thought Bluesky has a way to caption images.
@Catwoman69y2k
As BSKY is just a walled off version of the the rest of the fediverse, it does - the same capability as most servers.
As BSKY is just a walled off version of the the rest of the fediverse, it does - the same capability as most servers.
I have an old art school friend who went gradually blind, and think of how I would describe my photos to her when I write my alt-text. I remember when she was sighted how much she enjoyed the act of looking, really catching this or that detail I hadnāt noticed, and I try to satisfy that, however I can, in text.
this is good to know! These messages help us (artists) not to forget to use these features! Thanks!
The Fediverse is also one of the few networks that actually allows you to edit the alt text directly. The only other ones I can think of are WordPress and Pinterest.
I usually add descriptions to my pictures, but your post made me happy, and now I feel even more motivated to keep doing that ā¤
Thank you so much for posting this! I always include alt-text, but started doing so consistently mostly because self-appointed alt-text cops kept needling me anytime I left it out. This is the first time an alt-text user has actually said something nice about it (that I've seen in my feed, anyway).
Very kind of you to take a moment and say you appreciate it. I will continue to include it.
this is lovely to hear, thank you for sharing your experience!
Hi - I need to learn - how should we go about captioning video?
Thanks!
@SamanthaJaneSmith
I alt it the same way I do an image.
Physical description, then meanings/subtleties that are not as obvious, and if there is one the script
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@SamanthaJaneSmith
In so many different kinds of art - it depends!
I would describe what strikes me.
So, "Portrait of a person standing next to a window but entirely made up of straight brushstrokes no single one shorter than the length of the face."
Or, "Bold black lines intersect across a white canvas with a single square of yellow towards the upper right corner."
In so many different kinds of art - it depends!
I would describe what strikes me.
So, "Portrait of a person standing next to a window but entirely made up of straight brushstrokes no single one shorter than the length of the face."
Or, "Bold black lines intersect across a white canvas with a single square of yellow towards the upper right corner."
@SamanthaJaneSmith
Honestly, if you don't know how on something specific - reach out and ask. If I'm around I'm happy to give it a go, but there's also the hashtag ALT4Me which will summon a figurative army to help you out š
Honestly, if you don't know how on something specific - reach out and ask. If I'm around I'm happy to give it a go, but there's also the hashtag ALT4Me which will summon a figurative army to help you out š
What a great post, so helpful and encouraging.
I have a deaf/blind follower who mentioned my alt/text to me early on and I've tried to make a point of it ever since.
Describing colors is important, and all the things that make photos interesting. I figure if people don't want to read the whole thing, no one has to!
But I also try to make it funny, if I can, like dog_rates always does, so there's a point to reading it for everyone. I'm sure I rarely succeed. š
That's fantastic. Alt tags have been around since I started coding for the web 30 years ago and yet for some reason it's taken this generation of social media to integrate them fully. I'm so glad you can join us fully!
Thank you for posting this and reminding me it's worth my time to add Alt Text to my photos and dump posts.
I always try to add Alt Text ... and I just discovered that on Pixelfed you can switch on a setting that forces you to add Alt Text. Great idea so I've turned it on on my Pixelfed account.
@rozeboosje My Mastodon client also has this, so I have it enabled.
@HeliaXyana I often use alt text to better understand an image, so I think it would be helpful. What should the viewer take away from seeing the image? If you were describing it to someone over the phone, what would you draw their attention to? Mood and meaning are definitely part of that.
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I am making a huge effort to use Alt Text nowadays. I hope you enjoy.
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@MyShetland Thank you. That made me smile!
@HeliaXyana yes, and I can see it could be easy to go too far. Still, a reader can choose to stop reading at any point. I have never been troubled by too much alt text. There are whole essays on writing āgood alt textā but I think the important thing is to have alt text.
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THANK YOU for this! I struggle to create alt text and it feels like it is a waste of time as nobody actually reads it. I will now keep your post and use it to motivate myself to create alt texts and enjoy knowing it matters rather than feel like it is pointless.
@EkpyroticFrood
I read every Alt Text, despite not using a screen reader. I think you might find that quite a few people do!
I read every Alt Text, despite not using a screen reader. I think you might find that quite a few people do!
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@Lydia Vvinters @Kris Herbert I can understand why you're thinking about it in this manner. Certainly, there is a case to be made both ways. If it's strictly meant for information, then short and to the point is good. But if it's about art, photography, etc. then it might make sense to describe it in more detail. But not all of us have seen in the past. So using metaphors, for example, sound pretty but may not truly help us understand what is in the image. It would be like saying "a woman with a face that looks like my mother's is sitting in a chair, holding a book." If you know what my mother looks like, it's fine. But if you don't, it will have no meaning for you. Likewise, I could say "the chair is beautiful" or I can say "the chair has ornate carvings of flowers on the back and has a velvet cushion". The latter tells me a lot more.
Is it enough to have the Altbot text as a comment to my post or would it be better for you and others if I transfer the Altbot description to the image alt text?
@Xanathon That would be truly wonderful! But honestly, even just using AltBot normally is fine, since the descriptions usually appear as a post right after the original.
Thanks for the information. So far I used ChatGPT manually for descriptions of my scifi and fantasy renders because Google's LLM was very lacking. I will keep that up, but for photographies or simpler images I will use Altbot. That was a very valuable hint, thanks again!
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@Memere I've seen posts that say something like "Can you believe this nonsense?"
And the image didn't make said nonsense obvious.
But the alt-text did. Sometimes, explaining the joke works for everyone.
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good to hear this perspective, because adding them does create a lot of extra work so itās nice to hear itās actually of value!
@Memere I am a seeing person, but I love alt text for the added info or insight into the personality of the poster and what's important to them. Sometimes they contain jokes.
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As a sighted person who posts pics, I find I enjoy writing alt-text descriptions, so I don't mind it or think of it as a burden. I often find something new to appreciate in the picture as I think about how to describe it, and it feels nice to be doing something intentionally inclusive as well. I hope you don't think we're all begrudgingly doing something we hate, because some of us embrace it and are glad to do it.
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@josh susser Oh, no. Definitely not, and that's really the point. It's wonderful to see people who care so deeply about inclusivity. Your own experience makes it even more meaningful, since both sides are benefiting. All of this is a lovely change from what I see elsewhere.
I'm so glad it's helpful! It's such an important skill for us to practice, too. It is so heartening to see not just the accessibility itself, but the solidarityāmany people won't share a post that lacks alt text. That helps keep it front & center as an expectation rather than a bonus.
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@Nat Oleander When I first saw that, it warmed my heart. When I saw how many people refused to boost images without alt text, it utterly amazed me.
yes! The ethos here is make it accessible or donāt bother posting, rather than make it accessible if you have the time, inclination, and energy.
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I love the reminders too, because I have ADHD and I often forget. But the app makes me go back and fix it!
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@Nat Oleander It's just a pity that if you post about an obscure enough niche topic like I do, it's the more difficult to make image posts perfectly accessible to everyone, the more obscure the topic is. For the more obscure the topic is, the more you have to describe, and the more you have to explain. (Caution: Never put explanations into alt-text! They must go where everyone can access them.)
I currently write the longest image descriptions in the whole Fediverse by a wide margin. But they may not actually be accessible enough, even though I describe all my original images twice.
The short descriptions in the alt-text don't always contain text transcripts, especially not all of them, and being only short descriptions, they aren't full, detailed visual descriptions either. The long descriptions for the same images in the post regularly end up with a five-digit character count. They may not be accessible because they're way too long. But sometimes they're the only place where all text transcripts can be found. And they are the only place where explanations can be found.
So the consequence should be that I quit posting my original images because they're impossible to make perfectly accessible to everyone, at least as long as there is no rock-solid definition for what's actually required in image descriptions in my obscure edge-case. But there isn't even any consensus on whether text that's illegible or that's so tiny that it's basically invisible must be transcribed if it can be sourced.
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta #ImageDescription #ImageDescriptions #ImageDescriptionMeta #CWImageDescriptionMeta
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@Jupiter Rowland @Nat Oleander I'm a bit confused. If you write long descriptions, why wouldn't that help to make your images accessible? Alt text doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to give us an idea of what is in the image. It's certainly wonderful when more details are given, but even having an idea of what is going on is better than nothing.
@Georgiana Brummell I'd say not everyone would consider almost 1,000 characters of image description in a 1,500-character alt-text accessible. And even fewer people would consider a long image description in the post itself that's tens of thousands of characters long accessible if your screen reader spends an hour or several rambling it down.
My most extreme case is a post with only one image. That one image is described twice like all my halfway recent original images. The short description in the alt-text is a bit over 1,400 characters long which barely leaves any room for the note that there is also a long description in the post itself. That long description is over 60,000 characters long. I'm not kidding. It took me two full days from getting up to going to bed to research for it and write it.
Now, there are a few dozen bits and pieces of text all over the image. At the resolution at which I've posted the image, two of them are ever so barely legible for sighted people. They're on a large logo on a building. Four more, two of them on that logo, too, two more on a sign on an easel, are illegible, but still visible. At least more on signs inside the building are visible, but they can't easily be identified as text. All the others are so tiny that they're invisible. It takes the long image description to even know where they are, for example, on the control panels of teleporters.
And yet, they are all within the borders of the image. And I can transcribe them. I can't read them in the image, but I can go to the place shown in the image and take closer looks.
Unfortunately, the rule or guideline that any and all text in an image must be transcribed verbatim does not take into consideration text that can't be read in the image, but that can be sourced and thus transcribed by whoever posts the image. No confirmation, no exception. And so I have to assume that I have to transcribe illegible text as well. And so I do transcribe them all.
But there's no way for me to put all these text transcripts into the alt-text, not if I want to keep Mastodon, Misskey and their forks from chopping it off at the 1,500-character mark. I'd also have to explain where all these pieces of text are, after all. And so the text transcripts are only available in the 60,000-character monster of a long image description.
It isn't really accessible to expect blind users to have their screen readers ramble and ramble and ramble for hours, just to get information that should actually belong into the alt-text which, in turn, shouldn't be longer than 200 characters.
On the other hand, it doesn't really seem accessible to me if I expect people to ask me to describe things in the image for them. It rather feels sloppy, if not out-right ableist to not describe everything that someone could possibly want to know right away.
The problem with my images is that they're renderings from very obscure 3-D virtual worlds. This means that nobody knows what anything in these images looks like unless they can see these images. This, in turn, means that I cannot expect anyone to know what something in my images looks like anyway. They don't.
At the same time, I can't expect everyone to not care about my images. In fact, I expect the very topic of 3-D virtual worlds that actually exist to make people curious. At this point, it doesn't matter what's important in my images within the context of the post. Sighted people will go explore the new and unknown world by taking closer looks at all the big and small details in the image.
But blind or visually-impaired people may be just as curious. They may want the same chance to explore this new world by experiencing what's in that one image. Denying them the same chances as sighted people is ableist. But giving them this chance requires an absolutely titanic image description.
Sure, I describe lots of details which a sighted person can't possibly recognise when looking at the image, especially not at the resolution of the image as I've posted it. But I simply can't keep telling blind or visually-impaired people that certain things in the image can't be recognised due to the image resolution. It feels lazy, like weaseling out. I mean, I can see all these details. Not in the image, but where the image was made, simply by walking closer to them or moving the camera closer to them.
If there are two dark objects inside a building that may or may not be plants, but that can't be identified as plants by looking at the image, why shouldn't I describe them as follows: "On the sides of the teleport panel, there are two identical aƧaĆ palms in square terracotta pots with wide rims. Like the other potted plants, these mostly dark green plants with long pointy leaves are kept at an indoor-compatible size, namely about three and a half metres or eleven and a half feet tall. Also, like the other potted plants, they are made of only four flat surfaces with partially transparent pictures of the plant on them, arranged in angles of 45 degrees to one another."
If there's room for improvement in my image descriptions, I improve my future image descriptions and declare my past image descriptions outdated. In fact, the 60,000-character-long description is outdated because it's bad style to describe dimension using measures. Instead, dimensions should be described by comparing them with something everyone is familiar with like body parts.
Right now, by the way, I'm upping my game at describing avatars, using rules and guidelines for describing people which I've discovered over the last few months. The last time I've described an avatar, I've done so in about 7,000 characters, but according to my new discoveries, I may have missed something.
However, I can't go into so much detail while still making my image descriptions short enough that a screen reader can read through them in under a minute.
CC: @Nat Oleander
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #Metaverse #VirtualWorlds #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta #ImageDescription #ImageDescriptions #ImageDescriptionMeta #CWImageDescriptionMeta
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@Jupiter Rowland @Nat Oleander Oh my goodness! Now I see what you mean. Even as a lover of nineteenth-century writing and proper English, that's long, especially for alt text!
@Georgiana Brummell @Nat Oleander Well, technically speaking, the long description isn't alt-text.
What went into the actual alt-text of the image were 1,402 characters of visual description + 97 characters of notice that there's a long description in the post. The over 60,000 characters went into the post text body, right below the image itself.
I could have put the long description into the alt-text. But it would have been a nightmare for blind or visually-impaired people because screen readers can't navigate alt-text. Also, Mastodon, Glitch, Hometown, Misskey, Calckey, Firefish, Iceshrimp, CherryPick, Sharkey, Catodon and the other Mastodon and Misskey forks chop long alt-texts from outside off at the 1,500-character mark. Mastodon would simply have deleted almost 59,000 characters from my image description on their side, had I put it into the alt-text.
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta #ImageDescription #ImageDescriptions #ImageDescriptionMeta #CWImageDescriptionMeta
Thank you for the encourageing words. I am one of those people who always think that the descriptions are somehow not good enough and end up overthinking it...
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
If I post photos, the alt-text is already in the text-area instead of the picture itself.
Thank you for saying this.
I had never written alt text before joining the fediverse, but Iāve come to appreciate the opportunity it gives me to think about why I posted the image and whatās worth knowing about it. I still do worry, but I feel more relaxed thanks to your post.
I had never written alt text before joining the fediverse, but Iāve come to appreciate the opportunity it gives me to think about why I posted the image and whatās worth knowing about it. I still do worry, but I feel more relaxed thanks to your post.
@modulux Also, thanks for the simple fact, that every Fediverse server has a publicly full-featured API, so it is possible to write a client which you want to use, and you do not have to use what some corporation gives you, on platforms of its choosing. Also, thank you again for the image descriptions, they're really appreciated.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
Thanks for this post. Iām a person who always try to add descriptions, reallly wonder if I am doing it right, and have always wondered if anyone ever looked at them.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
A while back, I built an exhibit I thought people would find interesting.
The first place I took it, I was thanked for having an exhibit which was accessible for the visually-impaired (I'm not certain about totally blind). I hadn't even thought of it that way!
You can read my write-up here. Unfortunately, the "caption" property on the images kind of conflicts with the "alt text" property, and I don't know which one you'll get.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds themselves paying more attention to their alt text than the actual post or image, both because it just seems right but also because it's kind of fun to put a little lighthearted humor. If a picture is a thousand words then the inverse must also be true.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@Memere
Just out of curiosity, if you have no vision impairment - why does your avi have glasses on?
Just out of curiosity, if you have no vision impairment - why does your avi have glasses on?
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
I'm so glad to hear this! I put alt text on my photos and I try to get the important bits without overthinking it. I say what a thing is, list the colors it's in if that's important, explain the composition if that's important - all those old photo classes discussing images help with doing this, I've found.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
How do I make posts more accessible to blind people on Mastodon and the Fediverse?
fedi.tips/how-do-i-make-posts-ā¦
h/t @FediTips
If thereās no #Alt4Me tag on the undescribed image, itās still worth being polite as no one wants bad feelings generated around the topic of descriptions. You might want to just reply with a description and #Alt4You tag, and if theyāre abled they will hopefully get the message that descriptions are preferred.
How do I make posts more accessible to blind people on Mastodon and the Fediverse? | Fedi.Tips ā An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse
An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediversefedi.tips
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
A friendly suggestion to all the people who follow me here: put alt text on your images. It makes a difference!
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
Yes yes yes this!
I struggle with mine, that are not photos. The asemic art collage compositions I create can be very chaotic. Asemic writing & deconstructed text removes meaning, leaving the codes and conventions of writing and text. A combination of various colours, textures, irregular shapes and lines is an accurate over all description, but the devilishness is in the details.
Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. I've tried using the Alt-for-me tag, but nobody responded.
Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. I've tried using the Alt-for-me tag, but nobody responded.
@davidrevoy @nunesdennis I suggest turning on audio description for a movie that has it available. Youāll usually find a variety of styles and not all are as elaborate as you might imagine. The most important thing is making an effort and understanding your purpose for sharing the image can guide your effort.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
i'm honestly very insecure about how well I comply with this, so I'll say both "you're welcome" and "I'm sorry"
If you don't mind my asking - as a comic artist, I usually post full comic pages. There isn't enough alt text room to fully transcribe the page, so usually l will write something like "Page X of the comic Love and Hex. Full transcript: (link to an external page with both the comic image and a complete transcript)" followed by a broader description of what's going on without much detail.
Does that sort of thing suffice, or is there a preferred approach?
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@Brandon W That sounds like a great compromise.
I appreciate you saying so. I am someone who often worries about the insufficiency of my image descriptions.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
Thank you for taking the time to write this! It is very very nice to read it.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
Are there things your screen reader has trouble with or that make listening more tedious?
I remember from years ago there was a sequence preference for some things. For example, with lists, I think the preference was word first, then tick box or radio button.
Yes. That still exists and is all part of WCAG, the guidelines used to create accessible websites, documents, etc. I am still learning it, so I can't answer from a professional point of view. But from a personal one, I find emoticons, emojis, etc. to be annoying, especially when they're used consecutively. "hands clapping" twenty times, for example, or during e-mails or other important communication. I don't mind if someone includes a few in his posts. Websites with clutter, such as adds in the middle of articles, hamburger menus, strange edit boxes, and pages that try to refresh when I read them are annoying, and of course, captchas without any audio option can be not only frustrating but actual barriers. I also convert all pdfs to txt. But as far as alt text, not much causes trouble. Sometimes, having many tags in the beginning or middle of a post, instead of at the end, can be confusing, since I have no way of just scrolling passed them.
Esther #antifa reshared this.
I often get tasked to write alt-text descriptions for the images accompanying SEO blogs. I've read a couple of guides with recommendations for what's most "salient" in alt-text (some of them said, "Don't lead with 'image of' & I thought "'oh ... DUH'"), but is there anything particular that you find especially helpful? Like identifying overhead view or differentiating between foreground vs. background?? Is it context-dependent?
Kiki, my black and white female tuxedo cat and I are happy that others are using alt text and that you find it useful!
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@joy larkin šŗāØ Yay! I love cats! Thanks for making me smile.
@Lironah @HeliaXyana I sometimes write in what I was feeling when taking the photograph, like one time I took a picture of clouds, and I said something like they looked great when I looked up in the sky and saw them, but the picture is crappy.... I find it fun to add such silly details in the alt text.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
I can't figure out how to use alt text with my app, so I try to put my description in the actual text. I hour this helps.
I often spend more time writing alt text than the text in the toot itself - not just to keep the toot itself as short as possible.
I always spend more time describing my images than writing the post that they go into.
For my meme posts, that's because I have to explain the picture and find the appropriate links to external explanations (KnowYourMeme etc.) to shorten my explanation block if possible.
For my original images, it's because I have to describe them twice. There's always an alt-text which, as of late, fills the 1,500-character limit imposed by Mastodon, Misskey etc. to the brim. But that alt-text is only a shortened and slightly adapted version of an extremely long long description which goes into the post text body and which also includes transcripts of any and all text in the image, readable or not, as well as all explanations which I deem necessary for outsiders to understand the image. Since the images are about an extremely obscure niche topic, this means I have to explain a lot.
A while ago, I spent two full days, morning to evening, researching for and describing and explaining one single image. The result was probably the longest image description ever posted in the Fediverse. And I actually had to limit myself, otherwise the description would have been even vastly longer and taken over a month to complete. Good thing I don't have any character limit to worry about. The only exception is that Mastodon may reject posts from outside with over 100,000 characters.
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #FediMeta #FediverseMeta #CWFediMeta #CWFediverseMeta #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta #ImageDescription #ImageDescriptions #ImageDescriptionMeta #CWImageDescriptionMeta
Don't hesitate to ask if you're unsure of something, but never think that we don't notice your effort.
I do have a few questions, specifically because my image posts have gone unnoticed by blind or visually-impaired users so far.
Judging and assuming from the information I've gathered so far, my original images require very extensive and detailed descriptions. A full description is too long for alt-text, so what I do is write a full description with all text transcripts and all necessary explanations, put it into the post text body and then condense a shorter, but still long alt-text from it. What's your stance on this method of describing the same image twice over?
Also, where would you personally prefer a long description? In the post itself? Or in an external document that's linked into the post? If you're on a phone app, remember that the external document will inevitably open your Web browser.
Do you prefer images described, based on what a sighted person can see in the image as it is posted? Or do you prefer a description that is not limited by the restriction of the image itself, for example, assuming an infinite image resolution and an infinite zoom factor that would let sighted people theoretically see even tiniest details?
If I mention something in my image description of which you don't know what it looks like, do you need a detailed visual description?
Concerning text transcripts: Let's assume a bit of text in an image is too small to be legible for sighted people, but I can read it at the original source, so I can transcribe it nonetheless. Shall I transcribe it? What about if said text is too small to be recognisable as text or so tiny that's it's practically invisible? I mean, after all, the concept of image resolution should not matter to totally blind people, so writing that a piece of text can't be read because the resolution of the image is too low ought to sound like a lame excuse for skimping a transcript.
If there's a building in one of my images, I can safely assume that you don't know what that one specific building looks like, so I guess I can also assume that you need it described. If I could, I would do so using architectural terms and then explaining all these architectural terms right after using them. Would you say that's the correct way? Because that's why I avoid having realistic buildings in my images.
If there's an image in my image, do you need it described? At a level that I can source right where the image is without moving away too far, or at a level that I can only source by moving farther away to the place shown in the image? What about an image in an image in my image? (I'm serious. I've actually described images within images within my image, but I've stopped when this was about to go out of hand due to there being too many to describe.)
I'm currently working on a series of posts with images showing a virtual-world avatar in various but similar outfits; in fact, I have been since last year. I may have questions later regarding at what level of detail I have to describe that avatar.
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta #ImageDescription #ImageDescriptions #ImageDescriptionMeta #CWImageDescriptionMeta
thanks!
I've shared this post of you because more people need to know that Alt Text and Image Descriptions are not only good but are appreciated by those that rely on them!
- The strenght of the Fediverse is based upon it's diversity, and that must include accessibility!
After all it's easy for sighted people to dismiss it when in reality it doesn't take away anything from them if they just write a sentence or two per image.
- Thabks for letting us know!
#AltText #ImageDescription #Accessibility #Fediverse #blind #inclusion #thanks
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@Kevin Karhan Thank you for sharing and for writing such a lovely response!
Inconvenient? ...
Well, actually, check this answer from Georgiana:
friendica.world/display/84b6efā¦
@Xanathon That would be truly wonderful! But honestly, even just using AltBot normally is fine, since the descriptions usually appear as a post right after the original.
You know what? This is a nice post. I never thought much about this. #Fedilab gives me a big yellow warning when there's no #alttext so I just fill it in. But as someone who's only worry is overstimulation it rarely really crosses my mind. This is a good reminder that it dĆ³Ć©s matter, and reading it makes me happy I fill it in.
@My best life š This is actually what I mean when I say altbot. It's very easy to use, and the instructions are on the page.
BlueSky has an option in the settings that forces you to add alt-text before posting an image or video. If people still aren't adding alt text, that is definitely a choice they are making, and it's not a good choice IMHO.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
I just came here to say that your sharing your appreciation made me genuinely happy. Thank you!
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@Florian Haas You're very welcome.
I appreciate you saying this. Is there a list of alttext generators that most people here use? I am trying to use them as much as possible. I will definitely look up altbot.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
Will do as soon and as good as I can. I promise. Sorry for ignoring this until now š„¹
1.7k boosts. I love this place.
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@davidrevoy @nunesdennis also, at minimum, consider that the default is something like "image." So even the difference between "photo" and "screenshot" and "meme" at least provides handles on what they're missing.
Obviously enough detail to be included in the conversation is better & elaboration on what's notable or aesthetic is best. Someone could always ask a question if they were curious, but not if they have insufficient info.
I usually elaborate on why it's nice: see attached
This is wonderful! Please may I ask - I was just adding some alt text to an image and wondered if there's a convention when the text on the post adequately describes the image or I struggle to describe it again without repetition, is alt text still needed/is it annoying listening to it again, or do you always prefer alt text? Thanks!
@James š¦ #FBPE šŖšŗ No. if you describe it, then the alt text really shouldn't be needed. The whole purpose of the alt text is to describe the image, so if that's what you're doing, you don't need to do it twice. However, there may be an exception. Let's say that you have a picture, and "grandma's delicious cake" is written on the picture. Since it's inside the image, a screen reader most likely wouldn't be able to read that without some other extraction/ocr tool. So in that case, you could write the text. Whether you choose to add details "the cake is in a pan, sitting on a large table", is up to you.
@James š¦ #FBPE šŖšŗ I actually just saw something very interesting, directly related to our conversation! Someone posted an image with two descriptions. It seemed that he wrote one and then something like Altbot wrote the other. It was fascinating, because while they were describing the same thing, the second was more detailed. Yet either one could have worked and provided the same information. That said, here, the focus was on the image. It wasn't just there in the background with text, so while the double description wasn't technically necessary, it worked.
I'm curious about your browsing setup, do you mind if I ask about it? (I've gone back and added alt text to any images I've posted to try and be worthy)
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@Gary Brazzell The only other social platforms I've used are Facebook and Dreamwidth. On Facebook, I've never seen alt tags at all. Dreamwidth is a journalling site, so it's really a different thing entirely. I do love the alt text here, though. I was very surprised when I first saw it, and even more so at how many people use them and even refuse to boost images without them! So it was an extremely wonderful thing to realise. As for accessibility, the Basic Mobile site (not app) of Facebook used to be very accessible. Their shutting it down is what made me come to Friendica. I mostly use it via a client called TweeseCake. I am finding various inaccessible features, or at least ones that cause a lot of a nnoyance, on the main site and intend to write to the Friendica Support group about it. Mastodon seems to be accessible from my glancing at it while reading people's profiles.
This is uplifting. May there be a riddle to honor people with visual impairments who found themselves welcome within the Federation.
āWhom does not see, yet has thousands of eyes writing for them?ā
āWhom does not see, yet has thousands of eyes writing for them?ā
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@zy @shred
@dandylover1
When I get a message in German, the alt text is also in German (for example). It makes it easy to copy and paste into an internet translator.
I have found it helpful when the words are embedded in the picture too. Just go to the alt text and cut and paste.
I'm so happy that it helps people with vision problems.
(I had no idea German would be so important in 2025, but here we are.)
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
I previously used alt tests only on my Mastodon posts (I post images here only very occasionally), but this kind of comments really convinced me that I should just bite the bullet and write alt texts for Pixelfed images from now on, too. Because that's what I *ought* to be doing.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
I loved your post ā¤ļø
Thank you for writing this. I had never realised this properly.
And add craziness that machines can't see as crazy.
Instance admins report massive AI scraping of Mastodon Posts.
There is work being down now, to poison image data invisibly, but when using alt text make sure to add weirdness to poison AIs.
Use long tweezers with yellow bold tanks. Unsubstantiated greening will flout.
Poison alt text for AIs
Make it fun for readers and yourself.
Its helping end AI.
@kevinrns Let's not mess with blind people in a vain attempt to damage AI (by putting nonsense in alt text).
I haven't figured out how to do the alt text, especially if it's a screenshot of something
@wilbr @davidrevoy @nunesdennis
I am not visually impaired, but I love alt text and almost always read it. It clues me in on things I would otherwise miss. This photo you have posted here is a perfect example, because I didn't even notice the duck until your alt text drew my attention to it!
I am not visually impaired, but I love alt text and almost always read it. It clues me in on things I would otherwise miss. This photo you have posted here is a perfect example, because I didn't even notice the duck until your alt text drew my attention to it!
@GroupNebula563 Already boosted, but thank you for the heads-up, appreciate it!
Furbland's Very Cool Mastodon™ reshared this.
@Spinner @Georgiana Brummell When I want to post an original image, that "one extra minute" is more like several hours or even multiple entire days that it takes to research for and write the descriptions for one image. No, I'm not joking.
Even when I post a meme, I can't describe the visuals in the image itself in a few minutes. And then the explanations (which go into the post itself rather than into the alt-text) come on top.
Still, I always go all the way whenever I post an image. I'd rather not post an image than underdescribe and/or underexplain it. I refuse to do any less than that because I always have to expect someone somewhere out there needing it. That's why I've only posted one measly image in the last 12 months, and that was a meme.
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta #ImageDescription #ImageDescriptions #ImageDescriptionMeta #CWImageDescriptionMeta
I like following a caption bot. It reminds me every time I forget to include alt text. Sorry I don't recall what it's called, maybe something like CaptionPlease?
@Giselle @Jennifer Moore š· @Georgiana Brummell This is actually a mistake that many Fediverse user keep making because they don't know better, and because the majority of Mastodon users only have 500 characters available.
That's because not everyone can access alt-text. I'm being absolutely serious here. In order to access alt-text, you need either a screen reader (which sighted people don't have) or at least one sufficiently working hand.
If you want to explain your image, please do so in the post text itself and not in the alt-text.
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #FediMeta #FediverseMeta #CWFediMeta #CWFediverseMeta #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta
@jupiter_rowland I wish to argue that each Fediverse user gets to make their own decision of what they want to include in alt text. On the understanding that not everyone may be able to see alt text, and that by not extending what they want to say to everyone, the poster loses out.
Strict rules of what we must, or must never do, don't sit right with me.
Strict rules of what we must, or must never do, don't sit right with me.
@Giselle I've been told that by a Mastodon user who really values accessibility. However, she told me that she cannot access alt-texts because both of her hands don't work well enough for her to access alt-text.
It was her who told me to never explain things in alt-text because she and people like her can't read these explanations, because they can't open the alt-text with these explanations inside.
Explaining stuff in alt-text and not in the post throws people like her in front of a bus, just like not describing images at all throws blind and visually-impaired people in front of a bus.
I have explained my image posts in the post text body ever since, regardless of Mastodon users whining that I exceed 500 characters.
Explanations go into the post/toot where everyone can access them.
I mean, sure, you're free to put them only in the alt-text because your character limit is so meagre. You're just as free to write super-short alt-texts that don't really describe anything. You're just as free to not describe your images at all.
But don't complain if someone criticises you for either.
CC: @Georgiana Brummell
#Long #LongPost #CWLong #CWLongPost #FediMeta #FediverseMeta #CWFediMeta #CWFediverseMeta #AltText #AltTextMeta #CWAltTextMeta #ImageDescription #ImageDescriptions #ImageDescriptionMeta #CWImageDescriptionMeta
Caring and trying are really all that are required, and sadly that's still beyond a lot of people, so when you do, even if you have room for improvement, we really do take notice. It really is the best feeling!
hello. Thank you for your post. Something I wanted to know is do you need the description of color ? Does that bring you information or is it useless ? (Because the color is very important to me, I do describ them in the altext but if you donāt matter I would skip them). Thank you for your answer (I hope i write well I am not very good in english)
@GLaG_38 Ƨa peut rĆ©pondre Ć des questions que tu te poses.
2025-01-25 13:06:37
2025-01-22 00:03:00
2025-01-22 00:03:00
10554050
Unknown parent
Things I have no interestt in seeing:
Politics, posts in foreign languages that I don't understand, posts with obscenities, bickering over who joins what network, posts about what leaders of various networks do, vegan activism/ promotion, images without descriptions, world affairs (non-Western), posts about mental health, etc.
Things I am Constantly Seeing
Politics, posts in foreign languages that I don't understand, more politics, posts with obscenities, bickering over who joins what network, posts about what leaders of various networks do, yet more politics, vegan activism/ promotion, images without descriptions (very rare here, thankfully), still more politics, world affairs and wars (non-Western), posts about mental health, and you guessed it, even more politics! At least I don't see all of the inspirational/love yourself, or religious posts. Those are just as annoying.
Posts I Would Like to See:
Animals (especially cats and birds), plants, insects, high culture (theatre, classical music, fine dining, literature, fashion, etc.), cooking/recipes, history, science for non-scientists, technology (not just how to write websites or who's doing what in the Fediverse), audio games, good news, interesting discussions, people's daily lives (yes, I know this is not Dreamwidth), etc.
@Meg I would absolutely love to know how to block specific words and phrases! I have looked all over the Friendica.world site and I couldn't find any way to do this. I also couldn't find anything in TweeseCake itself. @Fedi.Tips Can you please help? Is this possible? I had to unfollow several otherwise wonderful people over this.
#blind #blocking #Friendica #moderation #Tweesecake #TweeseCake
2024-12-19 02:23:52
2024-12-19 02:23:49
2024-12-19 02:23:49
5420807
Since this post is about fashion, let me start by answering the question that I am sure will be on your mind upon seeing my name. No, I am not related to The Beau. However, I love dandyism as a whole, and I took this name in tribute. I am also working to have his book, Male and Female Costume, published online freely, but that's for another post and time. At any rate, I am forty-one and am passionate about antique menswear, Regency as a scholarly pursuit, and Edwardian for daily wear. Naturally, I am constantly researching and trying to expand upon my knowledge. I am totally blind, so I must rely on descriptions rather than images.
I am the type who would like to wear a three-piece suit and accessories everywhere I go. I've decided that for my first one, I should get a lounge suit, since I can wear it almost anywhere during the day, provided it's not a formal occasion. I will eventually have morning wear, white tie, black tie, and informal evening wear, but that's for later. I have found some sites which create reproductions of men's Edwardian suits, but most use synthetic materials and/or zippers, which I refuse to wear, and none uses fabrics of the proper thickness. I found sites that make women's suits with men's specifications (no ridiculous enhancements of breasts, butt, shallow pockets, soft colours, buttons on the wrong sides of shirts, etc.) but they only make modern clothing. Ebay and Etsy occasionally have some authentic pieces, but most are too formal for daily use, even by Edwardian standards! I am also having difficulty with finding some accessories, such as proper ties and socks without elastic. My other option is to have a suit commissioned, but for that, I need to find a good tailor. The best in the world, in my opinion, is Zack Pinsent, but he's in England and I'm in America (New Jersey).
I am seeking those who share my interest in antique menswear, and perhaps some advice as to where I can find such clothing and/or accessories.
For those who are interested in my journey so far, here is my dreamwidth post containing all sorts of links related to Regency and Edwardian menswear.
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/210ā¦
#accessories #antiquemenswear #bespoke #clothing #dandyism #daywear #dressing #Edwardian #eveningwear #fashion #formal #historicalclothing #informal #loungesuit #masculinewomen #mensfashion #menswear #morningwear #offtherack #Regency #suits #tailors
2026-03-07 15:36:26
2024-12-18 05:11:34
2024-12-18 05:11:34
5303443
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Avalon Jazz
Unknown parent
I am seeking assistance with singing and learning music theory. This could be in the form of teaching, giving advice, or just listening to me and sharing your opinion of my progress. This is not for a career, just for my own enrichment, though after the correct amount of time has passed, I may decide to take it further and sing publicly in some form or other, perhaps in a choir or a radio play. However, my requirements are quite specific, and I do realise this will be a long process.
Requirements
1. I have no interest in modern singers, musicians, or their techniques. I am using the book You Can Sing, by Clara Novello Davies, as a basis for everything, especially my physical and vocal exercises. I am interested in the techniques of her time and that of her son, Ivor Novello, with a focus on operetta, and perhaps, choral singing.
- The above also holds for music theory. I am aligning my knowledge and methodology with what was taught during Ivor's time. A list of all the books I am using, as well as an explanation of the knowledge I have attained so far can be found here. This includes the differences between modern and older singers.
friendica.world/display/84b6efā¦
- Please be aware that I am totally blind. I cannot use images, graphical charts, tables, musical notation, etc. Braille music does exist, but I don't know how to read it, and would need to have appropriate texts transcribed, in any case. I do, however, have perfect pitch, an excellent sense of rhythm, and a very good musical memory, so perhaps, we can work on modifications that don't truly cross the boundaries into modernity but that are still accessible.
- If you do more than just give occasional advice, I'm sure you will want to be compensated for your work, as that's only right. Please be aware that I can only pay $25 per hour at the most, via Paypal. In that case, I can only work with you for about four hours per month, due to financial constraints, but of course, I will also study on my own. I may be able to do more, but not as a normal practice.
- If you are a descendant of anyone who knew Clara Novello Davies , her students, or Ivor Novello, even if you yourself know nothing about singing, I would still love to hear from you if you have stories to share!
#blind #choir #choralsinging #ClaraNovelloDavies #music #musictheory #singing #theatre #theater #teacher #tutor #vocalinstruction
This is something I wrote on Dreamwidth in September. I think some of you may find it interesting. I myself am beginning to study all of this, as I am fascinated by the singing methods and knowledge of the time. It is a bit difficult doing it being blind and unable to read music, but fortunately, there are ways around that. My perfect pitch and good memory for lyrics also helps.Below, you will find various links related to theory, harmony and counterpoint, and a comparison of older and modern methods of teaching and singing. While this relates to choirs and opera, it also relates to the theatre, particularly operettas and such.
Studying Music: Part I
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/205ā¦My one criterion was that the methods and books used had to be from the time of Ivor Novello, preferably from his youth (born 1893). If I were to start in the early nineteenth century, which is where most of my preferred non-musical educational material is from, I would miss extremely important developments in classical music. Starting at the birth of his mother, Clara Novello Davies, in 1861, would be fine. However, since her own book, which I am using as my main text and guide, was written in 1928, I went with that of her son. In the following sections, you will find the books I am using. One thing I have not included, though it was a huge influence in Ivor's own writing style, was theatrical music, such as that found in operettas and Edwardian musical comedies. That is such a large topic for discussion that I feel it deserves its own separate post, as does Ivor's music, since it's an interesting blend of all of the above. But this is well outside the scope of traditional musical study.
In the next entry, we will delve into vocal training and why the singers of Novello's time sound so wonderful.
Studying Music: Part II
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/205ā¦Finally, since I mentioned the exercises, here they are, for anyone who wants to try them. Note that these are the Preliminaries and Breathlock Physicals, not the vocal exercises. But I have provided the link to her book as well, for those who may wish to go further.
Clara's Exercises
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/205ā¦
#books #choir #ClaraNovelloDavies #counterpoint #exercises #harmony #history #IvorNovello #music #musictheory #opera #operetta #singing #studying #vocaltraining #voicetraining #theater #theatre
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Brian Moore, Sally Strange, Petr Nuska, CC, Rutger Helmers š„, Avalon Jazz and Performing Arts Channel reshared this.
I know a little bit about music theory and enjoy singing myself, along with playing clarinet and sax. Happy to talk about music related stuff most anytime.
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
this may not be totally useful, but since you posted here you are obviously adept at novel internet things š so I just thought I'd add that I have always found excellent music tutorials of all sorts on #SoulSeek
Georgiana Brummell likes this.
@Avalon Jazz Thank you. I sincerely appreciate it. But these are most likely quite modern, so aren't what I am seeking. But they can probably be of great use to others.
You're very welcome! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
2025-01-22 03:23:46
2024-11-30 03:25:35
2024-11-30 03:25:35
3398377
Unknown parent
Unknown parent
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
in reply to Georgiana Brummell
*Updated.*
Hello. I joined Friendica in October of 2024, after Facebook closed their Basic Mobile site (not app). I live in New Jersey and am forty-one years old. Some of my interests include studying dandyism, nineteenth-century grammar, Upper Received Pronunciation, British history, and the Regency. I like coffee, tea, wine, nasal snuff, cooking, hot baths, reading British literature, watching nature and historical documentaries, gardening, hot weather, and playing cards and dice. I also love cats. In classical music, I enjoy Baroque through a bit of early Romantic, while in popular, I usually prefer 1950's through 1970's. I love theatre (especially English and Viennese operettas, Edwardian musical comedies), and some Regency/Georgian plays. I prefer antique menswear and accessories. It's my dream to either buy a genuine Edwardian suit or have one commissioned. I love wit, wordplay, and dry humour without vulgarity. My parents are lesbians, and I am a huge gay rights supporter, but I stop short of using singular they and promoting the idea of more than two sexes, though you can certainly lean more towards one while being the other (as I do being a masculine woman), or change from one to the other via hormones, surgery etc. I have been totally blind since I was two months old, due to Retinopathy of Prematurity.
I am happily childfree and am not religious. I hardly ever write about politics. I tend to get along better with people older than I, but I will accept friends twenty-one and over. I have no understanding of chronic illness, anxiety, depression, loneliness, etc. I enjoy hearing about cats, cooking or gardening adventures, antiques, and interesting life stories.
This is my journal. Anyone can read or comment, whether or not he is a member.
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org
#antipolitics #antiquemensware #antiques #BBC #blind #blindness #books #British #Britishliterature #BeauBrummell #cards #cats #childfree #coffee #cooking #classicalmusic #crafts #dandies #dandyism #ClaraNovelloDavies #dice #dinnerparties #documentaries #Dreamwidth #Edwardian #England #English #Eton #Facebook #fashion #food #Friendica #friends #friendship #gayrights #gardening #grammar #highculture #humor #humour #introduction #LordAlvanley #men #MS-DOS #nasalsnuff #nature #NewJersey #NewYork #IvorNovello #oldermen #omnivores #operettas #reading #ReceivedPronunciation #Regency #relationships #seniors #silverfork #singing #singles #tea #theater #theatre #UnitedKingdom #Wales #Windows #writing
#friendica
#facebook
#introduction
#british
#books
#Cooking
#nature
#humor
#writing
#english
#newjersey
#England
#windows
#Coffee
#gardening
#cats
#Antiques
#Wales
#friends
#reading
#singing
#singles
#theatre
#Documentaries
#edwardian
#blind
#crafts
#Theater
#men
#tea
#classicalmusic
#seniors
#humour
#friendship
#relationships
#gayrights
#cards
#childfree
#Dreamwidth
#antiquemensware
#Regency
#grammar
#dice
#IvorNovello
#operettas
#dandies
#dandyism
#highculture
#BeauBrummell
#ClaraNovelloDavies
#Eton
#MS-DOS
#Britishliterature
#dinnerparties
#nasalsnuff
#oldermen
#ReceivedPronunciation
#silverfork
#Latinlanguage
#LordAlvanley
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@šØš¦š©šŖšØš³å¼ ę®æęšØš³š©šŖšØš¦ Thank you. At least you made me aware of this, and I sincerely appreciate it.
Hey fellow person in NJ
2026-03-07 15:36:31
2024-11-16 04:29:04
2024-11-16 04:29:04
2356627
I can't believe I didn't post this earlier! Anyway, here is a Dreamwidth entry of mine containing all sorts of links related to dandyism, including an entire section on Beau Brummell. As you can tell, this is another one of my great passions.
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/181ā¦
In case you missed it, this one is devoted to fashion itself.
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/210ā¦
#antiquemensware #BeauBrummell #books #British #clothing #dandies #dandyism #dandyism.net #Dreamwidth #Edwardian #fashion #history #mensware #Regency #suits #Victorian
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Books & Literature Channel and Creative Arts Channel reshared this.
2024-11-16 02:55:41
2024-11-16 02:55:41
2024-11-16 02:55:41
2355144
(This is a companion piece to my dating post, but here, I am strictly seeking friends. Therefore, the beginning will look similar.)
Hello. I live in New Jersey and am forty years old. Some of my interests include studying dandyism, nineteenth-century grammar, Received Pronunciation, and the Regency. I like coffees, teas, and nasal snuffs, and enjoy cooking, reading British literature, watching nature and historical documentaries, gardening, crafts, and playing cards and dice. I like Baroque through Classical and a bit of early Romantic music. I love theatre (especially Regency plays, English and Viennese operettas, and Edwardian musical comedies). I prefer antique menswear and accessories (no feminine clothing). I love wit, wordplay, and dry humour without vulgarity. I am happily childfree and am not religious. I respect those who are, as long as they don't try to convert me or base their lives around it. I also have no time for mind games, drama, or political correctness/sugar coating. I have been totally blind since I was two months old, due to Retinopathy of Prematurity.
I am seeking friends, either online or off, though offline would be ideal, so we can meet and do things together. I don't care about your sex or sexual orientation, but I would prefer friends no younger than twenty-one. I tend to get along with those who are older than I, since we usually have more in common, but it's not a requirement. I am blind, but it's not the focal point of my life. Still, it does mean that I can't drive. I really don't have any understanding of chronic illness, anxiety, depression, loneliness, etc. so if you need someone who could help you through that on a personal level, I'm not the one you're seeking. I also have no children and tend to avoid them, though I am polite when meeting them. I love cats, so if you have any, I would love to meet them or hear about them. I also enjoy hearing about cooking or gardening adventures, antiques, etc. and I love learning about interesting lives. If we do meet, I need to get to know you a bit first.
For those who would like to know more about me, this is my journal. Anyone can read or comment, whether or not he is a member.
#friendship #friends #fun #men #NewJersey #women
I wanted to add tags such as cards, classical music, fashion, gardening, Regency, theatre, etc. but I don't want to abuse them, because while I am seeking a man who likes these things, my post isn't really about them. Perhaps, a veteran Friendica or Fediverse user could instruct me in this.
2024-11-16 02:39:41
2024-11-16 02:32:37
2024-11-16 02:32:37
2354874
Hello. I live in New Jersey and am forty-one years old. I am seeking a man over sixty who is well-dressed, well-spoken, confident, and witty. You can be either straight or bisexual. You should enjoy the finer things in life, but you need not be rich. I have no interest in bdsm, role-playing, etc. I simply adore the voices and bodies of older men. That said, I do love it soft down there and enjoy bedroom fun. I would prefer you to either live in or near New Jersey, or to be able to visit me frequently. No one-night stands, parents or men who want children, caregivers, workaholics, or recreational drug users. I am open to both fun with no strings attached, and a committed relationship, but I must get to know you first.
Some of my interests include studying dandyism, nineteenth-century grammar, Upper Received Pronunciation, British history, and the Regency. I like coffee, tea, wine, nasal snuff, cooking, hot baths, reading British literature, watching nature and historical documentaries, gardening, hot weather, and playing cards and dice. I also love cats. In classical music, I enjoy Baroque through a bit of early Romantic, while in popular, I usually prefer 1950's through 1970's. I love theatre (especially English and Viennese operettas, Edwardian musical comedies), and some Regency/Georgian plays. I prefer antique menswear and accessories (no feminine clothing). It's my dream to either buy a genuine Edwardian suit or have one commissioned. I love wit, wordplay, and dry humour without vulgarity. I am happily childfree, am not religious, and speak my mind. I have been totally blind since I was two months old, due to Retinopathy of Prematurity.
2026-03-07 15:36:27
2024-10-31 01:56:08
2024-10-31 01:56:08
1689538
Those who love antique fashions will enjoy this. It is a compilation of links related to Regency and Edwardian mensware. If you have any to add or wish to make any suggestions, please do so.
How Fashionable!
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/210ā¦
dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/210ā¦
#antiquemensware #clothing #dapper #Edwardian #fashion #history #Regency #suits
Creative Arts Channel reshared this.
DB Schwein
in reply to Georgiana Brummell • • •