Posted by: xSicKxBot - 10-04-2018, 01:59 AM - Forum: Windows
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Whats new in Windows 10 accessibility in the October 2018 Update
At Microsoft, we believe our technology should reflect the diversity of the people that use our products.
We are excited to share how the Windows 10 October 2018 update delivers on that mission by giving you more accessibility features than ever before to enhance your personal computing experience. These features include Ease of Access updates to make Windows 10 easier to see, Narrator improvements to make Windows 10 easier to use without a screen, and Learning Tools and text suggestions updates to make it easier to read and write.
Ease of Access Updates
You now have more ways to see Windows 10 your way, with the addition of text size customization across the platform. From the “Display” page in Ease of Access settings or by typing “larger text” in the search bar, you can adjust a single global text size slider to make text bigger across Windows, efficiently making just the words bigger without affecting the entire visual layout. You can customize text size in conjunction with DPI scaling, otherwise known as the “Make Everything Bigger” setting. As the name implies, this feature makes everything on the screen larger, which can sometimes reduce productivity for users with low vision by requiring more panning or scrolling. By complementing DPI customization with text size customization, users now have more options to tailor their Windows 10 display.
We realize many users with low vision not only prefer more levers to customize their experience, but they also prefer using multiple tools together. The custom text size works great with Magnifier, which provides new ways for you to optimize your experience. You can choose to keep your mouse centered on the screen, which can be particularly helpful at higher magnification levels, so you do not lose your mouse or focus when trying to navigate. We have also added smaller increments of 5 percent and 10 percent for adjusting zoom level, so you can have even more control of your magnifier experience.
Narrator Improvements
We have continued to make Narrator, our built-in screen reader, easier to learn and use.
We have made narrator easier to learn with two key updates.
Narrator QuickStart: When Narrator launches, a new QuickStart tutorial experience will be available to teach you Narrator basics such as keyboarding, navigation and editing. At the end of the QuickStart there is a link to the User Guide where you can continue learning about Narrator.
Improved and more familiar keyboard: Narrator now ships with a new keyboard layout designed to be more familiar to screen reader users. Differences in the keyboard layout are designed to improve keyboard ergonomics and usability, e.g. with improved mnemonics. Check out the Narrator user guide for more details on these changes.
We have also made narrator easier to use with improved navigation and efficiency.
Easier navigation: With Narrator Find, you now can search for specific text, which Narrator will then move to if found. Narrator can also now present a list of objects, such as links, headings, or landmarks that you can quickly filter to find what you want. Refer to the Narrator user guide for command mapping.
Increased efficiency: Narrator will now automatically read dialog boxes, such as the Word dialog box that appears when you try to close a document with unsaved changes. We have also made two key improvements to Scan Mode, a narrator feature that simplifies navigation by primarily using just the up and down arrow keys, to enable a more seamless experience:
o Narrator stops on interactive elements like links so you can more easily interact with them, or you can continue reading with just a press of the down arrow.
o You have more options for selecting text while in Scan Mode including commands to copy an entire block of text without holding down the Shift key. Narrator’s selection commands will copy the format of the text being copied such as headings, lists and more. You can also now speak the selected text using a Narrator command. Refer to the Narrator user guide for additional information on Narrator selection commands or use the Show Commands List Narrator command by pressing Caps + F1.
Reading and Writing Improvements
In addition to Ease of Access and Narrator updates, the October 2018 Update also brings more ways to improve reading fluency and comprehension and author text.
Within Microsoft Edge, you now have more flexibility with web browsing and reading with new ways to customize your learning experience with Learning Tools. First rolled out in the Fall Creator’s Update a year ago, we added Learning Tools like read aloud to the web browsing experience. The April 2018 update then came with the addition of grammar tools, enabling you to break words into syllables and highlight parts of speech.
We are making Learning Tools even more powerful with the October 2018 update. With any ePub or webpage in reading view, you can customize the page theme color with Irlen colors that make it easier to decode text. You can also turn on line focus for a webpage in Reading view to help you concentrate. Additionally, you now have more ways to personalize grammar tools: you can customize the highlight color for parts of speech or turn on labels within the text if you find it difficult to disambiguate between colors. Should you run into words you are unfamiliar with, you can quickly look them up in the built-in dictionary that also works offline*.
Writing experiences are also improving. Text suggestions, which suggests the top three word candidates as you type, is now expanding to 50+ languages** since its debut in the April 2018 update.
Thanks and keep the feedback coming
Thank you to the many people who help shape the accessibility of Windows 10 experiences. Through channels like the feedback hub and the Windows Insider Program, we get your feedback that directly informs product development. That includes not only the features in this latest release but also throughout our work this past year in the Fall Creator’s Update and April 2018 Update.
Additionally, if you are a customer with a disability of any kind and need technical assistance, the Disability Answer Desk is there to assist via phone and chat. In the United States, we also have an ASL option for our customers with hearing loss: +1 503-427-1234.
Thanks again and please keep your thoughts coming! Whether you join the Windows Insider Program or activate the feedback hub by just pressing the Windows + F keys, we want to know what is top of mind so that we can continue to evolve the accessibility of Windows 10.
*Offline dictionary supported in English, Spanish, German, Italian, French
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 10-04-2018, 01:44 AM - Forum: Lounge
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Red Dead Redemption 2's Release Date And US Pre-Order Guide (PS4/Xbox One)
The internet is awash in anticipation for Red Dead Redemption 2, and it's easy to see why. Rockstar doesn't release new games often, and when it does, the games tend to be landmark events in the gaming world. From everything we've seen so far--including our hands-on time with the game--Red Dead Redemption 2 promises to be one of the biggest games of the year.
It stars Arthur Morgan and the Dutch van der Linde gang--whose members include John Marston, the star of the original game. The game launches for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 26, 2018. Its accompanying online multiplayer mode, Red Dead Online, will launch in beta at some point in November. All owners of the base game will receive free access to it.
A new gameplay trailer showcased more of the single-player component's open-world gameplay. That includes a variety of heists you can take part in and some of the customization options at your disposal.
You don't have to wait until October 26 to secure your copy--you can pre-order Red Dead Redemption 2 right now from a number of retailers, both in-store and online. Here's all the information you need to know to lock in your Red Dead pre-order.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Pre-Order Bonus
Pre-order Red Dead Redemption 2, and you'll get a couple of digital goodies for your trouble.
War Horse: An Ardennes War Horse with greater courage and stamina than the average steed.
The Outlaw Survival Kit: Contains a collection of key supplies, including items to replenish Health, Dead Eye, and more.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Digital Pre-Order Bonus
Anyone who pre-orders a digital version of Red Dead Redemption 2 from the PlayStation Store or Xbox Store will get the bonuses listed above, plus a handful of other digital freebies thrown in for good measure.
Cash Bonus for Red Dead Redemption 2 Story Mode
Treasure Map: Gives you a head start on the hunt for hidden riches. Must pre-order by July 31, 2018 to receive.
Bonus GTA$: Immediate download that contains in-game currency for Grand Theft Auto Online. Here's the breakdown of how much GTA$ you get for each edition: Standard Edition - $500,000 | Special Edition - $1 million | Ultimate Edition - $2 million.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Standard Edition
This edition comes with the relevant pre-order bonuses listed above, plus the core game. Here's where you can pre-order it.
The ultimate edition comes with all the content from the special edition, plus the following.
Bonus Outfits: The Blackrose Bounty Hunter Outfit and The Copperhead Enforcer Outfit.
Black Chestnut Thoroughbred: A racehorse and special saddle, both available in online.
Free Access to the Survivor Camp Theme
Free Access to Additional Weapons: Get access to the Volcanic Pistol, Pump Action Shotgun and Lancaster Varmint Rifle, free of charge from Gunsmiths in online.
Rank Bonuses: As a great start for all Ultimate Edition players, you can rank up faster in online, up to rank 25.
Here's where you can pre-order the ultimate edition.
First off, it's important to note that the Collector's Box does not include the game. So if you're going to pre-order it, make sure you also get yourself a separate copy of the game or you'll be very disappointed come launch day. What the Collector's Box does include is a bunch of physical goodies.
Metal Tithing Box with Lock & Key
Collectable Challenge Coin
Double Sided Puzzle
Six Shooter Bandana
Treasure Map
Pin Set
Playing Cards
Wheeler, Rawson and Co. Catalogue
12 Cigarette Cards
Here's where you can pre-order the collector's box.
The acclaimed dungeon crawler Diablo 3 is coming to Nintendo Switch on November 2. But this isn't the vanilla version that shipped in 2012. This is Diablo 3: Eternal Collection, which means it comes with all of the updates, DLC, and expansions Blizzard has released over the years. It's the full game, and it will be playable on your TV or on the go, thanks to the hybrid nature of the Switch. If you're ready to pre-order Diablo 3: Eternal Collection for Nintendo Switch, we have all the details you need below.
What Comes with Diablo 3 On Switch?
Diablo 3: Eternal Collection on Switch is mostly the same as it is on Xbox One, PS4, and PC. It comes with the core game, as well as the Reaper of Souls and Rise of the Necromancer expansions. That means you get a campaign comprised of five acts, along with seven classes of playable characters: Crusader, Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Demon Hunter, Monk, Wizard, and Necromancer.
One of the quality-of-life features of this version is that Adventure mode is also unlocked from the beginning. That means you don't have to complete the campaign before taking on the endgame activities that are geared toward loot collection and replayability.
The Switch edition also comes with some Nintendo-exclusive Zelda content. You get a Cucco companion pet, a Triforce portrait frame, and cosmetic wings straight out of Majora's Mask. You can also transform your armor to make your character look like Ganondorf.
As for multiplayer, you can play it in a number of configurations. You can play with co-op partners in shared-screen mode on a single Nintendo Switch. You can play locally offline on up to four devices, even using a mixture of TV and handheld play. Or you can play online with friends. The game also supports all controller configurations, including both single and dual Joy-Con setups.
Where to Pre-Order Diablo 3 for Switch
Ready to pull the trigger? Unfortunately, no discounts are available at the moment, but a number of retailers are selling pre-orders for the suggested retail price of $60.
California’s net neutrality legislation met with DOJ lawsuit
California has enacted a law that offered what the state called “the strongest net neutrality protections in the nation,” but the Department of Justice is arguing that the state doesn’t have the right to regulate net neutrality.
California Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into Law on Sunday, reports PCGamer, and the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit within a matter of hours.
On its own, the California net neutrality law bars internet service providers (ISPs) from limiting bandwidth for or outright blocking individual websites or media types, in addition to preventing those ISPs from charging additional fees for better speeds for different sites or applications.
However, in a statement issued by the Department of Justice, Attorney General Jeff Sessions says that, under the Constitution, “states do not regulate interstate commerce—the federal government does. Once again the California legislature has enacted an extreme and illegal state law attempting to frustrate federal policy.”
In the same press release, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai (notably the man who spearheaded the repeal of nation-wide net neutrality protections earlier this year) said he was “pleased the Department of Justice has filed this suit” and calls the law illegal and anti-consumer.
“The law prohibits many free-data plans, which allow consumers to stream video, music, and the like exempt from any data limits,” continued Pai. “They have proven enormously popular in the marketplace, especially among lower-income Americans. But notwithstanding the consumer benefits, this state law bans them.”
Video: Crafting the narrative of Reigns: Her Majesty
What makes a great queen?
That’s one of the tricky questions British indie Nerial tried to answer with Reigns: Her Majesty, the award-winning follow-up to the studio’s popular swipe-em-up kingdom management sim Reigns.
Much of Her Majesty‘s appeal lies in its craftily-written characters and scenes, so it’s nice that at GDC 2018 Her Majesty writer Leigh Alexander (a former Gamasutra editor) took to the stage to share her thoughts on how to write women in power well.
It was a short, packed presentation which offered curious devs a deep dive into both the technical realities (spreadsheets!) and creative challenges that come with writing a lighthearted game about the political tightrope that women in power must walk. If you missed seeing it live this year, don’t miss your chance to now watch Alexander’s talk for free via the GDC YouTube channel!
In addition to this presentation, the GDC Vault and its accompanying YouTube channel offers numerous other free videos, audio recordings, and slides from many of the recent Game Developers Conference events, and the service offers even more members-only content for GDC Vault subscribers.
Those who purchased All Access passes to recent events like GDC or VRDC already have full access to GDC Vault, and interested parties can apply for the individual subscription via a GDC Vault subscription page. Group subscriptions are also available: game-related schools and development studios who sign up for GDC Vault Studio Subscriptions can receive access for their entire office or company by contacting staff via the GDC Vault group subscription page. Finally, current subscribers with access issues can contact GDC Vault technical support.
Gamasutra and GDC are sibling organizations under parent company Informa.
New Preview Beta and Delta (subset) 1810 Update – 9/22/18
Starting at 2:00 p.m. PDT today, members of the Xbox One Preview Beta and Delta (subset) Rings will begin receiving the latest 1810 Xbox One system update (180918-1920). Read on for more about the fixes and known issues in the latest 1810 system update.
NOTE : Today a subset of Delta Users are receiving the 1810 build. We are doing the subset of users as we are targeting the upgrade process and will move the remaining set of Delta users in over the next week as we flight new builds to test the upgrade process.
Fixes:
My Games and Apps
Fixes to how Games and Apps are installed, updated and launched to ensure the games/apps can launch correctly and not provide the user with an error requiring a reinstall of the game/ app.
System
System Memory and Performance fixes in this build.
Localization fixes in this build.
Known Issues:
Avatars
It can take up to 10 seconds to view an Avatar on the profile screen after creating a new Avatar.
My Games & Apps
We are aware that some users are experiencing crashing of a game or the Youtube app when you are either launching or resuming the Youtube app.
If you are in the Youtube app and then Resume to a Game the app/game and console may hang or crash.
Power
We are tracking an issue in which the console is fully powering off when it is placed into Instant On mode.
Profile Color
Sometimes users may encounter the incorrect Profile color when powering on the console.
Virtual Keyboard
We are aware that special characters appear incorrectly when using the Virtual Keyboard.
We are aware that the recently used emoji’s/characters are not present when you launch the VK again.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 10-03-2018, 01:55 PM - Forum: Windows
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Tech is flourishing in Vancouver. Here are 5 reasons why.
Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster consortium
The supercluster, a consortium that includes some of the world’s most recognized names in tech, healthcare and natural resources, hopes to create 50,000 jobs over the next 10 years, boosting the regional economy in many sectors. Microsoft is one the more than 300 participants in this group. An initiative of the Canadian Federal government, the Digital Technology Supercluster was one of five winning recipients of a $950 million award nationwide, and is focused on accelerating growth by bringing some of the biggest names in the industry together to advance technologies.
According to its CEO, Sue Paish, one of the goals of the consortium is to create an environment that will help develop, grow and ultimately sustain innovation and talent in the area.
“In British Columbia, we have a long history of producing a lot of start-ups and lots of innovative minds,” she says. “If we can take some of these creative minds and their technologies and put them in an environment where they are surrounded by like-minded people and medium and large companies that have the expertise and resources to help redefine and refine ideas and bring it to market, that’s essential to their success. We need the shot putters, sprinters and the long-distance runners to make a track team.”
A training ground for augmented, virtual and mixed reality
The British Columbia Institute of Technology offers a first-of-its-kind Mixed Reality curriculum.
At the British Columbia Institute of Technology, students are being equipped with tools for the real world. Studies at this institute of applied education focus on integrating student learning with industry projects, applied research and entrepreneurship so graduates head out to the workforce with the right mix of skills to create breakthroughs in the field.
“We know that people and organizations will work very differently in the future, as technology evolves fast and furiously,” says Kathy Kinloch, president of BCIT. “As an applied education institute, BCIT believes that people will be the driving force of success through this disruptive change and their own evolving career needs. We provide young people and lifelong learners with a diverse set of the latest technical and human skills, as and when they need them, to create innovative leaders and resilient individuals.
BCIT students graduate with a broad perspective, making them the right people to advance the field of augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality. Microsoft has partnered with BCIT to develop a first-of-its-kind mixed-reality curriculum, with the goal of training students for careers in the field of digital media and entertainment. Graduates are also able to make an impact in their own communities as they don’t have to go too far to find work, whether in the city of Vancouver or further south along the Cascadia Corridor.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Watching Your Personal Hygiene
For Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar Games is touting a more dynamic game world that pays close attention to your behaviour and reacts accordingly. However, it's not just monitoring whether you're being nice to the people around you and abstaining from robbing banks and holding up trains; it's also considering how you look and smell.
Being an outlaw is dirty work. All that robbing, killing, and generally getting up to no good gets the sweat glands pumping and wild west body funk going. And since it can be difficult for cowboys and outlaws to find some time for self-care, it's also easy to let your body hair get a bit out of hand. However, in Red Dead Redemption 2, it's important to ensure that Arthur Morgan is kept prim and proper. If you don't bathe regularly and shave, other members of the Van der Linde gang will call you out on it, even going so far as to take you to one side and stage an intervention. Characters in the world will also react to your poor personal hygiene, opting to give you a wide berth if you're stinking up the streets.
Those you actively engage with may have different dialogue options that treat your disheveled Arthur in a less than kind way. In one of our Red Dead Redemption 2 hands-on sessions this aspect of the game manifested perfectly after an unexpected shootout. We wandered into a nearby camp and, unbeknownst to us, it belonged to a gang we'd robbed earlier. Of course, all hell broke loose, and before long we were covered in blood and dirt. Once we'd managed to get to safety, we found that it was quite tricky getting help because people we were attempting to flag down weren't keen to stop and chat with a man covered in filth and sinew.
On the flip side, putting some care and attention into your hygiene means life is a little peachier for Arthur Morgan. Eventually we managed to make it into town and convinced an understandably apprehensive hotel owner to let us have a bath. After giving ourselves a good scrub, greasing back Arthur's hair, and trimming his beard, a walk through a bar resulted in one patron calling us "pretty boy." That patron was a mean-looking thug so we got out of there real quick, not wanting to ruin our fresh and clean look.
Naturally, this aspect of the game and its world seems like it's going to feed nicely into role-playing. Those who want to craft an Arthur Morgan that is wild, dangerous, and feared may want to let his personal hygiene go down the toilet, while the folks that want the slick, clean, fresh-faced outlaw that is respected can spend time and effort maintaining him.
There are numerous other role-playing hooks in Red Dead Redemption 2, most notably in the way character attributes work. In addition to having health, stamina, and Deadeye meters, the game has "Cores" which govern the way these stats work.
Red Dead Redemption 2 will launch on October 26 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Red Dead Online, meanwhile, will arrive a month later in November 2018. It will be available as a public beta and Rockstar has warned users to expect "teething problems." For more on Red Dead Redemption 2 and our impressions based on the first five hours, check out the video above.
