A relaxed, gear-forward wrap-up with Damashe, Steven, and Michael: we talk favorite portable keyboards, why a tidy desk matters (especially when you’re done optimizing for TV backdrops), and how changing screen-reader pricing/models ripple across the community. Along the way we compare headsets, celebrate NVDA, reminisce about third-party Twitter apps, and poke fun at shipping hacks and world travel plans.
ProtoArc Tri-Fold keyboard (with numpad)
Folds small, charges over USB-C, pairs to 3 devices with one button.
Verdict from Steven: “Sold.” Damashe: “It’s been my favorite.”
Studio reset > comfort over cameras
Steven’s annual clear-out: retire “dead cables,” stop designing the room for TV backdrops, and optimize for radio/podcasting comfort.
One-cable desk: laptop on a Belkin 11-in-1 wedge dock; power and peripherals route out the back so you unplug just one cable and go.
Headsets & open-ear audio
Damashe’s pick: Shokz OpenComm (OpenComm/OpenComm UC). Bone-conduction, comfortable, hardware mute button that works with Zoom/Teams—perfect for “mute-and-talk-to-the-cats” moments.
Steven’s rotation: OpenComm boom when it counts; otherwise inexpensive open-ear “TrueFree” style buds (à la OpenFit/OpenFit Air). Caveat: if you don’t use them daily, they’ll be dead when you need them.
Screen readers, pricing, and real-world choices
UK JAWS “Home” subscription discussed as ~£420/year with no monthly option—raising hard questions for home users.
Michael notes he’s productive with JAWS plus add-ons (e.g., Leasey), but could script NVDA add-ons for what he needs.
Sustainability & “single-developer” risk
Open projects like NVDA thrive on community—but dependence on a few key people is a risk.
Corporate stability (e.g., Vispero) helps, yet platform owners can break hooks/APIs at any time.
Platforms that shift under our feet
X/Twitter cut third-party apps—many accessibility gaps those apps filled never returned.
Chromebooks: fast for web, but hard to justify versus a Windows PC or a discounted M1 MacBook Air when prices climb.
Travel & life bits
October is packed: conventions (NFB state events, Texas), cruises, and training new employees.
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