I’ve been using an idea I got from Lifehacker to speed up my recovery time when I need to get a computer going. I keep a computer recovery checklist called Stuff To Install. It lists in order the things I need to do to get my computer life going again. I keep it in a simple text file in several safe locations including DropBox. I also keep copies of my programs and shareware registration keys on DropBox and a flash drive as well. This makes recreating my computer life a piece of cake.

I’ll share my personal checklist with you, along with links to programs I refer to so you can find them if you’d like to try them. How do you prepare for recreating your world when you have to install a computer with a fresh version of Windows? Please sound off in the comments if you think I’ve missed something or if you have a program you’d like me to try.

Install JAWS (or your screenreader of choice) and adjust its settings.

Change Control Panel to classic view.

Change screen resolution in Control Panel under display settings to 800 by 600.

Set all folders to details view in Control Panel.

Install any custom scripts or set files for your screenreader.

Assign sounds to all Windows events in case you lose speech during an installation.

Install and configure wireless networking.

Join computer to your workgroup and assign computer name.

Make a Windows restore point at this point.

Set up folders for downloads, books, and special projects.

Install Nod32.

Install printer drivers.

Set up network printer.

Set up shared folders on this computer.

Install Firefox.

Install Qwitter and make new Qwitter sessions/p>

Install 7zip.

Install Keynote and my Keynote file.

Install Audible.

Install Total Recorder.

Install Microsoft Office.

Apply all Office updates and patches.

Configure email accounts in Outlook.

Install Miranda IM.

Install Winamp.

Set up global hotkeys in Winamp.

Install DropBox.

Install VLC to play DVDs.

Install FileZilla FTP client (and server if needed.)

Install Adobe Reader.

Install ActiveSync.

Install Skype scripts for JAWS.

Install Skype.

Install Skype Talking.

Install your favorite text editor.

Install Book Port software.

Install Autohotkey.

Install an alarm program.

Install Rhapsody.

Install Replay Suite.

Install Microsoft SyncToy.

Install RSSPopper for Outlook or Outlook Express.

Install Text Aloud.

Install VerseSearch.
Install ABC file conversion programs.

Install Python interpreter.

Install Now You’re Cooking recipe manager.

Install BigOven recipe manager.

Now have some chocolate. You deserve it.

Listen to the GoodReads Podcast

Twitter is a tool that can complement the list in a powerful way. It’s portable, flexible, doesn’t require any special software, and can help us keep up with various projects in real-time. If you’re using Twitter, follow plumlipstick and I’ll follow you. If you’ve never heard of Twitter, I’ll explain. It works with screenreaders, Braille displays, and even on talking cell phones.

First, the address for Twitter is
http://www.twitter.com .

First I’ll explain what Twitter is and then show you how it can work for Bookshare members and volunteers. Here’s a summary from the Twitter website:

What is it? Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to
one simple question: What are you doing? Bloggers can use it as a mini-blogging tool. Developers can use the API to make Twitter tools of their own.
Possibilities are endless!

How do I use it? Tell us what you’re doing in 140 characters or less! Send your thoughts, observations, and goings-on in your day. Whether you’re “eating
an apple” or “looking foward to the weekend” or “Heading out of town” it’s twitter-worthy. Join us here. All of your personal information including your
phone number is, of course, confidential.

But… what is the point? As it turns out, your best friend is probably interested in knowing if you’re “loving the new Radiohead album.” And yes, your Mom may want to know if you’re “skipping breakfast in favor of a latte.” You might want to know if your significant other “feels like taking a roadtrip.” Find out what your friends are doing; keep each other abreast of your quotidian rituals.

Do I need anything special to use Twitter? In order to use Twitter you will need one of these things: an internet connection or a mobile phone.

How can I send updates to Twitter? Send updates to friends and family about what you’re doing in the way that works best for you. Update in myriad ways:

• • from your phone
• • from IM
• • from your logged-in home page
• • from m.twitter.com

• from any of the third party applications on Twitter Fan Wiki , made
by the talented folks who’ve utilized our API.

Now, how can Twitter help us? Here are just a few thoughts. I’m only scratching the surface here.

As of now, I don’t email the Bookshare mailing lists when I start scanning a book. I scan about 20 books a week, and I think some of the email list members who are already complaining about traffic would get annoyed if I sent 20 emails to this list with the title of each book I work on. With Twitter, I could post the title of each book as I start scanning because the
message is very short and is stored on a website, not in someone’s email in box. Right now, I’m scanning a book called The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. I can put a note on Twitter saying so. Say that Amber sees my note. She may reply to me and tell me that she wants to validate. So I post to Twitter when the
book is ready. Amber grabs it, and it’s validated quickly. Everyone else gets the read the book more quickly.

Or, say I’m vvalidating a book and am really enjoying it. I can post about that and about the fact that there’s another book in the series that goes first but that isn’t on Bookshare. Darrell Shandrow might see that and realize that he has that book on his shelf at home. Because Twitter uses one-line messages that can be accessed by a cell phone, he might even see this during a break at work or while he’s waiting around for a ride to pick him up from a meeting. He could post that he’s going to scan it, saving
me the cost of buying the book.

Now, this is where it really gets interesting. Public Twitter posts are saved on Google and Yahoo. So say that you are scanning a really popular or cool
book, and a disabled person is searching for an accessible version of that book. Remember, it’s not in Bookshare yet because you’re still scanning it.
You’ve posted about it on Twitter though. The blind searcher sees your Twitter post about the book and asks how she can get a copy. She’s just made the
connection with Bookshare. The person wants the book, so she signs up for Bookshare membership. Her membership becomes active around the time your scan is approved into the collection. Bookshare has gained a new member without spending a dime of its own money on marketing or publicity because we’re doing
it for them. By doing this, we have just leveraged the power of Bookshare’s volunteers and increased Bookshare’s ability to reach people in other places.

What do you all think? Is it worth a try? If you think so, visit
me on Twitter and see what it looks like. Then register for yourself. It’s free and safe. They have audio captcha so blind people can use the site. If you have a hearing impairment, let me know and I’ll help you sign up. The captcha is a one-time deal, and you can still use Twitter just like everyone else. You can use Twitter from your web browser or from your cell phone. No software is installed on your system. You can meet some new friends or get to know your current friends better. You can also be more sociable this way because you won’t
be adding to the volume of the mailing list if you want to talk about your kids, favorite music, your dog, or your garden. See you on Twitter.

The podcast is about something that I’m passionate about… making your computer work in a way that lets you focus on working or having fun instead of looking around for misplaced files. I created a system after reading a book several years ago. My system stores files on my hard drive in a way that allows me to access almost any file within seconds. I knew the system would fail if it wasn’t easy to maintain, so I built that into the system so I and others would actually use it. Systems are irrelevant if people find them to be too elaborate or time-consuming to use regularly. I hope you will take a little time to listen to my podcast and leave me some feedback. After all, sharing ideas and learning from each other is at the core of both LJ and podcasting. For anyone reading this who might be interested in trying podcasting, it’s not as hard as it may seem to you now, and it can be fun once you relax and start talking. Email or Skype me if I can help you get started. I’m not an expert, and if I don’t know the answers, we can learn together. (smile)