Disclaimer: While the advice and information in this news letter is believed to be true and accurate, neither the ICUFR Officers, authors or committee members can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may have been made. ICUFR makes no warranty, expressed or implied with respect to the material contained herein.
The International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians is a group of Rotarians dedicated to promoting Computers as an opportunity for fellowship and service. This fellowship operates in accordance with Rotary International policy, but is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International.
Copyright: ICUFR, 1999-2010 All Rights Reserved
Last Updated on Friday, 27 August 2010 14:34
Visually impaired computer users
Written by Administrator
Thursday, 19 August 2010 08:49
A number of members have suggested that white text on black background is difficult for older and visually impaired viewers to read. As your chairman is currently 68 with cataracts and a mother in law suffering from macular degeneracy this is a matter of which he has a little experience.
Users with enough sight to read much of the text on the screen without using additional equipment or software often adjust the colors and sizes of text and icons in order to make them more visible. For these users, one of the several high-contrast color schemes in Windows may be enough to enable them to do word processing and other computing tasks. On web pages, however, page authors often use low-contrast color schemes and other visual characteristics unfriendly to visitors with low vision.
I struggle with smart low-contrast color schemes and so I looked at Microsoft's high contrast color schemes. The knowledge base article on How to set Accessibility features for people who are blind or who have low vision in Windows XP will allow you to explore MS's default solution. On my Windows 7 system three of the four high contrast settings (High Contrast #1, High Contrast #2, High Contrast Black, High Contrast White) use a black background.
Unless you have serious visual impairment (when using the Narrator or blinking text may help) the two main issues are contrast and text size. The links noted above give advice on that, and the article in our recent newsletter on tweaking Firefox to increase text size may help.
Responding to further comment: the colour of the links (dark brown) and print/email icons are giving problems. This is accepted and we will alter them to a more visually friendly hue in the near future.
Why not have your say about how this web site should look (please suggest colour values for the links) on our forum? You will need to register if you haven't already done so.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 08:51
Yesterday and today
Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 00:00
For fifteen years the ICUFR has been promoting the use of computers and online communications within Rotary. At the same time it has encouraged the fellowship and worldwide contacts that are the bedrock of the Rotary movement.
We were there when district bulletin boards were the cutting edge, we ran our own forum on CompuServe when it was the only global network, and from our Internet committee came the first web site devoted to Rotary.
Over the years our members have built up a wealth of experience on Rotary matters and computing issues. The fellowship exists to promote friendship between Rotarians interested in computers, and to share our experience with Rotarians around the world.
The International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians (ICUFR - pronounced ' I see you afar') is a member of Rotary International's Global Networking Group.
Last Updated on Saturday, 31 July 2010 11:22
What is my sign in name and password?
Written by Administrator
Thursday, 05 August 2010 18:12
What is my sign in name & password?
OUR WEBSITES:
The legacy website at: http://www.icufr.org has a 'Members Only' section, which was originally introduced for members who had paid dues for the year. Since we became a 'free' fellowship this is no longer appropriate, and there are no plans to introduce a 'Members Only' area on the new website currently being developed at http://www.icufr.org.uk .
ONLINE DATABASE:
The main reason for a 'Members Only' section is to facilitate contact between members by providing access to a members database. However our on-line database was closed down some years ago, following concern by members that ANY personal information on the web was at risk. The database is maintained off-line, and is updated from the 'Join' form information. It is used mainly to control bulk emails to the membership (e.g. general announcements and the newsletter).
In principle members can email the secretary to request lists of members, but at the moment arrangements are in flux following the change of chairman and secretary, and developments at the new website.
OUR FORUM:
http://www.icufr.org/forum Register with your own choice of username and password. It is open to all - there is no link to any 'member' password.
OUR MAILING LIST:
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Subscribe by sending an email to rotary-request at taranto.com with the subject: subscribe
OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER:
We make this available on our web site (both old and new sites at present), and email all members to announce when it is available. You will be included in the mailing automatically if you provided a valid email address when you joined the ICUFR. Please advise the secretary of any changes.
Last Updated on Thursday, 05 August 2010 18:28
What do we offer?
Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 27 July 2010 00:00
A regular monthly newsletter with stories, information and advice.
This state of the art web site giving details of the fellowship’s activities and current topics of interest such as virus alerts.
An active mailing list provided by a member and managed by the fellowship for all Rotarians.
Great annual conferences where members can put a face to friends they’ve met online. These events have hosted outstanding speakers from the communications industry and from our own members, plus key note speeches from leading Rotarians. They have offered memorable social events such as dinner in the House of Commons.
