We are proud to report that the Accessibility Command Center, the headquarters of Blind Access Journal, is now fully portable and capable anywhere a 3G cellular connection exists. The computer driving the show is the MSI Wind netbook, a highly functional, ultra-portable computer with a near-full-sized laptop keyboard, specialized 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, 2 GB of memory, 160 GB hard drive storage, a 10-inch screen and approximately five hours of battery life under full usage. The computer is connected to a Motorola Q9H cellular phone by way of a USB cable. Connectivity over the AT&T network is facilitated by PDANet, software that enables access to the Internet using a separate computer over a cellular phone using its existing wireless data plan. The 3G connection appears to be fast and reliable. As I write this post, I am listening to ACB Radio Interactive. While all this is happening, Mobile Geo is running successfully in the background, tracking satellites through the Bluetooth connected GPS receiver and announcing positions and points of interest.

Now that my first semester back in college has concluded successfully with two A’s and one B, you can count on increased activity here on the journal. In addition, Karen and I have returned to broadcasting on ACB Radio Interactive. Your first listening opportunity is tomorrow, Saturday, December 20, from 14:00 to 16:00 UTC (6:00 AM Pacific, 9:00 AM Eastern), as I cover for Naama’s Breakfast in America show. As many of you may expect, I will be playing the best in contemporary and traditional Christmas music.

Karen and I would also like to take this time to wish all of you who are loyal journal readers a Merry Christmas. We hope you are able to spend the holidays with your family and close friends. Karen has to work on Christmas Day, so the two of us will be celebrating on Wednesday.