Earlier this year, I purchased a new computer monitor. The monitor was set up on my desk like this:

Nice ghetto monitor stand there.

Read the rest of this page »

Tags: health, Optic Atrophy
Posted in photo, text | Comments Off

A couple days ago, I wrote about my new computer monitor. At the time, I was discouraged with the new monitor, and I was struggling to get used to using it. Since then, I’ve done a lot of experimenting with different resolution settings and I’ve also tried out some programs designed for low-vision users (like me). And so far, I’d say my experience is improving. Right now, I’m using a feature built into OS X called Zoom. I’m zoomed in at a level of 1.7x, and I can see things well. There’s a trade-off, though. Since Zoom magnifies an area of the computer’s screen, I can’t have my entire work environment on screen at one time. I feel like it’s slowing down my productivity a bit. This may change over time, as I get more accustomed to using this setup. What I’d really like is some way to magnify text in just certain areas. For example, Firefox has a text zoom function. But it applies the same zoom factor to all text on a webpage. So if I’m looking at my GooglesReader, and I want to enlarge the text in the reader section only, I can’t. I have to enlarge the reader section, the headlines, the sidebars. Everything. In turn, this causes the reader section to “shrink” to the point where it can’t really display any content at all. Also, every time I open a new tab, I have to zoom the text again, as the zoom setting doesn’t carry over from one tab to another. I haven’t researched yet to see if there’s some kind of universal setting that could be applied to all text in Firefox. But even if there was, I’m still not sure it’s a good solution. So for now, I’ll keep going with the OS X Zoom feature and see how that goes. I’m also planning on installing a track light in this room, which should help to balance out the ambient light around me, and that’ll be easier on my eyes.

On a related note, I really am enjoying some of the benefits of this new monitor. Specifically, photos and videos are much clearer. And since they’re bigger, I can really see them. It’s given me a whole new sense of appreciation for these visual mediums, and that’s good.

So, I’m going to keep using the monitor through the rest of the weekend. And after using it for a few more days, I should be able to tell whether or not it’ll be worth keeping.

Tags: Apple Computer, health, Optic Atrophy
Posted in text | 4 Comments »

Last week, I ordered a new 25″ computer monitor. Today, the monitor arrived. I’ve spent most of the night setting it up, trying to get acclimated to it. My old monitor was only 19″. That’s a full half-foot smaller than this monitor. Also, my old monitor is the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio, whereas the new one is 16:9. Overall, I have to admit that I’m a bit underwhelmed. I was hoping that this new monitor would really improve my experience with the computer. But the gains I’ve experienced so far have been minimal at best. I’m not sure why.

Read the rest of this page »

Tags: Apple Computer, Flickr, health, Optic Atrophy
Posted in photo, text | 5 Comments »

I was born with Optic Atrophy. It is the reason that I’m considered legally blind. My naked-eye vision is 20/400. Glasses/contacts can’t really do anything to help, and I’ve been told my whole life that there is no way to treat my condition. I decided to do a Google search on Optic Atrophy today. It’s the first time Ive done so in a few years. (The last search I did turned up very little. But, it’s no surprise. Optic Atrophy isn’t an incredibly common condition.) Not surprisingly, some sponsored links on Google’s sidebar claim to have cures for Optic Atrophy. I clicked through to a few of these sites. Each one offered a different homeopathic concoction that could be taken to treat the condition. The least-expensive option costs $48.00. Kinda pricey for something that carries no real guarantees. I mean, how can a bunch of Chinese herbs cause new optic nerve tissues to grow? Well, they do use radiation to treat cancer, after all. But still, I haven’t ordered this stuff. Not yet, anyway.

Read the rest of this page »

Tags: health, life, Optic Atrophy
Posted in text | 3 Comments »