A device that allows blind people to attach and read audio labels on everyday objects has gone on show. The PenFriend uses minute barcodes which – when scanned by a digital pen – trigger MP3 files recorded on the unit.

The PenFriend has been developed by a UK firm together with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

It costs less than £60, and can be used to label foods and medication as well as clothing, personal documentation and film and music collections.

“At the moment we are just scratching the surface: we are starting development of address books, organisers, diaries and calendars,” explained Alison Long of the RNIB.

The PenFriend is the result of collaboration between the charity and London-based company, Mantra Lingua. It uses optical identification technology (OID) to print microdots on to adhesive labels which are then read by the scanner in the tip of the PenFriend.

Read More at  BBC

AutofillPDF Labels is a handy web tool for anyone who’s wanted to print their own labels of any kind, but loathes the idea of manually filling out the printing template over and over.

Many print-your-own label packets come with links or CDs that provide you with a pre-formatted Word document to fill out. Unless you’re getting married or sending out other invitations, though, you’ll usually end up putting the same thing on each label, and Ctrl-C/V-ing your precious time away.

This handy webapp pops open a scripted PDF file on any system, while letting you change the font, styling, size, and other text properties, and also add images in short shrift. In other words, you create one label, and the PDF fills out the rest of them for you. The templates include CD labels, address or mailing, file folder labels, and even non-sticky business cards. Free to use, no sign-up required, and it works best with Adobe Acrobat (the free reader).

Via Lifehacker.com

via Makeuseof.com

Alltop is a new venture created by Guy Kawasaki, world-famous entrepreneur and author. Kawasaki and his team (Will Mayall and Kathryn Henkens) import the stories of the top news websites and blogs for any given topic and display the headlines of the five most recent stories. When you place the cursor over a headline, part of the story is displayed so you can decide if you want to read it or not. To read the story, you click on the title, and a new tab or window will open in your browser so you can read the full story at the original site.

Basically, Alltop is a news aggregator that is divided into individual topics such as environment, photography, science, Muslim, celebrity gossip, military, fashion, gaming, sports, politics, automobiles, and Macintosh. Two topics might interest those who are into graphics, and those are Printing Industry News and Top Publishing News.

If you don’t find your site in the Alltop algorithm, you might be able to change that omission. The news is uploaded about once an hour from sites and blogs chosen from results of Google searches, site and blog content reviews, researchs and Alltop staff “gut” instincts. Site and blog owners and people who care enough to write to them also offer suggestions. But, Kawasaki is quite frank in his policy about new additions – he states that the Twitter community is his best resource.

If you’re not involved with Twitter, it might help if you begin to use that tool as soon as possible if you want your news to be included at Alltop. Then, after you’ve developed a Twitter following, use Alltop’s submission form to ask for consideration. Those actions might constitute your best shot at one of the hottest new aggregators around.

Blank Labels

Do you feel stymied when it comes to using labels? Do you think labels are dull? Do you have piles of blank labels gathering dust in that bottom drawer? You’re in the right place, then. We’re here to help you overcome your “labelphobia” so that you can realize your organizational and productive potential. Labels can simplify your life if you know how and when to use them. They also can make your life more colorful and exciting!

So, we welcome you to the Worldlabel.com blog. Our company has been in business for a decade, and we offer labels, label designs and design ideas to people the world over. Now, we want to expand on our services to provide users with even more resources. No matter whether you’re a work-at-home mom, a CEO, an artist or a non-creative type – we’re here to help you make the most of your talents and time with our ideas, tips, tricks, hacks and more.

We’ll provide you with news and information about topics such as Open Source tools, productivity and organizational tricks, “how-to” articles, reviews and downloads. We’re here to make your life easier. We’re here to have fun!

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