Shelly Brisbin

Shelly@zeppelin.flights

Public radio journalist (<a href="https://mastodon.social/@TexasStandard" class="u-url mention">@TexasStandard</a>) and nerd. I cover <a href="https://zeppelin.flights/tags/Texas" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#Texas</a> news (government, transportation, disability, tech, arts, music, books). I also write about Apple (<a href="https://zeppelin.flights/@sixcolors" class="u-url mention">@sixcolors</a>) and podcast about classic film (<a href="https://zeppelin.flights/@liontowershield" class="u-url mention">@liontowershield</a>). Accessibility (#a11y) advocate. Sending memes? Alt text or it didn’t happe

Posts

Post #4318547
O joy! Claude approves of my choice of vacation bed-and-breakfast. “Good choice.”
Post #4318546
All career choices are open to us! https://allovertheplace.ca/@mcourcel/116825359993702901
Post #4318545
Attending my first NFB convention. Really appreciate y’all coming to my town for the festivities. #NFB28
Post #4318544
Very uncool #a11y news from Microsoft. H/T to @jamesthomson for the link: https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/xbox-layoffs-hit-accessibility-leadership-calling-into-question-microsofts-continued-commitment-to-accessibility-initiatives/
Post #4318543
The age verification cops have come for me on Bluesky because I live in Texas. Sharing vitals with another server on the Internet. Thumbs down.
Post #4318542
My strategic disabling and enabling accounts on my phone to manage clutter is going to get broken badly with iOS 27. If I plan to use Siri AI effectively, I&#39;ll need to keep the bin I use for transactions, the work email, the personal email and the podcast forwards all on there, all the time.
Post #4318541
My friend the AI alligator has me editing Audition session files&#39; XML. Nice alligator!
Post #2709321
I’m cautiously optimistic about accessibility fixes in the Plex streaming app. Submenus read correctly, and the Shuffle button is no longer labeled Sleep. More. If I find it.
Post #2261788
I’ve been very pleased with ‘project separate’, wherein I keep my personal computing life on separate devices from my work life. Then I left my iPhone at home, and I’m grumpy because the phone is the bridge between the two.
Post #2261787
Three iPhone 16 variants live in this house. I guess we’re in for some lawsuit money.
Post #2261786
I deployed my first little Claude-aided 🐊Web app for family. Apparently, AI code can still have bugs in it! Who knew? 😳
Post #1906373
Time again to take up read-it-later/soeak-it-later workflows. Off to download some new apps.
Post #1906372
I do not have space in my news brain today for an Apple CEO. I have DOJ sctuff to follow!
Post #1906371
My new favorite accessibility setting can be found in the Mona app. “Remove emoji characters from usernames.” ❤️
Post #1906370
Let’s give the acclaim to those who MADE the shows, not the funder/distributor. https://appleworld.today/2026/04/two-apple-tv-productions-win-peabody-awards/
Post #1906369
It’s sad that I’m so surprised that a command I’ve thought up for Siri actually works. I’m now reminding myself of a meeting awhile before it happens by saying “Siri, turn on Meeting Time at 11:29.” It activates my camera lights, which reminds me to hop on Zoom, just in time for the 11:30 convo.
Post #1906368
Breakfast thievery
Post #1906366
Another fun #a11y option for mitigating Liquid Glass badness. I’ll try to put this through its paces today and share my thoughts. But the iOS 7.1 (you get a toggle, and you get a toggle…) vibes are strong. https://osxdaily.com/2026/04/28/use-reduce-bright-effects-ios-26-iphone-ipad-liquid-glass/
Post #1906365
Thing I learned today: there is a Google Play Books app for iOS. I did not want to learn this, but I have.
Post #1906364
I’m vaguely ashamed to admit that I asked Claude a fashion question. Apparently, I&#39;m over the shame enough to admit it here. Answer: acceptable and believable.
Post #1181032
New post: https://www.brisbin.net/2026/04/05/pulling-more-apple-at-50-accessibility-threads/
Post #1181030
Sometimes I&#39;m in the kitchen, having a cocktail while listening to a podcast, and I ask Siri things I&#39;m not sure it will be able to answer satisfactorily. Me: Siri, whats the average livespan of an alligator in captivity? Siri: The average…. Is 70 years. For medical advice, please consult a physician. CC: @jsnell @dmoren
Post #1181028
Now, my buddy Claude is organizing lists of transactions into a pretty spreadsheet for the taxes. No, Claude, those Criterion Blu-rays and contributions to public radio are NOT business expenses. But thanks for trying.
Post #1181027
I believe that waffles and bacon for dinner will set you free.
Post #1181026
Neo is the “ultra” of 2026. https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/15/world-premiere-of-the-id-3-neo-new-name-new-design-new-interior-and-new-technologies/
Post #1181025
Fascinating. https://fosstodon.org/@codemonkeymike/116410748307966231
Post #905534
My Mac origin story. https://zeppelin.flights/@sixcolors/116329575233159447
Post #589961
My friend Josh de Lioncourt is facing serious medical issues because of a rare condition called MDS. Josh is blogging about his journey, and the stem cell transplat he needs. Now, there&#39;s a GoFundMe to help with increasing medical costs. I&#39;ve known Josh for 20 years. He&#39;s contributed so much to the Apple #a11y community as a podcaster and a developer. And he&#39;s a really good guy, too! If you can help Josh, please contribute. https://goodjourney.blog https://w...
Post #563469
Some news about my book. https://zeppelin.flights/@iosaccessbook/116184377398121155
Post #16924
We all know about the massive disparity between the number of men’s and women’s voices in podcasting. But can we talk about the absolute emptiness of the “women review audio gear” space on YouTube? Especially when it come to mics? Women’s voices be different, y’all.