The Ali and Macara Show

Audio streaming vs. YouTube livestreaming

The hosts discussed the pros and cons of different streaming methods.

Details Ali: Suggested YouTube streaming is better because viewers get notifications Macara: Noted audio streaming requires users to keep refreshing to check if content is live Ali: Mentioned wanting to be less tied to Mac-specific solutions Macara: Acknowledged that having multiple streaming options might still be valuable Conclusion They agreed YouTube streaming is likely more convenient for viewers They invited listeners to email if they use the audio stream to help inform future decisions They decided to streamline their process...

Duration: 00:24:40

PC vs Mac accessibility experience

Ali shared his experience using a PC with JAWS screen reader compared to Mac’s VoiceOver

Details Ali: Explained that text management and navigation is much smoother on PC with JAWS Ali: On Mac, selecting text on web pages is limited, with options like “copy last phrase” or copying the whole page Ali: Text navigation and editing in documents is inconsistent on Mac, making it difficult to know which commands to use Conclusion PC with JAWS provides a better experience for text management and navigation The JAWS “virtual PC cursor” feature makes work...

Duration: 00:55:01

JAWS Software Upgrade Offer

Discussion about the current upgrade offer for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion software.

Details Steve: Explained that users with 2025 versions can buy an SMA directly instead of first purchasing an upgrade. The first count covers the 2026 version, and the second count will cover the 2027 version. Ali: Mentioned he recently took advantage of this offer. Steve: Recommended maintaining the SMA to avoid higher costs of letting licenses lapse. Ali: Asked about the timing for renewing SMAs. Steve: Advised looking at renewal around September, before the next version release (typically October-November). Conclusion The offer is...

Duration: 00:56:03

Show Reflection and Growth:

Ali and Macara reflected on the final regular show of 2025, noting how fast the year went and emphasizing the enjoyment derived from their conversations. They highlighted the ability to conduct the show on their own terms. They discussed the brand’s growth, which now includes the creation of four different sites.

Favorite Books of 2025:

Ali’s favorites were “Burk’s Law” (all-time favorite) and Kadri’s book (number two), discussing its NHL fandom aspects and insights into the intense, competitive, and at times violent territory within the dressing room. Macara’s favorites included “Sunrise...

Duration: 00:41:52

Zoom support issues

Ali shared frustrations with Zoom’s customer support regarding a scheduling problem.

Details Ali: Explained an issue with adding date overrides on a team page with a custom schedule, where deleting a slot created an error message about time frames overlapping Ali: Shared that they created a video explaining the problem but Zoom support “had no clue what was going on” Ali: Described a support call where they couldn’t hear the representative initially Macara: Asked clarifying questions about whether Zoom support didn’t understand the problem or didn’t know how to fix it Ali...

Duration: 00:47:01

Bill C-15 and free literature for the blind

The hosts discussed the proposed repeal of the free literature for the blind provision under the Canada Post Corporation Act as part of Bill C-15.

Details Macara: Explained that Bill C-15 is a budget bill that includes a clause to repeal the free literature for the blind provision, which currently allows free shipping of braille books, tapes, CDs, and other accessible materials Ali: Noted he first learned about this through a newsletter from Canadian Assistive Technology Ali: Expressed that while not surprised by the proposal, he believes it’s...

Duration: 00:40:48

Zoom accessibility issues

Ali and Macara discussed ongoing accessibility problems with Zoom, particularly with the scheduler page.

Details Ali: Reported that radio buttons to select location options are unlabeled when multiple locations are selected Macara: Confirmed this is a recurring issue with Zoom Ali: Demonstrated the problem by showing how screen readers only read “radio button 1 of 3, radio button 2 of 3” without identifying what each option represents Macara: Noted that other fields on the page were properly labeled, making the unlabeled radio buttons particularly frustrating Conclusion The hosts submitted a video tutorial showing the issue to Zoom’s acce...

Duration: 00:55:15

Rebranding of the show and network

The hosts discussed recent changes to their show’s branding.

Details Ali: Mentioned they are no longer the Broadcast Map Network but now the Moosa Slobodian Network Macara: Explained the change was more befitting of the content as the show that gave the network its name is no longer the broadcast map show Macara: Shared that the network website is MoosaSlobodiannetwork.Ca, which serves as a central location for links to individual show websites Conclusion The show and network have been rebranded with a new name and website

Audiobook re...

Duration: 01:00:47

Communication platforms for audience updates

Ali and Macara discussed which platforms to maintain for audience communication.

Details Ali: Expressed concern about completely removing the WhatsApp community since not everyone checks their email frequently Macara: Agreed about keeping WhatsApp but suggested they could discontinue the Messenger group due to zero engagement Ali: Confirmed they should keep posting links to updates in WhatsApp to ensure people don’t miss information Macara: Liked Ali’s phrase about “where the eyeballs are” for determining which platforms to maintain Conclusion They will keep the WhatsApp groups for both shows They will disconti...

Duration: 00:42:06

VoiceOver accessibility issues on iOS

Discussion about persistent focus-related problems with VoiceOver on iOS devices

Details Steven: Highlighted focus-related issues where VoiceOver jumps or loses focus when navigating screens Steven: Described using Split Tap as a workaround (holding one finger on an element while tapping with another) Ali: Mentioned specific problems with Notification Center navigation Steven: Noted that some apps like Meta AI have Android-like navigation that creates challenges Conclusion These focus issues have persisted for years despite occasional improvements Steven recommends waiting a month after iOS updates before upgrading to avoid bugs The accessibility teams...

Duration: 00:51:02