Accessing Techstravaganza Recordings via Email
Siena demonstrated how to access podcast recordings from the email notifications sent to subscribers.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that emails contain a “Read on Blog” link that opens the full post in browser
- Siena: Explained the play button appears immediately after the title and author information
- Liz: Asked for clarification on the steps: open email, find “Read on Blog” link, then locate play button
- Siena: Confirmed the play button becomes a pause button when activated and can also be controlled with two-finger double tap magic tap gesture
- Conclusion
- Process is: open email, click “Read on Blog” link, navigate past title and author, then activate play button
- Audio player is intentionally placed at top of posts for easy discovery
- Two-finger double tap can be used as alternative play/pause control on iOS
Accessing Recordings from Techstravaganza Website
Siena demonstrated navigating the Techstravaganza.ca website to find past tutorials and recordings.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that blog posts are organized by headings for easy navigation
- Siena: Demonstrated accessing the Tutorials category through the navigation menu or by clicking the “tutorials” link within individual posts
- Siena: Explained that each post displays author attribution showing who wrote/published it
- Ali: Clarified that he, Macara, and Siena all have admin rights to post content
- Siena: Noted that she typically handles reminders while Ali and Macara manage admin updates
- Conclusion
- Website uses heading structure for accessibility
- Tutorials can be filtered by category
- Author information is clearly displayed on all posts
- Multiple administrators ensure continuity when team members are away
Using Heading Navigation for Accessibility
Liz asked about heading navigation, leading to a tutorial on using VoiceOver rotor for efficient navigation.
- Details
- Liz: Asked how to skip to next heading on iPhone in emails
- Siena: Explained using VoiceOver rotor set to headings, then flicking up/down to navigate
- Liz: Requested confirmation that the “Coming Up” section in reminder emails has a heading tag
- Siena: Confirmed all major sections have headings including “Join the Workshop” and “Coming Up”
- Hans: Asked if there’s a way to navigate to specific heading levels like on Windows
- Ali: Clarified that VoiceOver on iOS and Mac does not support navigating to specific heading levels, only sequential heading navigation
- Conclusion
- VoiceOver rotor with headings option enabled allows efficient navigation through emails and web pages
- Reminder emails use heading structure for key sections
- Unlike Windows screen readers, VoiceOver cannot jump to specific heading levels but announces the level of each heading
Accessing Techstravaganza on Apple Podcasts
Siena demonstrated finding and playing Techstravaganza episodes using the Apple Podcasts app on iPhone.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that search field is located at bottom right in iOS 26
- Siena: Demonstrated searching for “Techstravaganza” and selecting the show
- Siena: Explained the “Following” button indicates subscription status
- Siena: Showed using “See All” under episodes to view complete episode list
- Siena: Demonstrated that mini player at bottom right contains pause/play controls
- Conclusion
- Search field location changed to bottom right in iOS 26
- Following status is clearly indicated
- Episodes can be played directly from the list
- Mini player provides quick access to playback controls
Accessing Techstravaganza on iCatcher Podcast App
Ali requested demonstration of iCatcher, leading to a tutorial on using this third-party podcast player.
- Details
- Siena: Showed that search results display a preview option for episodes
- Ali: Clarified that preview mode plays a sample but doesn’t add to main now playing queue
- Siena: Demonstrated that accessing episodes from the subscribed podcast list (not search) plays them fully
- Ali: Explained the distinction between previewing from search versus playing from podcast library
- Siena: Noted that iCatcher remembers playback position when returning to an episode
- Conclusion
- Preview feature in search allows sampling before subscribing
- Full playback requires accessing episodes from the podcast library after subscribing
- App maintains playback position for resuming later
- This distinction helps users evaluate podcasts before committing to follow
Accessing Techstravaganza on Audible
Siena demonstrated that Techstravaganza is available on Audible due to distribution through Amazon Music.
- Details
- Siena: Showed searching for Techstravaganza in Audible app
- Siena: Demonstrated filtering results by “Podcasts” category
- Siena: Showed the “Follow” button to subscribe to the podcast
- Siena: Explained that individual episodes can be downloaded or streamed
- Rob: Expressed interest in getting Audible subscription
- Ashlyn: Mentioned getting Audible through Prime Day sale
- Conclusion
- Techstravaganza is available on Audible as well as dedicated podcast apps
- Users can follow the show and download episodes
- Audible subscription provides access to podcasts in addition to audiobooks
- Prime Day sales offer discounted subscription rates
Discussion of Audible Features and Subscription
Conversation expanded to general Audible features, pricing, and content beyond just Techstravaganza access.
- Details
- Rob: Asked about payment methods and confirmed debit cards are accepted
- Liz: Asked if books must be returned after a period
- Ali: Clarified that purchased books are owned permanently, only Plus catalog items may be time-limited
- Siena: Explained users get one credit per month
- Ashlyn: Mentioned 12-credit annual plan option
- Ali: Stated preference for monthly credits to avoid spending all at once
- Jackie: Asked about InnoSearch moving to donation model
- Multiple participants: Discussed Audible badges feature and Night Owl badge for listening late at night
- Conclusion
- Audible accepts debit card payments
- Purchased audiobooks are owned permanently
- Monthly subscription includes one credit
- Annual plans offer 12 credits upfront
- Audible has expanded beyond audiobooks to include podcasts, originals, and Great Courses
- Gamification features like badges encourage engagement
Upcoming Techstravaganza Schedule
Discussion of upcoming workshop topics and schedule adjustments.
- Details
- Siena: Announced Techstravaganza 2.0 on Thursday, March 12th covering JAWS Basics
- Siena: Confirmed March 18th workshop will cover YouTube Premium and YouTube Music
- Ali: Mentioned April 29th will feature navigating threaded view in Mail app as requested by Liz
- Siena: Noted April 22nd will cover Scribe Me
- Ashlyn: Asked about DocuScan Plus
- Siena: Confirmed DocuScan Plus is also scheduled
- Ali: Clarified that Apple Music Part 2 will be rescheduled to May 6th
- Conclusion
- Techstravaganza 2.0 returns Thursday March 12th, 7-9 PM Eastern
- March 18th: YouTube Premium/YouTube Music
- April 22nd: Scribe Me
- April 29th: Threaded view in Mail app
- May 6th: Apple Music Part 2
- DocuScan Plus also scheduled for future session
Request for Cable and Device Organization Tutorial
Liz requested a future tutorial on organizing charging cables and devices.
- Details
- Liz: Described her challenge with managing approximately 10 different charging cables for various devices
- Liz: Mentioned her previous system using a card table with power cord in center and cables arranged like a starfish
- Ali: Suggested Siena as the expert for this topic
- Siena: Agreed to demonstrate her organization methods in a future session
- Rob: Mentioned keeping cables on piano desk
- Conclusion
- Topic added to future Techstravaganza schedule
- Siena will lead the tutorial on cable and device organization
- Session will cover practical strategies for managing multiple charging cables and power accessories
Books Panel Discussion
Conversation about the Books Panel podcast and upcoming book selection.
- Details
- Liz: Asked about timing of Books Panel
- Siena: Explained it meets last Friday of each month at 7:30 PM
- Siena: Confirmed March 27th is next session
- Siena: Listed panelists: herself, Ali, Ashlyn, Macara, Lynn Kennedy, and new member Paul Daniel
- Liz: Expressed interest but noted already in two book groups
- Ali: Encouraged listening to podcast recordings even without live participation
- Ashlyn: Asked about current book selection
- Siena and Ali: Confirmed reading “Theo of Golden”
- Ashlyn: Noted it’s 13 hours 12 minutes long
- Multiple participants: Discussed Audible badges and reading habits
- Conclusion
- Books Panel meets monthly on last Friday at 7:30 PM Eastern
- Next session March 27th discussing “Theo of Golden”
- Podcast is available at bookspanel.ca
- Recordings available for those who cannot attend live
- Part of Moosa Slobodian Network
Media Industry Changes and Streaming Services
Broad discussion about changes in Canadian broadcasting and streaming landscape.
- Details
- Jackie: Mentioned Family Channel shutdown and CTV app discontinuation
- Rob: Noted CTV content moving to Crave
- Ali: Explained that multiple streaming services increase costs for consumers compared to traditional cable
- Ali: Listed his subscriptions: Audible, YouTube Premium, SiriusXM, iCloud Plus, Google Workspace, Zoom Pro
- Hans: Asked about Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy
- Multiple participants: Discussed AMI downsizing due to CRTC license renewal uncertainty
- Ali: Explained private broadcasters rely on advertising revenue
- Rob: Mentioned free services like Pluto TV and LibriVox
- Conclusion
- Canadian media landscape experiencing significant consolidation
- Streaming fragmentation increases consumer costs
- AMI scaled back programming due to funding uncertainty
- Traditional broadcasters struggling with changing revenue models
- Multiple subscription services now required to access desired content
Check Out What’s Coming Up On Future Workshops at the Following Link
Updated as of Mar 10, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza
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