NC #971 Alt Text with Be My AI, Find Any File, OCR PDFs with Keyboard Maestro
Dec 18, 2023
auto_awesome
Guests include Be My AI, discussing creating photo captions and alt text; Find Any File, discussing the software's search capabilities; and Christian from Germany, sharing insights and tips about using OCR PDFs. Topics covered include using the Be My Eyes app to add alt text to images, using BMI AI to generate alt text, exploring Find Any File's features and search options, and converting a shell script into a Keyboard Maestro macro.
Adding alt text to images is crucial for inclusivity and accessibility, allowing visually impaired individuals to engage with images using screen readers.
Be My Eyes is an AI-powered app that generates detailed descriptions for images, making it easier for visually impaired individuals to access image content and integrate with social media platforms like Mastodon.
Deep dives
Adding alt text to images for inclusivity
The podcast episode discusses the importance of adding alternative text, also known as alt text, to images when posting on social media. Alt text provides visually impaired individuals the opportunity to engage with images using screen readers. The speaker highlights the significance of inclusivity, where developers are making it easier to add alt text to images. Additionally, the podcast mentions the app 'Be My Eyes,' which utilizes AI to generate detailed descriptions for images and guides listeners on how to use it.
Using Be My Eyes for detailed image captions
The episode provides a step-by-step guide on using the app 'Be My Eyes' to generate descriptive captions using AI for images. Listeners are instructed to download the app and choose the visual assistance option. The podcast emphasizes the usefulness of Be My AI in creating highly detailed captions for visually impaired individuals. Additionally, the podcast explores integrating Be My AI with other platforms, such as the social media app 'Mastodon,' to simplify the process of adding alt text to images.
Discovering Find Any File for efficient file search
The episode introduces the app 'Find Any File,' a useful tool for locating files and folders on Mac computers. The podcast highlights the straightforward interface and its ability to search various locations, including network drives and hidden files. Find Any File's comprehensive search parameters and folder depth limitations add to its efficiency. The speaker also shares an experience where Find Any File successfully uncovered large duplicate files, saving significant storage space.
Creating an OCR PDF macro with Keyboard Maestro
The episode explains the process of using Keyboard Maestro to create a macro for Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on PDF files. The speaker outlines the steps involved in setting up the macro, including installing OCR my PDF and setting environment variables. The macro allows users to select a PDF in Finder and run OCR on the file with ease. The podcast emphasizes the capability of Keyboard Maestro to integrate shell scripts and simplifies the process through its user-friendly interface.