[BlindRUG] Emacs for Statistical Applications with Screen Readers

Tue Jul 25 15:48:14 UTC 2017

Hi,

Appologies for the slow response - I've been away getting married.

In brief, I use Vincent Goulet's modified distribution of Emacs, which comes bundled with Emacs Speaks Statistics (and other utilities). In all honesty I haven't done anything particularly special to make this work. I'm currently using JAWS 17 under Windows 7, although I've also had reports that it works well with NVDA.
The experience isn't perfect, but it works well enough for me. I regularly have to refresh the virtual screen buffer (JAWS key + escape), but apart from that it works as I would like. Install this, and make sure your current version of R is added to your system PATH environment variable. You should then be able to launch the R process with Alt+x R.

My typical workflow is to have the R process window open and to be editing commands in a separate Emacs buffer (make sure this is saved with a .r or .R extension). I then have full use of the handy Emacs Speaks Statistics keystrokes. The keystrokes I use most commonly are:
CTRL+c CTRL+j - send the current line to the R process for execution
CTRL+c CTRL+r - send the currently selected region for execution, you must first select the block of code you wish to send in the standard Emacs way, i.e. I can provide further instructions, or you can find out online.
CTRL+Alt+; - comment / uncomment the selected region
CTRL+Alt+f - move to the end of the current code block. I've only discovered this recently, and find it particularly useful. Place the cursor on the opening brace ({) of a function definition or a control flow statement, and press CTRL+Alt+f to move to the end of the current block.

There are many other keystrokes available, which I should make more use of. One keystroke to be aware of is the _ - by default this prints the R arrow (<-), to produce the _ character you must press it twice.
I recommend you set your screenreader to announce all punctuation, and modify your .emacs file as you find necessary (I can go in to further details, but mine is pretty standard). For now, let me know how you get on.

Bests,
Robin

From: BlindRUG [mailto:blindrug-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Liz Hare via BlindRUG
Sent: 21 July 2017 16:54
To: Blind R Users Group
Cc: Liz Hare
Subject: Re: [BlindRUG] Emacs for Statistical Applications with Screen Readers

Yes, I'm very curious about how Robin is using Emacs in Windows with a screen reader!

Thanks!
Liz

Liz Hare, PhD
Dog Genetics LLC
doggene at earthlink.net<mailto:doggene at earthlink.net>
http://www.doggenetics.com

On Jul 21, 2017, at 3:07 AM, Laxmisagar Samai via BlindRUG <blindrug at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindrug at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Thank you Liz,
Robin, would be waiting for your reply.

On 7/20/17, Williams, Robin via BlindRUG <blindrug at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindrug at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hi all,

I use R with Emacs (not Emacspeak) under windows on a daily basis, it's by
far my preferred method of working. I'm away on holiday this week, so am
very short of time. I'll reply in more detail next week.

Bests
Robin

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindRUG [mailto:blindrug-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Liz Hare
via BlindRUG
Sent: 20 July 2017 14:30
To: Blind R Users Group
Cc: Liz Hare
Subject: Re: [BlindRUG] Emacs for Statistical Applications with Screen
Readers

Hi Laxmisagar,

I think it's pretty difficult to use a screen reader with Emacs in Windows,
unless you can get Emacspeak running. There is a port of Emacspeak for
Windows but it's not in wide use and I don't have direct experience with
it.

I do use R with Emacspeak on Mac and have also done it on Linux. Emacs has a
package called Emacs Speaks Statistics (ESS) that facilitates running R
interactively. I like this setup but it has a pretty steep learning curve
and I kind of learn the bits and pieces I need as I go along.

Liz

On Jul 19, 2017, at 7:02 AM, Laxmisagar Samai via BlindRUG
<blindrug at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindrug at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Hello,

Does anyone has any experience in using Emacs as an editing
application for statistical softwares like, R, SAS and STATA with
screen readers on a windows machine?
I request for some help.

Thank you
Laxmisagar
Mumbai (India)

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Look for help using R commands by reading the accessible e-book "Let's Use R
Now" compiled by Jonathan Godfrey at:
http://R-Resources.massey.ac.nz/lurn/front.html

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