[Fabs] Mac Computer

Mon Aug 10 20:25:08 UTC 2015

I will disagree and agree with Jorge on what he said.

When it comes to using Voice Over and JAWS, I cannot say much as they are not part of my daily life.

When it comes to document compatibility, you can get MS Office for mac which from my experience works just as well as the standard windows version once you get used to where all the settings are, as more than half of the settings are not on the ribbon itself, but through a task bar. Hard to explain with typing, but OSX has a task bar at the top of the screen that holds drop down menus for the selected application as well as many system functions such as date and time, battery, internet, etc. 

I personally have never seen a part of a syllabus that says a teacher will not accept work produced on a mac just because of the brand of computer. Not saying it does not happen and for Jorge to say that he must have seen it many times, just personally I have not.

I have also done many online courses and never seen that part of a syllabus. 

Also, I have had my mac boot camped for 2 of the 3 years under apple care, and they did not seem to even notice, or care. 

As I said above, I have no idea how Voice Over / JAWS affects any of this but  my experience is this. 

In the grand scheme of things, if you are already familiar with JAWS and Windows then why switch in the middle of college? Also, keep in mind that Apple's IOS system is completely different that OSX ( the computers ). If you want to get one to play with or even to learn on in case you feel like transitioning, or your job in the future uses macs then that does not hurt. I would recommend buying a older mac for that purpose though. As long as it is at least 2011 model year or newer I think it would do that service.

Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 10, 2015, at 4:01 PM, Jorge Hernandez via Fabs <fabs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> FYI
> 
> As a Computer Science /Information Technology  graduate, I will advise you
> not to purchase a MAC  computer just because you can use an IPhone fluently.
> 
> A MAC notebook is a totally different device from an IPhone.  Let me give
> you a heads-up.
> 
> I have worked with adaptive technology for over 20 years and I can assure
> you that you will be asking for trouble if you are thinking to use this
> notebook for College.  For starters, you will depend on your Windows
> platform to do most of your College work because voice-over will not work as
> well as JAWS will when it comes in creating any type of document on word,
> excel, access, and even power point.  I worked with a graduate student who
> is in her second year of law school at the University  of Miami and she is a
> fluent IPhone user.  She was advised by an individual who did not know what
> adaptive technology is and told her to purchase a MAC notebook.  She faced
> very difficult times in her first year of law school because her MAC
> notebook would not read 90% of the assignments her professors would provide.
> She had to purchase a Windows platform notebook again so she can continue
> with her law degree.
> 
> If you are thinking of installing Windows in the MAC notebook using boot
> camp, you will void the warranty and no Apple store will provide technical
> support on the Windows side of the device and they will not even look at the
> MAC OX side of the device either.  
> 
> Moreover, most College / University professors will have a note on their
> syllabus  that if you have a MAC notebook, that they will not accept your
> work and if you will need assistance with online courses, that you are on
> your own.  Again, be advised, you will be spending  money on  a device  that
> will not be of use to you.  Do not purchase a device just because it is
> pretty, it is what everyone else is using, or just because you think that
> you can use an IPhone fluently.  
> 
> Good luck
> 
> Jorge Hernandez
> Vice-President
> Miami-Dade Chapter
> Board of Directors 
> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
> Board of Directors
> Florida Association of Blind Students
> Fundraiser Co-Chair
> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
> Fundraiser Chair
> Florida Association of Blind Students
> 
> " live the life you want "
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fabs [mailto:fabs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Helga Schreiber via
> Fabs
> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2015 2:38 PM
> To: Florida Association of Blind Students
> Cc: Helga Schreiber
> Subject: [Fabs] Mac Computer
> 
> Hi all! How are you all? I just wanted to ask you, do any of you here a Mac
> computer user? And if so,  would  you be able to teach me how to use it step
> by step? I'm just wondering since tomorrow I'm planning to buy a Mac
> computer in order to use it for school guys! And i actually find some
> instructions in how to use it in the applvist website, and also a video in
> youtube with a few minutes in how to use a Mac with Voiceover. however, I
> would like to have a one to one instructor, who will be able to walk me
> through walk me through th e process in how to use a Mac computer. Just to
> let you know, I'm an iphone user and i use a bluetooth keyboard. And I'm
> definitely a quick learner and after lerning the commands of the Keyboard,
> I'm able to apply it! Feel free to contact me off list regarding this matter
> since I don't want to clutter the list ok? I look forward in hearing from
> you soon. Thanks so much and God bless! 
> 
> Helga Schreiber
> 
> Fundraiser Coordinator for Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Delta Iota chapter.
> Member of National Federation of the Blind and Florida Association of Blind
> Students.
> Member of the International Networkers Team (INT).
> Independent Entrepreneur of the Company 4Life Research.
> Phone:  (561) 706-5950 
> Email: helga.schreiber26 at gmail.com 
> Skype: helga.schreiber26 
> 4Life Website: http://helgaschreiber.my4life.com/1/default.aspx 
> INT Website: http://int4life.com/ 
> 
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
> believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 
> Sent from my iPhone 
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