[nabs-l] Basic Questions About Mac versus Pc

Jorge Paez jorgeapaez at mac.com
Sat May 8 21:20:05 UTC 2010


Hi Joe:
I have run Mac for the last 3 years and I'm extremely happy with the results.

Your questions are addressed below:

1. In the most recent platform upgrade, how has the accessibility changed in
terms of the screen reader? 

It has had vast improvements since its start, with extremely simplified interphase and nice twists for the users in terms of shurt-cuts and usability.

 Is the screen reader only updated with system
upgrades, or are there ever updates between major upgrades? 

Yes.

For example: I'm running 10.6, but then I've upgraded to 10.6.3. Its not always the case, but many of these bring Voice Over updates along. Also, if you use iTunes for your music, iTunes may have an update that says simply "fixes stability issues with Voice Over."

  If you had to
compare Voiceover to JAWS, how does their functionality break down?  I know
it's not fair to compare one to the other because the logic is a bit
different, but I'm hoping you can speak to the level of manipulation you
have over the applications in your computer.

3. How easy is it to control documents in the word processor?  Do Macs use
their own version of MS Office, or is there a native word processor that
makes Office documents readable?

Their text editor (called Text Edit) is great for almost all types of documents. I would advice you to get iWork, Apple's version of MS if you're dealing with Powerpoints, excell, etc.
DO NOT BUY THE MAC MS VERSION BECAUSE IT IS UNACCESSIBLE. Apple's version is 100% accessible while the MS made version of their own suite is 100% inaccessible.


Complete control.

I can't say it any simpler. Complete, 100% accessible control.



As far as MS docs, you should be fine with Text Edit (comes with the Mac) unless you're dealing with Powerpoint and Excell. In that case buy iWork. Don't buy the Mac version of MS done by MS because its 11000% inaccessible.




4. What can you tell us about their e-mail client?  Outlook has its quirks
but is almost 100 percent accessible.  Sunbird, by contrast, would be great
but in my opinion still had some accessibility shortcomings.  I'm wondering
if the same is true of iCal and Mac-based applications?

Mac Mail is 100% accessible. All the features are at your fingertips, literaly, with the exception of stationarry but I honestly think you won't use that.

You also have access to create signatures and a ton of bonus features.
Ical however, is 100% inaccessible.

5. How much freedom do you have with Macs to go outside of iTunes?  I don't
much care for proprietary packages unless it's unavoidable.

iTunes is the best accessible solution I know. If you want to avoid it there are options, but I wouldn't be the person to ask.

6. Are hardware repairs truly limited to Apple stores?

Yes.

Apple stores and authorized retalors.


Trust me, if you do anyoffice work the Mac will be perfect.
If you're in the field--that's debatable.


Hope that helps.
Jorge





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