[nabs-l] Kurzweil on the Mac

Sun May 9 21:34:23 UTC 2010

There is no Kurzweil program, but there are OCR programs that work well which are a lot less expensive. I don't know if there is a Kurzweil 3000 equivalent, but there is a 1000 equivalent.

Briley

On May 9, 2010, at 2:22 PM, Dennis Clark wrote:

> Hello Mac users,
> The various recent post on using the Mac have been really helpful and encouraging.  The Windows based program which I most use on Windows is the Kurzweil programs for which there is no Mac version.  I understand that the Mac can be run in some sort of Windows simulation mode where windows programs will run.  If I were to run Kurzweil in this alternative mode and then need to jump back to the Mac email program or other supplied Mac programs would I have to reboot the computer or can you simply "jump" back and forth between the windows and Mac operating systems?  I look forward to hearing about your experience.  Thanks for your help.
> Best,
> Dennis
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jorge Paez" <jorgeapaez at mac.com>
> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2010 2:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Basic Questions About Mac versus Pc
> 
> 
>> 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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> 
> 
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