[nabs-l] New Computer

Wed Jul 18 02:05:24 UTC 2012

Your scenarios make no sense at all.
Yes, apple developed Voiceover, Freedom Scientific developed Jaws. 
Because FS is third party does not mean that the screen reader is going 
to be irratic and it might just suddenly decide to send tentacles out 
your USB port to gobble you up for lunch. Whether or not you get in 
touch with apple or FS, or even GWMicro, they probably won't support a 
ton of third-party programs. There are standards to make programs more 
accessible, which is what Voiceover and windows readers use, so it's not 
just some unknown deal. If your going to throw out scenarios, it really 
helps if you have an understanding of the options and how things work 
before you work them out, otherwise it just makes no sense and you're 
left with the message you just popped out with.

Yes, You do get voiceover free on the MAC, but for $1400 I can buy an 
amazing computer that isn't apple as well. I could also use NVDA, which 
no, it's not installed by default, but it can very easily be installed 
and you have not only the ability to buy a cheaper computer with 
non-proprietary hardware, but you also have a free screenreader, which 
compares and exceeds a lot of what voiceover can do. You mention 
scenarios and accessibility, so here's a scenario for you.

You get an app on the mac, and vo+left/right doesn't work--what do you 
do. Well, you can sort of automate things sometimes, assuming you can 
access things through apple script, you might be able to do it with 
macros, but this is a long shot. On windows you have more options--you 
can use the object navigation or the jaws cursor, or you can write 
scripts for the app itself, rather than some external slow clunky 
applescript mess.

I'm not going to totally trash OSX--I totally 100% love the accessible 
install, and I love some of the apps--nothing I've ever seen beats mail 
on OSX. I just want to discourage bad information just for the ability 
to spread mac love.
On 7/17/2012 7:44 PM, Herrin, Amber R. wrote:
> Beth,
>
> Something you could add is that it is easier for you to get computer and
> screen reader support because of the fact that it is integrated.
>
> Consider the scenario:
>
> Something, who knows what, pick your favorite (or least favorite, as I like
> to do) program, and assume that something won't work.
>
> You get in touch with the developer of the program, and they say they don't
> know whether or not their program is supported by our screen reader, and
> anyway, your screen reader is a third-party app, so who knows whose fault
> it really is?
>
> You call your screen reader of choice's tech support line, but, they to,
> have no ideas.  We're sorry it's broken, but we really can't be sure that
> every program is compatible with our screen reader.  If it's not a popular
> program, you can't be sure of anything.  Maybe we need someone to write
> scripts for it.
>
> Or:
>
> You discover that something doesn't work, so you call Apple.  Now, Apple
> didn't develop this program, but they did develop the screen reader, so
> they kno0w how it should interact with the computer, whereas, there is no
> predicting what any given screen reader will do.
>
> It's cheaper to upgrade the operating system for apple's products, which
> means, whenever the operating system is upgraded, the screen reader is
> automatically upgraded.
>
> I could go on and on about this stuff.  If you'd like an actual
> conversation about it, please feel free to use information located in my
> signature.  I would be glad to talk Apple with you; I have iOs devices as
> well as a Mac Mini.
>
> HTH,
>
> Amber R. Herrin
> ATI Student in Training 2012
> World Services for the Blind
> Mobile: (513) 593-5855
> E-mail: herrinar at muohio.edu
> 2811 Fair Park Boulevard
> Little Rock, AR 72204
> "It doesn't matter what you've heard
> Impossible is not a word
> It's just a reason
> For someone not to try
>
> Everybody's scared to death
> When they decide to take that step
> Out on the water
> It'll be alright
>
> Life is so much more
> Than what your eyes are seeing
> You will find your way
> If you keep believing"
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Beth
> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 3:02 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] New Computer
>
> What would be a good case to plead? I would want to say that Voiceover
> doesn't require a license key and all this money to update every two
> minutes.  Well, maybe not every two minutes, but I want to know how I could
> plead a good case.  It is cheaper in the long run to purchase a Mac rather
> than a Windows PC.  Plus I could read the books I purchase on Itunes.  I
> need help convincing rehab that a Mac is the way to go for me and not the
> overly expensive and money-hungry Windows PC.  If you have any further
> ideas, just email me off list.
> Thanks.
> Beth
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:38:51 -0600
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] New Computer
>
> Beth,
>    Out here in Utah rehab's been known to buy macs if clients can plead a
> strong enough case to go that route instead of windows.  I might switch
> over eventually but, I love jaws, and although I also love my iPhone, the
> learning curve to switch from jaws to voiceover, on a desktop or laptop,
> seems rather steep to me right now.
>    Best,
> Kirt
>
> On 7/16/12, Valerie Gibson <valandkayla at gmail.com> wrote:
>   Yes mac has a word processor called text edit.  I don't think rehab deals
> with macs??hey don't in my state any way.
>
>   Good Luck.
>   On Jul 16, 2012, at 11:12 PM, Beth wrote:
>
>   I'm in the market for a Mac.  I have a question about Macs.  Is there a
> word processor for Mac?  Does it come with a Microsoft Word for Mac or
> something?  I'm wondering because I need a computer for college and rehab
> will probably be buying it when I give them my two cents. ...
> Anyway,
>   that's all I have to say.
>   Beth
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com
>   To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>   Date sent: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:31:07 -0500
>   Subject: [nabs-l] New Computer
>
>   Good evening everyone,
>
>     If those of us in the market for new computers were gathered at the
> national office for a seminar of some kind perhaps Dr. Maurer would call
> us  "The New Computer Seminar." I have an HP Pavilion rig that has served
> me  well for 8 years and will probably run for a while longer. But when you
> know  the clock is ticking and you want an information processing
> powerhouse  it's  time to shop for a new computer.
>
>     Last year we bought one for my wife quite unexpectedly. Now it's my
> turn. We've had great success with HP and Dell computers so I'll most
> likely  purchess one of those brands. Mary's desktop and my laptop (The
> "Brains"
>   of
>   my recording operation) is a Dell. Both machines are serving us well. My
> HP  has given me outstanding service too. If you use Windows as your
> primary  operating system and you choose either of those brands you can't
> go  wrong.
>
>     A Mac machine is further in the  future most likely in the form of an
> iPhone, iPad, or a NetBook. Happy computer shopping.
>
>   Peter Donahue
>
>   ??o weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.??
>   Isaiah 54:17
>
>   ??hile for our princes they prepare
>   In caverns deep a burning snare,
>   He shot from heaven a piercing ray,
>   And the dark treachery brought to day.??
>   Anonymous
>
>
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-- 
Take care,
Ty
http://tds-solutions.net
The aspen project: a barebones light-weight mud engine:
http://code.google.com/p/aspenmud
He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave.