[nfbcs] Computer Usability Statistics Questions

Sun Aug 5 03:40:14 UTC 2012

1. Between Windows, Mac, Linux, and chrome, what is the approximate percent
of the blind population that uses each system? If not a percentage, then is
there in general a noticeable large or small portion that uses a certain
operating system?
NJ: The majority of users are using Windows, with a minority and
possibly a growing minority switching to alternative operating systems
such as Macs and to a lesser extent, Linux due to the growing
popularity of the Vinux remix of Ubuntu Linux. I am a primary Linux
user, however at the agency at which I am an AT specialist, I am
mostly working with individuals using windows. I find that Macs with
VO aren't versatile enough to do intermediate to complex editing, and
I can guarantee you that I could surf the web faster than any Mac user
with a windows or Linux box.
2. Is the percentage of blind users that use each OS likely to shift in the
near future due to changes in technology?
NJ: Already touched on this, but yes, although not to a huge extent. I
think blind users will follow the trend of the mainstream, and right
now that is windows. I think more people in general will begin to
substitute computers for mobile devices and tablets, so we're going to
begin to see more iOS and Android users than any one single computer
platform, but this is only my thinking and it's unsubstantiated and
could possibly turn out to be very wrong.
3. If a blind person has used Windows or Mac for his/her entire life and
starts work at a job where Linux is primarily used for code development,
should he/she learn Linux or use remote access or some other work around?
NJ: In myopinion, everyone should learn and use Linux, but that's
beside the point. If I work at a job that requires the use of a
certain operating system or application, I am going to do my best to
work within the parameters of that application or operating system.
Why should it be my job's responsibility to adapt to me? I should
adapt to the needs of the company. If an appolication or operating
system that they use is proprietary or inaccessible, I will use
work-arounds and I will communicate with upper management to get the
problems resolved, but if I am able to access Linux with a lever of
efficiency and productivity that will enable to successfully complete
my job duties, then I will do so with the same tools that every other
employee of the company is using.
4. How do most blind people who access Linux do it (i.e., work directly with
the Linux machine or use some kind of remote access from another machine)?
NJ: I access Linux directly. Command line applications are accessible
using either ESpeak-Up or Emax and I can be much more efficient using
a CLI app than a GUI app because it requires less exploring. However,
Linux systems using the Gnome desktop and soon the KDE desktop are
able to access most parts of the operating system using a powerful,
flexible and open-source screen reader called Orca, and Orca allows
one to do most things pretty easily and efficiently. I use Linux as it
was made to be used, and not remotely.
5. In Google docs, there is a type of Google doc that is an uploaded file,
such as a PDF or PowerPoint. At this time, viewing this sort of doc using
JAWS does not render any text. How many people do you think would consider
trying the print button as a way as getting to a save dialog for the
uploaded file?
NJ: Very, very few. MOst computer users just want things to work. If
it doesn't speak automatically, it is then said to be completely
inaccessible, the person using it gets frustrated, and they will
switch to a solution that provides an easier out-of-the-box
experience. And this is true for both blind and sighted users. Unless
someone is a "techy", they will not know or care that if they hit a
print button they might be able to get better access to an already
displayed document, but these are my thoughts, and I'm not really sure
how to quantify the number of people that would think of something
without doing a controlled survey.
Anyway, I hope these answers helped you in your research.

On 8/4/12, Jeanine Lineback <jeanine.lineback at gmail.com> wrote:
> I work at a rehab center in Texas We have a couple of MacBook's
> in the center and in recent months have had several younger
> students come through who use a Mac as their primary machine.
> These individuals are totally blind. We have purchased, as an
> agency, Macs for students but generally they had a lot of usable
> vision or were involved with music recording.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of David Andrews
> Sent: August 04, 2012 9:44 PM
> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Computer Usability Statistics Questions
>
> I supervise AT Specialists and we have bought some Macs for music
> students.  Are starting to buy a few as primary computer.
>
> Dave
>
> At 04:56 PM 8/4/2012, you wrote:
>>I work for the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually
> Impaired.
>>The macs I have purchased have been mostly for people with a lot
> of
>>useful vision.  I don't know if that is also true of our other 2
>
>>technology specialists.  I would like to know
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On
>>Behalf Of Nicole B. Torcolini Home
>>Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 9:14 AM
>>To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'
>>Subject: [nfbcs] Computer Usability Statistics Questions
>>
>>     Partially out of curiosity and partially for a project that
> I am
>>doing, I have some questions about computer usability by blind
> users.
>>Can people please give any answers that they might have or
> direct me to
>>a good source for this information?
>>
>>TIA,
>>Nicole
>>
>>1. Between Windows, Mac, Linux, and chrome, what is the
> approximate
>>percent of the blind population that uses each system? If not a
>>percentage, then is there in general a noticeable large or small
>
>>portion that uses a certain operating system?
>>2. Is the percentage of blind users that use each OS likely to
> shift in
>>the near future due to changes in technology?
>>3. If a blind person has used Windows or Mac for his/her entire
> life
>>and starts work at a job where Linux is primarily used for code
>>development, should he/she learn Linux or use remote access or
> some other work around?
>>4. How do most blind people who access Linux do it (i.e., work
> directly
>>with the Linux machine or use some kind of remote access from
> another machine)?
>>5. In Google docs, there is a type of Google doc that is an
> uploaded
>>file, such as a PDF or PowerPoint. At this time, viewing this
> sort of
>>doc using JAWS does not render any text. How many people do you
> think
>>would consider trying the print button as a way as getting to a
> save
>>dialog for the uploaded file?
>
>
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Nimer Jaber

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