[nfbcs] Java Accessibility was RE: Why Java? was: Software Developer position open

Tue Oct 2 04:36:17 UTC 2012

Please read all of the messages in the thread and make sure that you know
what you are talking about before making blanket statements. The following
is not true:

For example, in Windows, a Java program doesn't work with Jaws ... or any
screen reader for that matter ... that is if all you do is install Java,
start running a program written in that language, and expect it to work with
Jaws.

If you use the SWT    library, then you do not need Access Bridge.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Jolls
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 6:27 PM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Why Java? was: Software Developer position open

Another consideration for Java .. besides it having support for the native
O/S User Interface controls ... is that use of it is free.  It's a free
download and all you have to do is go out and buy a book to learn it.  There
are also good editors out there that support development.  And there is a
very large community in case you have questions.

There are other reasons why Java is good to use too, such that each release
version of Java has pre-built classes that allow you to "hit the ground
running" ... meaning that you can ... after learning these pre-defined
software modules ... use them to do specific functions without having to
write every line of code yourself.  I remember once when I had to ... for
work ... write a program that was going to connect to a remote server and
upload a set of files to the server.  In the Java version we were using at
the time, there were classes already developed and distributed that took the
files, compressed them, put them into a "zip" ... or compressed file (that
was one class that contained the zip functions).  Next, I used a different
set of class methods ... prebuilt ... that would connect to the remote
server, upload the files, and disconnect.  All you had to provide was the
name of the server, some connection parameters such as userid and password,
and the directory on the remote server where you wanted your file or files
deposited.  Having these pre-built functions sure saved a lot of time, and
the company I work for didn't have to pay to get the software development
toolkit.

One downfall to using Java is that it doesn't automatically interface with
all operating system ...  not like C or C++ for example ... from an
accessibility standpoint.  For example, in Windows, a Java program doesn't
work with Jaws ... or any screen reader for that matter ... that is if all
you do is install Java, start running a program written in that language,
and expect it to work with Jaws.  You have to go get the Java Access Bridge,
load that on the machine along with your screen reader, and THEN Jaws will
work with the Java screens you develop.  So it does take some investigation
to figure out how to make Java accessible.

Provided that work that is done with Java is with the understanding that you
have to pay attention to some details to get it to be accessible, Java is a
good, full featured, language.  It has enough classes pre-built that you can
do quite a bit with it.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Aaron Cannon
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 6:45 PM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
Subject: [nfbcs] Why Java? was: Software Developer position open

Hi John.

I actually am curious why Java was chosen as the language for the Braille
Blaster project.  Is there any particular reason it was chosen over some
other cross-platform language such as Python or even C?  Was it as simple as
being the language you knew, or was there more to it than that?

Not criticizing the choice.  Just curious.  I think the language it's
written in is much less important than the fact that it simply exists, and
I'm thrilled to hear that the APH is sponsoring its development.

Aaron

On 10/1/12, John J. Boyer <john.boyer at abilitiessoft.com> wrote:
> That is one person's opinion. There are lots of organizations using 
> Java, including the Daisy Consortiumj, Bookshare and Apache.
>
> If you wish to pursue this topic further, please change the subjectg 
> line.
>
> John
>
> On Mon, Oct 01, 2012 at 02:17:08PM -0700, Ronald Smith wrote:
>> Steve,
>>
>> I think Leo LaPort stated that Java is dead!
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
>> To: "NFB in Computer Science Mailing List" <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 1:50 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Software Developer position open
>>
>>
>> >John,
>> >
>> >I am going to forward this to our "jobs" list as well.
>> >
>> >Best regards,
>> >
>> >Steve Jacobson
>> >
>> >
>> >On Mon, 1 Oct 2012 15:38:02 -0500, John J. Boyer wrote:
>> >
>> >>O
>> >>A software developer with extensive Java experience is needed to 
>> >>work on the BrailleBlaster project. This work will be done under 
>> >>contract with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), 
>> >>which is collaborating on the project. Knowledge of Braille is 
>> >>desirable but not required, since it can be learned. BrailleBlaster 
>> >>is an open source project which aims to dramatically increase the 
>> >>availability of Braille and tactile graphics. It covers both 
>> >>literary and technical material. It is freely downloadable. Please 
>> >>send questions and resumes to john.boyer at abilitiessoft.com
>> >
>> >>--
>> >>John J. Boyer; President, Chief Software Developer Abilitiessoft, 
>> >>Inc.
>> >>http://www.abilitiessoft.com
>> >>Madison, Wisconsin USA
>> >>Developing software for people with disabilities
>> >
>> >
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
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>
> --
> John J. Boyer; President, Chief Software Developer Abilitiessoft, Inc.
> http://www.abilitiessoft.com
> Madison, Wisconsin USA
> Developing software for people with disabilities
>
>
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