[NFBMT] Chromebook

Wed May 16 03:20:19 UTC 2018

With all the knowledge you have with different screen readers,
coud you teach it over the phone if someone got the same as you have?
So far we are in a ten not a mack.
I find it interesting a friend of mine still uses a mack but went back 
to windows.

Original message:
> Interestingly enough, my Chromebook out-performed my Windows 10 PC and 
> Android tablet today as I reviewed a website for accessibility and 
> usability.  It was a remarkable difference as my Chromebook showed me 
> stuff on the page the others could not handle even a little bit.  
> Besides the Chrome OS, ChromeVox, and Chrome, I reviewed the site with 
> Jaws and NVDA using Internet Explorer and Firefox as well as with 
> Android, Talkback, and Chrome.  The Chromebook handled the page far 
> better than the other tools.  Since I was reviewing only one website, 
> it's probably premature to declare the Chromebook the winner.  I'll be 
> reviewing many more sites soon, so I'll let all know if the Chromebook 
> success persists.  Also, it may be the Chrome browser that's best in 
> any operating system.  I did not use Chrome with Jaws or NVDA.  Still, 
> using Chrome with Android provided a lesser quality access than Chrome 
> with Chrome OS.

> I'm very sad about how terrible Jaws and IE are these days.  IE is 
> rapidly getting out of date.  I understand that Microsoft is not 
> continuing IE development because the company is putting its eggs in 
> the MS Edge browser.  As far as I know, Jaws does not yet work well 
> with MS Edge.  And there are issues using Jaws and Firefox and Chrome 
> browsers as well.  NVDA looks pretty good, but Jaws remains the king.  
> My point in mentioning this is that our current IT requires blind users 
> to apply a variety of screen readers and browsers.  We talked about 
> this phenomena the other day.   Moreover, blind users have to know more 
> than one operating system to stay current.  My three are Windows 10, 
> Android, and Chrome OS.  Sometime, I will have to rekindle my knowledge 
> of Apple IOS and to learn for the first time how to operate a Mac PC.  
> Hard to accept that I feel nostalgia for simpler technology times.  To 
> move forward, diversity in IT is a must, though.

> Jim Marks
> Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
> (406) 438-1421

> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Burke via NFBMT
> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 1:32 PM
> To: NFB of Montana Discussion List <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Chromebook

> Thanks Jim.

> It's actually about the same price as many Android tablets.

> On 5/14/18, Jim Marks via NFBMT <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Here is my initial report on using a Chromebook and its built-in
>> screen reader, ChromeVox.

>> I bought the Chromebook on Amazon.  It cost $177, and it is a
>> refurbished Samsung with 4GB RAM and a 32GB SSD.  Its 11-inch screen
>> is not a touch screen.  It looks like a regular small laptop.

>> Chromebooks are designed to run apps and to store date on the cloud.
>> They primarily use the Google products such as Chrome and G Suite, but
>> they also run Android apps and other online services such as MS Office
>> 365.  It is possible to use a Chromebook offline, but it’s best when
>> connected to the Internet.  Its keyboard is designed for Chromebook.
>> For example, it has no F keys, and it includes a new key called the
>> Search key, and this key is also called the ChromeVox key because it’s
>> used to operate the screen reader much like the Insert key modifies
>> Jaws keystrokes.  Although the Samsun is quite small, it fits my large
>> hands just fine.  I’m using lots of online tutorials and videos to
>> learn how to operate a Chromebook and to use ChromeVox.

>> All-in-all, Chromebook and ChromeVox work well.  At this point, I do
>> not think it will replace a PC for me, but it will serve well for
>> portable computing.  I think of it as being like using an Android
>> smart phone or tablet.  Also, now, my user experience is a bit
>> awkward, mostly because I have yet to commit the ChromeVox keystrokes
>> to muscle memory.  It’s happening fast, though, because ChromeVox is
>> natural even though it means learning new keystrokes and new ways of
>> doing things.  The speech is very responsive and easy to understand.
>> I speed up the speech a great deal, and I prefer using the UK English
>> voice.  Insofar as I know, only female voices are available now.  Oh,
>> it is possible to add a refreshable Braille display to a Chromebook as well.

>> Facebook works very well.  I use Chrome and m.facebook.com, and the
>> experience is quite nice.  ChromeVox includes a feature called “sticky key”
>> in which one quickly presses the Search/ChromeVox key twice, and then
>> one can navigate with keystrokes that consist of a single key or two
>> keys pressed simultaneously.  When in sticky mode, it’s not possible
>> to type, but all it takes to get out of sticky mode is two rapid
>> strokes on the Search/ChromeVox key.

>> I’m having troubles reading Gmail, but this is caused by my ignorance
>> on the keystrokes.  As I learn those keystrokes, I’m confident I will
>> be able to use Gmail with no problems.  I can also add apps like Aqua
>> Mail or Outlook.

>> In the future, I’ll provide more updates.  At this point, I think a
>> Chromebook would be a very good alternative to an Android tablet
>> because it operates entirely with a keyboard and because it’s
>> inexpensive.  I don’t think I could, at this point, recommend a
>> Chromebook as a replacement for a PC, though.

>> Best!

>> Jim Marks

>> Blind.grizzly at gmail.com <mailto:Blind.grizzly at gmail.com>

>> (406) 438-1421

> --
> Dan Burke
> President, NFB of Denver

> "Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"
> My Cell:  406.546.8546
> Twitter:  @DallDonal

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