[Promotion-technology] Promotion-technology Digest, Vol 72, Issue 12

Wed May 19 20:44:56 UTC 2010

Nothing definitive I've read. It seems blind people are divided on the 
issue, some thinking it is good and others thinking it is oversized for what 
it does and that less expensive and equally flexible products are available. 
There was a recent show done on Access World and I believe our NFB blog is 
information and reviews as well.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jenny26 at tds.net>
To: <promotion-technology at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 2:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Promotion-technology] Promotion-technology Digest, Vol 
72,Issue 12

> What info can be offered on the iPad?  Are the accessibility features 
> worth the price?
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
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> Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 12:00:07
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> Subject: Promotion-technology Digest, Vol 72, Issue 12
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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. Fwd: FAQ on nonvisual development (David Andrews)
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>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 19:58:14 -0500
> From: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
> To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org,
> Subject: [Promotion-technology] Fwd: FAQ on nonvisual development
> Message-ID: <auto-000152899973 at mailfront2.g2host.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
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>
>>Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 15:17:18 -0400 (EDT)
>>From: Jamal Mazrui <empower at smart.net>
>>Subject: FAQ on nonvisual development
>>
>>Nonvisual Development FAQ
>>
>>This is a set of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the
>>subject of software development by people who are blind or visually
>>impaired (blind programmers).  The initial version is by Jamal
>>Mazrui, who may be reached at the address
>>mailto://jamal@EmpowermentZone.com
>>
>>Corrections, modifications, and new topics are solicited for
>>inclusion in the FAQ.  Indicate the question and answer being
>>addressed.  Your name and email address will be listed as a
>>contributor unless you specify otherwise.
>>
>>The current version was posted on
>>May 18, 2010
>>at
>>http://EmpowermentZone.com/NonvisualDevelopmentFAQ.htm
>>
>>
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Contents
>>
>>Where can I find introductory examples for programming in a
>>particular language?
>>Are screen reader configuration sets available for the Microsoft
>>Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE)?
>>Is a free version of Visual Studio available?
>>Are there tips for using Visual Studio with a screen reader?
>>Are other IDEs available for .NET development besides Visual Studio?
>>Is it possible to build .NET programs without Visual Studio?
>>What accessible text editors may be used for programming?
>>What tools are recommended for developing with the Java language?
>>What tools are recommended for developing with the Python language?
>>Is a simpler language available, e.g., one that does not involve
>>object oriented programming (OOP)?
>>Is there an IDE designed with screen reader support?
>>What screen readers may be customized for applications via scripting
>>languages?
>>Is there job training specifically for blind programmers?
>>What mailing lists exist for blind programmers?
>>What web sites have resources for blind programmers?
>>----------
>>
>>Where can I find introductory examples for programming in a
>>particular language?
>>
>>Blind programmers have contributed to a project intended for this
>>purpose. Specifications and samples of a "fruit basket program" are
>>at the web site
>>http://FruitBasket.QuantumMyst.com
>>
>>A fruit basket program is intended as a simple but nontrivial
>>graphical user interface (GUI), exhibiting how a developer may
>>employ a particular programming language and platform, and how a
>>user may experience the result.  The length and complexity of code
>>may be considered from a developer standpoint;  the accessibility
>>and performance of the program may be considered from a user standpoint.
>>
>>Basically, the user interface contains an edit box for entering a
>>fruit name (e.g, apple), a listbox for collecting the fruit (the
>>basket), and buttons to add or delete items.  Obviously, such a
>>program is not inherently useful, but it does offer an informative
>>example of a development approach, with comparisons possible to
>>other programs meeting the same criteria.  Fruit basket samples are
>>available for many development approaches.
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Are screen reader configuration sets available for the Microsoft
>>Visual Studio integrated development environment (IDE)?
>>
>>Blind programmers have developed a set of JAWS scripts for Visual
>>Studio (VS), which work with either VS 2005 or VS 2008.  They do not
>>work with VS 2010, which uses Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)
>>controls rather than Windows Forms controls.
>>
>>The executable installer for the scripts works with 64-bit Windows
>>and Windows 7, as well as earlier versions of Windows.  It is available at
>>http://EmpowermentZone.com/msenv2005.exe
>>
>>Pick your JAWS version in the installer dialog -- the default is the
>>latest version found on your computer.  Otherwise, just press Enter
>>to accept all defaults of that dialog.
>>
>>A zip archive is also available for a manual install at
>>http://EmpowermentZone.com/msenv2005.zip
>>
>>Documentation for the scripts is in the file msenv2005.htm.  It
>>gives steps for manual installation.  It also includes a list of
>>hotkeys and a tutorial on developing a fruit basket program with C# and 
>>VS.
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Is a free version of Visual Studio available?
>>
>>VS comes in various versions with increasing amounts of developer
>>tools and corresponding costs.  The "Express Editions" may be freely
>>downloaded and used, even in commercial projects.  Each Express
>>Edition is oriented to a particular language or platform:  C#,
>>Visual Basic, Visual C++, or Visual Web Developer (for developing
>>web sites with ASP.NET).  These are available at
>>http://www.microsoft.com/express/Windows/
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Are there tips for using Visual Studio with a screen reader?
>>
>>A collection of tips has been gathered from blind programming lists,
>>called "Nonvisual Development with .NET," posted at
>>http://EmpowermentZone.com/ndn.htm
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Are other IDEs available for .NET development besides Visual Studio?
>>
>>Sharp Develop is an open source, cross platform IDE for .NET
>>languages, available at
>>http://www.icsharpcode.net/opensource/sd/
>>
>>Eclipse is an open source, cross-platform IDE for Java and other
>>languages, available at
>>http://eclipse.org
>>
>>A plug in for C# development with Eclipse is called Emonic, available at
>>http://emonic.sourceforge.net/
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Is it possible to build .NET programs without Visual Studio?
>>
>>C#, Visual Basic, and JScript .NET command-line compilers are part
>>of the .NET Framework 2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK), which is
>>freely available at
>>http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa731542.aspx
>>
>>Later versions of the .NET Framework include these command-line
>>compilers in the distribution of the Framework, itself.  Usually, a
>>shortcut is put on the Windows Start Menu for opening a command
>>prompt with PATH and other environment variables set so that these
>>tools are found when run.  You could also search your hard disk for
>>the C# compiler, csc.exe, and then add its directory to your search path.
>>
>>----------
>>
>>What accessible text editors may be used for programming?
>>
>>
>>Boxer
>>http://TextEditor.com
>>
>>EdSharp
>>http://EmpowermentZone.com/edsetup.exe
>>
>>NoteTab Pro
>>http://NoteTab.com
>>
>>TextPad
>>http://TextPad.com
>>
>>----------
>>
>>What tools are recommended for developing with the Java language?
>>
>>Install the Java Development Kit (JDK) from
>>http://JavaSoft.com
>>
>>Also there is the Java Access Bridge (JAB), which should be
>>installed for each Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on your computer.  A
>>direct download URL for the JAB is
>>http://www.renovation-software.com/files/tgsdk/accessbridge-2_0_1.exe
>>
>>Eclipse is an accessible IDE especially tailored for Java
>>development.  It is available from
>>http://eclipse.org
>>
>>Also there is the Standard Widget Toolkit (SWT), a Java package that
>>produces accessible GUIs on Windows and Linux.
>>
>>----------
>>
>>What tools are recommended for developing with the Python language?
>>
>>Install Python from
>>http://python.org
>>
>>Install the wxPython package for creating accessible GUIs from
>>http://wxPython.org
>>
>>For Windows development, install the Python for Windows extensions at
>>http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/
>>
>>Also install py2exe, a package for building stand-alone executables from
>>http://py2exe.org
>>
>>In Python, code indentation is syntactically required rather than
>>stylistically optional.  The EdSharp editor includes features that
>>help screen reader users manage indentation efficiently, available at
>>http://EmpowermentZone.com/edsetup.exe
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Is a simpler language available, e.g., one that does not involve
>>object oriented programming (OOP)?
>>
>>AutoIt is a Visual Basic-like language that is freely available from
>>http://AutoItScript.com
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Is there an IDE designed with screen reader support?
>>
>>Sodbeans is being developed at
>>http://sodbeans.sourceforge.net/
>>
>>----------
>>
>>What screen readers may be customized for applications via scripting
>>languages?
>>
>>
>>HAL
>>http://YourDolphin.com
>>
>>JAWS
>>http://FreedomScientific.com
>>
>>Nonvisual Desktop Access
>>http://www.nvda-project.org/
>>
>>Window-Eyes
>>http://GWMicro.com
>>
>>----------
>>
>>Is there job training specifically for blind programmers?
>>
>>Lion's World Services For the Blind has a curriculum called
>>Enterprise Solutions Programming -- a 10-month course which prepares
>>clients to work in a wide range of programming environments
>>including .NET and others. Exams for Microsoft Certified
>>Professional Developer (MCPD) are offered through the program.
>>http://www.lwsb.org/enterprise_solutions_programming.asp
>>
>>----------
>>
>>What mailing lists exist for blind programmers?
>>
>>
>>Blind Geeks -- Where Blind People Learn Programming
>>http://BlindGeeks.org
>>
>>BlindWebbers -- List for blind and visually impaired web authors
>>http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/blindwebbers/
>>
>>dev-accessibility -- Accessibility of Mozilla products to those with
>>disabilities
>>https://lists.mozilla.org/listinfo/dev-accessibility
>>
>>GW-Scripting -- Discussion list for information regarding the
>>development and use of Window-Eyes scripts
>>http://www.gwmicro.com/Support/Email_Lists/
>>
>>Java Accessibility
>>http://archives.java.sun.com/cgi-bin/wa?A0=java-access
>>
>>JAWSScripts -- For scripting and configuring JAWS
>>http://www.freelists.org/list/jawsscripts
>>
>>LibLouis and LibLouisXML -- List for the discussion and development
>>of the liblouis and liblouisxml braille translation,
>>back-translation, and formatting software
>>http://www.freelists.org/list/liblouis-liblouisxml
>>
>>NVDA Developers -- List for development of the Nonvisual Desktop
>>Access screen reader
>>http://www.nvda-project.org/wiki/Community
>>
>>Open A11y of the Linux Foundation
>>http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/accessibility/email
>>
>>program-l -- Discussion group for visually impaired computer programmers
>>http://www.freelists.org/list/program-l
>>
>>ProgrammingBlind -- Programming while blind
>>http://www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
>>
>>----------
>>
>>What web sites have resources for blind programmers?
>>
>>
>>AbilitiesSoft -- Developing software for people with disabilities
>>http://www.AbilitiesSoft.com/
>>
>>Blind Geeks -- Where Blind People Learn Programming
>>http://BlindGeeks.org
>>
>>Inthane's Grab Bag -- Blind programming assistance
>>http://GrabBag.AlacornComputer.com
>>
>>NonvisualDevelopment -- promoting software development without
>>visual dependencies
>>http://NonvisualDevelopment.org
>>
>>
>
>                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
> Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920
>
>
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