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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Christine,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I still actively use my Windows machines with four different screen reading programs, I.e. JAWS, Window-Eyes, NVDA, and HAL and also have a Linux machine where I use EMAC speaks and the Gnome desktop. Almost three years ago, I purchased a MAC-mini and absolutely love it. As a person that uses all types of operating systems and has run the entire gamut of vision loss from being able to drive to light perception, I do know how all the interfaces work and most importantly, look. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The Apple environment does not work like the Windows environment does, so you have to suspend the way in which you think things should operate. Once you do this, however, you learn quickly the benefits of how a Mac actually works. I try and use my Mac for most operations now, for one simple reason. I have had only one, count it, one error message from my Mac since I owned it. That was related to trying to update the Microsoft Office for the Mac, ironically. Once you learn all the commands and really understand the command structure of Voice-Over, in conjunction with how the Mac operating system works, you quickly can start to use it for all your needs. What I also love is that my lab on campus has mostly Macs in it. I have a 24 inch Mac on my desk and that is what I mostly use. It also gives me a lot of freedom when I need some information or are running a subject in research. Since we have Macs in our sound booths for data collection, I can log all my data without having to have different set-ups or make any special arrangements. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>For the instances in which I absolutely have to use a PC, I do have a Windows partition on my Mac as well. I just switch over and Window-Eyes is talking to me. I will, let anyone know that the learning curve can be strenuous, unless you totally commit to learning to use it. You can’t use a windows machine ninety percent of the time and think that you are going to start working faster with your Mac. I just decided over my Christmas break in 2010 that I was not going to use my Windows machine unless I absolutely had to. Three weeks later, I had trouble using it for anything. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I recently purchased the version of Zoomtext for my Mac, since I do own Zoomtext for Windows and provide tech support for my mother. My friend that is visually impaired and a full-time Mac user loves it. She purchased a full copy to use with her Mac. She liked what she got from the Zoom feature of the Mac, but a full version of Zoomtext on the Mac works great. She did, have to her Windows XP laptop crash for her to start using her Mac exclusively though. She now has a Windows machine at work, and a I-Mac and Mac book pro laptop at home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I also have another friend that is totally blind and finally made the leap last Fall. She was so frustrated that she wanted to take it back after a week. Three months later, she thinks it was the best decision she has ever made. She sold her JAWS license to another person and says if she ever has to add a Windows partition, she is going to use NVDA. Selling her JAWS software paid for half of her Mac laptop!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>PS- I first used a TRS 80 in the late seventies and then migrated to the Cyber system mainframe for Fortran programming in undergrad. I then used a DOS based PC just to learn BASIC programming. In early 1984 I used the original Macintosh and was hooked within two hours. I was absolutely befuddled when I had to start using DOS based machines as my vision waned. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Social-sciences-list [mailto:social-sciences-list-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Christine Szostak<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, June 30, 2013 11:22 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB Science and Engineering Division List; social-sciences-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Social-sciences-list] An Inquiry About Technology and Vision Loss<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Hi All,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> I was wondering if anyone here can help me out a little. I am working with someone who is interested in gaining information about the usability of the iPhone and vision loss (e.g., its usability, and whether you can do everything on it verbally, especially with a touch screen). I know the iPhone, especially G4 is supposed to be quite usable, though I had no success personally:), and thus am not going to be able to personally give useful info from my own experience. Relatedly, this person is interested in the advantages and challenges of switching from a PC to a Mac as a screen reading software user. In other words, what is the learning curve like, what are the benefits of switching to a Mac when one is visually impaired and a user of both ZT and JAWS... Any information others here can provide would be much appreciated.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>With very warm regards,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Christine<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Christine M. Szostak, PhD<br>Psychologist, Instructor, and Professional Consultant<br><a href="http://findingthevision.wikidot.com">http://findingthevision.wikidot.com</a><br><a href="http://researchconsulting.wikidot.com">http://researchconsulting.wikidot.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>