[access-uk] Re: Anyone on this list using a Mac with Tiger?
- From: "Tristram Llewellyn" <tris-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 11:47:06 +0100
I believe the process you speak is going to last around two years, it starts
with the iBooks probably next year. The PPC processor is not considered
power efficient enough for the portable models in future. Apple are eyeing
up the dual core and eventually quad core designs in future. How long for
the Mac Mini equivolent it's not possible to say just yet.
Regards.
Tristram Llewellyn
Sight and Sound Technology
Technical Support
www.sightandsound.co.uk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Hodgson" <andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 11:05 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Anyone on this list using a Mac with Tiger?
Hi,
To add another twist to the story, I have been seriously advised to clear
off buying a Mini for another 6 months, due to the processor changing to an
Intel processor, causing the PPC models to be phased out.
I will be looking at other forums on this because the Mac Mini isn't the
most upgradable unit.
Andrew.
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Ray's Home
Sent: Wed 14/09/2005 10:13
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Anyone on this list using a Mac with Tiger?
Some very interesting responses here, and I really look forward to hearing
Andrew's thoughts when he's got his Apple Mini.
the fact there isn't, and not likely to be, any competition to Voiceover
means its all the more imperative that Apple hear's what users are saying
about Voiceover. Its not as though they can scurry off and try the
competition.
Tristram is certainly right about OSX not being bug free. I've seen similar
comments in Sound On Sound about things being in the upgrade process. Let's
not forget though that updates in the Mac world are OS updates, not just the
screen reader. Apple users complain quite busted quite loudly about the
$100 or more a year anual upgrade charge, and its not as though they can
usually opt out, because upgrades of applications for the Mac usually wont'
work without them upgrading.
It isn't really a case of the 'other man's grass being greener'.
Ray
Personal emails: Email me at
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Hodgson"
Hi Ray,
I also feel that you can't compaire Voice Over to Narator. its all very
well saying that Apple shouldn't have gone further in making the screen
reader, only putting the minimum in like Narator did, however, at the time
they did it, there was no other (and there still is no other) reader for the
OSX environment. Outspoken will only run under OS9, which is now very old.
One argument is now no-one will probably develop a Mac reader, because it is
integrated, and Apple are not encouraging competition like Microsoft are.
Andrew.
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Ray's Home
Sent: Wed 14/09/2005 08:51
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Anyone on this list using a Mac with Tiger?
Well, as so often happens here, Andrew's original question has morphed
somewhat, into a screen reader/narrator/who likes Apple computers anyway -
sort of debate! Its all useful and interesting too. I hope my reflections
might add a little to the debate.
I am not at all sure I agree with Peter's likening of Speakover to Narrator.
Very rare I fire up narrator, but I am sure that does nothing outside of
reading the desktop, menus, dialogues etc, which is all that its meant to
do.
Interestingly, one screen reader vendor told me at SV that the Apple screen
reader was mis-conceived and they shouldn't have gone further than MS has
done with Narrator. He was less than optimistic about the sort of support
Apple could, or would give users who ran into problems. Well, its tempting
to say, 'he would say that, wouldn't he?' (A saying that originated with an
unvirtuous lady who lived not far from me in the sixties - but I digress!
Rather like this list, the Apple Visionaries list is most likely a very
active source of support. I wonder what experiences Apple users have had
when phoning Apple support? Certainly, the tremendous apparent cost
advantage is going to weigh increasingly with us VI users, especially when
you consider another of Peter's remarks about SMA's. I do wonder if this
first release of Tiger was indeed rushed out, to meet the commitment of
being included in the Tiger release. The next upgrade should be very
interesting.
I think we must always remember that those who review such products as
Tiger's screen reader can hardly escape some element of personal bias and
preference. If they come from a certain background i.e. the music and
multi-media world, they are tremendously biased and in love with their Macs
and won't here a decent word said for Microsoft! Its almost a matter of
honour with those working in the very image conscious media world NOT to use
anything else.
Meanwhile, back in the more pedestrian world of office apps, those of us in
the VI world who have hardly had any option but to use Windows have much to
thank MS for over the years - as well as a good deal to fume about! Windows
from the start had , thanks to Bill Gates, keyboard support; something the
Mac eschewed for a very long time. What couldn't be done with a mouse
wasn't worth doing, sort of attitude. On the other hand, I feel that
Windows 9x was a terrible run around; if only we could have gone from 3x
straight to XP; but then MS had its own strategies, and had to finally
ensure that IBM wasn't a force to be reckoned with. Yes, politics plays its
part, like it or not.
There are essential differences in detail and philosophy between Mac and
Windows, and the desktop metaphor and find tools have very different ways of
working, and that's just for starters. Also, and I'd like to know if this
has relevance for Speakover users, the Apple OS has Apple Script, which can
do a lot to enable you to create your own keyboard shortcuts and a good deal
else. I would say, in the end, you must judge the competing Apple/MS
systems within their own terms as OS's, and how well and effectively they
get the job done. Its hard for anyone to put themselves outside the frame
of reference of what they have become familiar with, but one has to try and
do this if one is to be fair and accurate in an assessment of what it is the
competitors do and how well they do it.
Ray
Personal emails: Email me at
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Matthews"
Not only this, but there wouldn't be the worry of keeping up with an SMA. As
I understand it, updates to the Voiceover software would be part of the OS
update, which stands to reason I guess.
Cheers,
Mark
Mark Matthews
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Peter Logue
I'll like the idea too. If only the voice was better. I wish Jerry could
have done the demo with an A T T voice or something half decent. I like the
idea of a stable OS, as my windows, or windows slash jaws, crashes on a
regular basis, alt F4 on any given program and I risk losing jaws in the
process. I can pretty much guarantee that I can't go two full days without
needing to reboot. And please don't anyone advise on Wineyes. Smiles.
Peter
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Andrew Hodgson
Hi all,
I will be buying (probably) a Mac Mini in the coming days and really do look
forward to trying it out.
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq]
** or send a message, to
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq]
** or send a message, to
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
Other related posts:
