[access-uk] Re: Apple alternative was: New radio devices
- From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 14:06:06 +0100
I have been watching some of the Mac lists, but just one now, that beeing Gordon
Smith's list which can be subbed to by sending a message to:
mailto:mac-access-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxx
There's discussion at times around the differences between the Mac and Windows
and
comparisons with Windows screen reader norms, such as virtual cursors, and what
they call the Mac's 'object' way of doing things which they say isn't the same
as
'screen reading'. Won't comment on that though, mainly because I've not tried a
Mac yet much less bought one. It might though throw light on the comment about
lack of screen windowing facilities on the Mac which, I'm guessing, might be
said
to be unnecessary with their way of doing things. Don't take my word for it
though, (smile).
One area the Mac's accessability does seem to be lacking in is web access and
specifically poor support for the various HTML elements such as tables and
anchors. It isn't that web navigation is impossible, but from what they're
saying
it is much less convenient.
Various freeware or shareware programs are sometimes mentioned for word
processing
work. MS Office isn't accessible which seems more due to MS's not facilitating
it
rather than anything to do with Apple.
Things seem quite bright on the audio side though, with one multi-track editor,
Amadeus being particularly good according to one person on the Mac list. Things
don't seem any further advanced with industry standard audio software such as
Logic.
Some are claiming though that there's been deliberate mis-information by some
dealers in the UK about the usability of the FS Focus Braille Display with the
Mac. They claim it is perfectly usable. the Mac does have seemingly good plug
'n' play USB Braille support.
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Gordon Keen
Sent: 1 April 2008 10:52AM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Apple alternative was: New radio devices
Hi
Well getting to grips with voice over is as steep a learning curve as
changing
from JAWS to say HAL or any other screen reader.
Some aspects are very difficult to come to terms with and I am still learning
with the help of some very helpful people on a couple of lists for blind mac
users.
As to applications, well I use the text editor that is bundled with the mac,
Apple mail for my email client and safari for my browser. Audio can be either
via quicktime or i tunes both standard applications which work out of the box.
I have an advantage in that my son, who is a computer professional, can write
pearl scripts and other useful stuff like that which makes some tedious
keystrokes
etc a lot easier but there are people out there who are doing very well without
any help and I urge anyone who wants to know more to join one of the lists or
sub
to the screenless switchers podcast so they can ask others with more experience
for there thoughts about the benefits of switching.
Regards,
G
From glorious Devon, England.
(Where the Sun always shines and all the children are above average.)
On 1 Apr 2008, at 10:19, phil stephenson wrote:
Ok Gordon, all sounds very impressive and I have to say I am seriously
toying with switching to a Mac once this laptop dies a death which may be
sooner than I want to think!
At risk of starting another thread though I would really like to hear either
on or off list what you're using for such things as word processing, how
you're getting on with voiceover and Safari and how you've found the
switchover in general and anything else you'd like to comment that help push
me further Mac-wards!!
Cheers,
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Gordon Keen
Sent: 01 April 2008 09:55
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: New radio devices
If you have an Apple store near you go in and ask them to demo the airport
express with an Apple mac book, truly amazing.
Mine is connected to the aux phono input on my Denon system and I can select
'living room' within remote speakers when in i tunes to play anything I have
downloaded or can stream, such as podcasts. Same set up in Quicktime pro
and safari for other sources.
This isn't just the best thing since sliced bread, this is the best thing
since M and S sliced bread!
Oh and I can listen via my wireless headphones too, wonderful.
A very happy
G
From glorious Devon, England.
On 1 Apr 2008, at 09:40, Dave Taylor wrote:
That in itself is an increasing minority as more and more older people
are getting into computers. The fact is, and I mean fact, that within
a few years, most people losing their sight will already have been
computer users. There is hardly a job that doesn't involve using a
computer or computerised device of some sort now. Older people are
more and more getting their heads round the benefits of technology and
would not want millions of gadgets doing different things around the
house to survive. I am in favour of portable devices you can carry
around, take outside, whatever, that can use whatever wireless network
is available, but the assumption must be that those who use them will
be computer literate, and won't want a limited device. In fact,
production of such an enabling portable device that acts as internet
radio, talking book player, etc, may well persuade me to go wireless.
I hasten to add, it would need a good stereo output though to connect
to the hifi as well. Don't forget one thing that won't change is older
people also having hearing impairments, and in any case, their hearing
isn't as good as young people's by definition,
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