[mac4theblind] Re: Introduction
- From: "Tom Behler" <tombehler@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:13:38 -0400
Thank you, Scott.
On another note, is there a way I can get your e-mail address, and the
e-mail address of other list members who reply to me, so I can respond to
them directly? I'd rather do this than taking up band width on the general
list.
Don't want to wear out my welcome. (smile)
Dr. Tom Behler
From: mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Scott Granados
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 2:50 PM
To: mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mac4theblind] Re: Introduction
The USB to Parallel isn't a problem but the drivers may be. Nonetheless,
you could run the environment in a sub window under Windows and switch back
and forth until your applications are supported natively. The nice thing is
the Macs have enough horse power than you can easily run several machines at
a time under one host machine. For example on my setup I run several
Juniper router instances to build test topologies, a windows instance, a
unix instance and then the host Mac. This allows me to test applications or
network designs with out having to buy / work with and deal with real
hardware. You would be able to do the same thing and enjoy what platforms
you need on one host environment.
Good luck.
On Jun 16, 2014, at 2:31 PM, Tom Behler <tombehler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Scott:
The Braille embosser uses a USB to parallel connection. I also know that
it has its own set of drivers that it needs to function. I have used it
with Windows 7 with no problem.
Will definitely check with the manufacturer to be sure I won't have
interface problems.
Thanks again for all your help so far.
Dr. Tom Behler
From: mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Scott Granados
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 10:24 AM
To: mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mac4theblind] Re: Introduction
I would think your going to be able to run Duxberry under the virtual
machine in an existing windows environment so to the program it wouldn't
know the difference. As for the braille device not sure. Do you happen to
know what sort of interface it uses? Is it USB or RS232 serial or what do
you use to connect it to the computer. Also are there special drivers
involved or does it support the normal print protocols. I don't know the
answer to this but I would guess the manufacturer would have a good idea
whether this could be done and how. If it's a simple matter of making
Serial work you can use something like a WUSB11 serial to USB adapter from
Keyspan to do the trick. It may be more involved than that so I'd suggest
you ping the manufacturer of your braille hardware.
Thanks
Scott
On Jun 16, 2014, at 10:15 AM, Tom Behler < <mailto:tombehler@xxxxxxxxx>
tombehler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Scott:
Thanks for this very thoughtful response. I appreciate it greatly.
Do you know whether or how a Mac with Voiceover can successfully be
integrated with the Duxbury Braille translation software, and a Juliet
Pro-60 Braille embosser?
This is important for me, since I use these items in many aspects of my
college teaching work.
Dr. Tom Behler
From: <mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [
<mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Scott Granados
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 9:52 AM
To: <mailto:mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mac4theblind] Re: Introduction
Hi Tom, I would suggest you run and not walk and switch to a Mac.
Here's my reasoning.
First while you're correct your Microsoft productivity
applications may not be accessible natively under the Mac OS there are lots
of good work arounds like Apple IWork which uses comparable programs that
are compatible with the office files. So instead of Word for example you
would use Pages and probably enjoy the use of Pages better. (I like the
interface better myself)
The quality of the Apple hardware is far superior to that of
your average Dell. While you can soup up a Dell with Apple you know all
your parts work together and integrate nicely. Everything form setting up
printers to networks etc is easier and more logical.
Next, with software like VMWare Fusion you can run windows under
your Mac at the same time (in another window) as Mac OS so you can have the
best of both worlds available to you at the same time. I frequently drag
and top files between Mac and Windows between the applications and find the
integration very smooth. So you can run Jaws inside your virtual machine
and voice over outside giving you a fully speaking path between both
environments.
Next, Apple is the future in my mind. Most companies that I
have worked for in recent years have migrated to Mac away from Microsoft
products. I worked for a company where we swapped out 60,000 Dell laptops
with Macbook Pros and never looked back.
Next support, Apple support as in direct from the company is
miles ahead of Dell. Just the quality of the support and backup you receive
by Apple is superior. This may not matter so much since you have in house
staff at your university but for a solo guy like my self running his own
business it's important.
Next, if you chose to fully participate in the Apple Ecosystem
you'll have a much better time with integrating your Mac to your phone,
tablet and TV than you will with Dell.
That's just a few reasons that come to mind. You lose nothing
by making the apple switch but you gain a lot in functionality.
How's that?
On Jun 16, 2014, at 9:18 AM, Tom Behler < <mailto:tombehler@xxxxxxxxx>
tombehler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks very much, David.
You may be quite correct. . I'm just trying to keep an open mind about
the choice until I have to make a decision early this Fall.
P.S. To all list members: I would have replied to David individually, but
couldn't pull his personal e-mail address out of his reply, so sorry for the
extra list traffic.
Dr. Tom Behler
From: <mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [
<mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of David hilbert poehlman
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2014 9:59 PM
To: <mailto:mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mac4theblind] Re: Introduction
Given your circumstances I see no advantage at all
Jonnie Appleseed
With his HandsonTechnolog(eye)s
Touching the Internet
Reducing technology's disabilities
one byte at a time
On Jun 15, 2014, at 19:24, "Tom Behler" < <mailto:tombehler@xxxxxxxxx>
tombehler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello, everyone.
I have just joined this e-mail list, and would like to introduce myself as a
means of letting you know why I am reaching out to you for a bit of
assistance. Hopefully, this intro will help you understand who I am, what
my situation is, and what I'm trying to accomplish.
I am a blind Professor of Sociology at Ferris State University in Michigan.
I have been teaching for over 30 years, and have used adaptive computer
technology to perform various aspects of my job for the vast majority of
that time. Of course, like all of us, adaptive technology has been
fundamentally important to me in various aspects of my personal life as
well.
Anyway, since Ferris State University is still pretty much a windows-based
institution,I currently use Windows 7, Office 2010, Jaws 14, the Duxbury
Braille translation software, and the Juliet Pro-60 embosser to do my work
both at my office and at home.
My office computer is slated to be replaced this Fall, and I have been given
the opportunity to at least play around with a loaner Macbook Pro laptop
over the summer, to test out its possible usefulness for me as a replacement
computer. The Macbookpro that I'm borrowing over the summer uses the
Mavericks 10.9 OSX operating system. If I go with a Mac for my actual
office replacement computer, it would be an Imac desk top.
If I do not decide to make the switch to a Mac, I'd simply go with a Dell
desktop PC.
I understand that Microsoft Office programs for the Mac, such as Word,
Excel, and Internet Explorer are not very accessible with Mac Voiceover. I
also have been told that there may be some major compatibility issues with
the Duxbury Braille translation software, and my Juliet Pro-60 embosser.
What I am requesting from you is some basic guidance regarding whether
trying to learn, and switch over to a Mac would be feasible, given the above
concerns, and given the short time I would have to learn a Mac, in order to
get it totally up and running for the Fall semester.
Are there some very general podcasts and/or tutorials you could point me to
to help give me at least some idea of what I'd be getting into as I try to
learn the mechanics of basic Mac operation?
Thanks for whatever you can do to assist me. Although I may not respond to
every post I receive, please know that each reply will be read and
considered seriously.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Behler, Professor of Sociology
Department Of Social Sciences
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
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