Hello Ann, sounds like you need basic instruction on how to use a Mac, not just
how to use Voiceover. As you noted, your’e good a picking up tech stuff, as
evidenced by your IOS experience. The Mac is different, with its Finder for
sorting and moving files, use of the keyboard instead of the screen etc, but it
is learnable from scratch.
A few basic questions to figure out exactly where you’re at, and then I’ll make
you an offer.
First, do you have your Mac up and running and talking? Sounds basic, but I’m
thinking right back to the beginning of turning it on. Are you able to log in,
get past your password etc.? For now, I’d advise getting help from someone to
disable the password and log in stuff so your Mac gets right to business
without you having to do anything but turn it on. Once you’re comfortable, you
can turn it back on.
Second, do you have a way to read one of the getting started guides? When I
started I used a computer I was familiar with, a Windows/Jaws machine, while I
practiced on my Mac. Should work the same with an IOS device. The following
link is to a getting started guide from the Snow Leopard Mac OS, a few versions
back, but I haven’t found a more recent one.
http://www.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/ ;
<http://www.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/>
The same getting started guide for the Snow Leopard version of the operating
system is available as a podcast, if you do podcasts you can search for
voiceover getting started. The basics haven't changed a lot from Snow Leopard,
it will at least help you get started. By the time you get to things like new
key combinations for selecting non-contiguous files in Finder you’ll be a pro
and can put the getting started guide away.
Third, have you been able to access the built in quick start guide? When
Voiceover is running you can activate it with VO command F8. To keep it totally
basic, the VO keys are the control and function keys at the bottom left of your
keyboard. If you’re using a Macbook, you'll need the Function key to activate
F8, thats the very bottom left corner. Command is next to the space bar, so to
activate the quick start guide press and hold down all 4 keys to the left of
the space bar, in order from the left they are FN, control, option, command.
The F8 key is up on the top row,, I use my right hand to count down from the
F12 key, which is immediately to the left of the power button.
Fourth, have you figured out how to activate the key describer? VO K, so
control option k, turns it on, escape turns it off. With key describer on you
can hit any key or key combination to see what it activates.
Fifth, and last before my offer, I promise, do you know how to turn off your
track pad?Using gestures sounds pretty cool, and it is pretty cool, but it can
cause you to make jumps around the screen that you don’t want to. Start with
just the keyboard if you can. If you don’t know how to turn the track pad off
yet, it involves VO and a gesture like you know from the IOS world, the rotor
gesture. Hold VO, so control option, down and do a counter-clockwise rotor on
the track pad.
Ok, now my offer. I’m willing to give you an hour or so of my time over Skype
or Facetime audio to get you on your feet. I’m not a professional at this, but
I think I’m a pretty good teacher, a bit long-winded, and as the list gurus
will attest sometimes a bit of a know it all. Someday you’ll be a Voiceover
guru and have a chance to pay it forward. If you’re interested, send me a
separate email to ianedwards42@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:ianedwards42@xxxxxxxxx> and
we’ll work out some details.
Keith et. al, I’m not soliciting business from the list, this isn’t my job or
anything, I just think this would be a big help.
Peace,
Ian
On Oct 19, 2016, at 2:39 PM, Ann Smith <cradlingarms96@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm about in the same boat. Where do you interact at? There's groups, tables,
sales, good grief! Sometimes I wonder, am I really ever going to love this
computer?
I took a class back in the summer, and of course I failed it. The teacher
yelled at me in front of the whole class. The class, such that it was was
over one of the conference lines.
Of course I got the riot act read to me, what else is new? I Telya, this is
been the most miserable six months I've ever been through. I have
fibromyalgia and other medical problems to deal with, I guess this MacBook is
going to be another medical problem as well.
Please please please, don't get me wrong I don't regret buying this machine.
It's just, I learned the iPhone so amazingly fast. As a matter fact, just
four short months after I bought it, I started doing my own iPhone classes on
these blind chat lines.
When I'm in to mentor and programs. One for a five-year-old organization and
Texas, and the other for the Independent living Center here in St. Louis.
I don't know anymore.😢
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 11, 2016, at 9:19 PM, Keith Reedy <g3tiger@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Ann,
This list was started over 11 years ago for people like you. We have 300
folks on this list who would love to help you.
Welcome!
the admin,
Keith Reedy
On Oct 11, 2016, at 12:58 PM, Ann Smith <cradlingarms96@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Sent from my iPhone hello, someone recommended that I join this list. I've
had a MacBook Air 11.6 inch for almost 6 months.
I come from strictly a capital I capital oh capital S background, I have
never used any other computers from the century anyway ha ha. So, this is a
whole new ballgame for me.
I am completely blind now from retinitis pigmentosa. I am a very strong
proponent for Apple products, and what they can do for people with various
disabilities.
I started out with an iPhone four – S, and now I have an I phone six. I
also have an AppleTV fourth-generation.
I am struggling quite a lot with learning my new MacBook. I knew it was
going to be a learning curve, but I had no idea it was going to be like
this.
Thank you so much for starting this list. I love tutoring the new and
struggling users of capital I capital oh capital S products, and when I get
my Macintosh skills more up to par I would like to do the same for the new
MacBook owners as well.>
Click on the link below to go to our homepage.
http://www.icanworkthisthing.com
Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below.
//www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover
Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to
macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web
interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover
Click on the link below to go to our homepage.
http://www.icanworkthisthing.com
Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below.
//www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover
Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to
macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web
interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover
Click on the link below to go to our homepage.
http://www.icanworkthisthing.com
Manage your subscription by using the web interface on the link below.
//www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover
Users can subscribe to this list by sending email to
macvoiceover-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
with 'subscribe' in the Subject field OR by logging into the Web
interface at //www.freelists.org/list/macvoiceover
