[access-uk] Re: Anyone on this list using a Mac with Tiger?
- From: "Neil Jarvis" <neiljarvis@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 07:56:21 +1200
Hi again,
One more article from a VoiceOver user.
I think it would be great to hear the views of any others who have used it
on this list as inevitably there will be fans and opponents alike and of
course the two articles I've submitted to this list are from fans.
All the best,
Neil
Neil Jarvis
Wellington, New Zealand
e-mail: neiljarvis@xxxxxxxxxx
MSN: neil.jarvis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: neiljarvis
----- Original Message -----
From: <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 12:50 AM
Subject: Jerry Halatyn's comments on the AccessWorld article
Hi
I'm forwarding the following on behalf of Jerry Halatyn - this is what he
sent to Access World:
Let me say, at the outset, that I have been a subscriber to AccessWorld
since the days before it became a free publication. I look forward to
reading each
issue and have considered it a good source of information as a blind
consumer. I have to say, however, that I was quite disappointed with your
review of
VoiceOver.
First of all, as a reader of a publication that presents information, I
expect facts to be researched and accurate. This is clearly not the case
here. for
example, you stated that there was no spell checking facility in TextEdit.
Well, a simple check of the Edit menu would've revealed the spell checking
feature
which is, in fact, part of the application. Another erroneous fact is that
the Doc is not the equivalent of the Windows desktop. The Macintosh
operating
system includes a desktop just like Windows does and one can simply use
first letter navigation or the arrow keys to select items. If anything, the
Doc
may be considered more similar to the Start menu, although there are some
differences.
Further, you make it sound as if the online help is incomplete and only
offers "snippets of information." The fact is, the help system, which is
completely
accessible, offers an easy way to read all about VoiceOver and covers all
aspects of its operation. In fact, it is true that, upon first launching
Tiger,
an interactive tutorial is automatically presented as an option for a blind
user. This tutorial gives a new user an opportunity to learn about how
voiceOver
is used to navigate and interact with the operating system and with
applications.
Getting back to the initial boot up, your comment about VoiceOver possibly
not coming up upon start up is simplistic and misleading. Any new Macintosh
with Tiger installed, upon first boot up, will offer the tutorial option.
If the computer was previously booted and set up, the tutorial will not
automatically
come up. Further, VoiceOver will only come up talking if it has been turned
on and the computer is rebooted. subsequent boots will have it coming up
automatically.
You make it sound like an inadvertent key press is a matter that voiceOver
should somehow deal with or that Apple hasn't taken that possibility into
account.
What about unplugged speakers? Could any screen reader compensate for such
user error?
Without having read the VoiceOver help beyond the snippets you mentioned, I
can see why you would have a difficult time navigating with Safari. A close
examination of the VoiceOver Utility and Safari preferences would've helped
in that regard. Your lack of attention to details such as Command-L to open
a link rather than Command-O, which opens a file, might offer some insight
into how carefully you examined VoiceOver and the Mac OS.
Although you criticised the use of the Control and Option keys as voiceOver
modifiers, you failed to mention that those keys could be locked, if so
desired.
Again, I feel that there is so much you left out of this brief review. For
example, you completely ignore the fact that the operating system does not
require
alteration to work well with the screen reader. The fact that every single
software developer using Tiger has direct, instant access to VoiceOver is
unprecedented.
This creates anormous potential for the future of accessibility. Your
review not only provides poorly researched material, it misses the whole
point of
a built-in accessibility solution for blind Mac users. There are Windows
and Linnux users who have already made the jump over to the Mac and many of
them
have recognized the fact that one has to abandon their preconceptions of
how a screen reader works and how things get done. Your conclusion that
VoiceOver
is not ready for prime time is completely absurd. Given your limited
experience with it, it's not possible for you to compare what can truly be
accomplished
with it or even comment on the enjoyment of its use. There are both blind
and sighted Windows users who insessently complain about windows and all its
instabilities and viruses, etc. Almost every Mac user one encounters will
rave about how they love their systems and what a joy it is to use their
computers.
Finally, Apple has made it possible for blind users to take part in that
experience.
Windows screen readers have had 10 years to mature and they still haven't
gotten it all right yet. VoiceOver has been out since April 29 (not April
30th,
as you reported) so it's been less than six months. Let's think back to
what JAWS was when it first came out. Think of how long it took to just get
"forms
mode." I say, I don't believe your review was fair at all. In fact, most of
the blurbs in the AccessWorld Extra would normally entice people to read
upcoming
reviews by mentioning the product and giving a sort of "tune in next month
and find out" kind of treatment. Your mention of voiceOver was pretty much a
condemnation from before the publication.
All that said, there's always room for improvement, of course. This is
VoiceOver version 1.0. Nobody expected it to be perfect. I do believe that
a self-contained
tutorial for blind users would be a great help. MacVisionaries, an online
community of blind Mac users, is currently preparing a complete tutorial
that
will be available soon. Those who wish to learn more about MacVisionaries
can visit
http://www.macvisionaries.com
or send an e-mail to the Blind Macintosh Users Group at
info@blimug .
org for more information.
I have to say that, in light of all this, although I'll continue reading
AccessWorld, I will certainly take what you say with a sort of grain of
salt and,
as one should normally do, I'll research other sources of information as
well. Thanks for opening my eyes.
Regards,
Jerry Halatyn
BeSharp
Audio Recording & Music Production
30-80 33rd Street
Astoria NY 11102
718-932-3660
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