[mac4theblind] Re: Introduction

  • From: David hilbert poehlman <poehlman1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2014 21:58:59 -0400

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" <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

Other related posts: