Thanks for this post. Excellent explanation of US disability programs. On Apr 4, 2023 6:11 PM, Danielle Ledet <[email protected]> wrote: > > Yeah that statement was cold and unkind. Living on just disability is > not living. It's existing. You can't plan for anything other than > food, meds, and housing. You reallly don't have anything extra. ANd > it's hard watching others get things that could help them or just > break the monotony of existing knowing it's not ever likely for you. > I've been there. Oh, and by the way it's all conected. If you lose one > thing, you'll lose another. And you are relegated to a certain income > bracket even if you are fortunate to work because SSI has income > limits and you can't have more than $2,000 in your account every > month. If you lose SSI, you lose Medicaid. If you don't pay rent, you > don't get the maximum amount of SNAP benefits so you have to dip in > your own money for food. So, even if you work you aren't allowed much > extra to survive. You can have an ABLE account without penalty but the > savings are to be used for specific expenses or you get penalized. > Most of us have other health issues so need Medicaid and Medicare if > we've worked enough to qualify for that because we cannot aford > private insurance on the salary we are allowed to make without to much > penalty. I say this because the only way to keep most of your SSI is > to report Blind work expenses every month along with your wages. And, > BTW you can only report wages to SSA online so you need sighted > assistance to accomplish this task so you get your deducations. Most > people don't do it because they don't have the help. So, basically, > you're penalized if you don't work and penalized if you do. However, > it's always better to work so you willl at least have the option to do > a little extra and have a little more. You do have more money if you > do and know what to do. I, too, work part-time but I was out of work > for 20 years so hadn't had enough paid in yet to get SSDI, only > Medicare. I am so blessed and thankful for my job! I won't be able to > do all that I wanted to do in life but I certainly can do a little > more than I wasn't and I can afford to live on my own again and have > peace. > > On 4/3/23, Tyler Wood <[email protected]> wrote: > > This is fantastic to hear, I had no idea these console based readers > > existed. I’ll have to give these a shot inn a vm at some point. > > > > Yes, I’m aware most of the grunt work in Linux is via command line. I’ve > > been very slowly learning to script so I can keep my fingers in tact 😊 > > > > I typically ssh into my server to do most things but not something I’d like > > to do on a daily basis on my main machine unless absolutely needed. > > > > That being said, you really do learn a lot by doing it this way. I’ve been > > enjoying my very slow journey into the Linux world over the last few years > > and would encourage others to do likewise. It really isn’t as daunting as > > it > > sounds. > > > > > > > > > > > > Sent from Mail for Windows > > > > > > > > From: Jude DaShiell > > Sent: April 3, 2023 9:53 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: Re: [blind-gamers] Games expensive lately? > > > > > > > > That's because you think the only screen reader in linux is orca. That's > > > > wrong. Running on console, espeak, espeak-ng, brltty, emacspeak, sbl and > > > > fenrir, yasr, are available. Before orca, other screen readers for the > > > > gui existed but they're deprecated now. It could be in a little while > > > > another gui screen reader will exist but it's in alpha stage now and not > > > > intended for public release. In Linux, learning the use of the command > > > > line gets you access to the power tools under the hood. > > > > > > > > -- > > > > Jude <jdashiel at panix dot com> > > > > "There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: > > > > soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. > > > > Please use in that order." > > > > Ed Howdershelt 1940. > > > > > > > > On Mon, 3 Apr 2023, Tyler Wood wrote: > > > > > > > >> > > > >> Hi, > > > >> > > > >> I do fully agree that getting Linux experience is incredibly easy and > >> there are multiple ways. Spinning up a digital ocean instance for a few > >> cents to try command line or installing it on a > > > >> virtual machine, or even running the live cd/USBG thumb drive. I will say > >> I have run into other issues. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> I’m really curious on if the GUI and orca has evolved. > > > >> > > > >> Last time I tried Linux (Ubuntu 1804) I could use everything that came > >> along with the full distro (firefox, etc). Any time I tried using anything > >> else (team viewer, team talk, discord, Telegram) > > > >> Orca absolutely just hit a brick wall. No matter what commands I tried I > >> wasn’t able to actually get very many places – and when I was, it took far > >> more patience and workarounds than using windows > > > >> alternatives. I don’t blame the Linux operating system itself, I blame the > >> incredibly (at least based on my incredibly limited experience) convoluted > >> and seemingly incomprehensibly limited > > > >> commands and keystrokes of orca. Object review wasn’t really acting as > >> object review, screen review never worked reliably no matter what I tried. > >> I’m using NVDA references as that’s what I’m > > > >> familiar with and I have to guess that the reasoning behind this is due > >> to, as you stated, the incredibly low amount of those of us with no vision > >> who don’t use Linux on a daily basis. I think the > > > >> vast amount of distros can be great but also a huge detriment when it > >> comes to gaming. Having one library missing in a distro and if it isn’t > >> smart enough to grab it, you’re up that one creek > > > >> without a paddle unless you have the technical knowledge to manually grab > >> said library. This doesn’t happen very often especially if you use > >> something like Ubuntu, but nonetheless. Gaming on Linux > > > >> can be a real pita most especially with nvidia GPUs. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> I will maintain that Linux is superior when it comes to commandline and > >> server based administration. And while I’m sure it runs fantastic on a day > >> to day basis for very basic tasks, I’d love to > > > >> see Linux and the screen reader that is used along with it evolve so it is > >> more user friendly to beginners. Unless things have changed in the last 3 > >> years, I certainly can agree that, sure, Linux > > > >> can be used and installed easily enough. But after that it’s a bit of a > >> laugh if someone is trying to use the GUI and thinks they’re going to get > >> anywhere as quick as windows of any kind, be it > > > >> windows 7, 10, or 11. I also throw mac in this category as well – > >> voiceover commands are incredibly strange to me. Despite this, at least > >> most third party programs can be used and, at the very > > > >> least, it has OCR to be able to read screens and click on things that are > >> not accessible. > > > >> > > > >> I’d also love to be proven wrong on my previous point of using Linux, > >> because I really think it would be cool to do more with. Every time I’ve > >> tried I’ve always had pretty major issues that have > > > >> discouraged me from attempting to continue, mostly with Orca not > >> cooperating with programs I use on a daily basis whereas even Narrator in > >> windows can at least to some extent interface with them. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> Sent from Mail for Windows > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> From: Travis Siegel > > > >> Sent: April 3, 2023 9:15 PM > > > >> To: [email protected] > > > >> Subject: Re: [blind-gamers] Games expensive lately? > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> Yeah, fair, but there's too many people that say they have no experience > > > >> > > > >> with linux, then come up with some silly reason why this is so. Linux > > > >> > > > >> is free, it runs on just about any pc or device you can think of, and > > > >> > > > >> it's been around longer than windows 95. Anyone who actually wants to > > > >> > > > >> have experience with linux can do so for free, and with very little > > > >> > > > >> setup if so desired. It's truly astounding the number of people who say > > > >> > > > >> they'd try linux if there was an easy to do so, then promptly ignore the > > > >> > > > >> fact that most linux distributions have cds you can buy or burn yourself > > > >> > > > >> that allow you to run a copy of linux without even installing it. It > > > >> > > > >> doesn't get any easier than that. Windows doesn't have that option, and > > > >> > > > >> yet, folks always complain linux is harder to learn, when in actual > > > >> > > > >> fact, the learning curve on linux isn't truly any worse than that of > > > >> > > > >> windows, especially since linux doesn't redesign it's operating system > > > >> > > > >> every few years making it difficult or impossible to find things you've > > > >> > > > >> been using for years. Windows does this all the time, and yet, folks > > > >> > > > >> continue using it, when in actuality, switching to linux is simpler now > > > >> > > > >> than it has ever been, what with skins that make your linux box look > > > >> > > > >> like a windows system. The amount of free software on linux dwarfs the > > > >> > > > >> free software on windows, and (finally), even companies are beginning to > > > >> > > > >> realize that the TCO (total cost of ownership for linux is only a small > > > >> > > > >> subset of the cost for running windows. And, yet, it still sits so > > > >> > > > >> under utilized by those who could benefit from it the most. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> There's truly no reason not to give linux a try these days. The biggest > > > >> > > > >> decision you need to make is which distro to try first. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> No reason why you can't try them all, though that would be a tall order, > > > >> > > > >> since there's so many of them, but it's certainly possible. Generally, > > > >> > > > >> I recommend ubuntu to folks who don't want to be bothered with fiddly > > > >> > > > >> details like keeping the system up to date, or don't know how to do most > > > >> > > > >> things on the computer. For those who are more tech savvy, I used to > > > >> > > > >> recommend slackware, but unfortunately, they haven't updated in a while, > > > >> > > > >> and although I still use it, I can't in good conscience recommend it to > > > >> > > > >> new users, even ones who want to know how it all works. For that, I'd > > > >> > > > >> suggest one of the mandrake distribution clones, although to be fair, > > > >> > > > >> Ubuntu really does do most of what a new linux user needs, even those > > > >> > > > >> who want to know how it all works, since you can use as many or as few > > > >> > > > >> of the we do it for you apps built in as you like. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> Linux has software to do just about anything you want. Even game > > > >> > > > >> creators are finally getting the idea that hey, with the game engines we > > > >> > > > >> use, we can release a linux version too, so that puts those complaints > > > >> > > > >> that there aren't any gamess for linux to bed as well. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> It's all about choice with linux, and it's all up to you to decide how > > > >> > > > >> much you want to accomplish. > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> On 4/3/2023 9:51 PM, Marda wrote: > > > >> > > > >> > Well I am aware of linux's roles in those areas but was speaking as an > > > >> > > > >> > end user who is not tech savvy. I used to have a frfiend (we have > > > >> > > > >> > since lost touch) who did a lot with programming in linux environments > > > >> > > > >> > and with screen readers for it and all that but when I was referring > > > >> > > > >> > to popularity I should have made it clear that I was talking about us > > > >> > > > >> > average paeon end users who have little tech background and limited to > > > >> > > > >> > no experience or at least limited to no positive experience with linuxx. > > > >> > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > Marda > > > >> > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > On 4/3/2023 2:50 PM, Jude DaShiell wrote: > > > >> > > > >> >> Many end users pick the wrong distribution for themselves and run into > >> >> a > > > >> > > > >> >> bad learning curve then give up. > > > >> > > > >> >> Those of us who have been using Linux for a while know not to ever > > > >> > > > >> >> recommend Gentoo to new users. Other easier options exist. Linux is > > > >> > > > >> >> very > > > >> > > > >> >> popular although not necessarily with the home users. Linux runs > >> >> google > > > >> > > > >> >> and runs most of the servers on the internet be they corporate or > > > >> > > > >> >> Government. So it depends on which sector of the internet is cherry > > > >> > > > >> >> picked. Without Linux, an internet to run ecommerce and windows > > > >> > > > >> >> wouldn't > > > >> > > > >> >> be around today since the hackers would have over-run it long ago. > >> >> Make > > > >> > > > >> >> no mistake Linux is under attack from the hackers and so far it has > > > >> > > > >> >> managed to stay a few steps ahead of them but Windows no matter the > > > >> > > > >> >> version is a virus magnet. > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> >> -- Jude <jdashiel at panix dot com> "There are four boxes to be used in > > > >> > > > >> >> defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that > > > >> > > > >> >> order." Ed Howdershelt 1940. > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> >> On Mon, 3 Apr 2023, Marda wrote: > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> >>> Yes but then why isn't linux more popular? It's got a lot of > >> >>> wonderful > > > >> > > > >> >>> qualities but it's not as intuitive or easy for a new end user to > > > >> > > > >> >>> use. There > > > >> > > > >> >>> are developers for windows machines, smartphones and so on that do > > > >> > > > >> >>> have free > > > >> > > > >> >>> games, even for amazon echo devices, google devices and so on. They > > > >> > > > >> >>> may not > > > >> > > > >> >>> be always as fancy or exactly what a person wants and I know it's > > > >> > > > >> >>> frustrating > > > >> > > > >> >>> if you want a specific game and it's out of your price range but > > > >> > > > >> >>> some people > > > >> > > > >> >>> develop games as a side thing on their own time as volunteers and > > > >> > > > >> >>> some do it > > > >> > > > >> >>> for a full time living and those people expect to be paid as any > > > >> > > > >> >>> fulll time > > > >> > > > >> >>> paid worker would. > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> Marda > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> On 4/3/2023 3:48 AM, Jude DaShiell wrote: > > > >> > > > >> >>>> The full-time developers need to be paid but the ones that make their > > > >> > > > >> >>>> money doing other work and do part-time development are another > >> >>>> story. > > > >> > > > >> >>>> That's how linux got where it is today. The payment the linux > > > >> > > > >> >>>> developers > > > >> > > > >> >>>> got and get is they often learn more about programming doing their > > > >> > > > >> >>>> linux > > > >> > > > >> >>>> development than they manage to do in the careers where they make > > > >> > > > >> >>>> their > > > >> > > > >> >>>> money. A loss for employers but our gain. > > > >> > > > >> >>>> Aside from that, the linux developers get to work on the best > > > >> > > > >> >>>> supported > > > >> > > > >> >>>> operating systems on the planet. Microsoft can't match that level of > > > >> > > > >> >>>> support. > > > >> > > > >> >>>> -- Jude <jdashiel at panix dot com> "There are four boxes to be > > > >> > > > >> >>>> used in > > > >> > > > >> >>>> defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that > > > >> > > > >> >>>> order." Ed Howdershelt 1940. > > > >> > > > >> >>>> > > > >> > > > >> >>>> > > > >> > > > >> >>>> > > > >> > > > >> >>>> > > > >> > > > >> >>>> > > > >> > > > >> >>>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >>> > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, > compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and > tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will > have been all of these. > George Washington Carver > Email: [email protected] > > > > >
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