Well, I can answer some of these questions.
You can read a whole block of text by using vo-A when pointing to the
block, whether it be the html object on a web page, or a group item
in the page. To skip large portions of web pages, there is no
specific keystroke for it, but if you turn on group like items in the
preferences menu, you can then arrow once and pass much of the mennu
items on a page. It also allows you to read large amounts of text
with a single down arrow key, instead of arrowing through it line by
line. I recomend it for those web sites that are top heavy with
links, it helps a lot. I have two accounts that I use a lot on this
machhine, one has the group like items set, and one does not. I use
the ungrouped one on sites where content is important, and there is
little or no repeated links. I find the group like items sometimes
misses popups and buttons, and makes them very hard to locate, but if
you're just reading, then this is not an issue.
Second, the differences between an Imac and a mac Mini are many, but
the most obvious (as you pointed out) is the lack of screen/keyboard
that comes with the mini. If you already have a VGA monitor you're
not using, and usb keyboard and/or mouse, then the mini will suit you
just fine. If you need the screen, then it's cheaper to get the imac
than it is to buy a mini/screen combo (go figure)
The mini comes by default with a 40GB hd, but since there are three
modelss of mini, the 699 dollar one has an 80GB hd, and you can
always get an external firewire drive to plug into it as well. I got
the 250GB hd with mine, and installed a different version of the os
on it, so I can now use one for development, and one for everyday use.
Hope this helps.
On Dec 8, 2005, at 1:28 PM, LARRY WANGER wrote:
I had a chance to spend some time really looking at a Mac yesterday
and feel like I'm more comfortable with it. Thanks Gabe!!!
I have a few further questions though if I may.
1. I experienced some difficulty working in the Internet Browser,
Safari. As you know, when you load a page you are then able to
move around with the right and left arrows in combination with the
control and option keys. When I moved to the html content and hit
the command to interact with the HTML, I found I then had to move
line by line with the arrow keys. Is there a command that works to
tell the Voice Over to just read the entire page without having to
enter commands. When reading a lot of text, having to hit a key
for each line gets old and tough on the fingers.
2. Related to question #1, is there a command that will either
allow you to skip past all links and go to the text on a web page
or, is there a command to be able to skip a lot of links at once.
For example, in Windows with Jaws I can be on a web page and just
hit page down to get past links or to move through a page faster.
Often I look at specific pages several times a day and know that if
I hit page down twice I get to the text. This is kind of important
to me as hitting arrow keys to move link by link really stinks.
3. I'm going to check out the Apple site but can someone briefly
contrast what is different between an iMac and a Mac Mini other
than the obvious things like needing a keyboard and monitor if you
use a mini? How big is the normal hard disk in a Mac Mini, things
like that?
4. I have backed up data on two external hard disks. These files
consist of word documents, photographs belonging to my wife, music,
stuff like that. I'm assuming that the drives which are PC
compatible will just connect to the Mac and be readable?
I'm all but ready to order up a Mac but had these few last questions!
You guys have been very helpful and thanks.
Check out my blog at http://lsw999.blogspot.com/
Larry Wanger
