No, there isn't another package that does everything office does and
is compatible with office formats and voice over.
However, there are *some* programs that can be used to work with
office files.
TextEdit can read and write microsoft word files.
Preview can read and create pdf files (not normally part of office,
but a lot of folks ask, so I threw it in)
Mysql works on the mac, but it's not as easy to use or install as
access. And as far as I know, it won't read access files, though
access can import mysql files if they're exported to a format access
can handle. Generally though exchanging database files between mysql
and access isn't seamles, so most folks will say it doesn't work.
To my knowledge, there is no spreadsheet program on the mac. I've
not yet tried porting sc (the super calc type spreadsheet that runs
on linux) but since it's not excel compatible, a lot of folks would
say it doesn't qualify anyhow, and since it runs in terminal, even
more folks would say that means it doesn't work with voiceover
either. So, as it stands, word processing is really the only widely
used office process that can be moved back and forth between pcs and
macs by voice over users without having to do anything to make it work.
I think that covers it for now, as always, if anything else turns up,
I'd hope someone would post to let us know.
On Apr 16, 2006, at 8:38 PM, Allison Mervis wrote:
Is there some other alternative to office which is accessible? Thanks!
Allison
----- Original Message ----- From: "Travis Siegel"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac
OS X by theblind" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2006 8:26 PM
Subject: Re: hi from a new member!
Office for the mac is *not* compatible with voice over which is
the main point of this list. Voice over users need software that
works with voice over. Office does not. I think I'm going to
scream if I see that suggestion here one more time. I apologize
in advance, but here we go.
When you joined this list, you were informed it was a list for
visually impaired users using voice over. If you aren't a voice
over user, then you should at least attempt to learn what voice
over is, what it can do, and how it's used before telling those
of us on this list to use programs that have already been
discussed thoroughly in the past (check the archives for office
posts) and already been determined *not* to work with voice
over. If this were a general mac discussion list, I could
understand this, but it isn't, it's for voice over users, and if
you're not a voice over user you should check facts before
posting that this or that works. How many hours of productivity
has been lost from posts that claimed that this or that worked
(meaning on the mac) but since it's a voice over list, we wrongly
assumed it meant worked with voice over. Grabbed the program,
found it completely lacking, then had to say so on the list. I
don't know why this continues to happen, but I for one no longer
take anything for face value anymore. When someone claims on
this list something works, I will *not* go get the program until
I either have several hours to devote to fiddling with it, or
until someone else on the list I trust says it works. I've lost
too many hours messing around with stuff that just plain doesn't
work on the recomendation of someone on this list who doesn't use
voice over.
Rant off, and that's all I'm saying on this topic. I don't wish
to stir up trouble, there's enough of that on here already, and
honestly I think it needs to stop, but I'm not the list owner,
and can't say so with any kind of authority, so I won't say so
other than in this post.
And with that said, I'm done here, gotta go make the spaghetti.
On Apr 16, 2006, at 1:27 PM, Pete Horrocks wrote:
Hi Ryan,
Don't mean to intrude here, but you could have used Microsoft
Office for Mac, it contains Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and a few
other programs.
I love my Mac, but i will admit, some programs and utilities are
easier to find in the windows world, but even so, i'm hanging
with my Mac.
Pete
On Apr 16, 2006, at 12:31 PM, Ryan Mann wrote:
Blindtech, you seem to think that the Mac is the perfect
computer that can replace PC's for everything, so let me ask
you a question. What accessible spreadsheet is there for the
Mac? I'm taking an advanced statistics class and I had to use
Excel for a few assignments. Therefore, I had to use my Windows
laptop for that. That is, unless I'm off base and there is an
accessible alternative for the Mac. If so, please enlighten
me. If not, I rest my case. You really shouldn't get
defensive every time somebody doesn't want to use your computer
of choice.
Original message:
I am in a totally different field then you are kevin. and by
the way,
I can't believe you would take an on air personality as
something to
take serious.
My business registered in the state of arizona, The BlindTechs
Network is a business which teaches blind persons how to use their
computers, I do support and training, and system installs. This is
why I take this so serious.
BlindTech of BlindTechs.Net
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
website: http://blindtechs.net
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On Apr 15, 2006, at 9:17 PM, Kevin Reves wrote:
Sorry. I'm not buying it. Gabe. You have called in to many
internet
radio stations and you come across exactly the same way as you
did
in your emails. So unfortunately, that doesn't fly. I make my
living off macs too, as a singer/songwriter/producer, and I
too am
waiting around for the accessibility to get better with Vo.
Riddle
me this. Why can't we use Garage band, Pro Tools, Logic, Q Bass,
etc? Why the hell am I stuck in O S 9 with P T 5.2.1, while my
sighted counterparts are at 7? Is that accessibility? I should
say
not. So yes. In a sense, those of us who make a living using our
macs are indeed waiting around for Vo accessibility to improve.
--
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your voice. www.freedombox.info
