I work in the Math Department at the University of Wisconsin. Our graduate
students don't have access to Windows machines. Not through the department
anyway. They have to read their mail, browse the web, do their math
assignments, etc on linux machines. All the software the Math Department
requires is available for linux. Most of the math packages we require,
mathlab, maple, etc are available for both Windows and linux. Since so many
packages are now available for linux, it wouldn't take much to make themn
available for the Mac. They may already be available for the Mac for all I
know.
I know that Apple once had a big chunk of the educational market and lost
it. But I think that if Microsoft doesn't include a better screen reader,
Apple will gain some of it back. They might not be able to get back to where
they were but I think they can regain some ground.
We don't have any blind students in the graduate program right now. I'd be
shocked if we didn't have blind undergrads but the Math department doesn't
supply them with computers. The University's IT department does that. If we
were to have to supply accessible computers in our labs, I'd probably see if
the software we need is available for the Mac and if so, I'd push for Macs.
And it would be an easy sell.
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Austin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac OS Xby
theblind" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 9:20 AM
Subject: Re: Accessibility look at Vista
Very well said John,
I fully appreciate taht companies offering Screen readers such as Freedom
Scientific and GW Micro have very strong and usable products, but they are
not cost effective to the comsumer. And whilst Apple may not be up there
with them in terms of Screen Reading at the moment, the potential for such
as leap is great, and it is possible that Apple will surpass the likes of
these companies in the very near future. The suggested accessibility
improvements in Leopard are i think proof of that.
You are also right about the school situation with Windows and Apple
machines. Although I am still a Windows user i am slowly migrating all my
computing needs over to the Mac, but i do think that the Mac is easier to
navigate and use for many potential students not just blind students and
users than Windows.
I think a problem may be that everyone uses Windows, because Microsoft has
monopolised the market, and although Apple and Linnux are more stable etc,
people have grown up with Microsoft andd have heard negative things about
Apple etc. And so people are reluctant to change from what they know, but
i was glad i did.
Just my two cents worth
Take care
James
