It seems like people here are taking a huge leap of logic,
I do not recall any expectations that are not consistent with Apples published materials. I have listened to the segment a few times now and the promises are extremely modest. No hint was provided, for example, if Time Machine is compatible with VoiceOver. Still, the event clearly proves that the most cynical opinions were flatly wrong.
or maybe faith.
Using a Mac requires quite a bit of faith. Otherwise you will make yourself crazy with worry. One is, after all, choosing to be in a minority, and to be wholly dependent on a single manufacturer for your computing choices. One has to trust that decisions which are painful for established current customers will bring more value in the long run. Apples track record in this regard, especially when Steve Jobs has been at the helm, is nothing short of amazing.
Steve mentions UI at WWDC, so all of a sudden there is this "entire team" and we are going to see all these improvements.
In the public beta it was readily apparent that there was an entire team. You really think VO could be accomplished by one programmer with a couple of handlers? And now the the CEO himself highlights it as one of ten features coming in the next release. If you are not comfortable and confident now in the future of VoiceOver there is absolutely nothing anyone can do to change your mind because your opinion is not rational.
I'm just urging cautious optimism.
You seem to be urging skepticism. I do not get a sense of cautious optimism from your posts. I think you may be bitter from being disappointed by Apple in the past.
Don't read more into Steve's words then he actually said.
Agreed. For example, I think it is inexcusable that Pages is not VoiceOver compatible. But having Steve include VO in the keynote means I am willing to yet again to extend Apple the benefit of the doubt.
Hope yes, maybe even send polite feedback,
That is good advise.
but don't get too overjoyed in all the great improvements in UI.
Certainly not until we have them. I was pleased to have it acknowledged that there are improvements to be made. In the meantime, before Leopard gets here and we are overwhelmed by the new goodness, we need to clearly document the current VO user interface shortcomings. This need is part of the reason I went on for so long about non-linear access to data tables in Safari. This is, for sure, one of the improvements I am expecting.
There was not even any mention of fixing the magnification features of UI, and they are not just lacking, but down right broke.
My impression was that Zoom has been much better received by low vision users than VoiceOver has been received by the blind. I have heard Zoom does not work well on dual monitors, but that is the only quote broken unquote feature I know of. Dual monitors is still pretty leading edge in the Windows world, so even this limitation is testimony to the features of Macs. Can you provide a link to a list of other complaints?
Please take my words as a Mac user who wants the Mac to live up to our dreams. I'm a Windows professional, but a Mac user at home. When I had much more site I was a Mac professional.
One could argue that Apple abandoned the disability market before, so your pessimism is understandable. (I think it was more the disability community abandoning Macs, and Apple reciprocating. But those were difficult times for Mac users everywhere.)
