Hi John
The thing is this. I think, as a blind person, I am Always
concerned exactly where access stands with any product important to
me. You have obviously heard rumors about Apple that trouble you. I
have not heard any rumors of that kind. In fact, I've been hearing
the opposite about Apple and Voiceover, but I have never discounted
any possibility of any one single person being right or wrong. I'm in
the same boat as you. I have to often rely on the things I hear out
there, which can be more confusing and frustrating than comforting
and satisfying. I've simply heard, and based on some basic evidence
already presented by Access Curmudgeon, that we will see improvements
to VoiceOver and Mac accessibility in Leopard
I brought up the manner of communication because I've witnessed
many many instances of the blind not communicating displeasure or
annoyance in any manner remotely resembling civil. Is that to say
that I accused anyone on this list of that? Absolutely not, as the
previous post seemed to imply. Everyone has their manner of
expressing their reactions and feelings to something, and my point is
that doing so harshly or rudely is not going to get complete access
to the Mac any faster.
Hey, you are talking to a guy who bashes Microsoft in so many
ways and so many times a day on lists that I'm surprised the Gates
police haven't taken me for the proverbial long ride. There is a
difference between bashing and constructive criticizing, and I've
seen examples of both on this list. I would never advocate for any
blind person to get on their knees and approach Apple as if
VoiceOver is the second coming. It is, however, just as affective to
let the folks know that their efforts are appreciated and noticed,
just as it's important to remind them that there are still many
issues they need to address. There is just different approaches, and
the blanket, negative, inflammatory statements I've read on this list
do not exemplify the more conducive approach, and if they are
articulated directly to Apple as they are presented on this list, it
does give reason for concern.
I guess it comes from being on the consumer and vendor end of the
market. Years ago, when I first started out, I clearly recall
another vendor at a show, a guy who had been in the business since
1978, telling me that blind people were the most unappreciative,
entitlement driven bunch of consumers who like to complain and whine
at everything and were never satisfied. As a blind person, this
observation very much hurt, angered and disappointed me. Turn the
clock ahead twelve years and though I believe he still was a bit too
far off the mark, I have seen examples of his assertions quite a
bit. Thus, my intent was not to lecture or the like. It's just a
matter of experience, and I do believe that this group of folks on
this list are above that particular level when it comes to
articulating themselves to Apple.
Take Care
John D.
Managing Director
Technologies for the Visually Impaired, Inc.
9 Nolan Court
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Tel/Fax, (631) 724-4479
Email, [EMAIL PROTECTED] net
Internet, http://www.tvi-web.com
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR PORTSET SYSTEMS LTD, COMPSOLUTIONS VA,
PREMIER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INDEX, PAPENMEIER, REPRO-TRONICS,
DUXBURY, DANCING DOTS AND OTHER PRODUCTS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY
IMPAIRED
AUTHORIZED APPLE BUSINESS ASSOCIATE
MAC VOICEOVER TRAINING AND SALES
On Sep 26, 2006, at 7:50 PM, John Denning wrote:
Interesting you should say this John. I also advocate positive and
supportive feedback to apple.
I just don't agree that letting them know I am a Mac user who is
visually impaired and do appreciate the inclusion of access
technology in the Mac OS, but am concerned by the rumors I've heard
from people within and outside of apple that priorities are low for
continued development, constitutes apple bashing.
Now Microsoft, I have bashed MS a time or two, a day. My co-workers
are sick of hearing how they wouldn't have this or that problem on
the Mac.
I approached this list a year or more ago with the concern that VO
is not getting the resources that it needs to thrive at apple. In
stead of just ignoring my statement or politely disagreeing several
people had to stoop to ad-homonym attacks.
I am still concerned. But I accept that most everyone on this list
is thrilled with the progress over the last 18 months and is
content in cooling their keyboards until Leopard comes out. I just
fear that when it does come out and if there are no significant bug
fixes people will say, "well this is the first release of Leopard,
what do you expect?"
I do expect more from apple than I do say Dell, or HP, and surely
MS. In part because apple is a culture. The only complaint I've
ever had from apple was when John Scully asked me if I thought he
was crazy, and I think I took longer than was polite to respond.
We are a minority within a minority. Because of that we need to be
visible. We need to let the powers that be at apple know we are
here. That power now is Steve Jobs. The feedback forms are all well
and good, I've used them also. I visit my three local stores and
know several of the folks there. But I do encourage everyone to
send feedback to not only apple in general but directly to Steve
Jobs. You might feel, why, what's the point. Better ask yourself,
can it hurt?
I just hope some of your feedback includes problems with the
magnification portion of UA. I sure wish this would track.
On Sep 26, 2006, at 3:53 PM, JOHN PANARESE wrote:
VoiceOver development is simply that it is important to keep
feedback coming and to state the problems/bugs and dissatisfaction
in a way that expresses our points without appearing to just be
complaining or whining.
- JD -
John Denning
AIM: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
A+ MCSA MCSE
And glad to be a Mac snob again!
Roswell, GA
