A related question: can you use MS-Word, Blackboard, etc on Macs with Fusion or Parallels plus your favorite windows screen reader? I know some people on this list have investigated virtual solutions, but I'm still not sure exactly to what extent windows can be used in this environment.
* Can one switch back and forth from Osx to windows easily? * Does windows and windows screen reader work as expected? * Does Word, Excel, and other office apps work this way? * Does IE and/or Firefox work? If yes to all of these, then I'd say that using a Mac for day-to-day college work might be possible, although getting a VM configured might be difficult for a non-computer geek type. Seems like it would help the Mac accessibility cause in general if state agencies would help fund Mac purchases. However, depending on a third party VM solution (which I'm sure isn't cheap if one were to buy the full product and not rely on the availability of a beta) doesn't seem like an option funders would embrace. Other opinions please. -- Rich ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Panarese" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac OS X by theblind" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 10:43 PM Subject: Re: Macs and a Viable Alternative for State Agencies to Consider > I believe the MS Word question is a no. I don't know about the other > apps, however. Remember that there are word processor programs that > can import and export into Word. Also, it's always possible that > there are alternatives to the other programs. Still, your overall > point is quite true, and other applications in specific environments > can be added to your list. > > Take Care > > John D. Panarese > Managing Director > Technologies for the Visually Impaired, Inc. > 9 Nolan Court > Hauppauge, NY 11788 > Tel/Fax, (631) 724-4479 > Email, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Internet, http://www.tvi-web.com > > AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR PORTSET SYSTEMS LTD, COMPSOLUTIONS VA, > PREMIER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INDEX, PAPENMEIER, REPRO-TRONICS, > DUXBURY, SEROTEK AND OTHER PRODUCTS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED > > AUTHORIZED APPLE BUSINESS AGENT > MAC VOICEOVER TRAINING > > > On Jun 19, 2007, at 8:37 PM, Harry/ Linda Bates wrote: > > > Does the mac work well with such applications as MS Word, Quick > > Book pro, and blackboard just to mention a few well used programs > > at colleges and universities? In other words is VoiceOver adept at > > using these programs, whereas I know the JAWS screen reader is. If > > so, this would be a real selling point for the mac. If not, then > > it still has limitations, which will still require a windows > > screenreader and operating system for the beginning and advanced > > students. I would really like to know the answers to these question. > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Panarese" > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac > > OS X by theblind" <[email protected]> > > Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 4:56 PM > > Subject: Re: Macs and a Viable Alternative for State Agencies to > > Consider > > > > > >> It's interesting because as much as I readily admit I criticize > >> Microsoft, my background has primarily been Windows. I have been > >> around Macs for a good twenty plus years, but I didn't actually > >> use a Mac until VoiceOver. I never got the chance to try > >> Outspoken and could never get my state counsellor to approve it. > >> Thus, my Windows knowledge and skills are at the point in which I > >> have and still train people, and I still utilize it for smaller > >> things at this point. I, too, look forward to the day in which I > >> am Windows free in my personal life. However, from the > >> perspective of my business, I will continue to use Windows and I > >> surely would never desire MS to go away. Competition, folks, is > >> always a great thing and important motivator. Microsoft has > >> finally gotten it's lesson in recent years. > >> > >> Take Care > >> > >> John D. Panarese > >> Managing Director > >> Technologies for the Visually Impaired, Inc. > >> 9 Nolan Court > >> Hauppauge, NY 11788 > >> Tel/Fax, (631) 724-4479 > >> Email, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> Internet, http://www.tvi-web.com > >> > >> AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR PORTSET SYSTEMS LTD, COMPSOLUTIONS VA, > >> PREMIER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INDEX, PAPENMEIER, REPRO-TRONICS, > >> DUXBURY, SEROTEK AND OTHER PRODUCTS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY > >> IMPAIRED > >> > >> AUTHORIZED APPLE BUSINESS AGENT > >> MAC VOICEOVER TRAINING > >> > >> > >> On Jun 19, 2007, at 4:44 PM, Richard Gardenhire wrote: > >> > >>> I use Windows (albeit rarely these days) for games and certain > >>> chat clients, as well as to listen to Freedombox audio content. > >>> That, having been said, I look forward to the day when I can use > >>> the Mac, solely for my business, as well as, recreational > >>> activities. That day, I believe, is getting closer. I was > >>> always taught, from the time I left Kansas, in 1970, till now, > >>> that I have to assess my needs and weigh them according to > >>> what's going to help me tap into the marketshare for my work, > >>> regardless of what I do. The Apple 2GS was the first computer I > >>> learned to use, in the 1980's, and I'm glad I came back to the > >>> operating system I love. However, I'm thankful for what litttle > >>> knowledge of Windows I do have, and am able to maintain. As > >>> they say in Kansas, "It ain't much, but it gets me to where I > >>> want to go." And to coin an old company phrase, used by AT&T, > >>> years ago, "We may be the only phone company in town, but we try > >>> not to act like it." Sure, I would love to get as many blind > >>> people on the "good foot," and join the Mac Revolution, but a > >>> reality check tells me there's a long way before we get to that > >>> point, and there's room at the proverbial table for everybody, > >>> regardless of their need. Using both my Mac machines, I feel > >>> quite comfortable, but sometimes I am willing to "step out of my > >>> comfort zone" if I have to, which I find rare, these days. > >>> Richie Gardenhire, Anchorage, Alaska. > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Email services by FreedomBox. Surf the Net at the sound of your > >>> voice. www.freedombox.info > >>> > > > > > > >
