What I do is bid on government contracts for local and state scripting and
training work for blind or low vision companies. MS Word has been great but
like I said I spend most of my time formatting documents, as every bid is
different. It is my determination to create documents better than a sighted
person. I don't use word processors to type text I use it as a vehicle to
ensure that we have jobs as blind. I do this by being the best example
through my work. If they looked at my documents usually about 75 pages
and said it was OK to turn in shoddy work because he is blind. That would
infuriate me and make us as a whole go back a few notches. I am willing to
learn whatever is needed to get ahead. I walked into Micro Center and said
give me that big bad Mac Book Pro, the guy asked if I was doing graphics
design or something. I smiled and told him nope just VO. He said then you
don't need that much computer for that. I said I will master it in two
months and come back and teach you a few things. I say all of that because I
asked for a perfect word processor and it sounds like Latex is just that. I
don't take the easy way out. I hope you understand what I do and why I do
it.
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Jolley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac OS X by
theblind" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:10 AM
Subject: Re: MS Word alternative
Hi Dane,
Yeah it seems odd to me. After all, if Tex is all its cracked up to be
wich it is in it's proper circle, why have screen reader folks spent all
this blody time getting office and other things doable? Why not have
everyone learn tex? After all, this guy who is working for the
government, surely they they should train him on using it then?
On 20 Sep 2007, at 05:20, Dane Trethowan wrote:
Ok, well my only further comment is to go and try these things, I've
made my points as have others, see what you think but again I will state
as others have that it sees odd to me at least that you have to "learn"
how to use a word processor, formatting or no formatting, reports or no
reports etc. I'm curious to know exactly what you would do that anyone
else wouldn't, that is to say what you would do that any good word
processor wouldn't handle.
On 20/09/2007, at 8:52 AM, VaShaun Jones wrote:
Fine for you unfortunately for me. I use every aspect of Windows
imaginable for government reports and contracts and they have to be
perfect. I spend the majority of my time formatting.
----- Original Message ----- From: "James Jolley"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac OS X
by theblind" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 6:45 PM
Subject: Re: MS Word alternative
Well, using TEX for it's intended purpose laying out formulas is
ideal. I still don't see the point in using it to write standard texts
though. Any good word processer will do the job ust as well to be
honest. It's up to yourselves though if you want to jump through a
thousand hoops to write anything I am happy with word or whatever for
standard work.
On 19 Sep 2007, at 21:56, James Austin wrote:
Wow! I have looked at that side of it, and I'm pleased I don't study
maths
On 19 Sep 2007, at 19:59, James Jolley wrote:
It's not that steep I use it all the time for mathematics
On 19 Sep 2007, at 18:18, Greg Kearney wrote:
That's right the learning curve is steep with TeX, the rewards are
well worth it however.
Greg
On Sep 19, 2007, at 11:05 AM, James Austin wrote:
It is free, but please get in touch if you've not used it before,
it is not simply a case of typing as with a word processor
On 19 Sep 2007, at 17:23, VaShaun Jones wrote:
I think I will be getting Latex . Is it totally accessible and
how much does it cost?
----- Original Message ----- From: "James Austin"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "General discussions on all topics relating to the use of Mac
OS X by theblind" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 10:19 AM
Subject: Re: MS Word alternative
Hi,
Okay, well there is IText Express, a small free word processing
application, similar to Text Edit, which provides the ability to
add footnotes. There is also Nisus Writer Express, or Nisus
Writer Pro, you can find these at
www.nisus.com
Neither Express or Pro are currently 100% usable with VO, but
very nearly. If you were thinking of purchasing Nisus Writer, I
would recommend the Pro version, as that seems more accessible.
There is also Latex (pronouned Laytech), which is a type- setin
tool. It is extremely powerful and versitle, but does require
time to learn. Although, the benefits are rewarding, especially
for Blind users in my personal opinion, as I use it exclusively
for my University assignments. I don't want to clutter the list
with discussions about Latex, so please feel free to E Mail me
off list, if you'd like to know more.
Hope this helps
James
On 19 Sep 2007, at 08:55, VaShaun Jones wrote:
Listers somewhere before I got familiar with my Mac their was a
discussion about a professional word processor. I wanted to
know what it was and how can I get it? Note: one of its liked
features is that you don't have to worry about formatting (a
lister reported).
******************************
Dane Trethowan
From Melton Victoria Australia
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
phone uk 0121 288 4976
Phone/tty (+61 3) 9747 975
Fax +61 3 9743 7954
mobile/sms: +61425 777 508
Skype: callto:grtdane12
MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
******************************
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