Hello,
I'm not sure that I can address all of your questions--maybe some of
the other listers will be able to--but I can certainly answer some of
them. First, text edit, the word processing application that comes
with Mac OS X, allows you to open and save Word files. Second, safari
is very accessible and intuitive. Third, there are TV tuner cards for
the Mac. I don't use one myself, but if you look at the October issue
of Macworld, you will find a good description of what's available.
Fourth, itunes lets you copy and burn CDs.
As you noted, there definitely are limitations to accessibility with
VoiceOver, although things improve all the time. For one thing, an
accessible spreadsheet program has yet to become available, although
Mariner software has informed me that their next release of Mariner
Calc, which is scheduled for this spring, will be VoiceOver-
Compatible. Likewise, drag-and-drop has not been available up to now,
but it will be with the release of Leopard.
Depending on your needs, you may want to consider buying a Mac and
installing Windows as a second operating system, for those tasks that
you must absolutely accomplish but that cannot be accomplished on the
Mac at present. In time, you most likely won't even need Windowsfor
those.
Cordially,
Rafael Bejarano
On Oct 16, 2007, at 5:20 PM, Rob DeZonia wrote:
Hi everyone,
I don't want these questions to sound adversarial, let me
start out by saying that out front. I am genuinely curious about
checking out a Mac as a change. I will be going to our local Mac
store Saturday.
Here are my questions. I've been reading the list for a few
days to get a feel for the operating system and potential problems
people are having. It seems that all things are not accessible in
Safari, e.g. the comment about NFL Field Pass. Also, Firefox does
not appear to work well. I have yet to even hear if there is an
Internet explorer for the Mac.
Also, there appears to be no word processor that works with
Microsoft Word, and if I'm wrong about that maybe I misread.
I guess my question is, what is so special about Macs, other
than Apple took the initiative to actually include a screenreader
in it's operating system. That, by the way is a huge step, and I
applauded them for going somewhere where Microsoft has not even
ventured, I don't care what they say about narrator. lol
Anyway, like I said I'm not being argumentative, I do want to
be convinced, and with the imminent release of Leopard it sounds
like things are even rosier in Apple's accessibility future.
Oh another question, what about everyday tasks like burning
cds, converting between different sound file types, and yes, even
sound editing?
Thanks for being patient, but if I'm going to learn a whole
new way of doing things, I want to be fired up for it.
By the way, I was exactly the same way when I was dragged
screaming and kicking from Dos to Windows. lol Thanks for your
input.
When push comes to shove, a whole computer (Mac mini) for 600
bucks beats the heck out of paying for Window-eyes upgrades the
rest of my freakin life, that's almost reason enough. *grin*
Oh sorry, one more question, are there TV tuner cards for the
Mac? I like recording shows on the computer when I'm not at home
and I would definitely miss that if I
were to switch over.
Thanks for your time and input.
Rob
