gee john, have you seen jaws 9?
----- 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, November 06, 2007 2:19 PM
Subject: Re: macbook for sale
Hi James,
The bottom line is VO is going to improve. I really am not sure
what you exactly mean with your two points, especially considering the
reality that the Windows screen readers surely have their own set of
limitations. In different ways, without a doubt, but I can list
several shortcomings of Window-Eyes, for example, as much as I
personally believe it to be far superior to JFW these days.
Nevertheless, as I said before, patience is indeed a virtue.
Take Care
John Panarese
On Nov 6, 2007, at 2:00 PM, James Austin wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> I do understand where you ar coming from really I do
> That is why I will be keeping my MacBook and keeping up-to-date, as
> well as keeping on ear on what is happening with Voice Over.
>
> You asked what I felt disappointed me in Leopard. Honestly, it is
> hard to put my finger on it, but I suspect it is at least the
> following two things; firstly, I had expected that Voice Over would
> be more than it has so far become. This is especially true in terms
> of customization. Secondly, as i think I eluded to in my previous
> post, I knew Tigers limitations, and accepted them, in the knowledge
> that Leopard would be more forthcoming. I do not feel that it has
> been, as yet.
>
> Also, as I am in the final year of my Degree, I feel that at least
> for the present, Windows can offer me more of what i require, even
> with its inherent difficulties.
>
> But I will keep my ear to the ground for Mac development regardless.
>
> Hope to speak soon
>
> All the best
>
> Take care
>
> James
> On 6 Nov 2007, at 18:08, John Panarese wrote:
>
>> Hi James,
>> Like I said, accessibility comes down to ones personal needs and
>> present situation. Thus, whatever works best for one is obviously
>> the way to go. My point is I have been hearing all sorts of
>> complaints about what Can't be done on the Mac when there are many
>> work arounds or other approaches that have been offered by other
>> Mac users. I am curious about what exactly Leopard did not
>> deliver. I have been extremely impressed by what I have
>> experienced, and it is obvious that Apple has committed itself to
>> continued improvements to VoiceOver as time goes on. Beyond that,
>> based on my years of Windows experience, I personally would find it
>> very hard to contemplate having to turn back to that OS for any
>> important uses. Do I still utilize it for specific tasks? Yes, I
>> still do and have to keep my skills sharp for the business.
>> Nevertheless, I honestly am at the point in which I can't stand
>> Windows and its quirks any longer. Again, though, James, I am not
>> sitting in your proverbial chair.
>>
>>
>>
>> Take Care
>>
>> John Panarese
>>
>> On Nov 5, 2007, at 5:47 PM, James Austin wrote:
>>
>>> Hi John,
>>>
>>> I completely take on board everything you are saying. I really do
>>> like the Mac, and it has certainly ben a worth-while experience. I
>>> will be keeping my Mac, and using it for personal use, which means
>>> keeping it up-to-date with all the latest software updates.
>>>
>>> I fully endorse and appreciate Apple's hard work in providing a
>>> Screen Reading solution for us, being that a commercial company,
>>> and that they have no obligation to do so.
>>>
>>> I just find that for my needs at present, that Windows with its
>>> greater access through Window Eyes/JFW better suits my needs in an
>>> academic environment. As I said, I will be keeping my MacBook, I
>>> am certainly not going to get rid of it, but I am getting more and
>>> more frustrated.
>>>
>>> I think it is partly due to the fact that I knew the limitations
>>> of Tiger, and i readily accept them. However, Leopard promised (or
>>> at least implied) so much more, and I personally was disappointed.
>>> maybe I am just being selfish or overly hard to please but right
>>> now in my present situation Leopard does not deliver on what it
>>> promises. I will of course stay on the list and continue to
>>> promote the use of the Mac platform by blind individuals, and who
>>> knows, in the future, I may very well come back to the Mac.
>>>
>>> It is my hope that when i get my own place, to have both mac and
>>> Windows running in my home. I know the inherent problems of
>>> running a Windows machine, having used Windows since 1995, but the
>>> access level is better for my personal needs at this moment in
>>> time. I will of course miss a number of Mac features, but this is
>>> the price I will pay for a different form of accessibility.
>>>
>>> I will still be around on this list if i am permitted, and if
>>> anyone would like to stay in touch, then they are more than
>>> welcome to do so on the below contact details.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 5 Nov 2007, at 18:27, John Panarese wrote:
>>>
>>>> In no way am I criticizing the reasons or decisions one has to
>>>> make to satisfy ones access needs. Obviously, the situation of
>>>> Will or James or whomever is something they must address and in
>>>> the best way they feel is necessary. I will say, however, that
>>>> seeking answers in Windows or from Windows is not exactly going
>>>> to provide those answers as well. The thing to consider is that,
>>>> regardless of the Braille displays currently supported and the
>>>> state of word processors, this is all not a static situation. In
>>>> other words, it will change and access will continue to improve.
>>>>
>>>> On the other hand, in Windows, you still have several other
>>>> factors that will not change. Vista is a horrible mess and in
>>>> order to get it to even function with some bit of speed and
>>>> tolerance is to turn off several features. Even so, it's still a
>>>> resource hog and as slow as crap going uphill. On top of that,
>>>> it is still Windows you will be dealing with, which means
>>>> instability, viruses and all of the security issues Microsoft
>>>> continues to have plaguing them. To me, my experiences moving to
>>>> the Mac and not having to deal with that garbage has made my
>>>> investments in either Mac I have owned worth the money in gold.
>>>>
>>>> Again, when the day is done, the individual has to decide for
>>>> himself or herself, but such a decision should be made with all
>>>> of the potential consequences in mind. Leopard, as with Tiger,
>>>> will progress and I have no doubts that we will have several word
>>>> processor options and spreadsheet choices fully accessible to us
>>>> before long. Also, Braille display support will only diversify
>>>> and expand as time goes on. Sometimes, patience is a virtue,
>>>> folks. Throwing away the bath water can result in tossing the
>>>> baby with it. If you go back to Windows, be prepared for a
>>>> nightmare and the regrets that will undoubtedly occur when
>>>> something Windows related nearly provokes you to light your
>>>> system on fire as recently happened to me with my XP box a few
>>>> days ago.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Take Care
>>>>
>>>> John Panarese
>>>>
>>>> On Nov 5, 2007, at 12:13 PM, David Poehlman wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I imagine the empower will be supported along with the rest of
>>>>> the braille note family when apple can do it. The launguages
>>>>> are not that hard to implement.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 5, 2007, at 11:20 AM, william lomas wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> neither i need french and german braille and the m power to be
>>>>> supported
>>>>>
>>>>> On 5 Nov 2007, at 13:51, Greg Kearney wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Do you need UK or UEBC braille rather than he U.S. version that
>>>>>> is in Leopard? Do you need to produce embossed braille as
>>>>>> opposed to display braille? If so contact me before you let
>>>>>> your mac go I can help.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Greg Kearney
>>>>>> 535 S. Jackson St.
>>>>>> Casper, Wyoming 82601
>>>>>> 307-224-4022
>>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Nov 4, 2007, at 11:49 PM, william lomas wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> hi all
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> as much as i love the mac i am still having to work in windows
>>>>>>> every day for my work needs as i find microsoft word a more
>>>>>>> powerful word processor and i need powerpoint etcetera
>>>>>>> also i do need braille for my needs which is not provided in
>>>>>>> leopard. so to any UK person i have
>>>>>>> macbook core 2 duo intel
>>>>>>> 1.83 ghz
>>>>>>> 2 gigs ram
>>>>>>> the 13.3 inch model with cd rw dvd reader
>>>>>>> and the infovox british english and french voices installed
>>>>>>> asking between 400 and 500 pounds
>>>>>>> i do love the mac but leopard, as good as it is in my view,
>>>>>>> hasn't really come that far with voice over in the last 2
>>>>>>> years, criticize me all youw ant but there you ahve it, smile
>>>>>>> so anyone interested please get back to me. i prefer to run a
>>>>>>> full blown windos environment on my windows laptop i have at
>>>>>>> home and then i ahve full braille support for the applications
>>>>>>> i need it in like foreign languages
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
