I am sorry to make this list so long, but please bare with me as I do need
some help to be able to dive in the Mac world.
Tomorrow, I am getting a donated I-Mac.
This is one of the self-contained desktop unites with the CPU, monitor, and
CD drive basicly all in one. Then a keyboard/mouse.
OK, this system's fairly old is to my understanding. let me give you all
the specs.
97MB Memory
OS9
System version: OS9.22 USA
Virtual memory: 97MB
Internal Memory: 96MB
Processor: G3: 233MHZ
Hard disk: 4.5GB
4.0GB Free disk space currently.
OK, now my questions.
This system since running OS9 is not gonna obviously have Voice Over. There
was something according to the guy who's giving this to me, in reference to
Apple Talk version 6.0.
OK, we're looking at Apple Works was installed on this thing. There is
ethernet, but no wi fi, although he is throwing in an external USB wireless
adapter. The only thing is, when you plug it in, it doesn't recognise it up
front, and he cannot find the drivers CD rom. this system is gonna not have
enough room to be in the office with my actual router and modem. I'll do it
if must long enough to get online to get the wi fi drivers if I have to,
but, would rather download them and burn on a CD-RW. We do not think at
least although it's unsure, if this system has a CD burner, we think it's
just a reader. now this leads me to an issue. The guy said he could throw
in a copy of Tiger and get it transfered to my name in the license, but, we
don't know if Tiger will work. Apple's web site clames they suggest 128MB
memory although usually you can get a little lower than than the suggested
amount. Now what is confusing though, is when I called Apple Care, they
told me two things, they said once 128 was the recommended, but then another
rep told me something the site doesn't say. They said tiger will not run on
anything less than 256. I know that it's a different archetec but in
theory, now again, I know this isn't suggested, and if I do, I do it at my
own risk, I know this, and I won't hold you all lyable, but, in theory,
could I run Tiger on an intel machine that normally was meant for windows or
Linux. I do not have any money at the end up the month. Maybe $10. I am
on a very tight budget. I am being literally serious as a heart attack, so
I cannot afford upgrading this thing. I know I should but I can't. I
simply can't. We gotta work with what we got. Like it or not, case closed.
I'm lucky I even got this Mac period. Here is the other concern too. We
dono if this thing's even got a dvd reader or just a CD reader. so if it
has a CD only reader, well, then? we're screwed. I know I could plug in an
external drive, but then how would I boot to an external drive. See, I
couldn't even find the disc in the finder as I have no speech. Would Apple
talk be a screen reader and if so are there any web sites where I can read
how to use it? We've considerred Outspoken but, will that work with
software based speech, and if so, is it for one with out speech or help easy
to install, and if not, then is there anything at all we could do, even if
it meant yuck like narator, just something I kind a could know what I was
doing. I do not plan to use this Mac, at least not at first, for anything
like Skype, or msn or what not. I do, but not till way later when I become
more comfortable.
I mainly just wanna use ITunes, maybe do some typing of papers, check a
little mail, maybe browse the web if possible, and really that's about it.
I'd like to do more but that is the main reason. I never have been
fortunate enough to see a mac up close so I'd like to play with it. the
people at my local Apple store are excsue me: jerks. They won't even let
me play on their system even after complaining not just to the SM, but also
to corporate.
I just donjo. I know my solution may not be pretty but is there any thing
we could do? Even if one of you have to use Back to my Mac, and remote in
once I get it and on yur end install a demo of Outspoken or such for me.
Aside it and Voice Over which I can't install seperet from the OS, I know of
no other screen reader for a Mac that uses software speech. I don't have
access to hardware speech so... I mean I do, but it's on my desktop, and I
really can't disconnect it since I use the doubletalk when I do audio
production in there.
I will have my Mac by about 10 tomorrow morningEDT, so this is really
ergent. We gotta figure something out. AGain, he is throwing Tiger in,
but, it's not looking hopeful since Tiger I think is on a DVD right? I just
knoww this system he said has no wi fi, only ethernet, plus I hear it has a
mike but no WebCam, which I thought came standard with all I-Macs. Again
this isn't a laptop based IMac. This is one a the older Self contained all
in the same bay desktops. It's kind of an ivery/silver color he said if
that helps yall know what I got then the bottom back I seem to remember him
saying was like an off dark teel. It's like a 12 I think he said inch
monitor. maybe 17 he said or so inches horizontally wide. He hasn't used
it in years, so he really doesn't know eactly what all it has. He had to
boot it up and look.
Anyway, if you all know anything let me know please tonight if you can, or
if you all could offer me anything let me know.
Again I know that Outspoken isn't free. I'll even take a demo if yall are
willing to send it to me.
I just don't want this system to sit here and collect more dust. I feel
there has to be some solution, maybe not ideal, or pretty of a solution but
there should be one with what resources I have. Remember money's an issue I
cannot buy anything now, not even ten bucks. Im sorry I just can't.
Chris.
