Hi Ester, Thanks for such a detailed message. I thought I read that arrow keys can be used without modifier keys in Snow Leopard. I'm really pleased to see Apple's commitment to the inclusion of accessibility into each upgrade of the OS. The accessibility enhancements are right on the same page of the Snow Leopard announcement.
Les -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Esther Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:40 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Keyboard Help Hi Les, What may be applicable in Snow Leopard is that they will support gestures on the trackpad in addition to or as an alternative to certain keyboard combinations. For example, there's a zoom magnification sequence that can be set up for low vision users either as a keyboard shortcut under Universal Access or by using a two finger scrolling gesture on the trackpad while holding down the control key. The trackpad sequence is a general Mac OS X feature. So an alternative to using key sequences that are specific to one or other side of the keyboard may be using a trackpad gesture, similar to the ones that are being used for the new iPhone 3GS with VoiceOver. Like Scott, I don't have problems using Control-Option D to go to the Dashboard or Command-Shift D to navigate to my Desktop. I use two hands, and I don't quite cross my hands. I know that some people got used to using the Control key on the right on the older laptops for the VO sequence, but I never did. I like the fact that I can go up to any Mac keyboard and bring up VoiceOver. (I keep the three center fingers of my left hand on the Control Option and Command keys to the left of space bar when I type Command-Option D. My right hand comes over to type the "D" with the index finger with my right thumb touching the side of my left index finger as a guide line. For Command-Shift D, I use the same hand positions, but my left ring finger moves up to the shift key while the left index finger presses the Command key. I have small hands, if it makes a difference.) Another alternative to carrying around a full keyboard is to plug in a USB numeric keypad if you want to use NumPad Commander with its VoiceOver shortcut sequences (both standard and customizable). I posted about using the Lenovo 33L3225 USB Numeric keypad, which appears to work correctly with the Mac (both current Intel and older PowerPC), WIndows, and Linux, as well as supporting VoiceOver's NumPad Commander. (Unfortunately, that post was made soon after this list moved to Google Groups, and before archiving at the Mail Archive site was activated, so I can't easily post a link. You can do a Google search on "macvisionaries Lenovo 33L3225" and pull it up, or search on the list web pages, but only list subscribers will be able to read it.) I was also able to run NumPad Commander on an iPod Touch that was wirelessly connected to the MacBook and running the "NumberKey" App. (You can't set this up unassisted on a current iPod Touch, but I think you can on the iPhone 3GS.) Basically, if you turn on keyboard practice mode (Command-Option-K to turn on, press escape to leave), VoiceOver will announce every key that you press, so that in this mode any "key" area on the flat iPod Touch surface running this app that you touch also gets announced. With keyboard practice mode off, if you have a TextEdit window up, you'll also hear the keys announced, so you get feedback on the position of the numeric keypad "keys". I haven't tried this extensively, but it works with Numpad Commander, and the "NumberKey Free" app is free. The regular "NumberKey" app ($1.99) has a second "page" that shows up when you swipe right that has the six- pack home, end, page up, page down, escape, delete keys and the inverted "T" cursor keys. Not sure how accessible this is with VO on an iPhone, but it was fun to play around with. (And it can also work even if you're not on a wireless network, just using the Mac's built- in AirPort card to set up an ad hoc network for MacBook and iPod Touch or iPhone.) Someone else who has an iPhone will have to play more with this and report on feasibility and accessibility. Cheers, Esther On Aug 10, 2009, Les Kriegler wrote: > > Hi Donna, > > Thanks. I understand that in Snow Leopard, the modifier keystrokes > won't be necessary to perform, although I'm wondering what that means? > I say that because if one can just use arrow keys in VoiceOver and the > same thing is true with specific applications, I'm not certain how > that will work. I'm actually glad I'm waiting to purchase my laptop > once Snow Leopard comes out, as I'll learn whatever techniques are > available through the upgraded OS. > Even with this added functionality, an external keyboard may make > sense. > Les > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Donna Goodin > Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 9:18 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: Keyboard Help > > > Hi Les, > > I actually do dislike the fact that you have to cross your hands over. > It doesn't happen all that frequently, but it happens enough that I > don't care for it. There is an option to lock the VO keys on. I am > also not a huge fan of doing this, because I've found that every time > I do, I end up having to use some command(s) where I don't want them > on, so have to turn them back > off again. One option you have is to purchase an external > keyboard. I > did this and am *very happy that I did. If you get the larger > keyboard with the numpad, you get lots of options. You get VO keys on > either side of the spacebar--so you don't have to cross your hands > over-- you get the numpad, which means you can use numpad commander, > and you get seven additional > function keys. With numpad commander, you have dedicated VO keys. > You also > end up with some programmable keys, which is nice. My thinking is > that when I'm travelling or working from another location, the laptop > keyboard will be fine, but that for my everyday usage, I will use the > external keyboared. > HTH, > Donna __________ NOD32 4323 (20090810) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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