Ok I just need to comment on a few things. As far as a learning curve sure you do have to learn a new screen reader but this one introduces its self to you via a lovely quick start guide that is very interactive. Also a macintosh computer can be used in a business or work environment. When they designed the macintosh operating system they wanted to keep compatibility in mind also so that macs and pcs can work together. For microsoft office things you could use a program called open office. i have never used it but, I do hear grate reports of how accessible it is. If you wanna pay a little for iWork09 which is apples version of microsoft office then you can. I think as of writing this message its $79.99 but when you buy a mac computer it comes with it.
On 12/5/09, Nicolai Svendsen <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Donna, > > Yes, the Macintosh comes with accessibility out of the box. In fact, you'll > even get a nice message telling you how to turn it on when powering it on. > If you buy a Macbook or a Macbook Pro, the newest models will have the > trackpad which will work like the iPhone's or iPod Touch touch screen. > Personally, I find it easier to use the iPhone or iPod touch screen to > navigate. I find it pretty hard to navigate without having to interact with > a gesture to see a table, though you can probably touch an item in the > table. I never played with the trackpad a lot, though I do use it on > occasion. I've been trying out iPhones for a little while, though I > unfortunately do not have one. But they work great. > > Regards, > Nic > Skype: Kvalme > MSN Messenger: [email protected] > AIM: cincinster > yahoo Messenger: cin368 > Facebook Profile > My Twitter > > On Dec 5, 2009, at 5:23 AM, Donna Smith wrote: > >> Hi all. >> >> I am a long-time, frustrated Windows/Microsoft Office/JAWS user, and I >> have recently become very intrigued with the possibility of switching >> to a Mac, at least for personal use. My work duties are too tied to >> being able to share files with colleagues in PowerPoint, Excel and >> Word, and we're required to use Outlook calendar, etc., but personal >> use is a different story. >> >> So please tell me if I understand correctly that an off-the-shelf Mac >> laptop will be accessible via Voice Over for most typical functions? >> I need the internet, e-mail, some kind of word processor, and I'm a >> farily big user of Excel and am not sure what the comparable Mac >> program might be. I understand that there is a learning curve to make >> such a switch, but is it possible to do this without purchasing >> another type of third-part screen reading software? I am so sick of >> JAWS! >> >> This all started when I was looking at iPhones. I am very excited at >> the prospect of having a functional, accessible iPhone and the >> descriptions I've read that allow you to move through information via >> the touch screen, thus getting a real sens of page layout, has really >> sparked my interest. Do I understande correctly that laptops also >> have some kind of touch pad mouse that allows this same kind of >> interaction with information on the screen so that it's not always >> necessary to arrow up and down endlessly through massive amounts of >> web site jumble? >> >> I should add that though I've been using computers for about 20 years >> now, I am no programmer or technician. I am a functional user who has >> reluctantly had to learn more than I ever wanted to know about >> computer set-up and the inter-workings of various software out of >> necessity. So don't get too technical on me. <smile> Keep it simple! >> >> Thanks much for allowing me to join and I promise not to interfere >> with the flow of techie talk too much with irritating newby questions. >> >> Donna >> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
