Okay All, as some have said here, this is really getting OT. As well, many here are missing the point.
I believe that many here are so entrenched in the status quo of disability-specific 'after thought' style solutions that the gist of the original post is being completely missed. It's not whether one can have access to a system if they first do A, B and C, and then jump through hoop D to make E happen, it's whether one can simply approach a device, pick it up, and use it. That's it! -Nothing more… This is not about whether something 'can be made accessible' it's about whether something 'is' accessible. This is the concept of universal access. Sure, any one of us is creative enough when we need to be, to either find a way to get something to behave the way we need it to, or to ask for help when it's appropriate, but the point is that this isn't the way things need to work in a more inclusive model of the world. Apple is currently the only mainstream manufacturer of computers, cell phones and music players that is working from this premise, thus the idea that Apple should be commended. -And they absolutely should be!… So, in light of this, rather than trying to emphasize that other -after-market- solutions exist, (which we all already know) might we simply discuss the concept itself, of universal access. Apple is doing it. Who else is? -Is anyone else? -Should they be? -Why or why not?… There are very good reasons here for recommending Apple products to people. -There are also other reasons why some may not want Apple products. However, the point here, is simply universal access. Would people recommend a product (no matter the manufacturer) which is born of this ideal?… Thanks for reading, All, and happiest of holidays to you and yours!!!… Smiles, CQ :) --- View my Online Portfolio at: http://www.onemodelplace.com/CaraQuinn Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ModelCara On Dec 23, 2009, at 6:37 AM, erik burggraaf wrote: Hi, You wrote: "I believe that in order to be productive, we need to be able to use *any* computer, whether it be windows or mac, and even a linux system, though a portable linux reader doesn't currently exist to my knowledge." Well actually , ubuntoo and it's flavours talk out of the box, so if you had to work on a linux machine you might be OK. The other thing is, you can install linux on a flash drive. So, if you had to work on linux machines, you could build your own very lite install with the gui and speech and your favourite tools for diagnosiing system failures. You could then boot off the flash drive, get speech, and run tests, recover data, repair system files, and perform updates on the base system even if it were something other than ubuntoo. Best, erik burggraaf A+ certified technician and user support consultant. Phone: 888-255-5194 Email: [email protected] On 2009-12-22, at 5:50 PM, Tyler Littlefield wrote: > Again, vo is great. Everyone is making reasons why it is good, which wasn't > the point in what I said. All I'm saying is the fact that the mac would work > from the store I bought it on doesn't mean much as I didn't even buy it from > a store. Yes, it is great. I love the built-in screen reader support, but it > seems we go over how amazing it is at least once or twice a week when someone > else is converted. I love it's stability and security over windows. But the > fact that I have to install a program really doesn't irc me all to much. It > is a bit hard, but with things like NVDA I can walk up to a windows system > and pop in a USB key and be read to roll. Sure it doesn't support everything, > but it supports quite a bit to make it worth using. I do tech support and > computer repair around the town I live in, and I've used this solution > coupled with narrator many times to get me up and running on a system I'm > fixing. Along with a set of programs I built for troubleshooting and cleaning > up viruses and such, NVDA is amazing. Sadly though more and more people are > buying macs, it's not a huge chunk of the market to the point where I can > just walk to any computer and more than likely it'll be a mac. While there > are macs out there, the whole "I can go anywhere and use it," doesn't exactly > work, because there really aren't to many floating around. I believe that in > order to be productive, we need to be able to use *any* computer, whether it > be windows or mac, and even a linux system, though a portable linux reader > doesn't currently exist to my knowledge. > > On Dec 22, 2009, at 3:43 PM, Chris Blouch wrote: > >> One other nice thing with VO is it draws a box on the screen to show where >> focus is which helps a lot when collaborating with folks who can see the >> screen. Jaws doesn't do this so when working together it can be hard to tell >> where the Jaws user is on a page. No such problem with VO and you could even >> pull up the caption panel to make it even more clear what VO was just saying. >> >> CB >> >> Michael Huckabay wrote: >>> >>> Yes verry good points. You wouldn't have jaws on every computer. Say you go >>> to work and have to use a computer. Well with a PC and jaws you would hav >>> to get jaws and put it on that computer wich is changing a computer that >>> possibley you would mabey not be using all the time. With a mac all you >>> have to do is turn vo on and your set. So if it was a differnt computer >>> well you would still be able to work with it. One other thing is if you >>> had to help some one say a sighted friend fix there computer. You would >>> have to put some sort of speach software on it because you could help them. >>> With a mac you could sall the problem and then just turn vo off. >>> Just some of my thoughts on this. >>> Mike. >>> On 2009-12-22, at 4:42 PM, John André Netland wrote: >>> >>> >>>> Hi, >>>> >>>> Well, I think you forget one important point in this discussion; The Mac >>>> and the iPhone/iPod Touch not only speaks out of the box in the Apple >>>> Store, it also talks without any additional software on any Mac and any >>>> iPHone/iPod Touch your friends, your family, your internet cafés, your >>>> library, your school, your university, your work etc etc have at their >>>> location. So, you are not forced to use only your own special edited and >>>> pre-installed PC at home or at work, with only one authorization >>>> available. You are free to use any Mac/iPHone/iPod Touch on this planet. >>>> If your unit is stolen, lost, broken or simply not where you currently >>>> are, there are always another one available. No re-installing, >>>> re-authorization, help to perform installation etc etc. That is a consept >>>> I like, and would like to benefit from. In addition, my Mac and iPHone is >>>> currently what makes me productive and able to run my business with >>>> success. NOt that I could not do just that with a PC, but not wit >>>> h that kind of freedom. >>>> >>>> Just my little point of view on this subject. Smiles. >>>> >>>> Take care, and have a lovely Christmas everyone! >>>> >>>> John André >>>> >>>> >>>> On 22. des. 2009, at 22.13, Tyler Littlefield wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>> I believe you should re-read my message. I said VO still needs help, not >>>>> "I still need help." >>>>> While a computer that talks off-the-shelf is great, that's no reason to >>>>> tell someone they need to buy the mac. While I like the mac, the cost >>>>> really doesn't balance out having a computer that talks in the apple >>>>> store. >>>>> >>>>> I still stand by what I've said since I received voiceover. There are >>>>> some things that VO does and doesn't do better than Jaws. I think we >>>>> should be looking at what the reader gives us when advertizing it rather >>>>> than saying "You can use this in the store." Because in reality it >>>>> doesn't really matter to our productivity if it works off the shelf. >>>>> While I think the IPhone is great, as I said, I will be buying something >>>>> that isn't an IPhone because of it's voice active issues. Reading off a >>>>> number while being with someone if you want to three-way-call is quite >>>>> annoying in its self, much less having to make sure things are quiet. >>>>> On Dec 22, 2009, at 1:34 PM, Scott Howell wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Tyler, >>>>>> >>>>>> I do not understand your comment below. What does it talking out of the >>>>>> box have to do with whether you need help. I do not understand the >>>>>> connection. Can you elaborate? >>>>>> >>>>>> On Dec 22, 2009, at 2:04 PM, Tyler Littlefield wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> Sure, but just because it talks out of the box doesn't mean much. Don't >>>>>>> get me wrong, I love my VO, but there still are things that it needs >>>>>>> help with. >>>>>>> On Dec 22, 2009, at 11:51 AM, Scott Howell wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ALthough I agree there needs to be no mission in converting folks,, I >>>>>>>> do believe it makes sense to let any and all know. Whether you like >>>>>>>> the iPhone or not is in my mind irrelevant. What is relevant is the >>>>>>>> fact that finally now a blind or visually impaired person can now go >>>>>>>> into a store and purchase an accessible product, whether that be a >>>>>>>> computer, iPhone, or iPod, and not have to purchase additional and >>>>>>>> expensive software makes a tremendous difference. >>>>>>>> I think there is more to be gained by proving the Mac or other >>>>>>>> offerings by Apple are viable solutions is what will sell the product >>>>>>>> to a blind or visually impaired user honestly. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Dec 22, 2009, at 12:58 PM, Tyler Littlefield wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The iphone seems nice enough, but lets not go on a converting >>>>>>>>> rampage. I'm personally getting something else, because I don't like >>>>>>>>> the iphone, even if we had service for it where I'm at. >>>>>>>>> On Dec 22, 2009, at 10:46 AM, Jess wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hi folks, >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Well, I'm getting the IPhone 3 GS today. But more than that, folks, >>>>>>>>>> we need to keep the trend of switching to the Mac and IPhone going. >>>>>>>>>> The more people we have switching, the more inclined Apple will be >>>>>>>>>> to continue support and development for Voice OVer. >>>>>>>>>> For the first time, I can walk into a store, pick up a phone, and >>>>>>>>>> have it talk out of the box. I don't have to have this special >>>>>>>>>> software that makes my phone accessible, and explain to people, oh, >>>>>>>>>> this is special software that reads aloud what you see on the >>>>>>>>>> screen. When I mention to people that I am going to get the IPhone, >>>>>>>>>> I feel a great deal of satisfaction that people don't look at me and >>>>>>>>>> go, well Jess, youre blind, so how the hell will you be able to use >>>>>>>>>> it? It's awesome that I can be treated as an equal. We half! to keep >>>>>>>>>> this trend up! Otherwise, what we have waited for, hoped for, and >>>>>>>>>> longed for, access to something right out of the box, will soon be >>>>>>>>>> gone forever! And by the way, every time I try to convince someone >>>>>>>>>> that accessibility is a right and we have the right to have 100 >>>>>>>>>> percent access to everything we buy, that argument that we are to >>>>>>>>>> small of a market is always what I get. I'm sorry, but Apple is >>>>>>>>>> proving that argument to be void, and I have never agreed with >>>>>>>>>> it and never will. Any thoughts on this post? >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Jes >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> 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. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 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. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> -- >>>> >>>> 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. > > > -- > > 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.
