I have been an apple user for over two years now, and I would never go back to windows! I use iWork for my school work, with great success. Sure, iWork can be a little strange at times, but as someone already pointed out, what word processing program isn't? Once you become used to working with iWork I think you will find that it handles things like formatting documents well. It's also worth noting that iWork can open microsoftword, powerpoint, and excel documents, so you would have no problem working with documents created using MS office. You can also quickly and easily save documents in MS office formats, so that it's easy to collaborate with people using office. I know that I, personally, use my macs for both work and play, and believe that a mac would work well for your productivity needs. If you have any questions as you make this decision, please don't hesitate to contact me off list! Olivia "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower", Steve Jobs
On Apr 21, 2010, at 12:21 AM, John J Herzog wrote: > Olivia, > For most tasks, NVDA is good enough in the windows VM. However, for times > when I need to do things, such as read comments in Microsoft word documents, > I have a demo of window-eyes installed. I can use it for half an hour at a > time, which is usually long enough to accomplish the odd ball task NVDA > cannot handle. > hth, > > John > > On Apr 20, 2010, at 11:19 PM, Courtney Curran wrote: > >> This might be somewhat off-topic, but if you want to run fusion, once you >> get the Windows part running, you can always go to www.satogo.com. That site >> let's you use a free version of the screenreader System Access, the only >> limitation is you have to leave the webpage up. If not, NVDA is another good >> screenreader that you can download for free. So if you use Fusion, you won't >> have to buy an expensive screenreader. As for the amount of hard drive space >> fusion takes up, I'm not sure. Hope this helps. >> Courtney >> On 20/04/2010, at 11:09 in the Afternoon, olivia norman wrote: >> >>> This is very helpful information and thanks for sending! I'm a graduate >>> student, and I exclusively use the mac for all school work. I mostly use >>> iWork to accomplish tasks. The only reason I haven't installed fusion is >>> because I don't own an expensive windows screen reader, but I am wondering >>> whether this might be a good solution for an internship I will be doing in >>> the fall. I really don't want to go back to jusing windows after using my >>> mac, so this might work well. I suppose that purchasing the expensive >>> windows screen reader might be inevitable, but at least I'll be able to use >>> my mac! How much hard drive space would I need to run fusion? >>> Thank you again for this information! >>> Olivia >>> >>> "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower", Steve Jobs >>> >>> On Apr 20, 2010, at 8:23 PM, denise avant wrote: >>> >>>> Hi, >>>> Yes. Particularly since I am a lawyer with the public defenders office. >>>> And my primary role as an appellate and post-conviction attorney is to >>>> write briefs, with case citations. >>>> I knew about the fusion program, as I have spent time talking to others >>>> about the program. I didn’t know about the snap shot. >>>> So thanks. >>>> >>>> >>>> From: [email protected] >>>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John J Herzog >>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 7:14 PM >>>> To: [email protected] >>>> Subject: Re: the apple user? >>>> >>>> Hello, >>>> As a macbook user, who has to write substantial papers for law school, and >>>> who has used his computer at a summer internship with Pepsico, I feel I >>>> can helpfully answer your questions. >>>> Forgive the length of this email. >>>> First, the idea that macs are only play toys is complete and utter >>>> nonsense. On my mac, I do use the apps like Itunes and Ichat, but I use >>>> serious apps as well. Iwork is quite accessible, as is text edit, allowing >>>> you to do extensive formatting of documents. Also, the preview application >>>> on the mac is one of the best PDF readers I have ever seen. The text is >>>> readable with voiceover, and there are few, if any crashes. What other >>>> screen readers can you say that about? >>>> >>>> Next, I will address your concern about microsoft office applications not >>>> being accessible. It is true that they do not work with voiceover. >>>> However, for about seventy dollars, you can pick up a program called >>>> VMware fusion. Fusion allows you to install windows and run it at the same >>>> time as your mac. This means that you can use whatever screen reader you >>>> like for windows and run office without a hitch. >>>> There is one more upside to running fusion on mac. After you have >>>> configured windows just the way you want it, you can create what is known >>>> as a snapshot. The snapshot will restore your system to its exact >>>> configuration at the time you took it, meaning you will always have a >>>> fresh install of windows, office, and your screen reader a click away. >>>> It's awesome, because it does a complete and utter system restore when >>>> windows decides to go south on you. For a blind person, I actually think a >>>> mac with fusion is better than a standard windows PC for this reason. Note >>>> that a fusion snapshot literally restores all files and settings to the >>>> way they were when you took it. It is much more extensive than using the >>>> built in windows system restore utility. It has saved my skin a number of >>>> times, and I will give you a perfect example. >>>> At the beginning of law school, I found it necessary to purchase a scanner >>>> with a document feeder. Previously, I had a different scanner that I was >>>> using with kurzweil 1000. Now, when I installed the twain drivers for the >>>> new scanner, after trying to unsuccessfully remove the old drivers, I >>>> found myself in a situation where neither set worked. If I had a standard >>>> windows machine, I was facing the real possibility of having to reinstall >>>> windows to get either unit to work reliably. Either that, or it was having >>>> to spend hours and hours messing with system dll files, and we all know >>>> what happens after that. >>>> So, instead, I just restored a snapshot I made of my XP machine prior to >>>> having installed either Kurzweil or the scanner software. I then installed >>>> both on what was essentially a fresh copy of windows, and all was smooth >>>> sailing from there. It saved me from endless headaches, plus the burden of >>>> having to get a sighted person to help install the screen reader again, >>>> and the time that would have been wasted in such a pursuit. >>>> I hope this helps answer your questions. >>>> John >>>> >>>> P.S. If you go to www.blindcooltech.com, you can find some excellent demos >>>> of the macintosh by Mike Arigo. He even shows how fusion and voiceover >>>> work, and he runs window eyes on the XP side of things. >>>> >>>> Hope this helps. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Apr 20, 2010, at 7:52 PM, denise avant wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> Hello all, >>>> Please forgive the length of this message. >>>> In researching the issue of whether to purchase an apple mac or not, I’ve >>>> come across a few people who have expressed criticism if not concern about >>>> the mac computers themselves. I own the iphone, and have enjoyed it >>>> tremendously. I’ve been able to do things with the phone I was never able >>>> to do with other phones. The only problem I still have is putting in >>>> extensions and account numbers once the number is connected. >>>> But having said this, I seriously doubt whether I will ever buy another >>>> phone, where I don’t have accessibility built in. >>>> There is an applestoe here in Chicago, and when I’ve had any problem of >>>> any kind, the sales staff has been very easy to deal with. >>>> Even when I call on the telephone, I find a very friendly staff. >>>> I have my own personal sales representative since I have mac book pro on >>>> the drawing board. >>>> What I enjoy most of all, is that I can go to an appelstore, and with the >>>> exception of a couple of products, there is accessibility right out of the >>>> box, with no extra costs or smas to worry about. >>>> I’m seeking opinions from those of you who use these computers with voice >>>> over. The biggest criticism I’ve heard that if you’re conducting a >>>> business or doing a serious project, the mac is not for the blind user. >>>> This apparently has to do with the fact that the office aps are not >>>> accessible with vo, and iwork9 acts strangely sometimes. >>>> Basically, one person, who doesn’t use the mac, but is familiar with the >>>> product line, told me that the operating system was those who wanted to >>>> “play.” >>>> Can those you have used the macbooks or other appel operating systems >>>> address these issues. Thanks. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus >>>> signature database 5045 (20100420) __________ >>>> >>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. >>>> >>>> http://www.eset.com >>>> >>>> -- >>>> 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 >>>> [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. >>>> >>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus >>>> signature database 5045 (20100420) __________ >>>> >>>> >>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. >>>> >>>> >>>> http://www.eset.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus >>>> signature database 5045 (20100420) __________ >>>> >>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. >>>> >>>> http://www.eset.com >>>> >>>> -- >>>> 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. 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