Hello Chris,
You are quite correct in that using the Tab key to switch to the Message Contents area of Lion Mail, in the non-classic view may result in the text of the message not being automatically read. Since recording the podcast on how I use Lion Mail, instead of using single-key navigation, exclusively, I now employ the following technique: 1. With conversations collapsed, press the Tab key to jump to the Message Contents area (as described in the podcast). Generally, the text of the first message encountered will be read automatically. 2. Instead of using either the left or right arrow key to quickly switch between messages in the thread, add the VoiceOver key and each messasge in the thread will be read automatically. That is use VO+LeftArrow and VO+ RightArrow. Even with conversations collapsed, using VO+J will jump one directly into the text of the selected/displayed message; however, should one use the jump command from the messages table, the VO+Arrow key method of switching between messages in the thread will not work unless one stops interacting with the text of the message. As for me, I use a combination of all of these techniques excluding opening the conversation from the messages table. In short, there is no silver bullet here; each person has to find her/his own way in deciding how best to use Lion Mail. Those who may not have heard the podcast to which I am referring may <http://mark.candleshoreblog.com/2011/07/27/ep98-mark-on-osx-lion-mail-with- voiceover/> Click Here to go to the BLOG posting containing the show. Chris, it's good to see you posting on-list. Mark -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris Moore Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 5:22 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Lion Mail Hi all, I am interested to know how everyone is now using Lion Mail? At first, I was using the classic view, but now I have switched to the new standard 3 column layout. I have my messages grouped by conversation (collapsed) and I used to hit enter to open all of the conversations (previously known as threads) in various windows. The oldest message would appear at the front, but in Lion the newest window opens in the front. So I have stopped using this method. I then listened to Mark Taylor's podcast on how he uses Mail. He simply just uses the tab key to jump between each of the 3 columns. I tried this method and found it ok, but I felt it did not always auto read the message. However, it is not a bad approach if you only want to use one key on the keyboard. Whilst Mark is in the message contents view, he then uses the arrow keys to move back and forth (left and right) between the messages within the thread). interesting approach, but I think I have found a better way. I looked to see if Apple had uploaded the VO online help file yet, and indeed they have. Apple suggest using VO+J to jumps between the messages list and the content of the message. I tried this and it works great. So now I just scroll down my messages list, if I see a thread or conversation I like the look of, then I just expand it by pressing the right arrow and then move to the first message in the thread/conversation and then press VO+J, VO will then start reading the message immediately and skips reading the mail header (who the message is from) and to jump back to the messages list, just either hit backspace to delete the message or press VO+J again which will take you back to the messages list to where you were in the list. I find this approach works really well, and I might implement the favourites function in lion mail to quickly jump between mail boxes and folders by holding down the command key and a number. For more information about the new favourites feature in mail,, then check out Ricardo Walker's excellent podcast. I would be interested to know how others are now using mail, and what about using it with the track pad? I have not done it that way yet as I have mainly been using Lion on my iMac with a full keyboard. However, I still really miss being able to jump to the top or bottom of my messages list (VO+command and either up or down arrow), this no longer works. Chris -- 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.
