well, I tried that route already. what I got was "we are contracted with freedom scientific to provide equipment and software". the implication was they would not support apple hardware or software whatsoever. thats the state of arizona for you.
btw, I already own a used iPhone 3gs. I am working to transition from t-mobile to AT&T (due to t-mobile's lack of response regarding their website accessibility policy) The person that handed it off to me didn't want it sitting on a shelf collecting dust. that was in trade for some computer work I did for his kids. unfortunately, I appear unable to make any similar arrangements for a mac book pro anywhere in the phoenix area. I was also recently handed a windows laptop that had some problems. I went to install linux on that only to discover that the HDD had croaked (the laptop is better than 7 years old and doesn't support booting from a usb device). so, I have a lot of barely operational old equipment that won't net me more than half a C note and 1 iphone that I am still learning how to use and this old hackintosh that I built more than 4 years ago. I don't know even when I am going to be able to get a replacement HDD for the laptop (and a replacement battery, which costs $120). basically what I have is a lot of recycled junk and 1 good device. -eric On Mar 26, 2012, at 7:56 AM, Chenelle Hancock wrote: > Hi Eric, > I do agree with you about having difficulties with purchasing equipment for > the blind when one has a certain amount of funds to work with each month. I > received my m.b. pro and my time capsule via rsc counsilor. I also went into > another carreer field for the state to purchase the items for me. I live in > Cleveland Ohio. I also purchased my I- phone 3.g.s. and my 4.s. along with my > wireless keyboard. I too am on fixed income and I. Save up then I buy what I > want. Maybe you should try your local r.s.c services in your home town. It's > just a thought..I hope everything works out for you Eric. > Sincerely, chenelle > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Mar 26, 2012, at 9:36 AM, [email protected] wrote: > >> Today's Topic Summary >> Group: http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries/topics >> >> • a guide on pages [2 Updates] >> • iPad, iPhone, Mac for the blind [11 Updates] >> • Kindle App on iPhone [7 Updates] >> • copying a wedding dvd [1 Update] >> • Help me verify a bug and maybe report to apple [1 Update] >> • [No Subject] [1 Update] >> • Bookshare? [2 Updates] >> a guide on pages >> Luke Henson <[email protected]> Mar 26 11:40PM +1300 >> >> Hey how is it all going? >> >> I have been useing VO, with a mac for about 4 months now and really need to >> learn pages in a more effective way, I was wondering if anyone knew of a >> overall guide on the best way VO can use pages >> Any help at all would be great >> >> >> Thanks Luke >> >> Anne Robertson <[email protected]> Mar 26 02:35PM +0200 >> >> Hello Luke, >> >> There is no guide on how to use Pages from a VO perspective. My husband and >> I have put together a course on Pages which we offer via Skype so that we >> can use screen sharing. >> >> The course costs €25 per unit and there are 5 units. >> >> Not everyone wants all the units, it all depends on what people need to do >> with Pages. >> >> In any case, you need a thorough knowledge of VO to cope with Pages as it is >> somewhat idiocyncratic. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Anne >> >> >> On 26 Mar 2012, at 12:40, Luke Henson wrote: >> >> >> iPad, iPhone, Mac for the blind >> Neil Barnfather - TalkNav <[email protected]> Mar 26 09:38AM +0100 >> >> one thing that I can note that is not seeming to be mentioned is the fact >> that there ar certain Apps which are not available on iPhone / iPod Touch, >> yet, that are found on the iPad. >> >> The iPad from my prespective is purely for consumption, and I use it for >> news papers, which 4 of which are not found on the iPhone, and 5 are on the >> iPhone, but, only as reduced versions. >> >> >> >> >> Regards, >> >> Neil Barnfather >> >> Talks List Administrator >> Twitter @neilbarnfather >> >> TalkNav is a Nuance, Code Factory and Sendero dealer, as well as an Apple >> iOS, Macintosh and Android accessibility specialist. For all your >> accessible phone, PDA and GPS related enquiries visit www.talknav.com >> >> URL: - www.talknav.com >> e-mail: - [email protected] >> Phone: - +44 844 999 4199 >> >> On 24 Mar 2012, at 08:43, David Hole wrote: >> >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 26 02:22AM -0700 >> >> I really wish there was a financing program for the blind when it comes to >> mac hardware (laptops, desktops, iPad, iPhone). given that I (and a great >> many others) am living on a disability income (more than 85% of the blind in >> the US are), I find it nearly impossible to save up for any equipment. Hell, >> I had to make my own Hackintosh and load it with a store purchased copy of >> snow leopard. It cost me $30 for the OS and about $400 to assemble the >> machine. at minimum, I would have to spend nearly twice that much for a >> comparably equipped mac mini and almost $1500 or more for a reasonably >> powerful macbook pro/air. given that I have to spend my money on >> medications, rent and food, there is no way I can even save up for one at >> all. >> >> there used to be a "free macs for the blind" charity in Great Britain, but >> the person running that organization was forced to give it up as there were >> too many problems involved. We need something like that here in North >> America, but I just don't see that happening. I tried to query Apple about >> doing something like this and was given the polite brush off (thats nice >> kid, here is a soda. now go over in the corner.). hell, they have $115 >> Billion in CASH laying around they are not using. they could earn themselves >> a lot of good publicity if they offered some macs to the blind at a vastly >> discounted rate. it would also give them an in to a market they don't >> currently have. >> >> anyway, time for me to climb down off the soapbox. >> >> -eric >> >> On Mar 26, 2012, at 1:38 AM, Neil Barnfather - TalkNav wrote: >> >> >> Scott Howell <[email protected]> Mar 26 05:38AM -0400 >> >> Eric, >> >> I don't know you or your financial situation beyond what you have said. >> However, I do understand how it can be difficult to "make ends" meet and how >> hard it is to save up and purchase something you want, but it is possible. >> There is no reason for APple to offer any product at a reduced price because >> of your disability. APple is a great company that has done amazing things, >> but APple is not a charity. Yes APple has lots of cash and the reason why >> APple has been successful is by using their money wisely and other companies >> should maybe take a page from APple's playbook and they could be in a good >> financial place. >> I mean no offense Eric, but I get a little worked up when I read messages >> making statements such as those you made. Blind people like any other group >> of individuals with a disability need opportunity not charity, A hand up not >> a hand out, and no matter if you have a "disability" or not it is up to you >> to determine your financial priorities so that you can purchase the things >> you want. Note that you does not refer to you as Eric. :) >> >> >> On Mar 26, 2012, at 5:22 AM, Eric Oyen wrote: >> >> >> Lewis Alexander <[email protected]> Mar 26 10:39AM +0100 >> >> Hi Eric, >> >> yep I completely agree with you and understand your plite. >> >> I was forced to close down the project due to two major factors. Lack of >> support regarding supply of equipment and a poorly run charities commission >> stating different rulings and then telling me that my project does not >> warrant Commission status, thus failing to grant registered numbers, etc. >> >> This project has helped a very small number of users (8 in all) and it's >> left me in a very serious situation which I've now resolved. >> >> The problem also exists wherever you are in the world. Funding for >> accessible equipment for the blind is non existant. Why? well from my years >> of experience in this matter, various charities set up conflicting >> guidelines and rulings which do not help the individual in need of the >> support. For over 12 years since I lost my sight completely, I had to apply >> for various grants. within 10 years, every grant (500+ in total) were >> rejected, all because of different factors by their own rulings, offerings >> of £100 to £250 towards a product and then not being able to apply to X >> amount of other charities (connected to the associated charity in question) >> due to ridiculous clauses. >> >> I use my iphone 3GS and macbook pro. the only reason I have these is through >> having to sell everything I owned including my old music gear from years ago >> to raise the funds for the kit needed, from there it's been a thing of >> taking on a few projects to raise cash for equipment I still have to rely on. >> >> internationally, we need to change the system and yes APPLE needs to help us >> out on this. They have developed products which openly and directly support >> blind and disabled users and yet we have to pay an absolute premium, as >> rightly said here, over 85% of blind people in the USA are out of work and >> cannot afford the equipment and services needed, the same here in the UK >> even though disability living allowance and other components aren't enough >> to cover costs of equipment. You're lucky if you get into a university to >> receive grants for equipment you need. In my case, through my education, the >> equipment I had to use failed me all the time, the wrong software, wrong >> hardware and operating systems which by their own admission were poorly >> managed and had huge issues. hence me taking on the matters in person and >> resolving them. a battle I don't want to entertain ever again. >> >> It's at this point where we as a nation of blind and visually impaired >> people make a stand and a change for the better. >> >> lew >> >> On 26 Mar 2012, at 10:22, Eric Oyen wrote: >> >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 26 03:41AM -0700 >> >> I realize this. the problem is that there is absolutely no possibility that >> I will ever be able to save up for one. I get $718 a month and between the >> rent, food and cell phone, I have nothing left. I actually have to borrow >> money each month just to pay the medications co-pay (that leaves me about >> $30 in the hole each month). >> >> this computer and 1 handheld radio are about the only things I own outright >> (and the computer is about 4 years old). >> >> now, if I were employed, I wouldn't even have these problems. I would be >> living in a slightly nicer place (outside of gang territory), paying my >> taxes, having real health insurance, and buying real food (not the cheap >> crap chock full of chemistry and virtually no food value). >> >> you are right, too, that apple doesn't HAVE TO reduce their prices. they >> could garner an even bigger share of the laptop and desktop markets if they >> did. they don't HAVE TO offer some discounts to those who are disabled, but >> they could and it wouldn't hurt their bottom line at all. >> Yes, I could save up only IF I were able to. hell, the internet I had to beg >> from a neighbor on a wireless node. >> >> so yeah, I have a lot on my plate that wouldn't be there otherwise. call me >> frustrated. I am stuck on a waiting list to get a hearing aid for my left >> ear. that has delayed my training program and continues to delay any >> possibility of becoming employed. so, unless something moves here, I take >> whatever I can get, where ever I can get it. >> >> >> >> here is a number crunching exercise for you. >> >> there are an estimated 25 million blind or visually impaired people in the >> US. if Apple where to *GIVE* each of us 1 fully equipped mac mini, it would >> cost less than $2.5 Billion and they would still make a profit on the deal >> in good publicity alone. that would still leave them with $113 Billion IN >> CASH laying around doing nothing. >> >> with that cash, Apple could buy ALL of hollywood (warner brothers, disney, >> universal studios, ILM and others) plus purchase 2 of the big cable >> companies plus purchase blockbuster and netflix and still have enough left >> over to buy all of AT&T. After all of that, they would still have enough >> cash laying around to make the profits of BP Oil look like loose change. >> They could buy all of wal*mart and only start to break a sweat. >> >> at the end of all this, Apple would be the worlds largest corporation with >> revenues exceeding the GNP of nearly 40 countries combined and rebuild all >> that spent cash in less than 5 years. >> >> Now, considering I am a trained accountant with a business administration >> background (courtesy of Glendale Community college) and I requested the >> balance sheets on a number of corporations to see what was really happening >> to our economy. the scenario above would be entirely possible if the US >> Government had no RICO Laws. Just the assets that such a monster I have >> described above would exceed the net worth of nearly all of Europe and some >> of south America. I know that sounds highly ludicrous but that is what $113 >> Billion IN CASH could do properly invested. at that level, the interest >> being earned would start to earn its own interest in very short order. >> >> so yeah, it looks ridiculous, but that is the scale I am talking about here. >> giving away 25 million mac minis wouldn't even put a dent in that and I am >> not asking them to give them away, just give us a little hand up to owning >> some real tools. >> >> -eric >> >> >> On Mar 26, 2012, at 2:38 AM, Scott Howell wrote: >> >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 26 03:53AM -0700 >> >> at least you had stuff to sell. I don't even have that. I would get about >> $100 for this machine on the used market. the linux laptop even less. I own >> very little, so having capital to work with just isn't happening. >> >> I, too, have run into the bureaucratic quagmire of dealing with various >> charities just to get assistance on some critical needs (medications, etc). >> I would like very much to meet the lawyers that made this situation and have >> them wear a blindfold for 1 year (you cannot take it off for anything). have >> all the members of congress setup this way, all the upper management of the >> US Government and all the lawyers for all the charities. 1 year of blindness >> and there would certainly be a boatload of changes for the better (such as >> public education, better accessibility, better job training and a vastly >> more streamlined system of getting things done. >> >> I would congress read the 70,000 pages of regulations currently on the >> books... IN BRAILLE. I think even reading the entire text of the affordable >> care act in braille would scare the whole lot of them off the hill. >> >> hehe nice pipedream but it gives you an idea of just how much frustration I >> go through EVERY DAY. >> >> -eric >> >> On Mar 26, 2012, at 2:39 AM, Lewis Alexander wrote: >> >> >> Ricardo Walker <[email protected]> Mar 26 07:00AM -0400 >> >> Hi, >> >> The problem with what you say is, its not just blind people fighting for >> that assistance. You have those with develop mental disabilities, emotional >> disorders, motor disabilities, and the list goes on. And they all want there >> share of the pie. So the same congressman you have wear a blind fold for a >> year, will also be asked to sit in a wheel chair for a year. Wear ear pluges >> for a year, etc. >> >> Ricardo Walker >> [email protected] >> Twitter:@apple2thecore >> www.appletothecore.info >> >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 26 04:32AM -0700 >> >> I understand this. >> >> the question I have to ask here is: >> has there been even a single blind person serving in congress? >> I know of several who were partially deaf, at least one who had to use >> canes/crutches or a wheel chair. >> >> so far, my attempt has yielded a lot of irrelevant results and 2 browser >> crashes do to sites that run flash ads. as far as I can tell, I don't think >> we have had 1 single blind person ever serve in congress. not a single one. >> that needs to change. >> >> -eric >> >> On Mar 26, 2012, at 4:00 AM, Ricardo Walker wrote: >> >> >> Charlie Doremus <[email protected]> Mar 26 01:40AM -1000 >> >> Yes, Matthew A. Dunn Congressman from PA 1933-41 >> >> >> >> -- >> Check out our web site, www.giantdolphin.com >> & purchase our book "You Might Be A Moron" >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 26 04:45AM -0700 >> >> second reply. >> >> understand that all the other groups want in on this. some of them actually >> have more resources they can draw on that we do not have. >> >> I tried to petition the state here to allow me to continue my computer >> skills training with a mac and was told they won't support that, even though >> a number of fortune 500 companies use macs in house as their platform of >> choice (EbAY, Yelp, and a few others). I have also been told that the >> contracts the state has with freedom scientific precludes them from getting >> hardware/software from any other vendor. so? this means I am being forced to >> start training on a system that has some huge issues, doesn't work well and >> generally gets crappier with each release. anyone try calling FS lately? >> half their calls are routed to Mumbai, India. Don't even have me go into all >> the problems that windows has (I am well experienced with windows and its >> design flaws). >> >> I want a system that is stable and "just works" and macs are as close to >> that as anyone can ever get. all the downtime paid for by the state for >> windows issues represents a non-trivial expenditure every year. last I >> checked with a IT friend of mine in eBAY, their downtime with the mac >> hardware was only about 2 days out of the entire year. hell, the windows >> VM's failed far more often. >> >> so here we are. I want something that will pay for itself in taxpayer >> savings and less downtime and they want to justify their useless jobs. >> >> guess I am getting punchy. haven't slept in 3 days. >> >> -eric >> >> On Mar 26, 2012, at 4:00 AM, Ricardo Walker wrote: >> >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 26 05:18AM -0700 >> >> ok. I couldn't get that far. something on the site that lists such things >> kept causing my browser to fail. please don't ask me to use another browser >> as none of the others work here reliably (if at all). >> >> so? was he the only one? >> >> it does seem rather odd that only one has served. again, I think it is time >> to change that (and not the kind of change that was promised to us in 2008). >> >> -eric >> >> On Mar 26, 2012, at 4:40 AM, Charlie Doremus wrote: >> >> >> Kindle App on iPhone >> Sean Murphy <[email protected]> Mar 26 09:30AM +1100 >> >> Hi Ray, >> >> If the NFB is a aposed to this. Then what supporting documentation do you >> have to support this and what actually are they doing to try and resolve the >> issue. The issue also effects Braille readers from my understanding. >> >> since this issue is not new and has been around for years. I would have >> expected a more proactive approach to the whole issue. But nothing has >> changed. Can this be done via the ADA? >> >> Another question, can this be enforced in other countries? >> >> Sean >> >> On 25/03/2012, at 10:11 AM, Ray Foret Jr wrote: >> >> >> Adie <[email protected]> Mar 25 05:49PM -0700 >> >> Hi all >> >> Well I am not in the US either and I can tell you that the BBC has >> featured a piece on the American Authors' Guild and their dog in the >> manger attitude to this. >> >> Some authors have been mentioned in the course of this discussion. Can >> any of them be persuaded to speak out against this publicly? Can we >> start a Twitter campaign? Unless we all suddenly win the Lottery, a >> court case would be difficult and adverse publicity for these people >> may be another way of approaching it. You have elections coming up in >> the US, could any candidates be persuaded to speak out against this? >> How about letters to the NYT and so forth? Does anyone know any >> journalists who might take this up? >> >> I'm sure many of us outside the US would be happy to follow up in our >> respective countries in any way we can. >> >> Do you know, I remember hearing of the Kindle and how many books would >> be available through it and that it would make such a huge difference >> to most of our lives overnight, I was literally, bouncing up and down >> with excitement. Believe me, that doesn't happen very often. Seems to >> me that the dashing of hopes is one of the cruellest things you can do >> to people. Hope they sleep nights. >> >> Best >> >> Adrienne >> >> >> >> Karen Lewellen wrote: >> >> Ricardo Walker <[email protected]> Mar 25 10:36PM -0400 >> >> lol, >> >> Isn't this getting a bit out of hand? Your asking this 1 person to defend >> himself? IDK, either he's telling the truth, or he's not, either way, what >> does it change? Sounds like your trying to put the guy up on perjury >> charges. lol. Documentary evidence? come on. >> >> JMO. >> >> Ricardo Walker >> [email protected] >> Twitter:@apple2thecore >> www.appletothecore.info >> >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 25 10:59PM -0700 >> >> I have a nice solution if someone wants to know how I lost my sight. I >> simply explain it. I give them the short story and let them fill in the >> blanks from there. >> >> now, if a prospective employer were to ask me about how I handle my >> blindness, I can tell them "easily enough". if they press the issue, I would >> be polite but would ask why it bothers them. from my experience, most people >> just aren't aware of what we can do, and most times, they aren't comfortable >> dealing with us either. considering that we areabout as common as 1 in 12 >> people in the US, it still surprises me how little contact the general >> public has with us. >> >> -eric >> >> On Mar 25, 2012, at 9:57 AM, Gigi wrote: >> >> >> Eric Oyen <[email protected]> Mar 25 11:18PM -0700 >> >> I would have asked a bit more abruptly than he did. the problem I have is >> that I do not know if the NFB, ACB or any of the other blindness ors even >> support or oppose litigation against the AAG (American Author's Guild). I am >> an NFB member and if litigation is the tool to use, then I would use it. >> >> one of the things we need to establish is: >> 1. who owns the AAG >> 2. who funds it >> 3. who manages it. >> >> question #2 is the important one as the money they get is the key to >> answering 1 & 3. follow the money and you find out who is behind the >> organization. Now I realize that the NFB does market their own gadgets, but, >> they also need to allow other technologies to compete. this is the way of >> the market. competition fosters innovation. an accessible kindle device/app >> and books would force them to innovate to make something better. right now, >> the market is being artificially limited by a confluence of ignorance, >> financial barriers to entry and simple fear. >> >> they say knowledge is power, and so is information. since we are being >> restricted from gaining information, we need to forcefully acquire it. one >> way is to vote with our wallets. failing that, litigation is the second >> route. protests and the court of public opinion can also work but have been >> increasingly ineffective given the dirty of news on everything else of late. >> >> I know! lets pull a page right out of the progressive playbook. start an >> occupy movement in front of the American Author's Guild and any of the >> publishing houses in NYC. I know the last protest lasted a single day. what >> we need is a multiday event. at the end of business each day, we go to our >> hotels, homes or other living quarters and then show up bright and early the >> next day. if we are persistent enough, they will get the message and back >> off. things like this do take time though. >> >> just some thoughts on how to get what we legally paid for (and cannot use). >> >> -eric >> >> On Mar 25, 2012, at 7:36 PM, Ricardo Walker wrote: >> >> >> Jenny Perdue Keller <[email protected]> Mar 26 06:48AM -0500 >> >> This is getting frustrating. I don't know what I did but navigon won't give >> turn by turn directions. I checked the default voice and it is on TTS. >> >> Also I am getting tired of selecting 1message at a time to delete from my >> all mail folder where by deleted messages go. I tried to change that setting >> too but the only box it will let me delete to is that one >> >> Any help would be very much appreciated. >> >> >> >> Jenny and my goofy guide Brooks >> >> >> Gigi <[email protected]> Mar 26 07:18AM -0500 >> >> Hi guys >> Well, as for me, I think I'll do business with one company that I don't have >> to argue with. You know guys, the one that has iTunes. I can get all the >> books I'll ever want to read from iTunes, and I don't have to argue with >> them. >> Regards >> Gigi >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> >> copying a wedding dvd >> Michael Huckabay <[email protected]> Mar 25 11:30PM -0600 >> >> e-male me off list at [email protected] and I'll see if I can give you >> some help with your dvd problems. >> >> Help me verify a bug and maybe report to apple >> Ricardo Walker <[email protected]> Mar 25 10:32PM -0400 >> >> Hi, >> >> This indeed sounds like a bug but, would it not be easier to actually >> initiate the new e-mail from the Mail app? Open Mail, press command N for a >> new message, in the to field, type the first few letter of the contacts >> name, or, e-mail address and the field will populate with the information. >> >> Ricardo Walker >> [email protected] >> Twitter:@apple2thecore >> www.appletothecore.info >> >> >> [No Subject] >> Ricardo Walker <[email protected]> Mar 25 10:29PM -0400 >> >> I wonder what cause this bug. I use wireless syncing reliably. I've been >> doing so since IOS 5.0, with few instances of trouble. Usually, just closing >> iTunes and launcing it, along with a restart of my 4S fixes the issue. >> >> Ricardo Walker >> [email protected] >> Twitter:@apple2thecore >> www.appletothecore.info >> >> >> Bookshare? >> Alex Hall <[email protected]> Mar 25 08:28PM -0400 >> >> Interesting idea. Do you get heading navigation for all marked >> sections using this method? Is there a program that will let you keep >> your place? I'll have to look into this for myself. >> >> I am asking on behalf of someone who is not very used to vo, so >> hotspots, finding xml files, and so on might be a bit much. A simple >> program to read bookshare's files and keep your place would be >> perfect, if such a thing exists. >> >> >> -- >> Have a great day, >> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >> [email protected]; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >> >> Greg Aikens <[email protected]> Mar 25 07:37PM -0500 >> >> If the headings are marked in the file, then yes. If not, I set web spots >> where I stop reading. Sometimes these are saved across VO sessions and >> sometimes they aren't. The find feature also works well if you remember the >> name of the chapter you stopped reading, and some books have a table of >> contents with links. >> >> Hope this helps. >> >> -Greg >> On Mar 25, 2012, at 7:28 PM, Alex Hall wrote: >> >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Group >> macvisionaries. >> You can post via email. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send an empty message. >> For more options, visit this group. >> >> -- >> 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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