My two cents, I would get a iPod touch and an Apple keyboard. It would be much easier to learn and much less expensive. She could Always upgrade to a computer later point.
Sent from my iPhone with dictation software. Please excuse any spelling errors. On 02/12/2012, at 10:46 PM, Eugenia Firth <gigifi...@me.com> wrote: > Thanks there > Well, I guess it boils down to the MacBook air or the Mac mini, if she's > getting a Mac. She didn't have a heart attack when I told her how much I paid > for my MacBook Pro, and she's planning on setting up her money for the next > seven months or so. Anyway, thanks for all the help guys. > Gigi > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 2, 2012, at 10:15 PM, Alex Hall <mehg...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Yes, the mini starts at $600 I believe, but you then need the monitor and >> possibly an adapter or cable, depending on the monitor you choose. You also >> need a keyboard and, if she wants one, some kind of trackpad for gestures. >> So, assume the standard apple keyboard at $40 (for the wired one), a cheap >> monitor for $100, and the $60 trackpad and we've just gone up to $800. >> Especially if she will be getting training, you may want to stick with a >> mobile computer so she can take it around to different places. An iPad >> works, but it's hard to say that she will be happy with it once she starts >> to see what it can't do, such as play CDs or offer different voices. I love >> iPads and other iOS devices, I've just not heard good things about using >> them as computer replacements. >> >> The screen reader is NVDA (nvda-project.org), and it is free and >> open-source. You're right, there is no support for it since it is, well >> free, but I'm sure you can find people who can teach it. It is becoming more >> popular, so access tech specialists should know it. The speech is hard to >> get used to, but you will eventually. Still, it's no Alex or Serena.... but >> again the money problem. I'd like to stress once more that I would >> personally pick a mac every time, and I only bring up windows to point out >> that the cost difference may outweigh the benefits of the mac in this one >> case. If you can get around money, then the mac is the better choice. >> On Dec 2, 2012, at 10:40 PM, Eugenia Firth <gigifi...@me.com> wrote: >> >>> Hi there >>> I'm not familiar with the screen reader you're talking about, which brings >>> up the question. Who's going to help her learn a Windows screen reader that >>> most blind people don't have? I mean quick, if she doesn't know someone who >>> has this screen reader, I think she stuck. The other question I have is, is >>> not a Mac mini cheaper than $1000? I haven't talk to her much about this >>> yet, but for what she wants, there is a good chance that she could use the >>> iPad And a keyboard. >>> I have another blind friend who decided to continue with a Windows >>> computer. She had learned Johnice and windows at work, and when she retired >>> she didn't want to change it. However, even though she had used the >>> computer at work, she is pretty shaky when it comes to problems with her >>> computer. This means that her computer guru brother has had to help her >>> almost immediately with this computer, And they live in different states. I >>> mention this because I see some blind people needing a great deal of >>> support in order to maintain their computers, and not all of them have that >>> support. >>> This lady that when you're talking about, as far as I know, is on her own. >>> I live in one city, she lives in another. This means I can't volunteer to >>> help her. Since I used Windows for a number of years before getting him >>> back, I could do it if we lived near each other. >>> I think a lot of us are forgetting here that what some of us on this list >>> could do quite fine, others who don't have our experience would find very >>> frustrating and not workable. This lady needs the keep it simple system. >>> She's very smart, but I don't think she would be motivated to learn >>> anything that took extreme amounts of time And effort. If she gets a >>> cheaper Windows computer and she gets a cheaper screen reader, I think she >>> will have to teach herself. >>> >>> >>> I appreciate any and all opinions on the subject. I asked for them, and I >>> welcome them. >>> Regards >>> Gigi Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Dec 2, 2012, at 11:04 AM, Alex Hall <mehg...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Okay, please don't shoot me for this, but I think it needs to be >>>> mentioned. Sorry, but... why a mac? NVDA on Windows is much cheaper and >>>> does just as well in pretty much everything, even better in some areas >>>> (Safari, I'm looking at you and your lack of a flat representation). I >>>> know this is a mac list, and I'm not saying the mac is bad, but when you >>>> can get a reasonably good Windows laptop for $300, or the basic mac laptop >>>> for $1000, and where money is an issue... well, you see where I'm coming >>>> from I hope. >>>> On Dec 2, 2012, at 7:54 AM, Eugenia Firth <gigifi...@me.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi y'all >>>>> I have a blind friend who I think is totally blind, at the very least >>>>> close to it. She's not quite ready yet to get her technology, but she and >>>>> I have agreed we're going to visit that issue in June when I am going to >>>>> Houston where she lives. This friend, in my opinion, needs a Mac or an >>>>> iPad because she can't get training because of you know why and has >>>>> limited computer skills now. Money is an issue for this lady, so we need >>>>> to get the best for her for what she can do. >>>>> >>>>> If she gets a Mac of any variety, she can sign up for one to one training >>>>> and go there once a week if needed. I know there are some issues with >>>>> this for VoiceOver users, but I think if we have a nice talk with the >>>>> manager we can get someone who is willing to work with her who is willing >>>>> to take some extra effort and would consider it fun. Of the two Mac >>>>> computers, the Mac Mini and the MacBook Air, which one would you guys >>>>> consider the best for a situation like hers? If she gets an iPad, she >>>>> would probably need to rely on her blind friends who have iPhones and/or >>>>> iPads to help her. I don't think this lady can take the group classes >>>>> Apple offers for IOS devices like the iPhone because I don't think she >>>>> could keep up, given her current computer knowledge. This lady is in her >>>>> seventies and has decided to move into the 21st century because she is >>>>> seeing a need for email. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks guys for your opinions on this. >>>>> >>>>> Regards, >>>>> Gigi >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Have a great day, >>>> Alex (msg sent from Mac Mini) >>>> mehg...@gmail.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> 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 macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> >> >> Have a great day, >> Alex (msg sent from Mac Mini) >> mehg...@gmail.com >> >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> 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 macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > 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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