At 11:11 AM 2/8/03 -0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote the following:
If you dont have a visual problem, you have NO idea what someone that
deals with this type of problem goes through. ESPECIALLY, in the early
days of windows, when there were NO programs that could handle the gui
interface. Luckily, that set of issues has pretty much been put to rest
these days.
Having seen what individuals with disabilities go through, in many
cases, just trying to deal with the issues of everyday life, can be
unbelievable.
So just post your responses at the TOP, and the whole problem is solved.
I've dealt with blind computer users for over 8 years and this is NOT what
they all prefer. It depends upon the time frame of the answer and a
well-developed SUBJECT line. An answer to a question on a mailing list that
is quickly answered makes more sense for top posting. However, if there is a
time delay then bottom posting or embedding is better.
Another reason that top posting appears on many blind mailing lists is do to
the method in which a screen reader works in conjunction with an e-mail
program. The blind user hears the question and then types the answer. So if
the e-mail program is set for top posting then the answer appears on the top.
A NASA developed project for web-to-mail users called Iliad is designed to
be quick and simple to use. Users send an e-mail message to the Iliad home
address and type in the search request using keywords. Iliad uses the
keywords to query search engines on the Web and e-mails results back to the
requesting person. The results of the query follow the question.
To test it, send e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a Subject: iliad
query and in the body of the message
?Q : (your requested search phrase with parens)
If you have ever used a screen reader you will understand that the answer
first is not really helpful. A simple test will determine this. Pretend you
are blind and you open an e-mail message and hear these two lines spoken aloud.
>Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
>Why is top posting frowned upon?
NOTE: Punctuation on screen readers can be turned off so the "carat" may not
be heard.
--
Gerry Boyd
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