FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi everyone, I really meant the following to go to the list, and had sent it to Ivan privately. The subject line is different, whereas Ivan's had been simply Re. Apple Computer. Best, Rod Sent from Outlook for Windows -Original Message- From: Rod Hutton Sent: July 3, 2018 8:54 PM To: 'Ivan Cribb' Subject: FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Ivan, I'm forwarding a post I had sent to the list back in May on the subject of transitioning to the Mac. Obviously, we ar always changing our views on different things as experiences affect us. Therefore, I can say that mine are developing as well as I continue to use my Mac and Windows machines side-by-side. And so, you can give my post below a look-see since it does contain some insights into my experience with the Mac. I would like to add that I am not as certain as I was that I will abandon Windows in the future. I am glad that I am able to use both Windows and Mac machines, but I don't think one is necessarily superior to the other. I'll leave it here for now, and wait for any more enquiries into the matter. Smile Enjoy, Rod Sent from Outlook for Windows -Original Message- From: Rod Hutton Sent: May 27, 2018 3:56 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Subject: FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi everyone, Further to my recent post which I quote below, I learned a hot key which gave me access to certain controls on my grocery website which, up to now, I could only access using my Windows 10 machine; therefore, while it was a guess that there was something inherently superior about the accessibility framework within Windows, my recent experience has rekindled my hope that perhaps I can trust my Mac to allow me to access all of the web resources I need after all. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that web designers love to use pop-up dialog boxes on their pages, and I didn't realize that VoiceOver on the Mac has a special hot key which allows such a dialog to be accessed; for anyone using a Mac, and who might need it, this hot key is Ctrl-Option-Shift-End; I had been using Ctrl-Option-End, and had assumed that the controls I was looking for were at the bottom of the page, as, indeed, they were in Firefox on Windows. However, being a relative novice to the Mac, I am still learning, as, indeed, am I continually challenged by the often arbitrary decisions of web developers in designing their pages. At this point, then, I cannot honestly say whether, in the long run, I will say that Mac or Windows will prove to be the best tool for accessing the web, but I did buy a Mac with the intention of abandoning Windows if I could, and, today, this seems like a good bet. I just wanted to point to a couple of issues which might challenge anyone coming to the Mac from Windows. One is the need to learn a great number of hot keys, not just for the VoiceOver screen reader, but for the operating system as well, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind their choice by the software developers. Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, is the fact that Windows users have been spoiled by the continual presence of a focused cursor where we can interact with the interface immediately, and our screen reader can quickly query the cursor status. This is not true in the Mac OS, since, as with IOS, the user must first review the screen to find a control, and then press the Interact hot key in order to work with it. Personally, I can still more quicly edit text on Windows than on my Mac or my IOS devices. I'm getting better, but over 30 years doing this on Windows is a long time to be spoiled doing it the easy way. No doubt I'll get better over time, but it still seems like a chore on my Apple devices. Clearly, I will put the time and effort necessary to become proficient on my Mac because I want the benefits associated with switching to the Mac, namely, a sleek and elegant computer with a builtin screen reader, built by a company with a reputation for producing high quality and digitally secure hardware and software. Incidentally, I find it interesting that the newest incarnations of Narrator on Windows 10 have a Scan mode, where the user can review the entire screen, and, once the user finds a control to work with, the Scan mode can be exited, and the control worked with. Obviously, the Microsoft developers see the advantage of the Apple screen review system. In truth, access technologies are becoming more uniform, and so, in a way, it really doesn't matter which device you purchase, since you need not spend extra money for adaptive technology. I also wanted to highlight a point raised by David on the issue of updates within the Mac operating system. I believe Macs used to have the reputation of infrequent updates; perhaps this is true of the core operating system. However, more recently, and, indeed, since I've had a Mac, I've
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi Paulette, Yes, well, as much as I appreciate your recognition of my computer abilities, I still feel like a newborn babe when it comes to the Mac operating system. Take care, Rod Sent from Outlook for the Mac On 2018-05-29, 11:20 AM, "Talk on behalf of Paulette Vickery via Talk" wrote: Hi Rod, I'm glad you like the site. I think he has a lot of great information. I am really pleased that you, who knows a lot more about computers than I do, find the information useful as well. Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Rod Hutton via Talk Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 8:57 AM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Rod Hutton Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Paulette, Thanks very much for the web site recommendation. I decided to buy one of his Apple Slices for five bucks on how to select non-contiguous items on the Mac. I had no idea one could easily select non-contiguous files in folders as well as tracks in iTunes and add them to a playlist. Indeed, once you make a selection, there's even a hot key for reading it. What an operating system Apple has designed! Thanks again, Rod Sent from Outlook 2010 for Windows -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+rod_hutton=hotmail@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 10:48 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Rick, Though a bit pricy, I like the thoroughness of the website called, mac for the blind. It is done by a man who used the windows operating system for many years and decided that he likes using the mac better. However, he still keeps up with windows, because I believe he taches the use of windows as well. Check out his website. I don't have the link, but as I mentioned, the name of the website is, mac for the blind dot com. Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Rod Hutton via Talk Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 3:56 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Rod Hutton Subject: FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi everyone, Further to my recent post which I quote below, I learned a hot key which gave me access to certain controls on my grocery website which, up to now, I could only access using my Windows 10 machine; therefore, while it was a guess that there was something inherently superior about the accessibility framework within Windows, my recent experience has rekindled my hope that perhaps I can trust my Mac to allow me to access all of the web resources I need after all. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that web designers love to use pop-up dialog boxes on their pages, and I didn't realize that VoiceOver on the Mac has a special hot key which allows such a dialog to be accessed; for anyone using a Mac, and who might need it, this hot key is Ctrl-Option-Shift-End; I had been using Ctrl-Option-End, and had assumed that the controls I was looking for were at the bottom of the page, as, indeed, they were in Firefox on Windows. However, being a relative novice to the Mac, I am still learning, as, indeed, am I continually challenged by the often arbitrary decisions of web developers in designing their pages. At this point, then, I cannot honestly say whether, in the long run, I will say that Mac or Windows will prove to be the best tool for accessing the web, but I did buy a Mac with the intention of abandoning Windows if I could, and, today, this seems like a good bet. I just wanted to point to a couple of issues which might challenge anyone coming to the Mac from Windows. One is the need to learn a great number of hot keys, not just for the VoiceOver screen reader, but for the operating system as well, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind their choice by the software developers. Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, is the fact that Windows users have been spoiled by the continual presence of a focused cursor where we can interact with the interface immediately, and our screen reader can quickly query the cursor status. This is not true in the Mac OS, since, as with IOS, the user must first review the screen to find a control, and then press the Interact hot key in order to work with it. Personally, I can still more quicly edit text on Windows than on my Mac or my IOS devices. I'm getting better, but over 30 y
RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi Rod, I'm glad you like the site. I think he has a lot of great information. I am really pleased that you, who knows a lot more about computers than I do, find the information useful as well. Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Rod Hutton via Talk Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 8:57 AM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Rod Hutton Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Paulette, Thanks very much for the web site recommendation. I decided to buy one of his Apple Slices for five bucks on how to select non-contiguous items on the Mac. I had no idea one could easily select non-contiguous files in folders as well as tracks in iTunes and add them to a playlist. Indeed, once you make a selection, there's even a hot key for reading it. What an operating system Apple has designed! Thanks again, Rod Sent from Outlook 2010 for Windows -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+rod_hutton=hotmail@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 10:48 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Rick, Though a bit pricy, I like the thoroughness of the website called, mac for the blind. It is done by a man who used the windows operating system for many years and decided that he likes using the mac better. However, he still keeps up with windows, because I believe he taches the use of windows as well. Check out his website. I don't have the link, but as I mentioned, the name of the website is, mac for the blind dot com. Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Rod Hutton via Talk Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 3:56 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Rod Hutton Subject: FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi everyone, Further to my recent post which I quote below, I learned a hot key which gave me access to certain controls on my grocery website which, up to now, I could only access using my Windows 10 machine; therefore, while it was a guess that there was something inherently superior about the accessibility framework within Windows, my recent experience has rekindled my hope that perhaps I can trust my Mac to allow me to access all of the web resources I need after all. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that web designers love to use pop-up dialog boxes on their pages, and I didn't realize that VoiceOver on the Mac has a special hot key which allows such a dialog to be accessed; for anyone using a Mac, and who might need it, this hot key is Ctrl-Option-Shift-End; I had been using Ctrl-Option-End, and had assumed that the controls I was looking for were at the bottom of the page, as, indeed, they were in Firefox on Windows. However, being a relative novice to the Mac, I am still learning, as, indeed, am I continually challenged by the often arbitrary decisions of web developers in designing their pages. At this point, then, I cannot honestly say whether, in the long run, I will say that Mac or Windows will prove to be the best tool for accessing the web, but I did buy a Mac with the intention of abandoning Windows if I could, and, today, this seems like a good bet. I just wanted to point to a couple of issues which might challenge anyone coming to the Mac from Windows. One is the need to learn a great number of hot keys, not just for the VoiceOver screen reader, but for the operating system as well, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind their choice by the software developers. Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, is the fact that Windows users have been spoiled by the continual presence of a focused cursor where we can interact with the interface immediately, and our screen reader can quickly query the cursor status. This is not true in the Mac OS, since, as with IOS, the user must first review the screen to find a control, and then press the Interact hot key in order to work with it. Personally, I can still more quicly edit text on Windows than on my Mac or my IOS devices. I'm getting better, but over 30 years doing this on Windows is a long time to be spoiled doing it the easy way. No doubt I'll get better over time, but it still seems like a chore on my Apple devices. Clearly, I will put the time and effort necessary to become proficient on my Mac because I want the benefits associated with switching to the Mac, namely, a sleek and elegant computer with a builtin screen reader, built by a company with a reputation for producing high quality and digitally secure hardware and software. Incidentally, I find it interesting that the newest incarnations of Narrator on Windows 10 have a Scan mode, where the user can review the entire screen, and, once the user finds a control to work with, the Scan mode can
RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi Paulette, Thanks very much for the web site recommendation. I decided to buy one of his Apple Slices for five bucks on how to select non-contiguous items on the Mac. I had no idea one could easily select non-contiguous files in folders as well as tracks in iTunes and add them to a playlist. Indeed, once you make a selection, there's even a hot key for reading it. What an operating system Apple has designed! Thanks again, Rod Sent from Outlook 2010 for Windows -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+rod_hutton=hotmail@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 10:48 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Rick, Though a bit pricy, I like the thoroughness of the website called, mac for the blind. It is done by a man who used the windows operating system for many years and decided that he likes using the mac better. However, he still keeps up with windows, because I believe he taches the use of windows as well. Check out his website. I don't have the link, but as I mentioned, the name of the website is, mac for the blind dot com. Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Rod Hutton via Talk Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 3:56 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Rod Hutton Subject: FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi everyone, Further to my recent post which I quote below, I learned a hot key which gave me access to certain controls on my grocery website which, up to now, I could only access using my Windows 10 machine; therefore, while it was a guess that there was something inherently superior about the accessibility framework within Windows, my recent experience has rekindled my hope that perhaps I can trust my Mac to allow me to access all of the web resources I need after all. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that web designers love to use pop-up dialog boxes on their pages, and I didn't realize that VoiceOver on the Mac has a special hot key which allows such a dialog to be accessed; for anyone using a Mac, and who might need it, this hot key is Ctrl-Option-Shift-End; I had been using Ctrl-Option-End, and had assumed that the controls I was looking for were at the bottom of the page, as, indeed, they were in Firefox on Windows. However, being a relative novice to the Mac, I am still learning, as, indeed, am I continually challenged by the often arbitrary decisions of web developers in designing their pages. At this point, then, I cannot honestly say whether, in the long run, I will say that Mac or Windows will prove to be the best tool for accessing the web, but I did buy a Mac with the intention of abandoning Windows if I could, and, today, this seems like a good bet. I just wanted to point to a couple of issues which might challenge anyone coming to the Mac from Windows. One is the need to learn a great number of hot keys, not just for the VoiceOver screen reader, but for the operating system as well, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind their choice by the software developers. Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, is the fact that Windows users have been spoiled by the continual presence of a focused cursor where we can interact with the interface immediately, and our screen reader can quickly query the cursor status. This is not true in the Mac OS, since, as with IOS, the user must first review the screen to find a control, and then press the Interact hot key in order to work with it. Personally, I can still more quicly edit text on Windows than on my Mac or my IOS devices. I'm getting better, but over 30 years doing this on Windows is a long time to be spoiled doing it the easy way. No doubt I'll get better over time, but it still seems like a chore on my Apple devices. Clearly, I will put the time and effort necessary to become proficient on my Mac because I want the benefits associated with switching to the Mac, namely, a sleek and elegant computer with a builtin screen reader, built by a company with a reputation for producing high quality and digitally secure hardware and software. Incidentally, I find it interesting that the newest incarnations of Narrator on Windows 10 have a Scan mode, where the user can review the entire screen, and, once the user finds a control to work with, the Scan mode can be exited, and the control worked with. Obviously, the Microsoft developers see the advantage of the Apple screen review system. In truth, access technologies are becoming more uniform, and so, in a way, it really doesn't matter which device you purchase, since you need not spend extra money for adaptive technology. I also wanted to highlight a point raised by David on the issue of updates within the Mac operating system. I believe Macs used to have the reputation of infrequent
RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi Rick, Though a bit pricy, I like the thoroughness of the website called, mac for the blind. It is done by a man who used the windows operating system for many years and decided that he likes using the mac better. However, he still keeps up with windows, because I believe he taches the use of windows as well. Check out his website. I don't have the link, but as I mentioned, the name of the website is, mac for the blind dot com. Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Rod Hutton via Talk Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 3:56 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Rod Hutton Subject: FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi everyone, Further to my recent post which I quote below, I learned a hot key which gave me access to certain controls on my grocery website which, up to now, I could only access using my Windows 10 machine; therefore, while it was a guess that there was something inherently superior about the accessibility framework within Windows, my recent experience has rekindled my hope that perhaps I can trust my Mac to allow me to access all of the web resources I need after all. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that web designers love to use pop-up dialog boxes on their pages, and I didn't realize that VoiceOver on the Mac has a special hot key which allows such a dialog to be accessed; for anyone using a Mac, and who might need it, this hot key is Ctrl-Option-Shift-End; I had been using Ctrl-Option-End, and had assumed that the controls I was looking for were at the bottom of the page, as, indeed, they were in Firefox on Windows. However, being a relative novice to the Mac, I am still learning, as, indeed, am I continually challenged by the often arbitrary decisions of web developers in designing their pages. At this point, then, I cannot honestly say whether, in the long run, I will say that Mac or Windows will prove to be the best tool for accessing the web, but I did buy a Mac with the intention of abandoning Windows if I could, and, today, this seems like a good bet. I just wanted to point to a couple of issues which might challenge anyone coming to the Mac from Windows. One is the need to learn a great number of hot keys, not just for the VoiceOver screen reader, but for the operating system as well, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind their choice by the software developers. Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, is the fact that Windows users have been spoiled by the continual presence of a focused cursor where we can interact with the interface immediately, and our screen reader can quickly query the cursor status. This is not true in the Mac OS, since, as with IOS, the user must first review the screen to find a control, and then press the Interact hot key in order to work with it. Personally, I can still more quicly edit text on Windows than on my Mac or my IOS devices. I'm getting better, but over 30 years doing this on Windows is a long time to be spoiled doing it the easy way. No doubt I'll get better over time, but it still seems like a chore on my Apple devices. Clearly, I will put the time and effort necessary to become proficient on my Mac because I want the benefits associated with switching to the Mac, namely, a sleek and elegant computer with a builtin screen reader, built by a company with a reputation for producing high quality and digitally secure hardware and software. Incidentally, I find it interesting that the newest incarnations of Narrator on Windows 10 have a Scan mode, where the user can review the entire screen, and, once the user finds a control to work with, the Scan mode can be exited, and the control worked with. Obviously, the Microsoft developers see the advantage of the Apple screen review system. In truth, access technologies are becoming more uniform, and so, in a way, it really doesn't matter which device you purchase, since you need not spend extra money for adaptive technology. I also wanted to highlight a point raised by David on the issue of updates within the Mac operating system. I believe Macs used to have the reputation of infrequent updates; perhaps this is true of the core operating system. However, more recently, and, indeed, since I've had a Mac, I've seen a bit of a flurry of updates, especially to negate some security vulnerabilities which have surfaced, and some pretty dumb oversights that made Apple look stupid too. However, in addition, since I have Office 365 installed on my Mac, I'm noticing Microsoft updating Outlook and OneDrive almost weekly, in a attempt to deal with security issues, yes, but also in order to roll out accessibility improvements to their software, This does point to Microsoft's commitment to ongoing accessibility evolution, and so Apple users are benefiting from this commitment as much as are Windows users. And, indeed, when one sees the ongoing improvement
FW: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi everyone, Further to my recent post which I quote below, I learned a hot key which gave me access to certain controls on my grocery website which, up to now, I could only access using my Windows 10 machine; therefore, while it was a guess that there was something inherently superior about the accessibility framework within Windows, my recent experience has rekindled my hope that perhaps I can trust my Mac to allow me to access all of the web resources I need after all. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that web designers love to use pop-up dialog boxes on their pages, and I didn't realize that VoiceOver on the Mac has a special hot key which allows such a dialog to be accessed; for anyone using a Mac, and who might need it, this hot key is Ctrl-Option-Shift-End; I had been using Ctrl-Option-End, and had assumed that the controls I was looking for were at the bottom of the page, as, indeed, they were in Firefox on Windows. However, being a relative novice to the Mac, I am still learning, as, indeed, am I continually challenged by the often arbitrary decisions of web developers in designing their pages. At this point, then, I cannot honestly say whether, in the long run, I will say that Mac or Windows will prove to be the best tool for accessing the web, but I did buy a Mac with the intention of abandoning Windows if I could, and, today, this seems like a good bet. I just wanted to point to a couple of issues which might challenge anyone coming to the Mac from Windows. One is the need to learn a great number of hot keys, not just for the VoiceOver screen reader, but for the operating system as well, and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind their choice by the software developers. Perhaps the greatest challenge, however, is the fact that Windows users have been spoiled by the continual presence of a focused cursor where we can interact with the interface immediately, and our screen reader can quickly query the cursor status. This is not true in the Mac OS, since, as with IOS, the user must first review the screen to find a control, and then press the Interact hot key in order to work with it. Personally, I can still more quicly edit text on Windows than on my Mac or my IOS devices. I'm getting better, but over 30 years doing this on Windows is a long time to be spoiled doing it the easy way. No doubt I'll get better over time, but it still seems like a chore on my Apple devices. Clearly, I will put the time and effort necessary to become proficient on my Mac because I want the benefits associated with switching to the Mac, namely, a sleek and elegant computer with a builtin screen reader, built by a company with a reputation for producing high quality and digitally secure hardware and software. Incidentally, I find it interesting that the newest incarnations of Narrator on Windows 10 have a Scan mode, where the user can review the entire screen, and, once the user finds a control to work with, the Scan mode can be exited, and the control worked with. Obviously, the Microsoft developers see the advantage of the Apple screen review system. In truth, access technologies are becoming more uniform, and so, in a way, it really doesn't matter which device you purchase, since you need not spend extra money for adaptive technology. I also wanted to highlight a point raised by David on the issue of updates within the Mac operating system. I believe Macs used to have the reputation of infrequent updates; perhaps this is true of the core operating system. However, more recently, and, indeed, since I've had a Mac, I've seen a bit of a flurry of updates, especially to negate some security vulnerabilities which have surfaced, and some pretty dumb oversights that made Apple look stupid too. However, in addition, since I have Office 365 installed on my Mac, I'm noticing Microsoft updating Outlook and OneDrive almost weekly, in a attempt to deal with security issues, yes, but also in order to roll out accessibility improvements to their software, This does point to Microsoft's commitment to ongoing accessibility evolution, and so Apple users are benefiting from this commitment as much as are Windows users. And, indeed, when one sees the ongoing improvement to the Seeing AI app in IOS as well, the link between Micro soft and Apple seems pretty tight. Well, I will end here for now, and no doubt I'll write more as I find things worth sharing. All the best, Rod Sent from Outlook 2010 for Windows -Original Message- From: Rod Hutton Sent: Friday, May 25, 2018 10:46 AM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Paulette, You'll probably remember me, Rod Hutton, from Canada. I called you some time back, when you needed some insight into podcast software for your iPhone. I can certainly call you again, but I can write a bit about my experience
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
I just bought a Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard for iPhone/Mac/Windows/Android to use with my ipad. I've been having a lot of fun surfing the net using Safari on my ipad. I agree with you. Using The banking app on my ipod touch is so much easier than using my windows 10 computer. -Original Message- From: Rod Hutton via Talk Sent: Friday, May 25, 2018 7:45 AM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Rod Hutton Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Paulette, You'll probably remember me, Rod Hutton, from Canada. I called you some time back, when you needed some insight into podcast software for your iPhone. I can certainly call you again, but I can write a bit about my experience with this crazy world of computers since we talked last, and this will help anyone on the list as well. I bought a Macbook Pro with Touchbar last summer. It's pretty much the best laptop Apple has made, and it is up to date, with the current version of macOS, the operating system for the Mac. Therefore, it has the current web browser, Safari. My reason for going into the Mac world was partly for the reason you want to, to have a machine with a built-in screen reader so that I wouldn't have to spend time and money and trouble just to have an accessible computer. My other reason was that I was always very envious of Mac users who seemed to have a lot less trouble than us poor Windows slaves. Anyway, being a pretty savvy PC user, and figuring we could finance what is a pretty expensive machine, my wife and I, being both blind, figured we'd just go for it. We also had heard quite a few podcasts by the famous blind Australian podcaster and Apple ambassador, David Woodbridge, and, if you ever heard his confident and savvy performance on his podcasts, you'll know why we kind of got sucked deeper and deeper into the Apple world. Incidentally, he has every Apple device going, and he uses them all. Through him, I have gotten very competent with my Apple products as well, including the iPhone, the Apple Watch, and the Mac. My other and more curucial reason for moving deeper into the Apple world was the decision VFO made to stop developing Window-Eyes. It seemed to me that I needed to diversify my accessibility toolbox, and it made sense to move closer to a company which built accessibility tools into each and every device they sell. On reflection, I suppose it was my long experience with Windows computers which influenced me to buy the equivalent device in the Apple world, namely, a Mac computer. Well, it has a screen and a keyboard, and so why wouldn't I just go that route? Having used the Mac since I bought it last summer, while I can say that I have really come to respect and enjoy the beautiful design of the hardware and operating system of the Mac, I can also say that I have continued my use of the iPhone with an Apple Magic Bluetooth keyboard, and there are a lot of similarities when using these two Apple devices. For all of us, these days, whether we like it or not, our survival is increasingly dependent on online services. Therefore, to remain independent, we are forced to deal with interfaces, whether they are web browsers or apps, and, indeed, these little apps are often just web browsers in disguise, and so wether we can accomplish our tasks depends on the accessibility of these interfaces. What I have learned is that I am using all of my devices in order to get my work done, and it is usually in the following order: First, I use my Windows 10 PC running Window-Eyes and Firefox, that is, the Extended Service Release version of Firefox. When Window-Eyes fails to detect certain Firefox web page controls effectively, I unload Window-Eyes and load NVDA, and, once I pass the hurdle in my way, I unload it and switch back to Window-Eyes. Note that this is my experience with my most important web task, namely, online grocery shopping, and so, if I fail here, I don't eat. The next most important online task for me is banking, and, very recently, I have come to see that the easiest way to do this is using my iPhone, and this is because the app is a stripped-down version of a web browser, and containing only the most basic controls necessary to review and perform transactions, I can bank in a flash. Then again, if I want to highlight the pleasure aspect of web browsing, I must say that Safari on the Mac is the most fun, and this is because, once you understand the web rotor, you can breeze through web page elements using arrow keys alone. Although I could, no doubt, go on and on, I should boil things down a bit, and say, for me, I will probably always find it necessary to have a Windows machine running NVDA, as well as some mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet. This is pretty much common sense today, since these two platforms will persist into the future. My experience is that a Windows browser is the only one which consistently reveals
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
ince these two platforms will > persist into the future. > My experience is that a Windows browser is the only one which consistently > reveals all of the controls on my grocery and banking websites, and so, it is > the only one which I can trust for now. > This is a pretty important factor, tipping the scale for me to stay with > Windows. > However, I await the day when I see equivalent performance on my Mac and my > iPhone. > I do believe that there is something unique about the accessibility framework > within Windows which makes this possible, something about how browse mode > works, and so I have to call a spade a spade. > > Well, Paulette, this is enough for now, and, as I said, I can talk with you > on the phone if you wish. > > Take care for now, > > Rod > > Sent from Outlook 2010 for Windows > > -Original Message- > From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+rod_hutton=hotmail@lists.window-eyes.com] > On Behalf Of Paulette Vickery via Talk > Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 3:34 PM > To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' > Cc: Paulette Vickery > Subject: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? > > Hi all, > > > > I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a > complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so > often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved > Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and > waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind > in the computer world. > > > > So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and > try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a > steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support > available. > > For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all > Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know > that the store here in Louisville has such training. > > The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 > hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. > > The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra > cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for > how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra > cost, included on each device. > > I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of > the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite > taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. > > > > Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so > what did or do you think about the Mac? > > Thanks in advance for your thoughts. > > > > Paulette > > ___ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author > and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.window-eyes.com%2Foptions.cgi%2Ftalk-window-eyes.com%2Frod_hutton%2540hotmail.com=02%7C01%7C%7Cfb4094b240c74658925908d5c1ad496f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636627872355227594=wbpGeWCCkmHPZaySJ4kuMbEFYx6m1wgXy055zjv%2B4ZY%3D=0. > For subscription options, visit > https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.window-eyes.com%2Flistinfo.cgi%2Ftalk-window-eyes.com=02%7C01%7C%7Cfb4094b240c74658925908d5c1ad496f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636627872355227594=45%2FKebzo7llUO5zxrbOjahbmNFERmih%2BJ8AM9E6UKwU%3D=0 > List archives can be found at > https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.window-eyes.com%2Fprivate.cgi%2Ftalk-window-eyes.com=02%7C01%7C%7Cfb4094b240c74658925908d5c1ad496f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636627872355227594=u3yjP6o5rX15KLp%2BzS2jB71i4N%2Fqi%2FEW6Z36gpEiNro%3D=0 > ___ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author > and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/tom.kingston%40charter.net. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
, this is enough for now, and, as I said, I can talk with you on the phone if you wish. Take care for now, Rod Sent from Outlook 2010 for Windows -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+rod_hutton=hotmail@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 3:34 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi all, I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind in the computer world. So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support available. For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know that the store here in Louisville has such training. The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra cost, included on each device. I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so what did or do you think about the Mac? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Paulette ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.window-eyes.com%2Foptions.cgi%2Ftalk-window-eyes.com%2Frod_hutton%2540hotmail.com=02%7C01%7C%7Cfb4094b240c74658925908d5c1ad496f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636627872355227594=wbpGeWCCkmHPZaySJ4kuMbEFYx6m1wgXy055zjv%2B4ZY%3D=0. For subscription options, visit https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.window-eyes.com%2Flistinfo.cgi%2Ftalk-window-eyes.com=02%7C01%7C%7Cfb4094b240c74658925908d5c1ad496f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636627872355227594=45%2FKebzo7llUO5zxrbOjahbmNFERmih%2BJ8AM9E6UKwU%3D=0 List archives can be found at https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.window-eyes.com%2Fprivate.cgi%2Ftalk-window-eyes.com=02%7C01%7C%7Cfb4094b240c74658925908d5c1ad496f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C636627872355227594=u3yjP6o5rX15KLp%2BzS2jB71i4N%2Fqi%2FEW6Z36gpEiNro%3D=0 ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi, I haave been using apple mac os for several years and I find it to be very stable. I started with a mac mini and now I use a imac from 2013 and it still works. I think you should be find if you can afford it of corse as they are really expensive. HTH. Matthew On 05/24/2018 03:33 PM, Paulette Vickery via Talk wrote: Hi all, I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind in the computer world. So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support available. For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know that the store here in Louisville has such training. The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra cost, included on each device. I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so what did or do you think about the Mac? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Paulette ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/ilovecountrymusic483%40gmail.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
I echo many of the points made in other E-mails. I have a Windows Computer and N IPhone. I find I can do things on my PC that i can't do on the phone vice versa. Of course, I had to learn a new set of commands and jestures. I echo the thought that just because Apple has VoiceOver that not all web environments are accessible. For example, I love my church, but its web site is not the greatest. I would give it a C grade. It is no better with VoiceOver. Developers do not need to adhere to the Apple standard. I have heard from others that Android is not a cakewalk either.Again, one would need to learn a whole new set of commands and jestures. Again, the Android user is at the mercy of the app developers and the accessibility folks. As one lister indicated, it depends upon your needs and desires. Do some good research and give it good thought. -Original Message- From: David via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 11:57 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: David Subject: Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Guess you are not lonely on the isle of wishing for more stability, like in the older days, when comes to electronics. As a matter of fact, many sighted people feel the same way. All the continious updates to Windows and software, do affect EVERYONE - not only visually impaired. As for Apple products, I have never even tried them, so cannot advice anything on that field. Still, you will want to go through your actual needs. For my part, one reason why I have never bothered the Apple products, is that certain of the software I am relying on, only runs under Windows. Getting a Mac would mean for me to stop using such software, and the disadvantage thereof seems higher than the gains of a bit more stability on the computer. Sure, I do know there exists ways of running a Mac with Windows, but you then still will have to face the many updates, I guess. Further, be aware that not all Windows periphals might have drivers for Mac. Such as your printer. Though Apple might have 24/7 assistance - over the phone or whatever - you will have to rely on it. A Windows machine is similar to what your friends and colleagues run, and getting help with things directly on-site, might prove easier. All depend on your situation, and your location. If for instance you lived in a place with no Apple store, and you had to pay for transportation every time you had to take your device to the store, so as to benefit from the special service you described, it could soon enough prove to be a troublesome solution; even if the assistance itself would claim to be free-of-charge. Compare it with having someone over for a cup of coffee and let them fix your issue. Again, it depend on what situation you are in. What need you have for assistance, what software you plan on using, and what other equipment you already have that might or moight not be compatible. Keep in mind, that even Apple products receive updates. Probably not that often, and perhaps not all that overturning in new layouts and so forth. But Apple land likely have its own challenges. Sure, they have a number of voices included in their products. But do these voices fit you? What about special terms, linked to your profession - will they be able to pronounce them correctly? Or, will they have optimal pronunciation dictionary capabilities, enough for you to taylor them to a bearable level? Otherwise a day in office might prove to be a true nightmare, sitting there listening to extremely badly pronounced special terms. I do have one locale voice on my computer here, manufactured by Vocalizer. It sounds very nice, clear and OK natural. Yet no matter how hard I try - with whichever screen reader or dictionary - it simply cannot be made to pronounce certain words correctly. And believe me, it becomes a real stressful experience over time. It even sometimes pronounce things such badly, that it causes misunderstandings. Since I have never used an Apple product, I could not tell what is the case on their screen reader voices. But you might want to do some research, as to what voices might be available, even for later purchase and installing. Many have chosen to use software that no longer is installed all on your local computer, but rather based on Online services. In some cases that might solve part of your learning curve, since they might be similarly working, whether you use Linux, Windows, Apple, or even Android based equipment. That is what we name cross-platform services. Yet, other software, even if they run off the net, might be quite different, from one platform to the other. One thing to keep in mind, is that the cross-platform services, will be updated just as often for all platforms. Let's take a thing like Firefox (and I just picked it out of the air, purely for samplification). If they decide to update, they will update the cross-platform software. This means, whether you run Mac, Android or Windows, you still will have
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
I have and use a Mac, but its not the be-all and end-all of accessibility. In the Mac world, they have the idea that the app developer must conform to their standards, if the developer does conform exactly, then the program is usually accessible, if the developer does something unusual, then the program is not accessible at all. So, certain programs work well, but its a subset of what is available. I hope this clarify things a bit. On Thu, 24 May 2018 16:49:43 -0400, Paulette Vickery via Talk wrote: > > Hi Tony, > > What kind of a Mac or you thinking about purchasing? > > Paulette > > -Original Message- > From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] > On Behalf Of Tony C via Talk > Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 4:35 PM > To: Window-Eyes Discussion List > Cc: Tony C > Subject: Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? > > Hi, My next computer purchase will be a Mac. I stopped using Jaws back in > 2003 and used Window eyes till forced to revert to Jaws. I don't like the > company assoiated with it. > > -Original Message- > From: Paulette Vickery via Talk > Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 2:33 PM > To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' > Cc: Paulette Vickery > Subject: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? > > Hi all, > > > > I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a > complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so > often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved > Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and > waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind > in the computer world. > > > > So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and > try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a > steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support > available. > > For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all > Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know > that the store here in Louisville has such training. > > The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 > hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. > > The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra > cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for > how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra > cost, included on each device. > > I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of > the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite > taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. > > > > Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so > what did or do you think about the Mac? > > Thanks in advance for your thoughts. > > > > Paulette > > ___ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author > > and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/tch828%40media > combb.net. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > > ___ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author > and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/paulette%40evi > ckery.com. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > > ___ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author > and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/covici%40ccs.covici.com. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com -- Your life is like a penny. You're going to lose it. The question is: How do you spend it? John Covici wb2una
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Yes i have a macbook and it works just fine. Cheers Michael. On 25 May 2018, at 5:33 am, Paulette Vickery via Talkwrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a > complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so > often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved > Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and > waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind > in the computer world. > > > > So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and > try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a > steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support > available. > > For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all > Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know > that the store here in Louisville has such training. > > The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 > hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. > > The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra > cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for > how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra > cost, included on each device. > > I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of > the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite > taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. > > > > Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so > what did or do you think about the Mac? > > Thanks in advance for your thoughts. > > > > Paulette > > ___ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author > and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/michaelandjeanie%40aapt.net.au. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Guess you are not lonely on the isle of wishing for more stability, like in the older days, when comes to electronics. As a matter of fact, many sighted people feel the same way. All the continious updates to Windows and software, do affect EVERYONE - not only visually impaired. As for Apple products, I have never even tried them, so cannot advice anything on that field. Still, you will want to go through your actual needs. For my part, one reason why I have never bothered the Apple products, is that certain of the software I am relying on, only runs under Windows. Getting a Mac would mean for me to stop using such software, and the disadvantage thereof seems higher than the gains of a bit more stability on the computer. Sure, I do know there exists ways of running a Mac with Windows, but you then still will have to face the many updates, I guess. Further, be aware that not all Windows periphals might have drivers for Mac. Such as your printer. Though Apple might have 24/7 assistance - over the phone or whatever - you will have to rely on it. A Windows machine is similar to what your friends and colleagues run, and getting help with things directly on-site, might prove easier. All depend on your situation, and your location. If for instance you lived in a place with no Apple store, and you had to pay for transportation every time you had to take your device to the store, so as to benefit from the special service you described, it could soon enough prove to be a troublesome solution; even if the assistance itself would claim to be free-of-charge. Compare it with having someone over for a cup of coffee and let them fix your issue. Again, it depend on what situation you are in. What need you have for assistance, what software you plan on using, and what other equipment you already have that might or moight not be compatible. Keep in mind, that even Apple products receive updates. Probably not that often, and perhaps not all that overturning in new layouts and so forth. But Apple land likely have its own challenges. Sure, they have a number of voices included in their products. But do these voices fit you? What about special terms, linked to your profession - will they be able to pronounce them correctly? Or, will they have optimal pronunciation dictionary capabilities, enough for you to taylor them to a bearable level? Otherwise a day in office might prove to be a true nightmare, sitting there listening to extremely badly pronounced special terms. I do have one locale voice on my computer here, manufactured by Vocalizer. It sounds very nice, clear and OK natural. Yet no matter how hard I try - with whichever screen reader or dictionary - it simply cannot be made to pronounce certain words correctly. And believe me, it becomes a real stressful experience over time. It even sometimes pronounce things such badly, that it causes misunderstandings. Since I have never used an Apple product, I could not tell what is the case on their screen reader voices. But you might want to do some research, as to what voices might be available, even for later purchase and installing. Many have chosen to use software that no longer is installed all on your local computer, but rather based on Online services. In some cases that might solve part of your learning curve, since they might be similarly working, whether you use Linux, Windows, Apple, or even Android based equipment. That is what we name cross-platform services. Yet, other software, even if they run off the net, might be quite different, from one platform to the other. One thing to keep in mind, is that the cross-platform services, will be updated just as often for all platforms. Let's take a thing like Firefox (and I just picked it out of the air, purely for samplification). If they decide to update, they will update the cross-platform software. This means, whether you run Mac, Android or Windows, you still will have to face the changes made in the new version. In certain cases, this could end up meaning that you have spent loads of money, and considerable resources on learning a new computer, only to ind that what you use your computer for, all is going to be just as often updated and changed, as the one you were running away from.Stary nights come in the jungle, just like in the Prairies. As to what extent you should choose the one system over the other, I do not have the expertise, let alone the urge to start arguing. I simply want to point out, that you will be changing environment, and have to make sure you know what you are doing; and even then, you might only change side so much. Spend your time wisely. And hard as it is to let you know, we all have to face the fact that things do change. Even faster and faster. And the impaired will only fall behind all the more. Personally I have decided to go with what I have, even if my computer has been running for several years, and is still on
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi, I'm not sure yet, probally a desktop. I don't need a lap top and I have my current Windows 10 desktop hooked to my HD tv VIA HDMI cable. I don't even have cable tv because I use streaming on the net for 95% of my tv watching. I have my I phone and my GF has an Ipad for when we travel. -Original Message- From: Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 3:49 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi Tony, What kind of a Mac or you thinking about purchasing? Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Tony C via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 4:35 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Tony C Subject: Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi, My next computer purchase will be a Mac. I stopped using Jaws back in 2003 and used Window eyes till forced to revert to Jaws. I don't like the company assoiated with it. -Original Message- From: Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 2:33 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi all, I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind in the computer world. So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support available. For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know that the store here in Louisville has such training. The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra cost, included on each device. I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so what did or do you think about the Mac? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Paulette ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/tch828%40media combb.net. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/paulette%40evi ckery.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/tch828%40mediacombb.net. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
RE: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi Tony, What kind of a Mac or you thinking about purchasing? Paulette -Original Message- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+paulette=evickery@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Tony C via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 4:35 PM To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Cc: Tony C Subject: Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi, My next computer purchase will be a Mac. I stopped using Jaws back in 2003 and used Window eyes till forced to revert to Jaws. I don't like the company assoiated with it. -Original Message- From: Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 2:33 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi all, I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind in the computer world. So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support available. For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know that the store here in Louisville has such training. The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra cost, included on each device. I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so what did or do you think about the Mac? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Paulette ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/tch828%40media combb.net. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/paulette%40evi ckery.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
Re: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi, My next computer purchase will be a Mac. I stopped using Jaws back in 2003 and used Window eyes till forced to revert to Jaws. I don't like the company assoiated with it. -Original Message- From: Paulette Vickery via Talk Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 2:33 PM To: 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Cc: Paulette Vickery Subject: Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac? Hi all, I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind in the computer world. So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support available. For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know that the store here in Louisville has such training. The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra cost, included on each device. I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so what did or do you think about the Mac? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Paulette ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/tch828%40mediacombb.net. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
Has anyone ever considered using the Apple Mac?
Hi all, I don't know about you, but I am just getting tired of it and want a complete change. I am tired of having to change screen readers every so often. I am tired of continually having to learn new and so called improved Windows programs and Windows updates. I am tired of wondering, worrying and waiting for the next change and inevitable scramble to keep up by the blind in the computer world. So now, I am considering taking a leap of what ever you care to call it and try using an Apple laptop, specifically, the Mac Book Air. I know there is a steep learning curve, but I must say that there is a lot of support available. For example, every Apple store is supposed to have on site training on all Apple devices for people with disabilities, including blind people. I know that the store here in Louisville has such training. The Apple Care for people with disabilities is available over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is more than there regular Apple Care. The Apple Mac has a built in screen reader with different voices at no extra cost installed on each device they make. There is also a short tutorial for how to use Voice Over, the Apple voice and it's software, also at no extra cost, included on each device. I know that it has nothing to do with how it works, but the outer case of the laptop is metal and has an apple, complete with 2 leaves and a bite taken from the apple, as the logo which I can touch easily. Has anyone else thought about using, or has used an Apple mac laptop? If so what did or do you think about the Mac? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Paulette ___ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com