Andy Pepperdine wrote:
On Sunday 08 October 2006 00:54, Lou wrote:
[email protected] wrote:
Andy wrote:
Could someone tell us what the organisations that deal with the
disadvantaged are doing to help themselves scratch their own itch?
Those organizations are in the classic position of:
* Getting funding from party number one;
* Buying product from party number two;
* Providing services to party number three;
* Being accountable to party number four;
This recipe is designed to provide the lowest quality product, at the
highest possible cost.
Attempts to decrease the cost, or improve the product quality will be
harshly punished. Attempts to increase the cost, or decrease product
quality will be rewarded.
that the relatively small amount of funding could be got together to
employ a couple of programmers to make significant inroads
into this issue.
Whilst that is true, it overlooks one critical datapoint: Doing so
would be the beginning of the end of the organization. If it persisted
in supporting the project, it would be shut down, and all employees
terminated.
If an organization wanted to commit suicide, the fastest, and easiest
way to do so, would be to hire somebody to write FLOSS software that
truly met the needs of the a11y population.
xan
jonathon
I'd have to add to that:
1. Are you seriously suggesting that an organisation like the
Foundation for the Blind should get into the software development business?
No, I'm not, although I would answer this with a Why not? The point is that
without the active participation of those who know what the requirements are,
no progress will be made.
The Alzheimers Societies help fund research into the disease and keep an eye
on results and comment on progress. They do not do the research themselves.
2. Or are you just using the common ploy of fobbing off someone who
needs help with the retort that it's their problem and they ought to fix
it?
No. There is a willingness to help those who are trying to help themselves. At
the moment, I can't see that they are, and yet only they know what help is
needed. I may be wrong, of course; perhaps they are participating and I've
not seen the messages to say so, which is why I asked the question.
Overall, I suppose, there's a great gulf between the resources required
and those available. That's particularly the plight of service
organisations.
Perhaps users such as Brandon can contribute by participating in the
mailing lists. Like the rest of us, though, I'm sure he has other
commitments.
--
If you're seeking, check out http://www.rci.org.au
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