linux and accessibility applications

[Janina Sajka]

And, what happens to your ptheory about the superiority of GUI when Microsoft brings back the CLI, as it will in its next major release? Will you change your tune then?


Rejean Proulx writes:
> Tom, I thought that was well said.  I suspect that most sighted Linux users
> use X windows.  I really don't need X windows to maintain my Server so I am
> not that interested in it, however, if I was going to do work processing,
> email or internet surfing, then I want a windows like interface.  Such
> interfaces tend to combine many tiny commands in 1 process exempting us from
> having to learn every little detail about a system.  Most of us don't have
> time for that.  I tend to use things that most sighted people use if I can
> because, it is easier to get upgrades and they come faster.  You can get
> help more easily and interact with your peers or co-workers.  The Linux
> shell has, can, does, and will serve blind people well for a while yet, but
> I hope the attitude is not that we stop here, because if that is the case
> then by all means flame.
> 
> I am happy to use both types of operating systems for their respective
> strengths.  If I convert to using Linux completely then it must has Windows
> like accessible support.  There are some who claim that I don't know the
> Shell well.  That is true,. and it will stay that way.  In this business,
> you learn what you need when you need it, otherwise you become a nervous
> wreck.  There is too much to know.
> 
> I won't respond to every flame.  I don't have time for that, it it wouldn't
> be constructive.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom and Esther Ward" <tward1978 at earthlink.net>
> To: <Kwatson at smed.yi.org>; "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux."
> <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 11:50 AM
> Subject: Re: linux and accessibility applications
> 
> 
> Hi, Keith.
> I think for most Windows users coming over to Linux it comes down to
> familiarity. You must remember not every computer user is a power user, and
> could care less about having control over every little detail about the
> environment. Further more since the move from dos to Windows the large
> majority of the blind comunity has grown quite fond of check boxes, dialog
> boxes, ok buttons, radio buttons, and the like. Weather members of this list
> or anyone on other blind Linux mailing lists hates the GUI interface it's
> not going to change public opinion in the blind comunity, nor is it going to
> stop the sighted world from continuing to design stuff for graphical
> environments.
> This entire thread was started because lynx and links is far behind in
> javascript technology where graphical browsers like netscape, mozilla,
> opera, etc all have good javascript support.
> Now, if the GUI in linux which you condemned were as accessible as it is in
> MS Windows then the subject of an accessible javascript compatible  browser
> would be mute.
> 
> 
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-- 
	
				Janina Sajka, Director
				Technology Research and Development
				Governmental Relations Group
				American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

Email: janina at afb.net		Phone: (202) 408-8175