linux and accessibility applications

[Gene Collins]

Hi all.  Regarding the gui versus shell interface discussion, I'll just
say that it's not an either or proposition.  Some of the decission
about which interface to use is personal choice, and some of it is based
on what tool fits the task you are trying to accomplish.  But sadly,
some decissions get made because of fear and lack of knowledge.  There
really are folks out there who are afraid to learn something new.  They
use the excuse of everyone else is using something different, or I just
don't have the time, as an excuse for not taking on the task of learning
a new computing interface.  And those are the folks who will be left
behind.  If you need to use a computer to accomplish a task, then you
should know as much about the computer as possible.  If you have to use
a different interface to access that computer, then you should learn
about it, and not make excuses.  There is no substitute for knowledge, and
there is no substitute for a willingness to learn.

Someone here used the example of reading multiple files under Windows as
being easier to accomplish than under a shell.  It isn't necessarily so,
but beecause the person who used the example seems not to have a grasp
of how wild card characters work, or about the shell select statement,
he perceives the Windows interface as being easier.  A good craftsman
always uses the right tool for the job, and that means that he is fully
aware of all the tools at his command.

Incidentally, it is not just blind people who use the text console shell
interface.  There are lots of sighted folks who use and love the shell
interface too.  It's time for blind folks to think and do for
themselves, instead of being held hostage to the fears and
misconceptions that Microsoft has pawned off on us.  If the gui
interface works for what you need to do, or if that's what you really
prefere to use, go for it.  On the other hand, if the text console shell
interface gets the job done, then use that.  but learn both, and make
your decission from a strong knowledge base, rather than from
misconceptions, fear  and lack of knowledge.

Gene