Getting started with Linux

Rob Harris robh at apearl.net
Thu Apr 9 13:32:59 UTC 2009


I tried this a couple of times. ok so far though given it nothing like
enough test run.  ` like to just install it, but not got that far either.
But yes, a good  start for out-of-the-box speech and magnification.

RobH.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jude DaShiell" <jdashiel at shellworld.net>
To: "Linux for blind general discussion" <blinux-list at redhat.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: Getting started with Linux


The vinux project may be worth checking out for those who'd like to use
ubuntu with fewer fights especially connected to taking and getting root
control over systems with orca.  http://vinux.co.uk/ if memory serves
should get you in the neighborhood.



On Sat, 25 Oct 2008, krishnakant Mane wrote:

> hi
>
> On 25/10/2008, Stephen Clower <steve at steve-audio.net> wrote:
>> krishnakant Mane wrote:
>>> I use only ubuntu for my daily work and I am a busy IT consultent so I
>>> can't sacrify work at the cost of non functional free software.
>>> So the point is that since ubuntu 8.04 in particular I find no reason
>>> i should tell people to still use windows.  I find no reason why
>>> people should not migrate to the world of technology freedom with
>>> linux.
>>
>>
>>
>> While a commendable goal, the graphical Linux desktop still has a ways
>> to go before I am comfortable enough to switch to it on a full-time
>> basis. Radical software mind-sets aside, I have found Window-Eyes on top
>> of a nicely tuned XP system to be considerably more responsive than
>> Gnome and Orca. I'll admit that sound card/speech synthesizer
>> preferences would likely need adjusting, but the basic computer user
>> should not have to tweak these settings just to have responsive speech.
>>
> I exactly had an opposit experience.  I used both jaws and window-eyes
> and was always in a state of discomfort with them and never liked the
> way windows works.  I used windows and related screen readers only
> till the point that there were no alternatives.  But in contrary to
> your personal experience I and many others have really got a lot out
> of orca and ubuntu.
> In fact I find myself much more productive once orca has reached to
> the level where it is since last few months.
> I find word processing beyond my expectation (I use latex and convert
> it to rtf and pdf ).  spreadsheets work perfectly with orca on ubuntu
> 8.04.1 and firefox itself provides a lot of accessibility.  cd burning
> and other tasks are a snap and other such tasks like file or folder
> copy is also heavenly easy.  for example I get the copy speed,
> estimated time and progress percentage all in gnome and orca like i
> would get in windows.
> I use vlc with orca pritty well for movies and music.  I can create
> pdf files from open office word processor in 2 or 3 easy steps.
> programming is shear bliss.
>
>
> and may be slightly off topic but let us put accessibility on the side
> track, I don't like the way windows works and the methods in which
> tasks are performed.  copying half way and then telling "disk is full
> " is one such bad thing in windows.  And I hait viruses and don't want
> to be stuck in the mids of a conference with a windows crash which can
> happen any time without prediction.
> So all in all windows = less productivity and uncertainty and linux
> with gnome = better accessibility and consistency provided we start
> getting used to it.
> happy hacking.
> Krishnakant.
>> Additionally, we have access to the more common tools, E.G. web browser,
>> word processor, E-mail, and so on with both platforms; although I have
>> yet to find a commercial-grade multitracking editor that supports ASIO,
>> VST effects, and is accessible inside GNOME. Until this last fact
>> changes, switching to Gnome full-time would limit me a great deal in
>> terms of how I want to use my computer for both work and leisure.
>>
>> I am not a slave to my operating system or assistive tech, and neither
>> will I deny the obvious fact that Linux accessibility is superior in
>> many respects to that of Windows. Gnome and orca have really come a long
>> way over the past few years, and I sincerely hope work will continue to
>> improve application accessibility where possible. For now, I love the
>> philosophy behind GNU/Linux, but the presently accessible applications
>> (or lack thereof) in the graphical environment leave me no choice but to
>> stick with Windows for most of my work. I am very glad that we have
>> compelling choices on all major platforms, and competition between them
>> all can only benefit everybody involved. Perhaps one day in the not so
>> distant future, even I may have what I need to switch to Linux
>> permanently; with open-source software, anything is possible.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Steve
>>
>>
>>
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