Re : Re: Blind vs. mainstream distros

[Linux for blind general discussion]

Hi, Jean-Philippe MENGUAL here.

The problem, I think, is that any kind of install of operating system will no fit most users who just want to consume computing. And the problem is double:
1. Pre-installed Linux computers are rarely new, but often kept from companies and repackaged, and sold low-cost 
2. Such initiaitves are just done by volunteers and when they get tired, the initiative disappears

That is why I think we should have pre-installed Linux computers, new, but to a typical Mac price. It provides a as easy to handle as Windows computers, it enables the shop to live, and it is more sustainable.

But the people illing Linux want free today or low-cost, I think it is a thing we should think of.

regars 


Jean-Philippe MENGUAL

HYPRA, progressons ensemble

Tél.: 01 84 73 06 61

Mail: contact at hypra.fr

Site Web: http://www.hypra.fr

----- Linux for blind general discussion <blinux-list at redhat.com> a écrit :
> As I remember, Windows was always harder to install than Linux, even
> as a sighted user. Granted, I think part of this is that Windows still
> comes pre-installed on most PCs and has had this privilege since at
> least the Win9x days while PCs with Linux pre-installed are still
> fairly rare(hell, even if you plan to install Linux on a new PC,
> unless you're building from scratch, it's often easier to buy
> something with Windows pre-installed and nuke windows than to buy
> something with a blank hard drive), so any Linux distribution with
> aspirations of chipping away at MS's desktop market share needed to
> prioritize ease of installation while Microsoft can rely on even the
> dumbest end-user either buying Windows pre-installed or finding
> someone who can do the installation for them.
> 
> As for activating/deactivating various input/output methods, within
> the limits of practicality, I think activating as many as detected
> hardware allows and letting the user deactivate those they don't need
> is a superior default for a one size fits all installation disc,
> rescue disk, boot loader, or bios than activating the bare minimum and
> requiring users to know things to activate additional IO methods they
> need.
> 
> Which do you think would piss off more users:
> A: An install disc that comes up with text instructions and a text
> menu on screen and nothing but keyboard input and if you can't see the
> screen or lack a monitor, you need to know the right key presses in
> advance to activate other IO methods and you're screwed if limited
> mobility prevents you from using a keyboard.
> 
> b. Text instructions and a text menu come up on screen. The on screen
> text is mirrored to a braille display if available. Speech starts
> reading the instructions. Keyboard, mouse, and voice input is active
> if the appropriate devices are connected. The insturctions include
> the toggle keys and voice commands to enable/disable each IO method
> including an all option that will drop to just keyboard and on-screen
> text. Mnemonics for accessibility features(assuming an English
> default) might include the following toggle keys:
> a: all accessibility features.
> s: speech output
> b: braille
> v: voice input
> 
> Note: the accessibility features mentioned in b are not intended to be
> all inclusive, though I did try to consider disabilities other than
> blindness.
> 
> 
> -- 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Jeffery Wright
> President Emeritus, Nu Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa.
> Former Secretary, Student Government Association, College of the Albemarle.
> 
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