Re: Re : Re: Blind vs. mainstream distros

Thu Apr 27 17:24:25 UTC 2017

There's a company called System76 that appears to sell computers with 
Ubuntu already installed.  I think the URL is

https://system76.com

though I just used

www.system76.com

You should also be able to find at least laptops via the Free Software 
Foundation site, and on these both the hardware and the installed system 
will meet FSF's requirements for freedom.  I didn't find it easily at 
first, but using "laptop" in the search field gave me results.

Hope this is useful.

Al

On 04/27/2017 11:03 AM, Linux for blind general discussion wrote:
> 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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>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
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>
>
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