Hi Travis, As I recall, the issue was not wanting to depend *Souly* on Microsoft to provide a screen reader, it wasn't the NFB wanting to give money to vendors. This discussion was going along fine until we had to get politics into it.<smile> Beth -----Original Message----- From: speakup-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:speakup-bounces at braille.uwo.ca] On Behalf Of Travis Siegel Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 8:07 PM To: Speakup is a screen review system for Linux. Subject: Re: New Linux PDA For Blind People Actually, Microsoft *tried* to include a screen reader with their operating system. But, after the nfb got done raking them over the coals claiming it would bankrupt all the 3rd-party developers of screen readers, ms toned it down, and it became ... narrator. So, if you want to blame someone for ms not having a built-in screen reader like OSX does, Call your local NFB office, and ask them. On Mar 31, 2006, at 6:15 PM, Darragh wrote: > Hello all, > > Lets not be unrealistic here. The developers of this machine are out > to make money. Their not out to help all us por unfortunate blind > people. > We don't > live in an ideal world, People don't ordinarily write accessible > software out of the goodness of their heart and Microsoft won't start > shipping screen readers with their operating systems. > > My point is: Lets stop debating amunxt our selves. Stop complaining > that we have to pay higher prices for accessible hardware and > software. > Lets face > it, most of us would charge the same if not more if given the chance > and why not! A lot of development and research go into these things. > > I've read some really thought out messages regarding this topic in the > last few days. I'd say one thing to the authors of these rants: "Do > you not think your energy would be better spent attacking software > developers such as adobe and Microsoft rather than writing pointless > arguments on a list where lets face it, most people hate paying for > windows software never mind access software to read it! > > That's my minor rant over for the night. > > Darragh > > -----Original Message----- > From: speakup-bounces at braille.uwo.ca [mailto:speakup- > bounces at braille.uwo.ca] On Behalf Of Janina Sajka > Sent: 01 April 2006 01:08 > To: Speakup is a screen review system for Linux. > Subject: Re: New Linux PDA For Blind People > > ace writes: >> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- >> Hash: SHA1 >> >> What is actually included on the hand-held part of the unit? > > Most important, the hard drive is in the hand held. Also, the radios > will be in there, though initially only WiFi. > > As for software, everything is in there too. But, you probably don't > want to write very much email--or your Ph.D. thesis using only the > 12-key. > > I should say that I'm writing the manual. Here's an excerpt from the > current Table Of Contents: > > > Doing Things: The Icon's Applications > The Bookshelf: Integrated DAISY and BookShare Browser The News Stand: > Magazines and Newspapers -- Your Daily Diet Of News > The Jukebox: A HiFi Stereo Music Player In The Palm Of Your Hand > Planner: Addressbook, Calendar, Appointments, And Automated Reminders > Taking Notes: One Touch Audio Recording or Text Notes--You Choose > Word Processor > E-Mail > Web Browser > Podcast Player: The Latest Thing Made Easy Tracking Your Money: The > Icon's Financial Tools The Calculator: > > > > _______________________________________________ > Speakup mailing list > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup > > > _______________________________________________ > Speakup mailing list > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup > > _______________________________________________ Speakup mailing list Speakup at braille.uwo.ca http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
