I don't think for a minute that the nfb is bigger than Microsoft and as I understand it, acb was envolved too. From what I have heard, they were invited to redmond and asked about the bbest ways to provide access and out of that sprang the path to windows that we all enjoy or not. On Apr 1, 2006, at 12:46 AM, Beth Hatch wrote: 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 _______________________________________________ Speakup mailing list Speakup at braille.uwo.ca http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
