Darragh, this time I think you're wrong. Of course the developers of the Icon want to make money. They couldn't survive as a business if they didn't. But the developer of this product is one of us. He developed the device he wants to use himself. Ya'all will get to decide whether his needs sufficiently resemble other blind persons needs so that the business can succeed, of course. So, it's not quite "good ness of heart," as you postulate the alternatives, but something far strong--namely self-interest. Darragh writes: > 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 -- Janina Sajka Phone: +1.240.715.1272 Partner, Capital Accessibility LLC http://www.CapitalAccessibility.Com Marketing the Owasys 22C talking screenless cell phone in the U.S. and Canada--Go to http://www.ScreenlessPhone.Com to learn more. Chair, Accessibility Workgroup Free Standards Group (FSG) janina at freestandards.org http://a11y.org
