Category: Geeks r Us
Hello all:
I have begun to work with a Jaws trainer through Skype, primarily on Microsoft Office. Noting that I had a Lenovo, the trainer acted as if this was the worst computer for Jaws? Do you think she is just bias in her opinions? I know I do not have the latest core I7 or anything, nor do I have a 500 GB SSD, or 16 GB of ram, but in my opinion, 12 GB is pretty sufficient compared to my other Lenovo which is 6-years-old.
Also, I was told that Jaws required the display to be configured a certain way--I did not think this mattered too much. Another tip she taught me is that the start key plus any of the numbers will open up items quickly like Firefox. Think that is Windows key + 9. Just curious. I mean, it's a brand-new computer, and I don't really want to rush out and buy something.
Thanks.
She is biased. Certain configurations can make working with JAWS easier for some users (such as a computer with a separate numpad and disabling the function shortcut keys), but this isn’t required and isn't specific to a particular brand. Consider a new trainer, or we can point you to online resources where you can train yourself.
I totally agree. She is biased.
While it is true Jaws require screen res to be set a specific way for some programs, the factor settings, or best settings for the screen size usually are best generally.
I suspect she is pointing to the fact changing some settings are not as easy on these machines as others, are different for the brand, but this only requires reading the manual, or getting tech support to tell you.
It is a trainers job to train you to use the program on your system, not rate its quality.
If her opinion doesn't bother you, and you are learning what you require, keep her.
If she keeps suggesting you should have something different, suggest she send you one. Smile.
Also, the quick start settings she showed you are not going to work on any computer you sit at.
These are settings not universal.
Heck my Lenovo works just fine and I haven't ajusted any display settings or anything. Way back 15 or 16 years ago we did ajust the display for JAWS but we haven't needed to do that for years. JAWS should work just fine with any computer brand. In fact I'd say the brand name doesn't matter at all. :) Unles the brand name is Apple!
It only works on an apple machine if you've got windows installed via bootcamp, (which I still have yet to do).
Yes, Wayne and others, I thought so. Really, once she told me all this, she really pissed me off! However, I have sense recovered my whits, and I guess she is teaching me what I need to know. Those shortcut keys, what do you mean they aren't universal? She's teaching me about Word, but instead of using Office 13 commands is teaching 2003 methods, which I thought impossible. Such as Alt +N, then D to insert the date. Or, Control D to adjust font. Control, plus shift, plus F does the same thing, but she said that was the long way of doing it? Huh?? She also said that pressing alt +D sets the defaults for Word. I think this is correct. She taught me how to do footnotes, but I can't remember how to get Jaws to read them. She is sort of satisfying, not sure yet. What was hilarious was we were conducting a Tandem session, and she told me that her computer was out-performing mine? This doesn't matter. She said that certain controls would work differently because tandem was connected, but this has not been my experience. It's like she doubts my skill set. Additionally, she told me this kind of interesting story about how she lost all of her sight, due to brain tumors, but was healed through prayer, so now has her vision?? Hm. Not sure how believable this is. She went on to say that Liberty wasn't a good school, which I already knew, suggesting Galudet in Washington D.C. Hm. What do you guys think?? She has a PH.D. Still. Oh. And, wait a second, I can't remember. She wanted me to go to a training center. I'm like lady, I'm halfway through my degree; why in the world would I want to do this??
Get a new one.
I have a lenovo and love it.
Hi Nathan,
As others have said, there's nothing inherently JAWS-unfriendly about Lenovo.
However, I had to reject a couple of Lenovos when offered them at work
because of various touch-sensitive controls that made them too annoying to
use: One had a row above the function keys that controlled volume, mute, wifi
connectivity etc, the other had a touch-sensitive capslock key of all things.
However, touch controls aren't just a Lenovo thing, I've seen them on HPs and
others. Maybe your trainer came across something like this though and thought
it ruled Lenovos out.
A lot of the Office 2003 shortcut keys will work in versions of Office with the
ribbon, even though the menu system isn't present.
What the hell? hahaha.
Made me laugh. You need to change trainers. She's just talking to you.
My machine is out performing yours?
Why is this important? We are teaching you how to use Jaws?
Why does she even notice this. She's in a join session, so she's connected to your machine, so only gets the performance from it?
She's full of shit, sorry. Lol
The controls are not universal she's teaching you.
Try them on another machine.
I'm not saying all, but the number controls that open say Firefox or Word or something aren't going to work on another machine.
What is that machine doesn't have Firefox?
Right, Wayne. I got rid of her in a hurry. She wanted me to continue using Sound Recorder to record Skype sessions, and I told her the clarity was distorted. Unwilling to adapt, I felt that it was no longer productive to continue a working/training relationship with her. I have sense terminated the training. For $100.00 an hour, it's not worth it. Does anyone know where I can find some Word tutorials with Jaws? Yes, Ed, most machines have those shortcut keys you are talking about. Wayne, if the computer doesn't have Firefox, well then, lol. It won't work. Also, she was showing me how to delete stuff from the taskbar. How many of you even use this on a daily basis? Not me. Anyway...
Even if the computerhas Firefox but it is in a different order on the taskbar as yours Windows key +9 will not open it. Example I have the same program on 2 of my computers on comp #1 the windows key +2 will open it and on the other computer Windows key +5 will open it.
why did she deter you from using the taskbar? If you ever move to windows 10 do to specific applications that are not able to be added to your desktop, the taskbar will work quite well.
Dan mathis
I use my taskbar period. I have the things I most use there not on the desktop.
On the desktop I keep things I use sometimes.
If I'm doing one thing and want to open say word to type a note or something I go to the taskbar.
Now I can shift back and forth between maybe a web page I want to post on, and the word doc.
Sure it opens there after it is open, but I just like something there.
The trainer shouldn't say were to keep things or not, just show you options.
I also keep stuff on the start, but never really use that.
On Freedoms web site they have training stuff. In the Jaws program itself, you have training stuff too.
At 100 an hour, I'd have wanted you to stick with me though even if the stuff I was teaching you was available to you right under your fingertips. Lol
As for using number to open things, again, that is programmed.
You can set it up like you want if you aren't using the function keys or if you have a key on the computer for selecting this.
I'm not thinking so can't remember that keys name. All computer don't have one.
Ever since I have been using Windows (Jaws exposure kept to a minimum), I've never felt the need to utilize the taskbar. My previous trainer wasn't deterring me from using it, I just don't understand how it differs in functionality than the Windows desktop? How do you add and remove shortcuts from it?
Thanks for any assistance in advance.
THX,
Nathan.
It really isn't much different than the desktop. Task bar will show the current running programs as well as the programs that you pin to it as the desktop only shows programs that you put on itno matter if they are running or not. To pin a program to the task bar you just go to the program and either right click on it or press the application key and then choose pin to task bar. To remove it from the task bar go to it on the task bar and do the same thing you'll see unpin from tsk bar. Tip I only pin 3 or 4 programs to the task bar my most used programs.
I like it for that reason. I can get to my running programs faster. The desktop doesn't show me what's running, only what is available to run, or shortcuts to what I've put on it.
Example. I am now here. I have Skype, email, a web browser, and sometimes two running.
I might also have music playing and wish to change tracks, or replay one that past.
I may be working on something, but following the conversation here.
The phone rings, so I can answer it via Skype.
I open word when I post a review or something, so that spelling and such can be correct.
These are on my taskbar.
That is what the title means, things, or task you are using.
I do this often, or I'd say 98% of the time I'm sitting at my computer.
I can work, play, shop, all from the taskbar.
Ah. Will have to explore this further. Thanks for the help.