Category: Geeks r Us
how possible and accesible is this?
i'm thinking of getting a new computer soon, and got suggested to switch to mac.
so, thaughts?
The only way in which you can run Jaws on a Mac is if you install a Windows operating system on the Mac itself and then choose which mode to run in when you start it up. I am 99.9% sure Jaws cannot work through any Windows simulation type software due to its very Windows specific design, hooking into display driver chain etc.
You'd have to get a copy of Windows, be it Vista or XP, and install it. You might be able to find dual boot PCs or laptops out there though with Windows already installed but I have not seen any actually.
The choice is all about what suits your needs and budget.
If a lot of the tasks you do with the computer have to do with, say, Office or programming (visual basic or visual studio) or any other Windows specific application, you're better of with a PC because you will be using the same applications as the teachers/co workers etc. Office support for Macs are improving fast I've heard and probably by the next version of Office or the O.S. you may see generally good support on the Mac (mr Willy the Woof can back me up or prove me wrong here).
Also, if you already have a Jaws license going with a Windows PC is significantly cheaper. I saw a Samsung laptop with better specs than the MacBook for $400 less than Apple's resale price, Windows PCs I've seen down to $499 for very impressive specs. But PCs have their pitfalls, you cannot get a 64 bit operating system because Jaws doesn't work on it (only System Access has come up with a trial version that runs on 64 bit Windows I believe).
Macs hve a lot of almost cult like following nd a cool factor. That's cool for some, I don't see why yet, but if Ihave the money and the chance I might check it out one day, certainly. Apple is doing a great thing by incorporating access for all right into their O.S. and I definitely give them huge credit for that.
Cheers
-B
Wildebrew:
I'll add some info to your post, as follows, OpenOffice 3.0 has been released for the mac. It is Voice Over friendly, mostly. I'll explain, Writer, word like program works well, Calc, Excel like program works similarily, but some of the stats math functions aren't there.
Base, similar to Access isn't really accessible, haven't tried Impress, similar to PowerPoint.
thanks for the information, very useful
In the Mac OS, Voiceover has become a very viable option. I wouldn't rule it out at all, nor would I listen to anyone who has never tried it, and has simply read what the PC-biasedA-T market says.
from what i've seen so far, voice over is quite good for a built in screen reader. granted i haven't had much time with it, but hope to have more before this class is over.
just because I'm lazy, can someone describe how to activate and deactivate voice over, I'd like to confescate my friend's mac and try it out.
I have been using a Mac for some time. VoiceOver is extremely powerful and is a great screen reader, especially considering the cost. For any Mac that is running OS 10.5 Lepoard, press Command F5 to launch VoiceOver. While VoiceOver is running, pressing Control Option Command f8 will launch a getting started tutorial that will walk you through some of the basic features of VoiceOver. Command f5 is also used to exit VoiceOver.
Hope this helps.
Brew! fantastic post and all good. As far as office as was pointed out open ofice has some accessibility and is free but needs a bit of work. It is worth the look however. I also agree that next year we should see either accessible versions of the apple office apps or, hmm, will they really do it? M-S-Offfice? I think Apple will do itfirst. As I tell people, think of what yo u need to do and then go play with a mac at your local apple store. Get the document "using mac applications with voiceover the leopard addition" from www.icanworkthisthing.com and you will be able to learn to use a mac by reading this document. Don't know about jaws and drivers. People have been using VMware fusion succesfully to run windows on Mac but I don't know how well Jaws works in that environment. I do kno there were problems with parellels desktop and Jaws.
Good afternoon,
I"m currently using a MacBook Pro running OSX10.5.
Needless the system is so much more stable than a windows machine.
JAWS works great under VMWare Fusion once you remap a few keys since the mac does not have specific insert and page up and page down keys.
The nice thing about running Fusion on a mac is the ability to carry more than one Opperating system with you so it's almost like carrying around your own computer lab.
Believe it or not, my windows instals tend to be more stable running on mac hardware over that of standard pc hardware.
Hay.
I thought i'd come in here with my opinion on what can be quite a heated issue.
Firstly, as others have said, you will have to run windows xp on your apple if you plan to use jfw; but you are still able to use the apple os (leopard) if you so wish. Apple people will tell you that there are no viruses for apples which whilst true is quite erelevent due to you running windows on it; so thats one advantage that they can't really use, assuming that you use windows of course.
The apple expearience is over all a nice one. I installed leopard on my mac when I first got it and I was worried that I would have to get my mum or someone to look at the interface and then teach me how to use it, but you learn all that in the first 5 minutes or so - i'm not joking, it was a really plesant expearience.
I would say that over all, leopard is on par with xp. Its a good os yes, but I really fail to see any features that make it stand out from xp. the one exception to this is voice over, apples built in screen reader. If we work on the assumption that you'll buy the cheapist mac that there is or the cheapist pc that there is, if your blind, its actually cheaper to buy a mac, despite you getting completely ripped off as far as hardware goes; this is due to the inclusion of vo in there os at no extra cost. Voice over is quite a nice screenreader - its quite easy to learn, but the one disadvantage is that its the only screenreader for macs and its made by a company that does not focus on it. For example, if a user finds that a application does not work using jfw, on a pc, they are able to switch to hal and probably enjoy a better expearience with said application - you can't do that on a mac.
Pc proes:
Hardware is very cheap.
Wide range of companies to choose from which fosters compotition.
If any hardware breaks on my pc's, I can go up stairs and I can be quite sure that with in 20 / 30 minutes I will have a fully working pc again.
You can spend £300 / £350 on a dell, get a good spec and a 19 inche screen with it. Spend £400 on the cheapist mac and you get a low spec base unit with nothing else which is a terror to upgrade; so hardware wise you get more for your money with a pc.
Most companies have good woranties, in actual fact, dell include a next day replacement woranty with most of there systems for no extra chardge.
Xp is a very stable os - I don't kno what on earth everyones going on about when they say there xp crashes - i've got it installed on systems that are 8 years old and its fine. Admitidly xp can still be run on a mac.
Pc cons:
Over all more expencive assuming that you'll be using a windows os plus a screenreader like jfw.
No guaranty as to the quolity of components.
Apple hardware feels sexy, really sexy.
Mac proes:
Attractive hardware.
Basic functions are a pleasure to learn.
Screenreader is included with the os.
Hardware is usually good quolity.
Mac cons:
Very expencive for what you get. They have been known to charge more purely on looks - ie: a black macbook cost £50 more than the technically identical white one.
Most systems are a pain if not impossible to upgrade - its quite unlightly your computer tech is going to be able to replace your dead logic board or your fried psu in your mac mini.
I stand to be corrected on this one, but as far as I kno apple care is not included by default?
Can be disheartening if you find that an application isn't as accessable as you hoped - this is why i'm thinking of selling my mac.
There are more but if you want to talk about this indepth then i'll be happy.
The questions you have to ask your self are:
Cost: do you like value for money? Is money going to be a problem?
Exactly what do you think you'll be able to do better on a mac or a pc? - ie: what don't you like about your pc that you kno your mac won't do?
I'm open to debait any of the above with who ever wants to.
Hth.
BEN.
Okay! I need to find someone using fusion. I have windows running bootcamp and installed fusion. my windows partician is seen by fusion and I can start windows but there is no sound. Also, I am not able to install the vmware tools. anyone got some thoughts here? Thanks.
One thing that I found out today is that if you have purchased the cheapist of apples - the mac mini, you will be unable to play dvd's unless a monitor is connected. Whilst this does only have implications for blind people and won't effect the majoritty of apples customers, I do find it rather annoying that after having purchased a system, I will find that I will have to purchase a monitor or fool it into thinking I have before I can play dvd's.
the ventrilo edit dialogs for server and user didn't like having no display either.