Hi Jim, Yeah, I still use batch files a lot myself. They come in handy for creating build scripts for Java or C++ programs as it saves me loads of typing. When it comes to compilers I'm so completely fed up with the big graphical compilers like Visual Studio because Microsoft as usual seams to be getting less and less accessible with them requiring a complete screen reader upgrade from Window-Eyes 7.2 to Window-Eyes 7.5 just to make the latest Visual Studio remotely accessible, and I'm still having problems with it. That's one big reason I'm going back to using the tried and true commandline compilers like MinGW, Javac, etc because no matter how new they are they are still 100% accessible. Plus it helps that Window-Eyes 7.5 does read the command prompt automatically for me so I don't have to use the WE cursor all the time to read the error reports etc.
As for my desire to switch to Linux that is completely a personal decision on my part. One of the big reasons as I've mentioned before is cost. In order to maintain a Windows computer with the latest software you are looking at a couple grand in upgrades easy. Windows 7 $199, MS Office $525, Window-Eyes SMA $150, Soundforge $225, etc. I look at prices like that and go no way. I'm not doing that any more. I like staying up to date, but not for those prices. I can get equal software for Linux for a lot less financially. The other key reason why I changed operating systems is performance. I really believe Microsoft Windows has gone down hill since XP. First, we had that nightmare Windows Vista which really drug system performance down, crashed a lot, and it took Microsoft two service packs just to get it to run right. Still even with the service packs you need lots of ram and a powerful processor to really run it decently. Now, we have Windows 7 which is basically an updated Windows Vista with a bunch of junk removed, slightly improved system performence, but as with Vista you need a really decent computer with 2 GB of ram and about 3 GHZ processor to run it smoothly. Obviously, the problem here is that anyone with an older computer, say five years old, isn't going to be able to install and run it. Well, the thing is that Linux has never required that much memory and CPU power to run. I believe Ubuntu Linux uses around the same specs as XP. Something like 256 ram and a 500 MHZ processor is the minimum requirements. Definitely a huge improvement over Vista/Win 7. So when I put it on my laptop which has a 3.6 GHZ processor and 2 GB of ram it runs smoother, faster, and basically screams compared to Vista/Windows 7. Apps load faster, I have something like 1.5 GB free ram most of the time, and I can't complain about how well it runs compared to Windows. So that's two of the big reasons why I personally switched. Better performance and costs a lot less money. The other reason is Linux is also more secure than Windows without as many viruses, worms, trojans, etc to worry about. Oh, they exist, but the likelyhood of actually getting one is practically a drop in the bucket compared to Windows which is pretty high. Now, that I'm thinking of it the ability to install Linux using speech output from scratch is pretty nice too. Accessibility is constantly improving on Linux with a built in screen reader, magnifier, and things like that where Windows Narater and Windows Magnifier is a pile of junk. You still can't install Windows 7 with speech where Linux and Mac OS both have talking installs. In my personal opinion Windows is actually starting to fall behind in the accessibility race. Cheers! On 4/15/11, Jim Kitchen <j...@kitchensinc.net> wrote: > Hi Thomas, > > I used dos from like 1980 until 2000. I still use the Windows XP command > prompt all the time. It does not all speak automatically like dos did, but > it all still works great! But I also have the wonderful multitasking of > Windows. You know having probably as many text files or whatever open to > cut, copy, paste etc that one would want. Plus batch files still work. I > use them all the time to change directory to deep directories etc. And > batch files work great to automatically make backups of my work etc. Oh > yeah and do directly listings in the format I wish such as by date, size or > whatever. So even though I moved on from dos to Windows kicking and > screaming I find it all very usable and do not feel the need to also use > other operating systems. > > BFN > > Jim > > That was a ridiculous call! What are you, blind? Leopard commercial 2008 > > j...@kitchensinc.net > http://www.kitchensinc.net > (440) 286-6920 > Chardon Ohio USA > --- > Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org > If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to > gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. > You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at > http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. > All messages are archived and can be searched and read at > http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. > If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, > please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. > --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
