Wow, Nic, you are a determined soul! :) I'm glad that after all you had to go through with the install, the Mac turned out to suit your needs.
You people who have taken so readily to web-browsing on the Mac, fascinate me. I keep playing with it, hoping to come to the same conclusion, but it just doesn't happen. For example, I am currently job-hunting, and the other night, received a job match from a site I am registered with. When Safari loaded the page and auto-read, it read everything just as you would expect. But then, I decided I wanted to take a second look at the preferred qualifications. I couldn't find them to save my soul! I arrowed around, I interacted with stuff, and nothing. So, I booted up my Pc, went into IE, and found what I was looking for in two seconds. And I still have no clue what I should have done to locate that info in Safari. I often feel like because of all the interacting and stuff, that viewing a webpage in Safari is like looking at it through tinted glass or through a veil that only lets you see the outline of what you're looking at. Links of course are no problem, it's the text content that is often very difficult to locate. I highly recommend the iphone, I've found it to be a delightful little toy, um, I mean, device. *grin* Cheers, Donna On Oct 21, 2009, at 11:03 AM, Nicolai Svendsen wrote: > > Hi, > > Definitely quite an interesting story. > > I got my Mac on August 1. It was actually an odd experience. I went to > an Apple store a couple weeks prior to my purchase just to try it out. > I had attempted to use OS X 10.4, Tiger in the past at an institute > for the blind, but I actually didn't like it. I thought it was quite > literally a pile of crap. > > I start listening to podcasts that sighted and blind users have done > for the Macintosh, and figure I'll give it another shot. I finally > decided to purchase a Mac, because I had frankly become extremely > frustrated with Windows and most certainly Vista. XP has always been > my favorite if I do have to use Windows. I'd become tired of how many > things you needed for Windows to work efficiently. Sometimes you had > to worry about corrupted files, leftovers from previously installed > applications, that sort of thing not to mention the registry. The > headache. > > So I decided to take the plunge. > > I read through the entire VoiceOver manual the day before I went back > to the store, and wrote down notes for the things I figured I'd mostly > be using for a while. When I arrived at the store, I went to try it > out again to make sure a Mac would be what I desired. It definitely > was. So much that, in fact, that even though they only had a showroom > floor model at the time, I grabbed it. The cleaned it off thoroughly, > wrapped it up and tossed the DVDs I'd need in the box. I was happy. So > very happy. > > I arrive home, and I'm practically tingling with excitement. I almost > rip the box apart (taking care of the DVDs of course), get out my > shiny Macbook and hook it up. > > Oh no! > > What I did know was that I had to reinstall it, but I didn't care. I > didn't want any of that junk on it they had installed to advertise. So > i went ahead. I rebooted it, held down the C-key when the installation > DVD had been sucked into the Mac and I heard the startup sound. It > displayed the finder and spat out the DVD. Literally. So I decided > that apparently wasn't working for whatever reason. I located the > installer DVD in the finder and open it. Authentication. God dang it! > Behold the password box. I was required to enter a password to > proceed. Of course, the Macbook had not been set to require a password > at login. > > I call them at the store, and ask them for a password. I told them the > C-key solution had not worked to boot from the DVD, and they promptly > complied with my request. They gave me several passwords to enter, and > I did. > > "The name or password you entered is incorrect." > > I went back to the store, and they had a look at it. Most annoying of > all was that finally, the C-key actually seemed to work. I was > installing it when I got home. By this point, I was like a kid on his > birthday. > > I thought I'd share my experience with all of you on the list. Yes, I > am aware it's probably quite long-winded. But what can you do? I do > run Windows as a virtual machine, but only to MUD. I do sometimes find > it kind of annoying having to run two programs just to scan and > recognize the image. That is why I liked Omnipage, and there has to be > a solution out there that does exactly the same. > > As for my web browsing experience, everything is much more smooth and > responsive. I can easily find what I want by using the search feature > in VoiceOver, and ever since Leopard was released the web rotor makes > it even easier, not to mention Auto web spots. So yes, I do use > Windows. Rarely, but I do. And I'm definitely not ashamed to admit it. > But if a MUD client was accessible to VoiceOver, I would not touch it > again. I've found my experience with Mac has not only been productive, > but fun and enjoyable where as with Windows, I wanted to throw the > machine through the window half the time I was using it due to > freezes, driver errors and so-forth. > > Well, I think I'm done now. I want an iPhone, now that you mention it, > but at the same time you don't always need to have the latest and > greatest. And I need to realize that. :P. Yes, I loved the iPhone and > I'm used to the gestures since I use my trackpad quite a lot, but at > the same time, I need a phone for text messaging and phone calls. That > is about it. It'll probably be faster to accomplish those tasks with > the iPhone, I have no doubt about it. Maybe one day I'll even get one. > But when I find a really good reason except for all the apps you can > seemingly install with no issues, perfectly usable, then I won't buy > one. Besides, who wants to pay $99.95 for an iPhone plan in Denmark? > Not me. > > Have a great afternoon, folks. I at least know those living in the > Eastern timezone are approaching lunch time. :) > > Regards, > Nic > Skype: Kvalme > MSN Messenger: nico...@home3.gvdnet.dk > AIM: cincinster > yahoo Messenger: cin368 > Facebook Profile > My Twitter > > On Oct 21, 2009, at 4:17 PM, Donna Goodin wrote: > >> >> Hi all, >> >> I Thought I'd weigh in here, since I got my Mac around the same time >> almost, I'm going on three months now. >> >> I agree with Anouk, and would add that I often find it's easier to >> use my PC for work-related tasks. As I mentioned earlier, I use the >> ap Blackboard, which I have to use Windows for, as Safari isn't >> currently supported.. Since I'm logged into Blackboard most days, >> that >> sort of automatically means I'm using my PC, and the Mac gets >> relegated to after-hours. >> >> I also still strongly prefer web-browsing on my PC. I've had so many >> experiences where on the Mac I simply cannot locate an item that I >> know is on a certain page. This never happens to me on the PC. I >> find >> that when browsing, I can do things in half the time on my PC, and >> sometimes on the Mac, even after spending the extra time, I don't >> find >> what I'm looking for, and end up going back to the PC anyway. >> >> I'm an avid reader, and so do a lot of scanning. I really don't like >> the idea of having to use two separate programs, one for scanning and >> one for the OCR, especially when I have one program on my PC that >> will >> do both jobs quite nicely. This of course isn't an Apple issue, >> but I >> do think that for many of us who are blind, the lack of a good solid >> scanning/ocr option, is a real obstacle in terms of seeing the Mac as >> a PC replacement. >> >> Like Anouk, I've also pretty much decided to keep both a Mac and a >> PC. at least for now, though I confess I'm tempted some days to just >> go back to my PC, in the interest of running just one OS on one >> computer. When I got my Mac, I had hoped not to upgrade to JAWS 11 >> and Windows 7, but it looks like I'll be getting both. I use my PC >> for >> work, for scanning, and for most of my web browsing, which is 90% of >> what I do. I like the Mac a lot. I like that VO is built in, I like >> the speed and responsiveness of the Mac, I like the fact that it >> doesn't take a year to boot or load an ap, and I like working with >> Itunes (I'm still running 8.2.), and I think the Mac seems to be far >> superior in how it works with Media. But the PC is what I go to for >> the things I really need to get done. I think for me, my experience >> with the Mac reflects my experience with the iphone. When I compare >> my iphone with my old Windows Mobile phone, the iphone is much more >> fun! I love the aps, the games, the ability to quickly do things like >> check weather, whereas my WM phone was loaded with all kinds of >> practical stuff for editing documents spreadsheets, powerpoint, and >> so >> on. I don't want to do any of that stuff on my phone, so for me, the >> iphone is by far the better fit. but when it comes to a computer, it >> cuts the other way, and I find myself favoring the PC which seems to >> lend itself more to the day-to-day things I need to get done. >> Best, >> Donna >> On Oct 21, 2009, at 5:05 AM, Nicolai Svendsen wrote: >> >>> >>> Hi again folks, >>> >>> Yes, broadcasts can certainly be done. Nicecast from Rogue Amoeba >>> http://rogueamoeba.com >>> works extremely well. The only issue seems to be the effects scroll >>> area, but I hope they'll be working on that. Otherwise, it works >>> ridiculously well, in fact, and I have nothing to complain about. >>> >>> I'm not exactly sure about your Thumbkey thing. I don't get it. If >>> you >>> can elaborate? Maybe I'm being dense here. :). >>> >>> As for VLC, I've never actually tried it out, and I personally love >>> using Safari for web browsing. For me, everything is much faster. >>> >>> Also, which braille display are you using? >>> >>> Regards, >>> Nic >>> Skype: Kvalme >>> MSN Messenger: nico...@home3.gvdnet.dk >>> AIM: cincinster >>> yahoo Messenger: cin368 >>> Facebook Profile >>> My Twitter >>> >>> On Oct 21, 2009, at 10:22 AM, Tony Bernedal wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> Hi again. >>>> Wow. Echomac, never heard of it but when I google it I found >>>> http://echomac.sourceforge.net/ >>>> I'll try it when I'm back home from work. >>>> Anouk, I had a fire dtv reciever and used it with dvb viewer on >>>> windows and Eye tv have driver for it so I gave it a try but it >>>> doesn't work as I want at the moment. >>>> I have readiris on the disk and I'm going to try it out and see how >>>> it >>>> works with swedish language and so on. >>>> I have heard of some broadcast tools for mac but at the moment I >>>> haven't looked in to it. I don't broadcast at the moment so it >>>> doesn't >>>> have so high priority. I still have my studio pc sitting under the >>>> desk so I can use stationplaylist and all the broadcast stuff if I >>>> want to. >>>> Regards Tony >>>> >>>> 2009/10/21, a radix <anou...@home.nl>: >>>>> >>>>> Hey Tony, Nice to hear from you! (the world is a small place) >>>>> Funny >>>>> we >>>>> started our mac journey at the seem time. I am curious, can you >>>>> broadcast on >>>>> the mac? I guess otsjuke wont work and obiously shoutcast wont >>>>> either. I was >>>>> thinking of running windows with vmware but now I am just thinking >>>>> to ask my >>>>> brother to help me install windows 7 via bootcamp instead. Has >>>>> anyone got >>>>> experience with installing windows via bootcamp as dual boot? Is >>>>> it >>>>> diffucult? I presume the drivers for windows 7 for the macbook pro >>>>> will be >>>>> available from apple? I still want to try vuescan an dreadiris, in >>>>> fact i >>>>> have the programs on my computer bu tI want to wait till hp >>>>> releases the >>>>> drivers for my scanner that are native to sl, also I hope by that >>>>> time abbyy >>>>> will have released a demo of finereader for the mac that is native >>>>> to sl. I >>>>> am just concerned that either adf wont work, scanning iwll be very >>>>> slow or >>>>> dutch character recognition wont be as good as omnipage. >>>>> I am surprised that you also have the thumbkey problem, i thought >>>>> it was >>>>> something stupid on my part, corrupt install whatever. I guess we >>>>> will both >>>>> have to mail apple accessibility about this. >>>>> So, you are using a tv tuner with your mac? This is the next thing >>>>> i want to >>>>> taccle since now I have an analog tv standing on my desk and it is >>>>> taking up >>>>> space that I could use otherwise. I did have digital tv in the >>>>> past >>>>> bu tI >>>>> had a lot of trouble with it and in the end just went back to >>>>> analog. There >>>>> are not that many tuners for the mac I think (analog or otherwise) >>>>> and I >>>>> guess even less that are available in Europe. Which do you use? I >>>>> guess as >>>>> long as I get one with a remote things will be ok (if it indeed >>>>> can >>>>> find the >>>>> channels). >>>>> I too LOVE the sleep features of the mac, i never turn mine off, >>>>> just close >>>>> the lid and thats it. >>>>> Greetings, Anouk, >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>> From: "Tony Bernedal" <t...@bernedal.net> >>>>> To: <macvisionaries@googlegroups.com> >>>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:16 AM >>>>> Subject: Re: my 2 months with a mac >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi Anouk. >>>>>> I have also used my mac for around 3 months now, and like you I >>>>>> still >>>>>> use windows for a couple of things. I trying to get the scanning >>>>>> and >>>>>> ocr to work on the mac but for now windows and omnipage have to >>>>>> do >>>>>> the >>>>>> jobb. I had a license for windows xp lying on the shelf from a no >>>>>> longer working laptop and I installed xp with vmware as a virtual >>>>>> machine and doing my scanning there and it works good but the >>>>>> virtual >>>>>> machine is very slow. I also use windows for Echolink, wich is a >>>>>> ham-radio software wich don't exist on the mac. Also the software >>>>>> to >>>>>> setup and program my hamradio stations is only windows programs. >>>>>> I'm >>>>>> very happy mac user now and after some updates to snow leopard my >>>>>> problems with it is gone. >>>>>> I hope the issue with the thumbkey on your display can be >>>>>> solved. I >>>>>> have same issue with alva satelite. >>>>>> I also have a battle with EyeTV software wich for some odd reason >>>>>> doesn't find my tv channels on the cable network. And it is also >>>>>> very >>>>>> tricky to use with VO. I use VLC for webradio and movies and it >>>>>> works >>>>>> great (vlc version 1.x doesn't work under windows and linux at >>>>>> all >>>>>> with screenreader, only on mac, great!). >>>>>> And I also like the speed, starting my windows pc here at works >>>>>> take >>>>>> forever and the mac is at the desktop in almost 0 time. And, the >>>>>> sleep >>>>>> works well too. >>>>>> So I'm happy with my mac system. >>>>>> Good luck with your mac! >>>>>> Regards Tony >>>>>> >>>>>> 2009/10/21, a radix <anou...@home.nl>: >>>>>>> Hello, I have been using my mac for about 2 months now >>>>>>> especially >>>>>>> at >>>>>>> school >>>>>>> although at home I still often use my pc and I will explain >>>>>>> below >>>>>>> why. In >>>>>>> general my experiences with the mac have been very positive >>>>>>> especially >>>>>>> after >>>>>>> installing snow leopard. I can use skype and msn just as well as >>>>>>> on my >>>>>>> pc. >>>>>>> And after I dumped itunes and started using vlc instead watching >>>>>>> movies >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> listening to music became a breeze. I recently bought apples >>>>>>> office suite >>>>>>> because I prefer that over using textedit or the free text >>>>>>> editors/office >>>>>>> suits that are available. I am also intending to go and use >>>>>>> garage band >>>>>>> in >>>>>>> the future if I can get that working with my yamaha keyboard. I >>>>>>> like the >>>>>>> built-in speakers and sound quality alhtough listening through >>>>>>> its sound >>>>>>> output with my own in ear monitors is nothing special. I still >>>>>>> find using >>>>>>> the internet on the mac a bit mor ework then i did while using >>>>>>> my >>>>>>> pc and >>>>>>> it >>>>>>> goes a bit slower also when reading docucments i notice that I >>>>>>> cannot >>>>>>> endlessly use the right thumb key on my braille display to >>>>>>> continue >>>>>>> reading, >>>>>>> eventually i have to press the right arrow on my normal keyboard >>>>>>> if I >>>>>>> want >>>>>>> to read onm. This does become irritating after a while if you >>>>>>> need to >>>>>>> read >>>>>>> long documents. >>>>>>> At home I still mostly use my windows pc although i now have >>>>>>> gotten mail >>>>>>> working on the mac as well because 1. I use omnipage pro 16 >>>>>>> under >>>>>>> windows >>>>>>> >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> scan my books for school, while I know that there are some >>>>>>> scanning >>>>>>> solutions for the mac that i will probbably try once the hp >>>>>>> drivers for >>>>>>> sl >>>>>>> have been released I just dont know if they will be as good and >>>>>>> easy as >>>>>>> using omnipage pro 16 and am a bit hesistant to try it because >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> that (I >>>>>>> really really hope that a full version of finereader will >>>>>>> eventually be >>>>>>> released for the mac since I have heard it can rival omnipage >>>>>>> pro). >>>>>>> Secondly there is filesharing, i will be brief. Ftp does work on >>>>>>> the mac >>>>>>> with transmit which I rather like although I have not registered >>>>>>> it yet, >>>>>>> questions i asked its support team went unanswered. Usenet also >>>>>>> works but >>>>>>> udner windows I preferred to use other programs which are not >>>>>>> available >>>>>>> on >>>>>>> the mac. >>>>>>> The third point is playing games which I do a lot on the pec >>>>>>> especially >>>>>>> interactive fiction and muds. There is an interpreter for >>>>>>> interactive >>>>>>> fiction called zoom which I tried and although I can open games >>>>>>> with it >>>>>>> saved games were a problem for me since I could not open a saved >>>>>>> game >>>>>>> file >>>>>>> (made in frotz). >>>>>>> For muds the situation on the mac is not so good, I play them >>>>>>> all >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> time >>>>>>> on windows but there is only one mudclient that I know of which >>>>>>> works >>>>>>> under >>>>>>> sl and which is still being developed, jamochamud which works >>>>>>> under java. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> It >>>>>>> is not too accessible at the moment but the programmer has >>>>>>> promised to >>>>>>> look >>>>>>> at it, still it does not offer all the features even then that I >>>>>>> am used >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> on a windows client. >>>>>>> As soon as windows 7 becomes officially available I am planning >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> install >>>>>>> it on my mac (probbably via bootcamp) so that I at least can use >>>>>>> my mac >>>>>>> all >>>>>>> the time even if I need to use windows, hopefully for the >>>>>>> scanning and >>>>>>> downloading tasks I will in the future be able to use the mac >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> I have >>>>>>> hopes for muds as well but for now at least my mac is mostly >>>>>>> used >>>>>>> at >>>>>>> school >>>>>>> and in the library. >>>>>>> Greetings, Anouk, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>>> >>> >>> >>>> >>> >> >> >>> > > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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