Hi Krister, What do you use for scanning? Readiris? Greetings, Anouk, ----- Original Message ----- From: "Krister Ekstrom" <kris...@kristersplace.com> To: <macvisionaries@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:27 PM Subject: Re: my 2 months with a mac
> > Hi, > I have had my wonderful Imac for longer than two months, in fact it's > a bit over a year now and i tell ya folks, i won't ever go back to > using Windows. I have a virtual machine with Windows xp in it, but i > use it only for when i want to play audio games and do some team talk > and for the few occations when web sites aren't supported because of > Flash. > I'm doing all of my tasks like scanning, reading emails and such on > the Mac now and i like the fact that finally, i have a computer that > works with me, not against me. > /Krister > > 21 okt 2009 kl. 17.41 skrev Donna Goodin: > >> >> 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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