That's a good thought. I have not heard of one around me, but then I have never thought to look either.
On 1/4/12, Mr. L. Alexander <turningbyto...@gmail.com> wrote: > do you not have a freecycle group in the USA? if so, register and place a > free ad asking for a monitor to help you. you'd be surprised what kind of > results you would get. > > lew > > On 4 Jan 2012, at 17:25, Alex Hall wrote: > >> Well, vo is the only screen reader that has failed to keep up with my >> typing, and it is just as slow speaking letters as it is moving around >> a webpage or arrowing around mail. Yes, a monitor would likely help, >> but I don't have $120 to spend on a monitor when I already spent $600 >> on the Mini itself just to get a screen reader to speed up. If the >> adapter that aame with my Mini would connect to the dvi to vga adapter >> I have, and so would work with the older vga monitor I am trying to >> use, I may have a different experience, but I doubt it will help the >> speed of speech as it reacts to my typing or tabbing. Looking back, an >> Air would have been a much better choice, but I didn't realize that >> until after the return period was up, plus I didn't have the extra >> $400. >> >> On 1/4/12, Ricardo Walker <rwalker...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> Hi, >>> >>> I fail to see how voiceover not keeping up with the speed of your typing >>> indicates voiceover making your Mac sluggish. After all, the letters are >>> coming out just as fast as your pressing them. Its the speech thats >>> lagging >>> behind. This is no different than on windows when you open an >>> application, >>> and the app is on the screen for 2 or 3 seconds before Jaws says a peep. >>> Saying the screen reader slows down the screen reader, which is kinda >>> what >>> you said, is a pretty circular argument, no? What I was referring to was >>> the screen reader draining so much of the computers resources, that >>> performing tasks liking opening applications, playing media, etc becomes >>> effected. >>> >>> Ricardo Walker >>> rwalker...@gmail.com >>> Twitter & Skype: rwalker296 >>> www.mobileaccess.org >>> >>> On Jan 4, 2012, at 10:05 AM, Alex Hall wrote: >>> >>>> Yes, I should have specified, and I apologize to the list for any >>>> confusion. From past discussions, though, I gathered that a monitor >>>> *may* fix *some* applications being sluggish, such as mail, but not >>>> the overall slowdowns I see when doing anything at all. For instance, >>>> I have key echo off because vo is too slow to echo the characters I >>>> type as I type them, yet jaws or nvda can do this just fine. For that >>>> reason, I also disagree that screen readers in general slow down a >>>> machine. So far, the mac is the only machine I have seen where using a >>>> screen reader causes lag in even tabbing or arrowing. >>>> >>>> On 1/4/12, Ricardo Walker <rwalker...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> Hi, >>>>> >>>>> all screen readers, on any machine slows things down. Its just the >>>>> nature >>>>> of the beast. As far as your mini goes, the lack of a monitor is >>>>> definitely >>>>> the cause of most of your sorrows. If you hooked up a monitor, I think >>>>> you >>>>> would get much better performance. If you don't want a monitor, a >>>>> macbook >>>>> air might have been a better fit for you than a mini. Its just a fact >>>>> of >>>>> life for the Mac Mini and voiceover users at this time. You need to >>>>> have >>>>> a >>>>> monitor hooked up to have a stable experience. This has been the case >>>>> for >>>>> years now, and I don't see Apple doing anything about it anytime soon. >>>>> I >>>>> do >>>>> think when you shared your experiences with your Mac earlier in the >>>>> thread >>>>> you should have specified you were using a Mac mini with no monitor. I >>>>> think not doing so was a little miss leading. >>>>> >>>>> JMO. >>>>> >>>>> Ricardo Walker >>>>> rwalker...@gmail.com >>>>> Twitter & Skype: rwalker296 >>>>> www.mobileaccess.org >>>>> >>>>> On Jan 3, 2012, at 11:36 PM, Alex Hall wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I find it interesting that you specify that Macs are faster when a >>>>>> screen reader is not involved. Do you mean that you find vo slows >>>>>> things down, or just that screen readers make for inaccurate >>>>>> comparisons? I always figured the extreme sluggishness of my mini was >>>>>> due to its lack of a monitor... >>>>>> >>>>>> On 1/3/12, Ricardo Walker <rwalker...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>> lol, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I think your sighted friend is on drugs. :). I find the Mac to be >>>>>>> just >>>>>>> as >>>>>>> fas and more often than not faster when doing tasks than windows when >>>>>>> a >>>>>>> screen reader is not involved. Man, You know how long it takes >>>>>>> iTunes >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> open on windows sometimes? smh. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Ricardo Walker >>>>>>> rwalker...@gmail.com >>>>>>> Twitter & Skype: rwalker296 >>>>>>> www.mobileaccess.org >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Jan 3, 2012, at 8:44 PM, Chuck wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Thanks for the information. I do plan to use my PC and the Mac Mini >>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>> parallel until I get used to the Mac. I am familiar with voice over >>>>>>>> and zoom on the iPhone and iPad and I'm hoping that they translate >>>>>>>> as >>>>>>>> well to the Mac Mini. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I have a sighted friend who also says that the Mac is a little more >>>>>>>> sluggish than the PC. I don't do any gaming, 90% of my computer uses >>>>>>>> buying online, word processing, and web development >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> But having dealt with Zoom text for the last 15 years, I am totally >>>>>>>> frustrated with the program. I have to reboot it about five times >>>>>>>> every day in order to get the text smooting to work. And it no >>>>>>>> longer >>>>>>>> works with Internet Explorer nine. I'm sure that when they do >>>>>>>> finally >>>>>>>> fix it, they'll want another $150 for the update. >>>>>>>> Chuck >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jan 3, 6:22 pm, "Missy Hoppe" <melis...@fuse.net> wrote: >>>>>>>>> Very well said. I've had my mac since may, and although I've >>>>>>>>> recently >>>>>>>>> become far more fond of Itunes than my bank account is >>>>>>>>> comfortable with, I just don't use it for daily tasks. I just can't >>>>>>>>> get >>>>>>>>> comfortable with any of the word processing options, >>>>>>>>> and since I've been using a PC for close to 25 years, I'm always >>>>>>>>> going >>>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>>> be more comfortable on a windows platform. One of >>>>>>>>> my favorite activities, especially while I'm unemployed, is playing >>>>>>>>> games, and while I'm thrilled that the RS games client >>>>>>>>> works on the mac, there aren't any other options. I'm still hoping >>>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>>> truly accessible mud client; if atlantis is >>>>>>>>> accessible, I sure haven't figured out how to make it speak >>>>>>>>> automatically. >>>>>>>>> My other major task is writing/editing a story I've been working on >>>>>>>>> for >>>>>>>>> several years now. I just can't get comfortable >>>>>>>>> working on my files using the mac, so just keep using good old >>>>>>>>> wordpad >>>>>>>>> on >>>>>>>>> the PC. >>>>>>>>> Since it cost me so much money, I have chosen to use the mac for >>>>>>>>> things >>>>>>>>> that either don't work or I don't want to mess with >>>>>>>>> on my PC: adium, skype, itunes, and a couple of other similar >>>>>>>>> things >>>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>>> I can't remember at the moment. I figure that the >>>>>>>>> mac is a lot easier to fix if something goes wrong, and that's >>>>>>>>> definitely >>>>>>>>> something I'll give Apple credit for; you can >>>>>>>>> install the operating system without any sighted assistance, and >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> carbon copy cloner and time machine, it's easy to >>>>>>>>> restore your machine on the off chance that something catastrophic >>>>>>>>> happens. Another thing that I really love about the mac is >>>>>>>>> Growl. It essensially reads things that happen in the system tray: >>>>>>>>> changes in dropbox files for example. That's 1 thing my PC >>>>>>>>> can't do, or if it can, I don't know how to set it up, so the mac >>>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>>> really awesome in that respect. >>>>>>>>> With all that being said, however, while I certainly like my mac a >>>>>>>>> lot >>>>>>>>> more than I did when I first bought it, to be >>>>>>>>> perfectly honest, there's still a rather big part of me that >>>>>>>>> regrets >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> purchase. I eventually hope to get bootcamp and/or >>>>>>>>> VM fusion up and running, but so far, that just hasn't happened. >>>>>>>>> I hope this makes at least a little sense and that it helps you in >>>>>>>>> your >>>>>>>>> decision. Sadly, I can't comment on the large print >>>>>>>>> side of things, but I've become moderately comfortable with using >>>>>>>>> Voiceover. Good luck in whatever decision you make, and I >>>>>>>>> hope this helps you out at least a little. >>>>>>>>> Missy >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>>>>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Alex Hall >>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 8:01 PM >>>>>>>>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Switching to a Mac from PC >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I got a Mini after hearing nothing but great things about the Mac >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> VoiceOver. I can honestly say that I regret the >>>>>>>>> decision. I never understood editing, my system seemed sluggish >>>>>>>>> compared >>>>>>>>> to NVDA with Windows, and web browsing is slow on >>>>>>>>> the Mac when using vo. Also, a lot of what I do on the pc is audio >>>>>>>>> gaming, and not so much as a good, accessible version of >>>>>>>>> Solitaire is available on the Mac, let alone shooting, strategy, or >>>>>>>>> other >>>>>>>>> intensively audio games. >>>>>>>>> I am still willing to admit that a good, long skype session with >>>>>>>>> someone >>>>>>>>> who is an experienced Mac user may help me, but as >>>>>>>>> of right now I almost never boot into Mac, using the Windows half >>>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>>> my >>>>>>>>> dual-booting mini almost exclusively. If you do >>>>>>>>> switch, make sure to either set up bootcamp or a virtual machine so >>>>>>>>> you >>>>>>>>> can run Windows, because I can pretty much promise >>>>>>>>> that you will still be using Windows for a while after you start >>>>>>>>> playing >>>>>>>>> with the mac. Sorry to be so negative, but that's my >>>>>>>>> experience so far. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On 1/3/12, Red.Falcon <velocity.focu...@virginmedia.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> Hi Chuck! >>>>>>>>>> Although I do not use windows and never have! >>>>>>>>>> I have seen posts about the zoom and one thing the Mac cannot do >>>>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>>>> change colours! >>>>>>>>>> So its black on white or vice vursor! >>>>>>>>>> hth Colin >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On 4 Jan 2012, at 00:05, Chuck wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hello everyone, >>>>>>>>>>> I'm seriously considering switching to a Mac Mini from PC. >>>>>>>>>>> I intend to use both the zoom and voice over programs. >>>>>>>>>>> I am currently using a PC with Windows 7 and zoom text as my >>>>>>>>>>> magnification and reading software. >>>>>>>>>>> I would like to hear from those of you who have made the switch. >>>>>>>>>>> What pitfalls should I look for? Are there any trade-offs? >>>>>>>>>>> In your opinion after making the switch which is the better >>>>>>>>>>> system? >>>>>>>>>>> Why? >>>>>>>>>>> Thanks. >>>>>>>>>>> Chuck >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>>> Google >>>>>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> Have a great day, >>>>>>>>> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >>>>>>>>> mehg...@gmail.com;http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group >>>>>>>>> athttp://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>>>>>> macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Have a great day, >>>>>> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >>>>>> mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups >>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Have a great day, >>>> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >>>> mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Have a great day, >> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >> mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > Mr. L. Alexander. > Free Macs For The Blind. > E-Mail: freemacsfortheb...@mac-access.net > Direct line: 07936 877500 > Twitter: @macsfortheblind > > Free Macs For The blind is a charity project supplying older but working > apple macs for blind and visually impaired people throughout the UK FOR > FREE! > > Do you have an old unwanted mac, any hardware, software, old PC's, etc or a > copy of outspoken 9.2 you would be willing to donate? please get in touch. > > Mac Access Dot Net; The British Mac Accessibility Network, we're here to > help anybody disabled with anything Apple! > http://www.mac-access.net > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- Have a great day, Alex (msg sent from GMail website) mehg...@gmail.com; http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
