 |
 |
I think you fit the tool to the person - if Firefox/vox or Opera is more appropriate than IE (likely) then case closed - this is why i'd find a comparison table useful. I also think you overplay the difference between proprietary and open source (FLOSS) software - FLOSS is just normal software, it's like saying that AT software wont support Quark or SAGE or any other non Microsoft product (which will have a MUCH lower number of users than a popular product like Firefox but are incredibly important tools for, e.g. Graphic Designers or Accountants). AT software (and, really, I think you are just talking about screen readers here) should work with any software the client chooses to use, and, in fact, generally it does... RE support - companies, under DDA are obliged to make reasonable adjustments. I think supporting the AT software will be much more of an issue than supporting open source software and, as an employer i'd like to save money by deploying open office rather than MS office. Lots of small companies (like the NHS, education, IBM, !!) are starting to see the light with regards to this and, frankly, I think there will be a sea change over the next 10 years [1]. The way for AT products/software to sort this issue out is to develop/comply to standards (e.g. W3C for the internet, XML for content, Windows ActiveAccessibility & UI automation) . Also, just because AT software may be a little short sighted, it doesn't mean that all innovation (open source or not) should be stifled... I happen to think Open Source is a very appropriate vehicle for encouraging innovation (and standards) in this field (and open source doesn't necessarily mean free) and we would be foolish to ignore it. Obviously i am biased [2]. (-; Cheers Simon [1] E.g. Check out Ubuntu if you are bored paying for an operating system for your PC, openoffice if you don't think Office is worth £150... [2] www.oatsoft.org . (-; Clinical Scientist ACT 0121 627 1627 ex 53245 -----Original Message----- From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Neil Hansen Sent: 29 September 2006 09:51 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: FireVox Hi, Just some thoughts that may have some bearing on this & future discussion. In general Commercial companies will not support products like Firefox or Opera beyond a certain point. For example, here is an edited quote from the Freedom Scientific Website: JAWS now supports the Mozilla Firefox Web browser (version 1.5 beta or later)... ...While the majority of this support is in place now, not everything is complete and Freedom Scientific will not be able to provide Technical Support for this program as a result. (full quote here: http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws70fea.asp ) JAWS is the most popular screen reading programme in the world and won't support Firefox (& doesn't even mention Opera in its support documentation). Most companies will test & support their AT software with the most popular products ie MS Office, outlook express, etc. Whilst they're willing to go so far along the line in helping, they will generally draw the line at anything beyond basic support of less popular products (unless they supplied them). The other thing of course is that companies cannot train their support staff on every programme or technology. Whilst many of the companies employ very technically competent people, they just do not generally have the time to look at supporting every single programme. So unless Assistive Technologists are willing to take on the support of less popular programmes for the end-users you may be putting them in a unsupportable position. You may also want to consider the employment prospects of individuals using AT software. If you're an employer (unless it's a techie job) would you employ someone with skills and knowledge of "Open Office" or "MS Office". What is the default setup in your \ most organisations? I'd be surprised if it wasn't primarily Microsoft based. If you're using open source software for all your computing needs (AT or otherwise), it's highly unlikely an IT department would either allow such products into their environment or be happy at the prospect of not having access to support staff. It strikes me that the fragmentation of AT effort on the most popular products whilst laudable in its intention to possibly provide better access in the long term may be akin to the discussion on lists etc from last week, and dilutes effort on resolving present needs. Cf: too many information sources with too many products to know, test, support, train etc. with dilution of Assistive Technologists time & focus in a constrained time in the NHS etc Neil Neil Hansen Technical & Software Development Manager - AAC Possum Controls Ltd - AAC Division 8 Farmbrough Close Stocklake Park Industrial Estate Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 1DQ Tel: 01943 871004 Fax: 01943 870 780 Mob: 07734 551205 This e-mail (which includes any files transmitted with it) may contain information that is sensitive, confidential and/or protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this e-mail and any attachments and notify us immediately. It is not to be relied upon by any person other than the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient of this email you may not use this information for any purpose or disclose it to any other person. This email and any attachments hereto are not intended to create contractual relations or legal obligations binding on the sending organisation and no action may be taken in reliance on this e-mail and any attachments hereto unless the contents are confirmed by letter. The views expressed in this communication may not necessarily be the views held by Possum Controls Limited. -----Original Message----- From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Judge Simon Sent: 29 September 2006 08:35 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: FireVox That's interesting to know... To be honest i'm so addicted to firefox extenstions that i've not strayed from Firefox. I think people on this list have come out as opera fans though (as it were) and I know it is meant to be quite good accessibility wise. In fact, i've not come across an accessibility comparison between browsers... That'd be useful, anyone got a link? Cheers Simon Clinical Scientist ACT 0121 627 1627 ex 53245 -----Original Message----- From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Hobbs Sent: 29 September 2006 02:03 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: FireVox Thanks for your email Simon - I hadn't seen Firefox's reader. Has anyone seen or used the following (Opera)? I've just heard and seen it used on a colleagues PC. http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/ It also has 'voice' - http://www.opera.com/products/desktop/voice/ Dave ;-) >>> Judge Simon <[log in to unmask]> Wednesday, 27 September 2006 >>> >>> Anyone else played with this? Seems excellent - it is a web browser reader for firefox - i.e. it reads web pages. Might do for lots of people who want support reading web pages. http://www.firevox.clcworld.net/ And i've added it to OATS if you want to comment: http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/fire-vox Cheers Simon Clinical Scientist ACT 0121 627 1627 ex 53245 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/458 - Release Date: 27/09/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/458 - Release Date: 27/09/2006