there is a correct answer but we do not live in that perfect world.
the unfortunate fact is that the gui is here and growing and we must
grow with it.  Anyone who is new at pcs needs to know this and settle
in and ride the curve.  I did not say that the best thing to do is to
go with the gui because of my ability.  The reasons I stated are that
it is a better overall fit than a text based browser which will more
and more be locked out of web sites.  As anne pointed out, we need
text.  fortunately, this is one thing that the gui browser can handle
quite well for us.  I use jaws for windows.  In the past, I used
netscape because it was a logical approach to my web surfing.  when we
lived in the time before windows, I used lynx and still use lynx in
windows and some times through telnet but our gateways to the real
text world are fast closing.  I've worked with many people and find
that if one is not wedded to dos as I was before the gui, it is easier
for them to learn the gui than it was for me to learn dos.  In other
words, there are blind people just as there are sighted people who are
using computers today who mightn't be were it not for the gui.
Implausable as this may seem, I know people who have said in the past
that they could never learn all those commands but took to the gui
like ducks take to watter.  For those who are curious and who can
learn it, I help them with dos and the intricacies of the building
blocks of what windows really is or what it looks like from the back
side.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ann Parsons" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: February 07, 2001 5:04 PM
Subject: Graphics-based browsers vs. text-based browsers with screen
reade rs, II


Hi again,

Sarah, in considering this question, one must also look at the
computer user.  Unfortunately, one size does not fit all.  David says
that the best thing is to stay with a graphical browser.  This may be
true for him.  He is a competent windows user.  He is an expert.  Not
all people are experts in using Windows.  There are tricks and tips
that must be learned before one is an expert in anything, and judging
what other nonexperts can and can not do may be difficult for
experts.

Another thing occured to me as I was rereading my first reply.  There
are two distinct purposes for web sites.  The original one was to
present text in a non-linear format that could be expanded and
cross-referenced and so on.  The other use of the web is fast become
to do anything else one would do on the Internet.  You can read your
mail, shop, pay bills, listen to radio, play games and so on.  It is
for this purpose of web use that a graphical browser is most
effective, especially in the area of multi-media.

On the other hand, if you're examining text, then you want a text
browser!

What can I say, there *is* no right answer here, if you think
seriously about both what is being done on the web and its users.

Ann P.

--
                        Ann K. Parsons
email:  [log in to unmask]                   ICQ Number:  33006854
WEB SITE:  http://home.eznet.net/~akp
"All that is gold does not glitter.  Not all those who wander are
lost."  JRRT