I guess my opinion is a little late, but I like having the options myself.
An updated Lynx will occasionally access something that a slightly
behind-the-curve Netscape or IE will not, and gives you much cleaner plain
text if you need it (to transfer into another plain text application or
even a word processor when you do not want to re-format very much.) It is
still very fast for those times when you are not on a T-1 line or cable
modem, and the feature of being able to mail the text or a page to
yourself or anyone else so easily is very convenient as well. Depending
on the way it is set up, you can download images you may want for later
viewing also. My lynx does not handle https, or of course, java, though
sometimes it degrades gracefully and gives me something, other times not.
I think if someone CAN learn both it would be great for them. I think
learning more than one word processor is a good idea too, but of course a
lot of peole nowadays learn only MS Word. The second of anything you
learn is a little harder, but after the third it gets easier because you
have a feel for what the basic processes and expectations are, and what
variations you are likely to have; at some point you find you have the
ability to figure out and start using any new application more quickly
than the average bear. Also, being able to use a couple of different
tools on the same file is extremely helpful, whether text or graphics.
Right now, as I do fairly often, I've got my telnet window running on top
of IE and I can also bring up a little intranet client or two on the
side. Very helpful for moving data around, and dealing with reminders in
one system to do something that needs the other. I suspect I would find
this pretty difficult if I was not sighted, but maybe not...I do see
myself using lynx for a lot of my surfing as long as I have a good one
available, which I hope is indefinitely.
Vikki Stefans, pediatric physiatrist (rehab doc for kids), e-mail junkie,
working Mom of Sarah T. and Michael C., and wife of Henry "My Travel Agent",
Arkansas Children's Hospital/ U of A for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, aka
[log in to unmask] ...and EVERY mom is a working mom! (OK, dads too.)
On Thu, 8 Feb 2001, Sherman, Sarah wrote:
> I appreciate all the comments and opinions you contributed. You all brought
> up very good points, some of which I already knew, and others, I hadn't even
> considered! There are two reasons I presented this inquiry: for one, I
> wanted to know whether it would be beneficial to add Lynx as an option for
> students here who have not tried surfing with a screen reader before. I do
> remember one of the golden rules of AT is that you fit the tool with the
> person! So I have an idea of how I will handle this in the future.
>
> The second reason is because of the nature of research Axel and I are doing.
> We wanted to know what was used most frequently in libraries, homes,
> workplaces, and higher ed environments so we could focus on that type of
> browser. As a result, our presentation will be much more meaningful.
>
> As a note, we use IE here, though I do like presenting options.
>
> Sarah Sherman
> University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
>
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