Hi to all.
Some prescient points:
1) This totally blind person prefers the Windows Classic settings, because it means fewer touches to the right and left arrow keys--it's mostly the up and down arrows that are used. This allows me to move around the computer a little bit faster than I would otherwise (yes, I've played with the updated settings in Windows XP).
2) Whether I agree with Harry or not, I have to side with Bill on some of the reactions that I have read. Harry raises legitimate points about allowing Microsoft to determine how and under what conditions we will access their products. The only real legal argument I can see would involve employment by the Federal government where ADA standards do require that blind people be given access in the form(at)s they prefer (this doesn't apply to state governments or private businesses, by the way). Still, I think that universal access is very much a laudable goal.
3) That said, I very much agree with Doreen Yale that Harry, in his original message, didn't cite any sources for his concerns. Where, for example, Harry, did you learn that Windows 7 was not going to include the Windows Classic Settings option. Clearly one of the previous posters argued that this assumption was not true, making any letter on the matter pointless.
These are some of the points I'm pondering as I consider Harry's letter and the very negative responses to it from many on this list.
Ted
---- Christopher Chaltain <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Don't jump to the conclusion that just because one person or maybe a
> few people on this list have said that they use or feel they need to
> use the classic view of Windows XP that therefore "blind people feel
> they must use classic view on everything". As you've seen from this
> list, you're not the only blind person who has had success using other
> views on XP, Vista and 7. If I heard a sighted person express this
> sentiment then I'd consider it prejudice.
>
> Paul Henrichsen wrote:
> > Why is it that blind people feel they must use classic view on everything? I
> > didn't use classic view with xp and I didn't with vista.
> > I don't plan to with windows seven.
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mike Pietruk
> > Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2009 5:31 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] possible lawsuit against Microsoft, depending on what
> > they do to make windows 7 accessible
> >
> > Harry
> >
> > I am afraid you are barking up the wrong tree on this one. While
> > personally I have not tried Windows 7, given what i have read on
> > various lists, most blind users seem to have little trouble wit it and
> > have adapted well.
> > What exactly are you basing your beliefs concerning Windows 7 on? How do
> > you know that it is inaccessible, as you state, and that it will undo your
> > previous knowledge of the Windows operating system? Undoubtedly, there is
> > a learning curve and, I like you, am comfortable with XP.
> > That, however, is hardly reason to go ballistic and suggest that the legal
> > system will soon take up the issue.
> > Unless supported by a national organization, I doubt that the DOJ will
> > support your threatened action. And I doubt that many will be digging
> > into their pockets to do that either.
> >
> > We may be comfortable with xp; but that doesn't mean we won't like a
> > successor to it.
> > And, oh yes Harry, you have not been using XP for 12 years as it wasn't
> > even conceived of in 1997 let alone in production.
> > Back in 1997, you probably were introduced to Windows with Win 95 and
> > later likely used more or more succeeding operating systems.
> > While changes came and went, the basics remained which they do both with
> > Vista and Windows 7.
> > So relax, Harry, and the blind pc user will survive; and incidentally,
> > Windows XP is still here.
> > One day, we will all upgrade as either old pcs will continue to function
> > or more likely some new piece of software we wish to use will render
> > Windows XP obsolete in our minds.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Never...let a single day go by without earnest Bible study.
> > R. A. Torrey
> >
> >
> > VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> > Archived on the World Wide Web at
> > http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
> > Signoff: [log in to unmask]
> > Subscribe: [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> > VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> > Archived on the World Wide Web at
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> >
> >
>
> --
> Christopher
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> Archived on the World Wide Web at
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