Hello again all,
Fred raises a valid point. Look, the fact that Fred is a friend has nothing
to do with my position or feelings about how qrz.com does, or doesn't work.
One of the main reasons, and perhaps the only reason, that many sites
require that the user type in a graphically presented term, is to prevent
automated access to the site for deriving email and such. Another thing is
that I do not regard the need to log into qrz.com a hindrance or problem.
This is a trivial requirement. As I, and at least one other list member
said, it takes literally a few seconds to log in and then go about your
business.
I certainly remain willing and anxious to lend my assistance if asked, but I
take Fred's response to be valid.
Best 73
Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Dr. Ronald E. Milliman
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 9:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: QRZ.COM accessibility
Below my message here is Fred's response to my post. Frankly, I am a bit
disappointed in his reply. My impression is that he is not especially
interested in working with us to find a mutually satisfactory solution to
the QRZ access issues. I expected him to possibly reject my suggestion, but
I thought he would come back and leave the door open for additional feedback
and suggestions if our initial one was not acceptable, but that is not how I
am perceiving his response. So, this is going to require a little more
thought in terms of what our next move should be. I'm going to work with the
site a little more myself. Since some of you are having no problems and some
are having considerable problems, it seems logical that we step back and ask
the question:
What are some of us doing differently than others, resulting in some of us
having more or less difficulty accessing the QRZ site.
I suspect it might be as simple as those who are not having access issues
are logging into the site with a user ID and Password while those who are
experiencing problems are not. If, indeed, it is this simple, then, we can
take a little different approach with Fred and probably gain his full
cooperation.
So, is anyone here still having problems accessing QRZ.COM even if you use
your user ID and password? Of course, we are referring to only screenreader
users.
Ron, K8HSY
From: Fred Lloyd [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 10:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: QRZ.COM accessibility
Ron,
There are circumstances which make it difficult for me to openly advertise a
text-only version of the site. The facility, by the way, only serves
callsign lookups and the raw data. It does not handle any forums or
biography material.
When the callsign data is made openly available to text readers, people
start abusing the site and writing programs to take advantage of an "open
door" into our database. This activity subverts our subscription stream
which in turn could cause substantial harm to our company. It's a sad
fact of life.
The system we now have in place requires word-of-mouth dissemination and
each member must be individually authorized by QRZ management to use the
feature.
73,
-fred
On 8/23/2013 9:58 PM, Dr. Ronald E. Milliman wrote:
Fred,
First, I commend you for an excellent website, QRZ.COM. It is, indeed, one
of the most premier sites on the internet for hams.
However, there is one segment of hams, actually a rather large segment, that
are experiencing significant challenges when trying to access your site.
Those of us who are blind and use screen reading programs, like JAWS and
WindowEyes, are having problems accessing QRZ.COM. I understand that you
have a Text-based alternative that is more accessible. Unfortunately, not
very many of my blind colleagues are aware of this more accessible
alternative. Toward the objective of resolving this problem, I recommend
that you simply put a link on the top of your landing page, your index page,
something like:
For Screen Reader Users, Click Here
To make it even easier, it would be good if this entire wording be the link;
so, no matter where the screen reader user clicks on this link, it will take
him/her over to the text alternative of your site.
Fred, my intent is to help you with this issue and offer a possible solution
for my blind ham colleagues. We are ready and willing to assist you any way
we can to resolve this issue. If needed, we are fully prepared to form a
small group or committee of blind hams to work with you and help any way we
can. Just let us know if we can assist you any further with this matter.
73,
Ron, K8HSY
--
Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ
President and Founder, QRZ.COM
[log in to unmask]
http://www.qrz.com/db/aa7bq
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