All,
 
Though I certainly agree with many of you that there is no grounds for a law suit here, and the letter does have the feel of a rant, Harry does raise a couple of points which are being missed in the general reaction to his tone and threats.
 
*  One of you said he couldn't have used XP for 12 years.  However, he never said he did.  He said plainly that he started with Windows 98.  If we are going to rebut or excoriate each other, at least read the email with some care.
 
*  Harry, as a free citizen of the U.S. has every right to express his view about Microsoft and it's designs and policies.  WE as individuals do not have to agree, but we do need to acknowledge that Harry's view is probably not isolated.  AS we are a tech list, we probably are less tolerant of underskilled computer users than most.  However, it is fair to say that many people, both blind and sighted, are not skilled on computers, and do not adjust well to the constant changes in controls Microsoft likes to implement to make it's software look fresh. 
 
* Personally, I have adjusted to each change to Microsoft OS and productivity software.  I can use Vista, and have used all the predecessors too.  Nevertheless, I too prefer the classic view.  I currently use Office 2007 with it's ribbon menus.  But I have to say, I don't much like them and would  prefer the drop down menuing system which has been abandoned.  In my view it is change for change sake, and has nothing to do with improvement.  I have a right to this view and a right to complain to Microsoft if I don't like the changes.  This does not mean I cannot adjust, just that I prefer a different methodology.  If consumers never speak up, then nothing ever improves.
 
*  All the above stated, I do agree that threatening a lawsuit is counter productive.  Harry will not win it, there are no grounds.  I also agree that he paints blind people in general in a light I'd prefer he didn't use, but even there, he has a right to that view.  To suggest that he has to portray himself a certain way or he lets all blind people down is just bogus.  WE are individuals, and we must demand we be treated as individuals, rather than force us all into the straight jacket of the "perfect blind person."  To suggest that because he feels threatened or less competent on the new systems, that that makes him nuts, as one of you said, is unkind and pretty darn close to flaming.  I would ask that we all remain respectful when we disagree, and merely argue the facts, leave personal slams out.
 
Thanks,
Bill
 
 

From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Harry Brown
Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2009 1:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VICUG-L] possible lawsuit against Microsoft, depending on what they do to make windows 7 accessible

Hi all,
Please see my open letter to Microsoft, below.  If you know any blind bloggers, podcasters, or other blind email lists out there, forward it to them, and they can use it, and put their name where myne is.
They at Microsoft feel we have no bite but only a bark!  Let's show them, that we will not be nicey nicey blind folks, who take slop which society gives us, and says as one braille forum article about the plantation and the blind put it, "you blind folks just be happy with what you have, and go away and get out of our hair."
We want accessibility just like XP, with classic view, classic folders, lists, etc.! or we will not buy their software.  Oh yes, they will have an XP downgrade, but for how long?  Also, you and I know they will not keep supporting XP as well.
Also, send this letter to the world blind union, as well.
Take care,
Harry

Harry Brown

                May 5, 2009

To whom it may concern:

I have been a user of Windows XP since its inception, and I ABSOLUTELY love it!  I’m a blind man, using it at home.

I also have a ministry, helping the blind all over the country, learn how to use computers.  This technology has changed our lives!  Picture yourself not being able to read, use the internet, anything a sighted person can use, to get information.  Then, along comes windows XP.  It changed our lives as blind people, in a wonderful way.

But now, this independence is about to end for us, because Microsoft is coming out with Windows 7, which while it has wonderful new features, which I applaud, there is no more classic view, and all the settings to make windows 7 accessible like windows xp was will be gone, and because there are no more settings like we need to be able to make, (as you’ll see below, in the section titled Requirements for Making Windows 7 Accessible for the World’s blind), the blind will no longer have access.  This classic view setting and the other settings mentioned here, allow the blind to use the menus of windows very proficiently.  Not having the classic view, and the other settings mentioned below, will not allow us to use these menus, so, we will no longer have access, not only myself, but every blind user in the world.

I spent 11 years to get where I am now, becoming proficient on using the computer, through windows 98 and then Windows XP.  I have 8 inches of Braille that I had to type myself, because I had to learn it.  Now, Microsoft is going to take all of this away from us, and it will take me another 12 years, starting from scratch, learning computers all over again.

I would ask that Microsoft hold off on releasing Windows 7 to the general public, like you wanted to, on October 23, 2009, and instead, put the option of allowing people to choose the option for Windows 7 to be used in the classic view, and the other settings recommended by experts who work with the blind on a daily basis, to make their computers accessible, just like as is the case in Windows Xp, for people who are blind and visually impaired.

If this does not happen, I will be suing Microsoft, through the US. Department of Justice, and the White House, and any other arm of the federal government that I can find.  I will also be contacting the United Nations about this as well, because this is a worldwide, and UN issue.

You will be sued, because you are not allowing the blind access to Windows 7, by taking the classic view and the other settings we need, (you’ll see the settings below, just before my signature), away from us in all areas of windows. This is a violation of the ADA, (the Americans with Disabilities Act).

I will not be suing for money, accept to pay my attorney fees, and that’s all, because this is not about money, this is about access for the blind and visually impaired of not only the United States of America, but of the world as well.

I’d rather not sue you, so please just put the option to allow the end-user to choose the classic view, and the other settings mentioned below, (see the requirements for making windows 7 accessible, right before my signature), just like is currently allowed by users of Windows XP, and tell me you will in writing, and then come out with that option in windows 7, and I’ll drop the lawsuit, completely.  I have heard that there will be a Windows XP downgrade.  That is not good enough, because eventually, you will no longer be supporting, nor giving out patches to take care of any flaws in Windows XP.

 

requirements for making Windows 7 accessible for the world’s blind and visually impaired

 

Configuring the Start Menu

• Open the start menu with the WINDOWS KEY or CTRL-ESCAPE

• Press ESCAPE

• Press SHIFT-F10

• Cursor down to "properties" and press ENTER

• A dialog will open displaying the options for the Taskbar and Start Menu

• Use DOWN ARROW to select "classic start menu"

• Press TAB one time to access the "customize" button

• Press SPACEBAR

• Use TAB five times to access the start menu options

• use DOWN ARROW to locate "use personalized menus"

• Uncheck this option with SPACEBAR

• Tab to OK and press SPACEBAR

• Tab to OK once more and press SPACEBAR

 

Configuring the Taskbar

 

• Open the start menu with the WINDOWS KEY or CTRL-ESCAPE

• Cursor down to "Control Panel" and press ENTER

• Cursor down to "Taskbar and Start Menu" and press ENTER

• A dialog will open displaying the options for the Taskbar and Start Menu

• There are a series of checkboxes within this property sheet.

• TAB to "lock taskbar." This option should be checked.

• TAB to "keep the taskbar on top of other windows." This option should be checked.

• TAB to "show quick launch." This option should not be checked.

• TAB to "show clock." This option should be checked.

• TAB to the OK button and press the spacebar

 

Configuring the Folder Options

 

• Open the Start menu with the WINDOWS KEY or CTRL-ESCAPE

• Cursor down to "settings" and press ENTER

• Cursor down to "control Panel" and press ENTER

• Cursor down to "folder options" and press ENTER

• Use DOWN ARROW one time to select the radio button labeled "Use Windows Classic Folders."

• Press TAB to access the next set of radio buttons

• Use UP ARROW to select "browse each folder in the same window"

• Press TAB to access the next set of radio buttons

• use DOWN ARROW to select "double click to open an item (single click to select)

• Press CTRL-TAB to move to the second property sheet labeled "view"

• Press TAB twice to access the tree view of options

• Press the letter "S" until the option "show pop-up descriptions for folder and desktop items" is located. Make sure this option is unchecked.

• Tab to "OK" and press SPACEBAR

 

Setting the Windows Color Scheme

 

• Open the Start Menu

• Press ENTER on Settings

• Press ENTER on Control Panel

• Cursor down to "display" and press enter

• Press CTRL-TAB three times to access the "appearance" property sheet

• Press the letter "W" until you hear "Windows Classic style"

• TAB to "OK" and press the spacebar

 

Disabling Window Effects

 

• Open the Start Menu with WINDOWS KEY or CTRL-ESCAPE

• Press ENTER on "settings"

• Press ENTER on "Control Panel"

• Press the letter "S" until you hear "system" and press ENTER

• Press CTRL-TAB three times to access the "Advanced" property sheet

• Press TAB until you locate the first "settings' button

• Use DOWN ARROW to select the "custom" radio button

• Press TAB one time to access the list of checkboxes.

• Use DOWN ARROW to move through the options within the list

• Uncheck all checked items with SPACEBAR.

• When you are sure all of the options are unchecked, TAB to the OK button and press SPACEBAR

• TAB to the OK button within the System Properties dialog and press SPACEBAR

• Close the Control Panel with ALT-F4

 

Configuring My Computer and Windows Explorer to display a list

 

• Press WINDOWS KEY-E to open Windows Explorer

• Open the view menu

• Cursor down to "list" and press ENTER

• Open the Tools menu with ALT-T

• Cursor down to folder options and press ENTER

• Press CTRL-TAB one time to access the view property sheet

• Press SPACEBAR on the "apply to all folders" button

• Tab to "OK" and press SPACEBAR

 

 

  You take care,

Sincerely,

Harry Brown

 

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