Re: Planning a VoiceOver Main Menu Review

[Kenny Hitt <kenny@hittsjunk.net>]

Hi.

Thanks for your message, but I feel I have to correct you on one point.
Speakup isn't a stand alone application.  It is build into the Linux
kernel.  Because of this, it will only work on a Linux system and is
useless on anything else.

Hope this helps.
          Kenny
	  
On Sat, Apr 30, 2005 at 03:31:38PM -0700, Jane Lee wrote:
> I'd just like to make it clear that VoiceOver is built into the Mac OS
> X operating system, not a standalone program like speakup or Jaws. 
> After Freedom Scientific and others gave up on the Mac platform
> because of the even smaller market, Apple and their devs figured they
> should do all of the accessibility work in house, and that's how
> VoiceOver started.
> 
> You cannot, I repeat, cannot, port VoiceOver to another OS like
> Windows or Linux.  It relies on the Mac OS too much.  This also means
> that VoiceOver cannot work on an iPod.
> 
> On another matter, the cheapest Mac out there is 500 dollars, and is
> called the Mac mini.  Since the new operating system came out on the
> 29th of April, as of now, if you go online or to a store and buy the
> Mac mini, it will come with the OS and VoiceOver.  If you're planning
> on going out maybe today or within the next week, inquire about
> whether or not it comes with Tiger, which is the OS that VoiceOver
> comes with, and not Panther just in case.  Be warned, the Mac mini
> does not come with a keyboard, a mouse or a monitor.  This computer
> was meant for PC and Mac users already with older computers that don't
> mind keeping their old setups.  Mac laptops, such as the iBook or the
> Powerbook, start at around 1000 dollars.
> 
> Voiceover is not an additional application that you have to pay for,
> it comes with the OS, which is 129 dollars.  Some third party
> retailers will have it at a discounted price, while schools, teachers
> and college students will be able to buy the OS from Apple or a
> university bookstore at the education price, which is 69 dollars.  A
> "family pack" that gives you a license for use up to 5 computers is
> 200 dollars but has restrictions and only comes with one install disk.
> 
> Personally, I haven't been able to try out VoiceOver much on my Mac,
> but I found that the accessible installation of OS X, the VoiceOver
> enabled login menu and the overall integration makes it fun and easy
> to use.  There's no serial number to install the OS and there's no
> activation (like Windows) either.
> 
> If you have any specifics on how to use a Mac, go to the local Apple
> retail store and ask one of the people there.  The genius bar at all
> the stores should be able to help you out with setup (like turning on
> VoiceOver for the first time).  If you have technical questions on
> problems with your Mac, feel free to drop me an email :)  I can help
> out with most of the smaller issues.
> 
> If you're looking for anything in particular though (about Apple,
> their computers, anything, really) feel free to drop me an email.
> 
> cheers
> jane
> 
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