Re: [GOK] Ang. Re: Why ui grabbing in direct selection mode of gok?

["David Colven" <Colven ace-centre org uk>]

I agree Mats.  With the SAW equivalent in Windows although it is not yet implemented in full the idea was to give the option of requesting a grabbed keyboard.  The need for consistent interfaces is not restricted to those with cognitive/visual perceptual problems.  Fat switch users use learned patterns  of switch use - a bit like touch typing - and often do not look at the scan at all.

 

In the case of complex screens with many controls there is also a need to structure the switch  interface to be similar the user interface.  WindowCatcher attempts this and its overlay mode of switch access could be a useful path to consider as well for GOK..  I think this is something the AEGIS project should look at both as exemplar AT but also in terms of an accessibility testing tool.

 

All the best

 

David

 

 

David Colven 

Technical Advisor

01865 759813

077121 68901

Why not visit our website: www.ace-centre.org.uk <http://www.ace-centre.org.uk/> 

 



 

The ACE Centre is a registered charity (no 1040868). You can donate here now! <http://www.justgiving.com/charity/donate.asp?FRSId=13573> 

 

The information contained in this email is confidential and may be privileged. It is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this email immediately. The contents of this email must not be disclosed or copied without the sender's consent. We cannot accept any responsibility for viruses, so please scan all attachments.

 

The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the ACE Centre. The ACE Centre does not take any responsibility for the views of the author.

________________________________

From: gnome-accessibility-list-bounces gnome org [mailto:gnome-accessibility-list-bounces gnome org] On Behalf Of Mats Lundälv
Sent: 21 October 2008 10:55
To: David Bolter; Gnome Accessibility List
Cc: gok-list gnome org
Subject: Ang. Re: [GOK] Why ui grabbing in direct selection mode of gok?

 


I appreciate the arguments for the ui grabbing in GOK - both for switch input and direct selection users. 

But there are also reasons for wanting to disable this functionality for some users in some situations - in fact for some users of both these categories: 
GOK is currently targeted towards advanced alternative input users. For them the ui grabbing will often make sense, unless for direct selection users who master the ordinary gui without major problems. 

But for some other potential users, e.g. individuals with additional cognitive difficulties, it may be preferrable to have a more stable interface with less functionality. The dynamic features of the ui grabbing may be disturbing and confusing rather than helpful. 

So does it have to be either or? I don't yet know the inner secrets of GOK well enough, but I would like to have an easy way to turn ui grabbing on/off - both for a support person and possible to provide for the user him/herself. Is that possible? If not, could it be added? 

Another aspect that I have found very awkward is the fact that GOK (and I believe also OnBoard) requires the adaptive features for the physical keyboard (like sticky keys etc) to be activated for the OSK to be fully functioning. This is really unfortunate and weird, as well as totally non-standard for all other OSK solutions outside the unix-linux sphere: 
Why should the OSK - being provided for users who cannot use the physical keyboard - be depending on alternative settings for the physical keyboard? This is a totally unmotivated interference in the basic system settings, and in fact creates accessibility problems for people supporting the OSK user. I regard this as being a design flaw that should be removed asap. Any comments on this? 

Cheers, 
Mats Lundälv   




"Steve Lee" <steve fullmeasure co uk> 
Sänt av: gnome-accessibility-list-bounces gnome org 

2008-10-19 12:40 

Till

"David Bolter" <david bolter utoronto ca> 

Kopia

gok-list gnome org, Gnome Accessibility List <gnome-accessibility-list gnome org> 

Ärende

Re: [GOK] Why ui grabbing in direct selection mode of gok?

 

 

 




I'd also add that GOKs OSK to anextent provides an abstraction and
simplification of the UI and is very consistent. Such limited
interaction  may be of benefit to some people mentally as well as
physically

Steve

2008/10/19 David Bolter <david bolter utoronto ca>:
> Hi Francesco,
>
> Thanks for raising this. I think it is important to consider the
> difference between interacting with GOK keys, and interacting directly
> with the interface. Here's some reasons I can see for leaving ui
> grabbing enabled for the direct selection access method.
>
> * GOK keys can be bigger than the widgets (or actions) they proxy (==
> larger target area).
> * If the user is interacting with GOK anyways, perhaps for text input...
> it might be an advantage just to interact with GUI within GOK, instead
> of moving the pointer a greater distance to perform a UI interaction
> that may even be less pleasant than GOK's ui grab.
> * GOK can provide key averaging and other smarts to help users who might
> have tremors but who might want to use direct selection.
> * Etc.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> cheers,
> David
>
>
>
> Francesco Fumanti wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>>
>> I am wondering the following about the direct selection mode of gok:
>>
>> Based on the assumption that the direct selection mode is intended for
>> users that are able to control the pointer, what is the sense of
>> making gok grab the user interface in this mode?
>>
>> In fact, if the user can control the pointer, he can interact directly
>> with the desktop and does not need a duplication of the active
>> interface elements in gok.
>>
>> Consequently, unless I am missing something, I would suggest to
>> disable the ui grabbing feature in direct selection mode.
>>
>>
>> Many thanks in advance for any comment.
>>
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Francesco
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> gnome-accessibility-list mailing list
>> gnome-accessibility-list gnome org
>> http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gnome-accessibility-list
>
> _______________________________________________
> gok-list mailing list
> gok-list gnome org
> http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gok-list
>



-- 
Steve Lee
Open Source Assistive Technology Software and Accessibility
fullmeasure.co.uk
_______________________________________________
gnome-accessibility-list mailing list
gnome-accessibility-list gnome org
http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gnome-accessibility-list