[orca-list] Changing the keybindings to be JAWS-like or NVDA-like (was Re: In Search Of The Main Developers Of Orca)

[Joanmarie Diggs <jdiggs igalia com>]

Hi Bhavya.

On 05/10/2014 05:15 PM, Bhavya shah wrote:

> I am currently a Windows user wanting to witch to Linux.
> Also, according to me most Linux users must be ex Windows users.
> Therefore I request you to alter the keyboard shortcuts of Orca just
> like the keyboard shortcuts of JAWS or NVDA. I find the JAWS/NVDA
> commands more fficient and quick.
> Please inform me about your views and opinions.
> I am ready to provide a list of shortcuts of JAWS or NVDA if Google
> doesn't turn it up. Also NVDA is open source so you can just pick up
> some source code or something.
> Please tell me if you are willing or interested.

This question periodically comes up on the Orca list. In the past, the
conclusion has been that when it makes sense for the keybindings to be
the same, we do so. Examples include the keys for web navigation.

The problem, however, is that Orca is not a JAWS clone or an NVDA clone.
There are commands in Orca that don't exist in JAWS or NVDA and vice
versa. And GNOME is not a Windows clone -- heck, it's even been accused
of trying to imitate Apple <grins>. So I don't think it is as simple as
just changing the shortcuts as you request.

Orca does, however, make it possible for you to rebind any keybindings
you want to whatever you want. So you could fix this problem for
yourself if all you yourself need is JAWS/NVDA-like shortcuts.

Having said all that, I am CCing the Orca list so the community can
chime in.

Take care.
--joanie