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

[Christopher Chaltain <chaltain gmail com>]

I'm not fond of this idea myself. Here are some rambling thoughts.

Right now I use Windows and JAWS at the office. At home I use either 
Windows and NVDA or Ubuntu and Orca. In my previous job, I used Ubuntu 
and Orca, and that's what I used at home, so for over three years, I 
exclusively used Ubuntu and Orca at work and at home. Prior to that, I 
used Windows and JAWS almost exclusively. In the deep past, I used OS/2, 
DOS, AIX and various Linux distributions with their associated screen 
reader options.

One problem I see with this is that just because JAWS uses a certain set 
of key strokes doesn't mean that there aren't a easier and more 
intuitive set of key strokes out there. I'd hate to see creativity 
stifled just to remain consistent with JAWS. For example, I strongly 
prefer the way Orca allows me to review my screen over either JAWS or 
NVDA. Ditto for my interaction with forms in web browsers. I also think 
Orca+t is much more intuitive to query the time than JAWS+F12.

With the increasing popularity of other operating systems, such as 
Apple's, and with different options of screen readers on Windows, like 
NVDA, Window Eyes and System Access, I'm not sure JAWS will always be 
consider the default screen reader for blind computer users. Making it 
easier for JAWS users to move to Linux may not help much in a few years 
when JAWS isn't the screen reader used by most blind computer users.

I know you mention JAWS and NVDA, but they aren't identical in their 
feature set or their use of key strokes. A few differences I run into 
all of the time is that JAWS+down-arrow reads the rest of the document 
while NVDA+a does this. The pass through keys are different as well. A 
more significant example, which I mentioned above, is that NVDA and JAWS 
handle screen reviewing differently.

IMHO, Orca should do what makes sense and not be tied to the key 
bindings used by another screen reader. Of course, where there's a 
growing consensus, Orca should use that if there's no reason not to.

On 05/10/2014 10:38 PM, Joanmarie Diggs wrote:
> 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
>
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--
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail