Re: [orca-list] OT: What have I done?

[kendell clark <coffeekingms gmail com>]

hi
This is very, very helpful. I too have just installed vinux alongside
sonar, and am extremely pleased with it. I'll make sure to write to you
if I need to vent, which I do occasionally. To be honest, windows seems
better at first, but I remember being just as frustrated with windows
before switching, because in windows, unlike linux, most programs are
proprietary, so even if a developer wanted to fix accessibility issues
they often can't. In linux there's a lot of interest in accessibility,
sighted people realize that it's important, but when asked to fix a bug
their kneejerk response is, I don't know anything about accessibility.
There's quite good docs on the gnome sight with all the geeky api
details people need, they just need to be pointed to it. I don't think I
am capable of quitting. I'm still working on sonar and I like the idea
of creating a linux distribution that a blind person, knew to linux can
pick up and use. I'm often frustrated by the fact that things aren't
working like I've been told they ought. Your braille issues for example.
Did you ever solve it? If not, tomorrow I can connect to our mumble
server and try to walk you through it. Do you have a microphone? If so,
press enter on the "connect to our mumble server for help" icon, enter a
user name and then start speaking. I've used windows 10. While it's
accessible, I don't like the windows culture of "pay to play" Nvda is
quite good, it's the best screen reader for windows in my opinion, but
I've had so many problems just keeping mellisa's windows system up and
running that it's sort of got a bad stigma. I'd also advise you not to
give up. I'm sorry linux hasn't proved as plug and play as I've gone out
of my way to make it but once the problems with braille are fixed
they'll stay fixed.
Thanks for your very encouraging response
Kendell clark


On 11/06/2015 02:09 AM, Mallard wrote:
> Kendell,
>
> I understand and share your discouragement concerning the open source
> community, but, for what it's worth, you're one of the main reasons why
> I'm giving Linux another chance.
>
> I am nobody in the field of computers. I'm a simple user, and have no
> knowledge of programming or codes or anything. All I know is that if
> something works, I can use it. If it doesn't, I have to move on to
> someting else...
>
> What you state in your email is the reason why I'm sticking with
> Windows, in spite of all. I too am passionate about open source. I use
> open source software whenever and wherever I can, but I feel so
> frustrated and sad when I see the lack of interest in accessibility on
> the part of so many.
>
> When I first approached open source, given its "inclusive" philosophy, I
> thought I would find great openness on the part of devs concerning
> accessibility... And was greatly disappointed.
>
> And then users. When I asked for help, I got links to documentation that
> was hundreds if not thousands of pages long, of which I'd probably only
> need one line... Which I couldn't single out...
>
> This happened in both the sighted and visually impaired communities,
> until I subscribed to the Vinux mailing list, where I found a totally
> different, warmer, and helpful environment.
>
> The same is now true of this list, not to talk about the Sonar group,
> which is small, but very helpful...
>
> So, Kendell, please don't quit. Be discouraged, if you need to. Write to
> me if you feel like letting somethings out of your system, and you don't
> want to alienate  others in the community. But please, please, please,
> don't quit!
>
> I've just installed the latest Sonar and Vinux on my machine, and I'm so
> happy with both.
>
> You people are doing great things, with all the difficulties that are
> involved.
>
> I don't often post to mailing lists, but I read, and appreciate, and care.
>
> Sorry for the long post, but I thought it would be good to let Kendell
> know publicly that someone really appreciates his commitment, just as he
> shared his frustration publicly.
>
> Ciao,
> Ollie