It's a modification to Ubuntu linux which already has a built in
screenreader called Orca to fine tune/make it automatically render
accessible from startup etc.
Check out that website:
http://vinux.org.uk/
It will give you a better idea.
Stay well
Jacob Kruger
Blind Biker
Skype: BlindZA
'...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
----- Original Message -----
From: "Trepan Singh" <ts.neg...@gmail.com>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 6:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Hello, what's vinux? Please tell me the usage. Thanks
Regards
Trepan Singh
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-computing-boun...@jaws-users.com
[mailto:blind-computing-boun...@jaws-users.com] On Behalf Of Donald Marang
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 6:45 PM
To: blind-computing@jaws-users.com
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Good afternoon Jacob (at least in your time zone),
Perhaps I made a typo, I have not scanned past messages. The proper key
to
bring up the Vinux menu is Left Alt + F1! Sorry, if I wasted a lot of
your
time. The Left Alt + F2 keystroke will certainly bring up a run dialog,
similar to the Windows + r in Windows. Of course, in Vinux, you would
need
to type in a Linux command.
Back to the subject line. I had not realized that the Microsoft emulator
that you first discussed was a new product. I was too concentrated on
Vinux
at the time. Some experts I follow say this emulator is much better than
VM-Ware or Parallels, which have been around a long time. In fact, I hear
Microsoft plans on making this technology part of their legacy support for
XP and prior versions in the future. What is your impressions of it so
far?
Have you used it for any other OS than Vinux?
Don Marang
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jacob Kruger" <jac...@iburst.co.za>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 6:08 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Ok.
Been trying out various things like leaving jaws on, or turning it off,
tried different keyboards like my external USB keyboard, and the laptops
own keyboard, and no matter what I do, like even tapping things like the
Ctrl key multiple times, all I get when I try either left or right alt
keys in conjunction with F2 is the run dialogue, and other keys also
seemt
ot get stuck sometimes like a shift key, etc. etc., and, for example no
matter what I do, I can't seem to type backslash, since it renders as the
number symbol, which doesn't even make sense since if it was just the
shift key being virtually stuck, it should then render as |, so who
knows.
Think this is also hence interfering with even accessing menus on
specific
windows since can't seem to find a file menu, for example, when browsing
the home folder using Ctrl + Shift + H.
Will just again say that not too impressed with VMWare, but anyway.
Might have to try this on another computer to see if that makes a
difference, but let's see...
Stay well
Jacob Kruger
Blind Biker
Skype: BlindZA
'...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donald Marang" <donald.mar...@gmail.com>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 8:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Not quite sure why your keys are acting that way.
After activating any menu, I am able to use the standard arrow keys to
move up and down through menus and right arrow to enter a sub menu and
left menu to return from a sub menu. In the Vinux-desktop.txt file, it
claims that increasing the speed is bound to the Insert + right arrow
keys. It sounds like your Insert key is stuck! I have never had that
key stick. Perhaps it is because JAWS has been turned off? That might
change how the system handles the Insert key. I have not had to turn
off
JAWS.
I assume that by the fact that you were able to login that you had used
the Control + g keystroke to allow all keys, including modifier keys to
be directed to VM-Ware Player. This should stop JAWS from receiving
these keystrokes or speaking. It should not be necessary to quit JAWS.
Don Marang
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jacob Kruger" <jac...@iburst.co.za>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 3:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Ok.
Now managed to log into VMWare machine using username/password
combination, so thanks for that one,
but I assume jaws is catching key combos so will try turning it off or
something and will then see if can access something like the
Ubuntu/vinux
menu system.
Note:
Just turned off jaws, and using the left Alt key in conjunction with
F2,
it seemed to activate the main part of the menu, but you seem to have
to
use the numpad cursor keys to start navigating it since normal cursor
keys seem to be bound to orca settings like faster/slower etc., and for
some reason I can't get any submenu items to appear, but will carry on
playing around with it.
Also seem unable to do something like minimize/hide the orca settings
dialogue.
Stay well
Jacob Kruger
Blind Biker
Skype: BlindZA
'...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donald Marang" <donald.mar...@gmail.com>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 02, 2009 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
For anyone using Vinux in an emulator and can get to the username
prompt:
The only account I am aware of in this distribution when first
starting
is
"vinux" (all lowercase) for both the Username and Password. I just
tried
it twice. The first time it would give a beep when I typed each
character
and the second time it did not provide any feedback. Perhaps this was
because I had Magic running the first time. By the way, There is a
big
Ubuntu spelled across the login screen.
Do not expect to hear the letters when entering either the Username or
Password. The guy that packaged the Vinux distribution says there is
currently no way around this limitation.
After a few seconds the Vinux desktop appears and Orca starts
speaking!
It is useful to know that the left Alt + F1 key takes you too the
Vinux
menus at the very top of the screen. It contains an Applications,
Places
and System menus. Programs like Open Office an Firefox can be
launched
from the Applications menu. I was disappointed that all of the drives
that were mounted automatically and available in the Places menu with
the
Live CD were not configured here. Look in the Vinux folder for text
files
describing most of the key bindings. The System menu allows you to
set
preferences and shutdown.
The applications key, like in Windows, often provides useful options.
I have trouble remembering that the Enter key on the keypad is not the
same as the Return key on the main keyboard. The Enter key instead
announces where you are! Somewhat like a more verbose version of the
JAWS
+ Tab function.
With the VMWare Player I found the following:
1. When I first start the program I get a dialog telling me there is
an
update to VMWare Player. So far I have just pressed Tab to get to the
Cancel button and activated it.
2. Then I get a dialog that does not work with the JAWS PC cursor.
It
lets you select a new file by browsing, picking a recently opened file
or
downloading a new distribution. I use the JAWS cursor to find Vinux
in
the recently opened section and clicking on it. I believe the first
time
I had to use the browse button. I may be able to create a shortcut on
my
desktop that passes the filename on the command line.
3. Then a dialog appears to explain how the hardware is shared
between
the emulator and Windows. So far I have just pressed Enter.
4. Vinux now starts booting in the window.
5. To turn control of the keyboard to Vinux (or any other operating
system in VMWare Player), press Control + g.
6. to switch back to windows, press Control + Alt together. This is
a
strange combination, since they both are just modifier keys. I would
think that would limit any Control + Alt + any other key combinations
from
being used in Vinux. I have not seen any such combination needed yet.
I
have had a slight problem where either the Control or Alt key gets
stuck
after returning to Windows and JAWS. I normally press Escape
afterwards
to check if either key is stuck. If it is, I press the right Control
and
Alt keys again to release the stuck key.
Hope these tidbits help.
Don Marang
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jacob Kruger" <jac...@iburst.co.za>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 5:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Ok.
Downloaded it and tried it out, and it seems to work Ok, except that
again, after I hear Orca saying I must enter a username and password,
nothing seems to happen, but will test it a bit more, etc.
Also did stop jaws once I told it to start, but should maybe stop it
before even trying to open it as well - will test it a bit more.
Stay well
Jacob Kruger
Blind Biker
Skype: BlindZA
'...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donald Marang" <donald.mar...@gmail.com>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 6:49 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Hi Jacob,
Have you tried the virtual machine at the Vinux site? It is called,
"Vinux_Virtual_Edition_1.4.exe" and is configured for Vinux. Read
the
accompanying text file for details. Go to the downloads page at:
http://vinux.org.uk/
Don Marang
PS I hear a new exciting distribution of Ubuntu, the Linux variant
on
which Vinux is based has just come out! It is Ubuntu 2.0. I have
heard
great things from several PC experts. I wonder if a Vinux 2.0 will
be
available soon?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jacob Kruger" <jac...@iburst.co.za>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 7:07 AM
Subject: [Blind-Computing] Microsoft Virtual PC software
Has anyone tested MS's own VMWare product?
It's called Microsoft Virtual PC FWIW.
It's free, and the configuration wizard etc. seem pretty usable,
but
will
have to either try find a valid VPC image that's already had an OS
installed, or maybe get a sighted person to try help me, for
example,
install something like Vinux, or an older MS Os so I can see if I
can,
for
example, try out their screenreader utilisation, but I think it
should
work
since in my first test run, I could tell it the new VPC I was
configuring
would think it had a sound blaster card etc.
Anyway, here's the details/download page:
http://www.microsoft.com:80/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=28C97D22-6EB8-4A
09-A7F7-F6C7A1F000B5&displaylang=en
FWIW, once I start up my virtual pc machine, I do need to use the
jaws
cursor to get to some of the activity menus, but not really a
problem.
Ok, while typing this message, I realised I was being stoopid, so I
started
the VPC, and told it to mount the Vinux live CD image and then told
it
to
restart/reboot, and it did seem to be virtually booting up from the
CD
image
since I heard the sound prompt to hit enter to make it start
running
in
live
mode, so will have to test it a bit more - LOL!
For those who don't know, Vinux is a modified/tweaked version of
Ubuntu
linux that automatically makes things like the Orca screenreader
start,
and has also, apparently, had it's whole user interface tweaked to
suit
us better.
Stay well
Jacob Kruger
Blind Biker
Skype: BlindZA
'...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
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For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
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__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature database 4049 (20090501) __________
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http://www.eset.com
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http://www.eset.com
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signature database 4049 (20090501) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
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For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
http://www.jaws-users.com/help/
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature database 4049 (20090501) __________
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http://www.eset.com
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signature database 4051 (20090504) __________
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For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
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signature database 4052 (20090504) __________
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