How is Windows 8 more accessible than XP? Also, is it more stable? How
well do older games that we have purchased run using Windows *?
One thing I will say is that Windows Narrator has undergone vast
improvements over what was in XP.
--
If guns kill people, writing implements cause grammatical and spelling
errors!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dallas O'Brien" <dallas.r.obr...@gmail.com>
To: "Gamers Discussion list" <gamers@audyssey.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 8:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Audyssey] challenge for developers, post xp windows
Hi, also, I'm not too sure where the idea that Microsoft has not been
helping accessibility in more modern versions of windows.
In fact, Windows 7, and more especially windows 8, are far more accessible
than XP ever was. And their knew protocols, and APIs, that provide better
accessibility now, then before. So again, not sure where this one came
from.
And I agree,, having an old machine with the older OS, is often the better
option. Obviously, if you're fine with what you have now, then stay with
it.
However, XP will be losing support as of this time next year. So I would
suggest, that you start looking at moving ahead now, before you're forced
to.
Mainly, because of the security risk you will be dealing with, when XP no
longer is being provided the security updates. And in this modern world,
where you are connected so much, to the Internet, it would be pointless to
remain in a less secure OS.
I myself, am seriously considering going with a Mac for my next computer,
and dual booting windows on it. Best of both worlds. The only problem with
that, is the cost of a Mac out right. Anyway, on with the games. LOL.
Regards:
Dallas
On 30/04/2013, at 22:39, Draconis <i...@dracoent.com> wrote:
Hi Dark,
My responses are throughout.
*snip*
1: compatibility with dos applications.
As a huge fan of text rpgs, I play not a few games with dos such as
fallthru, and age of legends, yet thanks to microsoft that would not be
possible on a 64 bit machine. For sighted users this isn't a problem
since they can use the dosbox emulator, and indeed newer dos, or dos
style applications are still being developed using it, noteably Eamon
deluxe (and since there are over 270 Eamon games that is quite a lot
just on it's own). If a developer created a screen reader friendly
version of dosbox or a similar way to run 16 bit console window
applications, it would mean that older games, which have been playable
for the past 30 years would continue to be so for the blind community.
This is something I know the developer of Eamon deluxe has been looking
into and discussing with the dosbox dev team, but perhaps some
assistance from a programmer with more knolidge of screen readers'
interaction with windows would be of help, that is unless someone cannot
create say a small application that outputs dos text to sapi or similar.
*snip*
First, there is a certain amount of irony that the first point on your
list is essentially that you want to be able to cling to the past in
order to move into the future. It is sort of like saying, thirty years
ago, that you wouldn't use a CD player because it couldn't play your
vinyl records. I use this analogy as someone who has a fair number of
rare vinyl records which do not exist in modern formats. This doesn't
keep me from having a CD player, or, these days, using iTunes. The vast,
vast, vast majority of Windows users never upgrade their existing
machine. They go buy a cheap new computer which happens to have the
latest OS on it. When this occurs, rather than going through channels to
keep using obsolete software, hang on to the old machine to play such
games, and keep that machine in as good repair as possible, much as I
have had to do with vinyl record players over the years.
I still have my working Apple 2GS computer as well, specifically for the
nostalgia playing the old games I had for it. I've had it for, likely,
longer than many of the participants of this list have been alive, and it
still works, because I've taken care of it.
So, while your option of an accessible DOS emulator would be the ideal,
it is something that is relatively easily worked around.
*snip*
2: audio games created using vb6 and direct x.
Microsoft have, as we've been told dropped vb6 support and messed about
with many of their direct x components. with the number of accessible
games being so small, it is a real shame when they cannot be run on
newer machines due to lack of support for the components.
Again, since windows xp existed as a viable os for close to 10 years and
is still largely in use today, we're talking about a long period of time
and not a few games, indeed a post last year on audiogames.net was from
a 64 bit windows user who complained that the upgrade actually lost!
them more than it gained. If I could be certain the dependencies to run
games like classic pipe were still available in some sense for post xp
windows, I'd be less concerned about upgrading my os.
While I know vb6 is likely to continue as a viable option provided
dependencies are installed, which is why developers like Jim and Aprone
can still write games in it, I'm less certain regarding other
components, especially with what I've heard of other games not working
under later windows versions.
*snip*
This point is really just the same as your first point, with the same
solutions available, be that virtual machines, emulation, or hanging on
and maintaining an older machine for the time being.
And, as far as Draconis goes, we are working to move our games forward to
modern operating systems.
*snip*
3: interface.
There is no denying that microsoft have by their nature created an
interface which is more graphical, less logical and less customizable, a
trend continued in windows 8. It is not for instance possible to have
listed menues or coherent folder structures, not to mention the los of
simpler, but more user friendly things like outlook express (a program
I'd really! miss). This is frankly a pain in the arse, but is something
I, ---- and likely others would be willing to suffer if it were for an
over all bennifit, however that bennifit has not materialized.
*snip*
While I disagree that "more graphical" inherently means "less
accessible"…I think that age-old myth has been dispelled for
years…there's no denying that Microsoft has made a mess of things for
everyone, not just visually impaired users. This is why I am a Mac user.
It is less frustration, less expensive, and a far more productive and
pleasant computing experience than what Microsoft currently offers. And,
with the ability to install and boot into Windows as well, you do not
need to lose access to your games.
*snip*
In general, for myself at least, the things I use a computer for would
be far more harmed than bennifited from upgrading, since I'd have less
access to software and games, a harder to use interface, and nothing
I've seen related to the other things I use a computer for, ---- music,
dvds, writing, using e mail that would particularly be of help, even in
terms of net brousing, this business of mp3 playback is the first thing
I've heard of that ie9 does which would actually be of help to me.
*snip*
At some point, you will be forced to upgrade. You can do it on your own
terms and find solutions to these challenges yourself, or you can wait
until circumstance makes it necessary, and have squandered the time you
had to make the upgrade smoother. I suppose it comes down to where the
tipping point for each individual will be. When does the future hold more
promise than retreading the ground of the past.
*snip*
While I know there are those who appreciate having the latest os
because! it is the latest, for many people including myself computers
have only instrumental value, ie, they are only valuable for what they
do. Given this fact, and given the fact that microsoft have not
particularly helped access in later versions of windows anyway, it is
perfectly logical why people stick with more useable systems and with
those that allow more access to games and software.
*snip*
I agree that upgrading just to be able to say you have the latest and
greatest is not a sound mindset. An upgrade should offer tangible
benefits. If it doesn't, you're clearly using the wrong OS for you, and
perhaps should consider alternatives.
*snip*
While the former is not something that has an easy answer, the latter is
something which people could! do something about, since the less
painless a transition and the more freedom a person has to access what
they can already, the more likely they will be to try something new
since the less harm it will do them ultimately, and it would be nice if
developers and other knolidgeable persons could help this transition.
*snip*
Again, though, this is back to the idea of wanting everything right now,
or nothing at all. Should people have not used CD's until every record
ever made was available? Should we not use ebooks because there are still
some books we can't get that way? Hanging on to a retired machine solves
every point you have raised here.
Personally, for me, the best solution, were I in your shoes, would be to
look at a Mac if you are that concerned with the user experience, and
keep XP installed on a second partition for playing your old games. Mac
will allow you to stay current with a modern operating system, XP will
allow you to enjoy your old titles, and the entire setup in this case is
fully accessible.
The above points you raise are less reasons than justifications, in my
opinion. There are solutions, some of them reasonably simple, to both of
them.
Thanks for the thoughtful post. Hopefully, I've given you something to
think about as well.
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