Because there is so much money at stake with Microsoft potentially loosing its throttle-hold on the Office software end of things (not being able to communicate in .doc format is a big disadvantage), that I am always suspicious about who might have prompted complaints from behind the scenes.
Yes Linux is harder to use than commercial OS's like Mac OsX or Windows. A large part of this difficulty is that manufacturers don't have to worry about putting a "Linux Compatible" sticker on boxes like they do for other OSs. But to raise concerns about a move to Open Office in Massachusetts because it is difficult to get drivers in Linux for a Braille reader seems off track. Open Office running on Windows would be able to use Windows disability features, I believe. Having said that, I am fully supportive of the FOSS developing a platform for disability access. Kevin On 3/20/06, Greg Woodhouse <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > FOSS Community, Disabled Users Must Learn to Communicate > NewsForge (03/18/06) Fioretti, Marco > The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has formulated > standards to guarantee that software is accessible to users with > disabilities. The free and open source software (FOSS) community has long > been hearing calls for accessibility assurances, particularly after > Massachusetts officials' announcement that the state would adopt OASIS > OpenDocument format drew criticism from advocates for the disabled. > OpenDocument is currently under an accessibility review, and representatives > from the Bay State Council for the Blind and the Disability Policy > Consortium have met with Massachusetts officials and FOSS representatives. > The meeting revealed the disconnect between the FOSS community and disabled > users, as FOSS representatives explained that an accessibility > infrastructure based around FOSS would create opportunities for disabled > workers in Unix system administration and Web site design, but the > disability advocates maintained that "without advanced training to develop a > qualified pool of talent, new hires for state government agencies with > OpenSource, OpenDocument platforms will be everybody but people with > disabilities because of perceived or real training requirements." While > attempting to install a new driver for a Braille terminal, Italian computer > science student Fabrizio Marini found that Linux is still too complicated > for novice users. Some disability advocates show no preference between open > and proprietary software formats, provided that user accessibility is > ensured. While the FOSS community has been bridging the gap with disabled > users, FOSS documentation still needs to be improved, and FOSS developers > would be well-advised to check in with disability groups when they launch a > major project. > Click Here to View Full Article > > ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.Net email is sponsored by xPML, a groundbreaking scripting language that extends applications into web and mobile media. Attend the live webcast and join the prime developer group breaking into this new coding territory! http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid0944&bid$1720&dat1642 _______________________________________________ Hardhats-members mailing list Hardhats-members@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/hardhats-members
