Thank you ever so much, Ann. This sounds marvelous; I will definitely check it out.
Most Sincerely, Mark On Jan 9, 2012, at 12:32 AM, Anne Robertson wrote: > Hello Mark, > > This is not first hand experience as I'm totally blind, but my husband > teaches low-vision people to use the Mac, and most of his clients use > VisioVoice from Assistiveware to give them the combination of colours that > suits their eyesight. > > This application is far from free, but it might provide what you need. Have a > look at: > www.assistiveware.com > > Cheers, > > Anne > > > On 9 Jan 2012, at 06:25, M. Taylor wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> No, I think it's all been covered; however, I will say that, some how, >> cursor tracking feels smoother or more seamless with Zoomtext. >> >> I think the biggest thing I like about using Windows over the Mac in Zoom >> mode is the ability to truly customize color schemes. >> >> I have all but begged Apple to give users, sighted or low-vision the ability >> to truly customize the OS color scheme. Simply reversing colors is not good >> enough for long-term use of Zoom, in my opinion. >> >> The truth is, I only need the editable text font and background reversed, >> not the entire desktop or window elements. Reversing every color on the >> desktop can sometimes make navigation more difficult and it looks terrible >> especially when the reverse-colored screen saver kicks in. >> >> Mark >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Louie P. (Pete) Nalda >> Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 9:23 PM >> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >> Subject: Re: Switching to a Mac from PC >> >> Just out of curiosity, can you name other areas of superiority of ZoomText >> over Zoom besides what I've mentioned? And do you think maybe these extra >> features add to the instability problems the OP mentions? I'm just curious, >> as Zoom does seem to run very flawlessly on the mac, limitations aside. And >> you don't have to pay $150 for upgrades every time the browser or OS is >> updated (I'm only stating what the Original poster said earlier). I think >> knowing what features ZT has that people want could help the folks at apple >> know how they can best improve Zoom. Myself, I never really miss the >> features I had with ZT and Windows. I get very close using Zoom and VO >> together on my Mac. Ymmv. >> >> >> On Jan 7, 2012, at 9:22 PM, M. Taylor wrote: >> >>> Hello All, >>> >>> I think I missed the genesis of this thread; but, as for zoom on the >>> Mac versus Zoomtext for Windows, Zoomtext is far superior. This truly >>> saddens me as, were they equal or more closely matched, I would use my >>> Mac even more than I currently do. >>> >>> I have been lobbying AI Squared, the makers of Zoomtext, to port ZT >>> over to the Mac. I hope, someday, that it will. >>> >>> I do not fault Apple for this as Apple is an OS developer where as AI >>> Squared is a screen magnification company. I am certain that if Apple >> were >>> primarily a screen magnification company it would be the best on the >> planet. >>> >>> >>> Mark >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Louie P. (Pete) >>> Nalda >>> Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 6:34 PM >>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>> Subject: Re: Switching to a Mac from PC >>> >>> Here are the main differences between ZoomText and Zoom on the Mac. >>> Zoom on the mac doesn't offer windowed or partial screen magnification >>> as ZoomText Does, though to It's benefit, it does offer several >>> tracking options of how the screen moves with the pointer. I use >> Continuous mode. and of Course >>> there is keyboard tracking as well. Like ZT, there is also font >> smoothing. >>> Zoom does not have the doc reader app, but will happily move along >>> with VoiceOver as VO reads text. Zoom can quickly change >>> magnification with >>> ctrl+ 2 finger up/down on the trackpad, which I find is just as handy >>> ctrl+ as >>> using the wheel on a mouse. >>> >>> On Jan 7, 2012, at 7:53 PM, Sean Murphy wrote: >>> >>>> Hi chuck, >>>> >>>> I think people have missed the main point of your message and have >>>> gone on >>> a tangent which isn't what you were asking. >>>> >>>> Large (magnification) on the Mac is very good from my understanding. >>>> You >>> can quickly change the size of the font. But I do not know what the >>> feature differences between Zoomtext and Mac Magnification. Only think >>> I do know is that it is very feature reach. >>>> >>>> Web development and other like presentation tools under the Mac is >>>> very >>> feature reach. >>>> On 04/01/2012, at 12:44 PM, Chuck wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thanks for the information. I do plan to use my PC and the Mac Mini >>>>> in parallel until I get used to the Mac. I am familiar with voice >>>>> over and zoom on the iPhone and iPad and I'm hoping that they >>>>> translate as well to the Mac Mini. >>>>> >>>>> I have a sighted friend who also says that the Mac is a little more >>>>> sluggish than the PC. I don't do any gaming, 90% of my computer uses >>>>> buying online, word processing, and web development >>>>> >>>>> But having dealt with Zoom text for the last 15 years, I am totally >>>>> frustrated with the program. I have to reboot it about five times >>>>> every day in order to get the text smooting to work. And it no >>>>> longer works with Internet Explorer nine. I'm sure that when they do >>>>> finally fix it, they'll want another $150 for the update. >>>>> Chuck >>>>> >>>>> On Jan 3, 6:22 pm, "Missy Hoppe" <melis...@fuse.net> wrote: >>>>>> Very well said. I've had my mac since may, and although I've >>>>>> recently become far more fond of Itunes than my bank account is >>>>>> comfortable with, I just don't use it for daily tasks. I just can't >>>>>> get comfortable with any of the word processing options, and since >>>>>> I've been using a PC for close to 25 years, I'm always going to be >>>>>> more comfortable on a windows platform. One of my favorite >>>>>> activities, >>> especially while I'm unemployed, is playing games, and while I'm >>> thrilled that the RS games client works on the mac, there aren't any other >> options. >>> I'm still hoping for a truly accessible mud client; if atlantis is >>> accessible, I sure haven't figured out how to make it speak automatically. >>>>>> My other major task is writing/editing a story I've been working on >>>>>> for several years now. I just can't get comfortable working on my >>>>>> files >>> using the mac, so just keep using good old wordpad on the PC. >>>>>> Since it cost me so much money, I have chosen to use the mac for >>>>>> things that either don't work or I don't want to mess with on my PC: >>>>>> adium, skype, itunes, and a couple of other similar things that I >>>>>> can't remember at the moment. I figure that the mac is a lot easier >>>>>> to fix if something goes wrong, and that's definitely something >>>>>> I'll give Apple credit for; you can install the operating system >>>>>> without any sighted assistance, and with carbon copy cloner and >>>>>> time machine, >>> it's easy to restore your machine on the off chance that something >>> catastrophic happens. Another thing that I really love about the mac >>> is Growl. It essensially reads things that happen in the system tray: >>> changes in dropbox files for example. That's 1 thing my PC can't do, >>> or if it can, I don't know how to set it up, so the mac is really awesome >> in that respect. >>>>>> With all that being said, however, while I certainly like my mac a >>>>>> lot more than I did when I first bought it, to be perfectly honest, >>>>>> there's still a rather big part of me that regrets the purchase. I >>> eventually hope to get bootcamp and/or VM fusion up and running, but >>> so far, that just hasn't happened. >>>>>> I hope this makes at least a little sense and that it helps you in >>>>>> your decision. Sadly, I can't comment on the large print side of >>>>>> things, but I've become moderately comfortable with using Voiceover. >>> Good luck in whatever decision you make, and I hope this helps you out >>> at least a little. >>>>>> Missy >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>> [mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Alex Hall >>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 8:01 PM >>>>>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>>>>> Subject: Re: Switching to a Mac from PC >>>>>> >>>>>> I got a Mini after hearing nothing but great things about the Mac >>>>>> and VoiceOver. I can honestly say that I regret the decision. I >>>>>> never understood editing, my system seemed sluggish compared to >>>>>> NVDA with Windows, and web browsing is slow on the Mac when using >>>>>> vo. Also, a >>> lot of what I do on the pc is audio gaming, and not so much as a good, >>> accessible version of Solitaire is available on the Mac, let alone >>> shooting, strategy, or other intensively audio games. >>>>>> I am still willing to admit that a good, long skype session with >>>>>> someone who is an experienced Mac user may help me, but as of right >>>>>> now I almost never boot into Mac, using the Windows half of my >>>>>> dual-booting mini almost exclusively. If you do switch, make sure >>>>>> to either set up bootcamp or a virtual machine so you can run >>>>>> Windows, >>> because I can pretty much promise that you will still be using Windows >>> for a while after you start playing with the mac. Sorry to be so >>> negative, but that's my experience so far. >>>>>> >>>>>> On 1/3/12, Red.Falcon <velocity.focu...@virginmedia.com> wrote: >>>>>>> Hi Chuck! >>>>>>> Although I do not use windows and never have! >>>>>>> I have seen posts about the zoom and one thing the Mac cannot do >>>>>>> is change colours! >>>>>>> So its black on white or vice vursor! >>>>>>> hth Colin >>>>>> >>>>>>> On 4 Jan 2012, at 00:05, Chuck wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hello everyone, >>>>>>>> I'm seriously considering switching to a Mac Mini from PC. >>>>>>>> I intend to use both the zoom and voice over programs. >>>>>>>> I am currently using a PC with Windows 7 and zoom text as my >>>>>>>> magnification and reading software. >>>>>>>> I would like to hear from those of you who have made the switch. >>>>>>>> What pitfalls should I look for? Are there any trade-offs? >>>>>>>> In your opinion after making the switch which is the better system? >>>>>>>> Why? >>>>>>>> Thanks. >>>>>>>> Chuck >>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>> Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Have a great day, >>>>>> Alex (msg sent from GMail website) >>>>>> mehg...@gmail.com;http://www.facebook.com/mehgcap >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> For more options, visit this group >>> athttp://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> Egun On, Lagunak! (Basque for G'day, Mates) Louie P. "Pete" Nalda >>> http://www.myspace.com/musikonalda >>> http://www.facebook.com/lpnalda >>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/lpnalda >>> Twitter @lpnalda >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >> >> Egun On, Lagunak! (Basque for G'day, Mates) >> Louie P. "Pete" Nalda >> http://www.myspace.com/musikonalda >> http://www.facebook.com/lpnalda >> http://www.linkedin.com/in/lpnalda >> Twitter @lpnalda >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
