[senit] Safari on PC

I'd really have to pick you up on this Ira. Not with respect to how good

I won't challenge anything you say here Sean, except to note that Universal 
Access and Voice Over are not, in my experience, well suited for SLD - and 
that Apple - because of their operating systems being built from unrelated 
structures - makes it much harder for accessibility developers to keep up 
with their ever-changing systems. 

That limits the tools we have available in creating true universal access, 
which is frustrating because so much in the Apple O/S and environment (as 
you describe) is so wonderful. 

I say this all as I sit with both types of computers on my desk. And as 
someone who has used Macs since the original. But also as someone who just 
listened to developers at CSUN bemoan their struggles (once again) with 
another new Mac O/S, and who remembers an Apple rep at CSUN two years ago 
saying in response to my concerns about VoiceOver, "oh, there's nothing here 
for LD kids." Oh. 

So, perhaps I went too far (I often do). Besides, if you run Parallels on a 
new Apple you can have both, and it is one great Windows machine. But I'd 
still use Firefox for the students I work with in either platform. Firefox 
clearly has the best supports. Opera is second. Safari a distant third. IE7? 
I use it to download things from Microsoft sites with ActiveX. That's about 
it. 

Ira 

Sean O'Sullivan writes: 

> I'd really have to pick you up on this Ira. Not with respect to how  good 
> Firefox is - simply the follow on comment that for Apple  accessibility is 
> an afterthought. I do try to avoid coming over as an  evangalist for 
> Apple, but every now and again feel a positive view  needs an airing. 
> 
> We deliberately chose Apple way back in the early 90's for the  
> accessibility of its system. We stuck with it due to the innovative  
> introduction of programmes like iMovie (express yourself - who cares  if 
> you haven't yet become text literate?), iTunes (move files around  and use 
> personal storage areas - ie a playlist?), iPhoto (how easy did  that make 
> it for pupils to download photos without needing me there?),  iDVD (make 
> your own portfolio of personal work and experiences, pre- Learning 
> Platforms), Garageband (do you want your pupils to shuffle  elements 
> around that could make up a podcast, or perhaps create a  piece of 
> music?). We continue with it as the best option you can give  to a person 
> who has cognitive learning difficulties. 
> 
> Perhaps your concern is with regard to sensory accessibility. I've  
> explored but can't comment professionally on what I think is a really  
> excellent built in tool, Universal Access, which for several years has  
> been an integral element of the system software. From what I've seen  it 
> is in no way an afterthought, and perhaps even more important than  what 
> Apple do with their own software, is what they make possible for  others 
> to do with it: 
> 
> Check out AssistiveWare's example of what you can do if your  specialised 
> field is to supply products to fit the interests of people  with physical 
> access needs (after all - are we suggesting that the  access tools that 
> are integral to Windows are so good, or is it a 3rd  party product being 
> referred to?):
> http://www.assistiveware.com/index.php 
> 
> Best, 
> 
> 
> Sean O'Sullivan
> sean.frankwise at easynet.co.uk
> Headteacher
> Frank Wise School, Banbury
> http://www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk 
> 
> http://www.parkroadict.co.uk 
> 
>  
> 
> On 27 Mar 2008, at 19:20, Ira David Socol wrote: 
> 
>> It's been more than year, but I honestly can't imagine why anyone  
>> working in the SEN field would be using anything other than Firefox  (or 
>> perhaps Opera). As we've discussed here before, no browser  offers the 
>> range of accessibility options and study skill supports  that Firefox 
>> has. Opera is a close second. For Safari - as with most  Apple products - 
>> accessibility is an afterthought, if thought of at  all.
>> Ira David Socol
>> Special Education Technology Scholar
>> CEPSE
>> College of Education
>> Michigan State University
>> socolira at msu.edu
>> http://speedchange.blogspot.com/
>> Alex Hammerstein writes:
>>>  Hi  - question for the really sad techies - how long has Mac  Safari 
>>> been
>>> available for the PC?   I downloaded the latest update for ITunes  onto 
>>> my laptop this afternoon, and
>>> low and behold, they have included their Safari browser with the  
>>> update.
>>> Got a very pleasant surprise when it popped up.   Wow IE 7 has been  
>>> consigned to the trash!!   Alex
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>  
> 
> 

Ira David Socol
Special Education Technology Scholar
CEPSE
College of Education
Michigan State University
socolira at msu.edu
http://speedchange.blogspot.com/ 