[Athen] Assistive/adaptive software & hardware & iMac... oh my

[normajean.brand]

Thank you all for your candid, thoughtful responses. We were an all Mac
environment up until about 1998/99 when we purchased a few 
Compaqs with the Bigfoot hard-drive configuration. When they deemed that
to be a total loss, they purchased Dells and starting phasing out Macs.
The only Mac users were those who were in the graphics and PR depts. I
have used Macs off and on since 1984, so I'm ok them. 

We have spent thousands of dollars on assistive/adaptive software and
hardware that work in a PC environment. The students we encounter who
need this type of software/hardware are normally PC users. I'm not sure
everyone in my organization has truly thought this through, and the one
leading the charge is a Mac-addict. I understand that Macs typically
have a longer lifespan (my Mac Plus still works!) than PCs and are
generally 'cooler' looking than PCs and would appeal aesthetically to
X-Gens and Millennials; however, I don't think we have to always be on
the bleeding edge lest we find ourselves bleeding trying to accommodate
students. ;) Just my thought anyway.

Again, thank you all for your thoughts.

NJ



-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NJ Brand
Houston Community College-NW
Technical Support and Innovation Center
Assistive Technology Specialist/Sr. Lab Assistant
Town and Country Square Campus
MC 1379 Room RC13
1010 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N.
Houston TX 77043
VM/Office: 713.718.5604                    
FAX: 713.718.5430 
Email: normajean.brand at hccs.edu
http://nwc.hccs.edu 
----------------------------------------------------------------------- 

-----Original Message-----
From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On
Behalf Of E.A. Draffan
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 7:05 AM
To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'
Subject: Re: [Athen] Assistive/adaptive software & hardware & iMac... oh
my

Weaving and diving and then ducking back under the parapet, the only
comment I have is that when I used AT on a Mac within bootcamp it all
worked but the practicalities were that I could not save files between
the two operating systems.  The Mac could see the PC hard disk but not
vice versa, so I had to use a USB memory stick to transfer files or send
them up to a server.  I also had to use two keyboards and two mice as
several shortcuts and right hand mouse clicks differed.  But this was
last year so may be things have changed with the latest updates. 
 

Best wishes E.A.

Mrs E.A. Draffan
Learning Societies Lab
ECS, University of Southampton
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 7246
http://www.lexdis.ecs.soton.ac.uk <http://www.lexdis.ecs.soton.ac.uk/>
http://www.emptech.info/ 

 

________________________________

From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On
Behalf Of normajean.brand
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 2:01 AM
To: Access Technologists in Higher Education Network
Subject: [Athen] Assistive/adaptive software & hardware & iMac... oh my


Fellow ATHENians,
Is anyone on the list using assistive/adaptive software (ZoomText, JAWS,
Kurzweil, WYNN, etc.) installed on an iMac? And, if so, how
successfully?
 
The Academic IT Support team, where I am employed, is considering
pulling all PCs from the classrooms and labs and installing iMacs, with
Windows OS running in the background or foreground depending on the boot
sequence. I have used Macs off and on since 1984 and they have some very
good qualities about them, however I am concerned that ZoomText and
other assistive software and possibly hardware will not run effectively,
or at all, on the iMac environment. Not to mention segregating and
calling attention to those users who may need the PC environment to
access learning materials with assistive/adaptive software and hardware,
I have major concerns regarding this plan of action. 
 
Any thoughts? Constructive suggestions/criticisms welcome. Dodging
bullets here as they try to shoot the messenger...
 
Thank you for sharing...
 
NJ

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal Mission Statement
Integrity, trust, commitment and talent is the foundation of my
existence.
My dedication to providing the highest level of technical expertise to
help solve client's problems is why I'm here. I strive to create,
innovate, and to research solutions to meet and exceed expectations.
-- NJ Brand
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NJ Brand
Houston Community College-NW
Technical Support and Innovation Center
Assistive Technology Specialist/Sr. Lab Assistant Town and Country
Square Campus MC 1379 Room RC13 1010 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N.
Houston TX 77043
VM/Office: 713.718.5604                    
FAX: 713.718.5430
Email: normajean.brand at hccs.edu <mailto:normajean.brand at hccs.edu>
http://nwc.hccs.edu <http://nwc.hccs.edu/>  


 


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