Speakup in kernel

[Janina Sajka]

Will Backman writes:
> From: Will Backman <whb at ceimaine.org>
> 
> Before we get too angry...
> The open source nature of Linux means that Speakup kernels are
> available.  Just like the open source advocates say "if your vendor does
> not provide it, those who want it can."  Not an excuse for not asking
> RedHat to try, but...
> 
> There is the inclusion of gnopernicus (not full inclusion, but getting
> there), which provides things that speakup does not, on screen
> keyboards, and a magnifier.  Some would say that this is a better
> approach, as it lets us avoid the "separate but equal" trap where most
> users get Evolution, but those using speakup have to use Mutt or some
> other text mode mail client.

There is no single answer. There can't be. Blind people--other people
with disabilities--are the same as all other people in that sense. We
are not all the same (which is a good thing), and no one solution can
meet all needs.

Using mutt is not a disability ghetto. Mutt and the console are not
special apps for pwds. These are options generally available, and it's
proper that they be available to all users, regardless of disability
status.


> 
> Fedora is a community project.  We cannot throw this at RedHat any
> more.  If we want to influence the project, Fedora provides a better
> chance than before.
> 
> Peace, Love, Linux.
> 
> On Tue, 2003-10-21 at 15:55, Janina Sajka wrote:
> > Oh, it's clear RH has no intention. What is now also clear is that the
> > reasoning is highly suspect. In fact, prejudicial against persons with
> > disabilities. Not hard to make that case from this thread.
> > 
> > It will come back on RH, though. This isn't going away. Just as the
> > discriminatory practices with RCE isn't going away. The RCE issue is a
> > lurking ADA legal issue. The kernel accessibility issue will be back.
> > Perhaps only upstream. But, we're not going away.
> > 
> > 
> > Mike A. Harris writes:
> > > From: "Mike A. Harris" <mharris at redhat.com>
> > > 
> > > On Tue, 21 Oct 2003, Janina Sajka wrote:
> > > 
> > > >> > don't recall any documentation of security, or any issue other than a
> > > >> > single I18N issue.
> > > >> 
> > > >> It was discussed with the author.  Not all security issues are subject
> > > >> to instant full disclosure.
> > > >> 
> > > >
> > > >OK. I can easily check with the author and will do so.
> > > >
> > > >But, you said "multiple issues, including security." What else, please?
> > > >With documentation, please.
> > > >
> > > >Put up, Michael.
> > > 
> > > Michael presented enough information already as to why it is not 
> > > present, and is NOT going to be included for technical and other 
> > > reasons, as has Alan.  Being rude and obnoxious is simply NOT 
> > > going to change that.
> > > 
> > > Here is Alan's email if you missed it.
> > > 
> > > End of story.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 14:48:48 -0400 (EDT)
> > > From: Alan Cox <alan at redhat.com>
> > > To: fedora-test-list at redhat.com
> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> > > List-Id: For testers of Red Hat Linux beta releases 
> > > <fedora-test-list.redhat.com>
> > > Subject: Re: Speakup in kernel
> > > 
> > > > And, as for those multiple issues, where are they documented, 
> > > please? I
> > > > don't recall any documentation of security, or any issue other 
> > > than a
> > > > single I18N issue.
> > > 
> > > There were a series of issues discussed with the original authors
> > > - lack of modularity
> > > - incorrect interfacing to tty layer for serial units
> > > - some security problems (not publically disclosed)
> > > - problems with /proc config interface
> > > - future - when you need userspace to set up serial ports or 
> > > direct usb
> > >   what will happen - there needs to be an interface lower than 
> > > Linux to
> > >   solve these problems.
> > > - the fact many blind linux users including blind kernel 
> > > development folks
> > >   felt it was the wrong model
> > > 
> > > 
> > > -- 
> > > Mike A. Harris     ftp://people.redhat.com/mharris
> > > OS Systems Engineer - XFree86 maintainer - Red Hat
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --
> > > fedora-test-list mailing list
> > > fedora-test-list at redhat.com
> > > http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-test-list
> 
> 
> --
> fedora-test-list mailing list
> fedora-test-list at redhat.com
> http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-test-list

-- 
	
Janina Sajka
Email: janina at rednote.net		
Phone: (202) 408-8175

Director, Technology Research and Development
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
http://www.afb.org

Chair, Accessibility Work Group
Free Standards Group
http://accessibility.freestandards.org