Orca or EmacSpeak

Wed Jan 30 13:06:17 UTC 2013

Orca is a great screen reader. I just wish I could tell you how to bring
up the Orca settings without an insert key. The Orca list itself might
be more help. Here's the information I grabbed from the end of the
messages that get posted to the Orca list:

orca-list mailing list
orca-list at gnome.org
https://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/orca-list
Visit http://live.gnome.org/Orca for more information on Orca.
The manual is at
http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-access-guide/nightly/ats-2.html
The FAQ is at http://live.gnome.org/Orca/FrequentlyAskedQuestions
Log bugs and feature requests at http://bugzilla.gnome.org
Find out how to help at http://live.gnome.org/Orca/HowCanIHelp

eSpeak and voxin are synthesizers and not screen readers. Voxin is the
same synthesizer as Eloquence, used by JAWS and others. It's not free.
eSpeak is an open source synthesizer, and it's probably what you're
hearing with Orca if you haven't changed anything.

Are you dual booting into Ubuntu or running it in a virtual machine? You
may have trouble with my instructions if you can't do a few things on
the system. Can you ssh into it at all?

On 29/01/13 22:41, Bryan Duarte wrote:
> To be completely honest I am not familiar with voxen at this point I am just trying to get to know Linux however possible. Currently no I am not getting an Orca window when I ALT tab around. In fact nothing is coming up when I ALT tab around. I am unsure if my Desktop even has anything on it because nothing I do brings anything up. If I press alt F1 I get a list of things like Applications and settings but under universal access there is Orca with no settings for it. A while back I was able to open orca settings but I forgot how I did it. I did install Gnome from the terminal a while back and when I launch ubuntu I select gnome classic with no effects. Does this matter for what I am trying to do? I did read to switch to laptop view but I am still trying to find where to do this. I cannot find orca settings anywhere. I will tell you what. If you tell me how to download and install it I will use whatever screen readers you recommend. I am not attached to orca in fact at this!
  p!
>  oint I hate it because I cannot use it at all. If there is a better one you know of please let me know. I just need to be able to write some code, use the terminal, and possibly file management. I appreciate your help. 
> On Jan 29, 2013, at 3:57 PM, Christopher Chaltain <chaltain at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Would you be using Emacspeak with Voxin or eSpeak? If you're using
>> voxin, I'd just point you at the Oralux scripts for installing
>> Emacspeak. If you'll be using eSpeak, I can send you the steps I
>> recently went through to get Emacspeak working with eSpeak.
>>
>> I can't help you with the Mac keyboard key issues.
>>
>> With Orca, sounds like you need to switch to the laptop keyboard layout.
>> In that case, the caps-lock key becomes your Orca key. If you haven't
>> changed it, Orca should come up with the main screen where you can click
>> on the settings and change the keyboard layout. If you alt+tab around,
>> do you see an Orca screen? I usually just use caps-lock+space to bring
>> up the Orca settings, but this is using the laptop keyboard layout. If
>> you're using the desktop layout, you'd use insert+space, but if you
>> don't have an insert key at all then I'm not sure what to tell you.
>>
>> On 29/01/13 16:45, Bryan Duarte wrote:
>>> Thank you Christopher,
>>>
>>> Yes I would greatly appreciate your instructions. Any help to get me off and running would be greatly appreciated. I am really struggling to learn Linux for the reason I am running it on my Mac book. There is no insert key so I am unable to do the functions which require the use of the orca modifier key. I read there is a way to re map it but I cannot get to the place I do that. Ok I wont lie I cannot find anything on Linux yet. I have figured out how to get the settings open I believe by pressing ALT+F2 I think but that is it. Where would I find Orca settings? Is there a way to open them? I thank you for your help in advanced. I will eagerly wait for your instructions.  
>>> On Jan 28, 2013, at 5:08 PM, Christopher Chaltain <chaltain at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Emacspeak isn't installed on Ubuntu by default, so unless you installed
>>>> it yourself, it won't be there. It will run on Ubuntu 12.04 though.
>>>>
>>>> You could use Emacspeak instead of Orca, if you're proficient with the
>>>> command line, but I myself don't see them as competing technologies, but
>>>> rather complimentary technologies. I have Orca running on my desktop,
>>>> which gives me access to many of the GUI applications running on my
>>>> desktop. I run Emacspeak in a console for most of my file management,
>>>> editing and shell/command line needs.
>>>>
>>>> Will you be using Emacspeak with Voxin or eSpeak? I could send you some
>>>> instructions, but I'll need some time first. Also, are you using a
>>>> 32-bit or 64-bit version of Ubuntu?
>>>>
>>>> On 28/01/13 17:06, Bryan Duarte wrote:
>>>>> THank you everyone for providing me with some feedback. I understand what EmacSpeak is but does it work on ubuntu 1204? I am pretty sure I saw EmacSpeak in the system prefs of my ubuntu. I could be wrong though. So to sum it up can I use eMacSpeak instead of Orca? Also how do I bring up the settings of the OS to find out if EmacSpeak is installed already? 
>>>>> On Jan 28, 2013, at 9:53 AM, Christopher Chaltain <chaltain at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Think of it as a self voicing application, so it'll work whether you run
>>>>>> it in the console or on the desktop.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 28/01/13 05:19, Jude DaShiell wrote:
>>>>>>> Run it and you go into the emacspeak environment and remain in the 
>>>>>>> emacspeak environment until you shut emacspeak down.  I think a version 
>>>>>>> of emacspeak has been built that will run on mac's and use the mac's 
>>>>>>> resources to speak.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Mon, 28 Jan 2013, mattias wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> how do you use emacspeak in graphical environment?
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jude DaShiell" <jdashiel at shellworld.net>
>>>>>>>> To: "Linux for blind general discussion" <blinux-list at redhat.com>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 11:06 AM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: Orca or EmacSpeak
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> emacspeak provides its own environment not a text console.  You can run a
>>>>>>>>> text console from emacspeak when necessary and doing so puts all of the
>>>>>>>>> power tools in your hands Linux has to offer so it's an advantage to learn
>>>>>>>>> especially if you're going for a real Linux sysadmin job or doing any
>>>>>>>>> other real Linux work since most of the young sighted competitors you have
>>>>>>>>> will focus primarily on the graphical user interface.  This trend with the
>>>>>>>>> younger Linux workers gets older managers frustrated when younger workers
>>>>>>>>> either can't do something at all or take too long to do it because they're
>>>>>>>>> using the mouse and the graphical user interface when some of the older
>>>>>>>>> managers can do tasks with the text console and keyboard in half the time
>>>>>>>>> or less.On Mon, 28 Jan 2013, mattias wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> i think emacspeak are only for text console
>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bryan Duarte" <bryan0731 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>> To: <blinux-list at redhat.com>
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 3:16 AM
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Orca or EmacSpeak
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I am new to Linux and am having some trouble getting to learn the OS due
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> the Orca screen reader. I will start off by letting you know I am on a
>>>>>>>>>>> Mac
>>>>>>>>>>> book running Mountain Lion. I am running ubuntu 1204 in VMware fusion.
>>>>>>>>>>> To
>>>>>>>>>>> this point I am only able to preform commands which do not require the
>>>>>>>>>>> Orca
>>>>>>>>>>> modifier key. I read that the Orca modifier key is the "insert" key, but
>>>>>>>>>>> Mac
>>>>>>>>>>> does not have an "insert" key. I have read several different posts of
>>>>>>>>>>> people
>>>>>>>>>>> describing a few key commands which simulate the insert key but none
>>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>>> worked for me. I also was told I can set my Orca configuration to
>>>>>>>>>>> "laptop"
>>>>>>>>>>> and then the "caps lock" key will act as the modifier, and yet again I
>>>>>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>>>>>> unable to do this.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Now to the question at hand. Does anyone have some experience with this
>>>>>>>>>>> issue who can help me get it working? If not can someone please let me
>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>> if EmacSpeak is a better option for linux? I have read lots of good
>>>>>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>>>>>> about emacSpeak but honestly have no idea how to switch from Orca to
>>>>>>>>>>> emacSpeak. I am not bias to either screen reader I am just looking to
>>>>>>>>>>> learn
>>>>>>>>>>> linux well enough to write some programs, use the terminal, and call it
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> familiar OS. I would greatly appreciate any help.
>>>>>>>>>>> Bryan Duarte
>>>>>>>>>>> 1 Corinthians 9:24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but
>>>>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>>>>>> one gets the prize? So run to win!
>>>>>>>>>>> Arizona State University Applied Computer Science Undergraduate
>>>>>>>>>>> Twitter: @blindambitions
>>>>>>>>>>> Skype: bambryan
>>>>>>>>>>> "Blind Ambitions"
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>>>>>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>> jude <jdashiel at shellworld.net>
>>>>>>>>> Adobe fiend for failing to Flash
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>>>>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>>>>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>>>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>>>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>> jude <jdashiel at shellworld.net>
>>>>>>> Adobe fiend for failing to Flash
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>> Christopher (CJ)
>>>>>> chaltain at Gmail
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>>>
>>>>> Bryan Duarte
>>>>> 1 Corinthians 9:24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one gets the prize? So run to win!
>>>>> Arizona State University Applied Computer Science Undergraduate
>>>>> Twitter: @blindambitions
>>>>> Skype: bambryan
>>>>> "Blind Ambitions"
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> Christopher (CJ)
>>>> chaltain at Gmail
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>
>>> Bryan Duarte
>>> 1 Corinthians 9:24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one gets the prize? So run to win!
>>> Arizona State University Applied Computer Science Undergraduate
>>> Twitter: @blindambitions
>>> Skype: bambryan
>>> "Blind Ambitions"
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Blinux-list mailing list
>>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
>>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Christopher (CJ)
>> chaltain at Gmail
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Blinux-list mailing list
>> Blinux-list at redhat.com
>> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
> 
> Bryan Duarte
> 1 Corinthians 9:24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one gets the prize? So run to win!
> Arizona State University Applied Computer Science Undergraduate
> Twitter: @blindambitions
> Skype: bambryan
> "Blind Ambitions"
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Blinux-list mailing list
> Blinux-list at redhat.com
> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list
> 

-- 
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail