why using graphics mode for a11y?

[David Picón Álvarez]

From: "Nuno Donato" <nuno at serra-ti.com>
> What is the advantage of using something so complicated as a graphical
> user interface, instead of using a text-only alternative? To better
> understand the goods and bads of orca, I tried to simulate its use by
> closing my eyes and trying to do tasks in my desktop. Of course it takes
> time for anybody to get used to it... but still, I don't get it very well.

This topic is somewhat controversial, I think, but just speaking for myself:

1) There are many applications that do not exist, or exist poorly, for the 
console. Say I needed to edit an OpenDocument file. In the console I'd be in 
trouble. I'm aware there are ways around (I could write it in latex, export 
to rtf, or some other convoluted thing) but that's not really a solution 
worth considering. So it's more or less an imperative to at least have 
access to the GUI.

2) Things like file navigation and so on can be done reasonably efficiently 
from the console, but most people find it easier to use a more menu-driven 
interface. Most console apps require more cognitive load in terms of recall 
and learning than their X counterparts. Whether this cognitive load has 
returns on efficiency is besides the point, most people don't seem to feel 
it's worth it.

3) The "social" issue. If I have a doubt about OpenOffice or the like, I can 
look around on the net, ask a friend to help, etc. If I have a doubt about 
some specific piece of software designed for blind or visually impaired 
users in particular, which runs on the console, my resources for finding 
info will be much smaller. The other way it works too: when a non-blind &c 
friend asks me something about their setup I have at least half a chance to 
be able to help them out.

4) Multitasking. The console can be used for multitasking, but it's quite 
clear that it is a secondary use for it, and in my view it is not as well 
suited as X. Background tasks can communicate to the user on X in what seems 
to me are better ways, and it is easier to have any number of apps running 
than on consoles, and switching around them.

Those are the main reasons I see. Maybe some other people see others. I 
think it's worth using other interfaces like console and emacspeak, but 
there are also reasons for trying to use the same software other people use.

Also, speaking for myself, I don't think using orca requires imagining how 
the interface actually looks like. Things like menus and so on are 
abstractions in my mind, I don't really care how they are presented.

--David.