I don't think it is inappropriate to discuss reasons for vision and/or hearing loss?
I could purchase just about any notebook with Windows 7, bump up the DPI to 125%, and I'm good to go
I am just mindful of the lack of civility on the Internet.
You are obviously well informed about the options best for you. I am pretty much out of ideas for Visual Impairment solutions. I have learned some things, like ZoomText, and the ability to change the DPI on Windows 7 or Ubuntu.
Apple does a very good job with bundled assistive technology. You may find something that is better for you at Assistive Ware.
A down side for me an Linux is speech. The magnification didn't work well on my computer. Then again, I use VirtualBox and only allocate 384 megs to the guest OS. I not sure why, but I've never been successful at updating an Ubuntu version. As I mentioned, they release new versions in April and October. The 10.04 version coming next will be LTS. Simply put, Long Term Support.
While it is possible to create a BootCamp partition and install Ubuntu directly to it, I haven't been able to. Bluetooth issues. Gonna cost me a hundred bucks to get USB. In other words, I should be able to install Linux directly to BootCamp, but can't prove it.
Just for fun, what did you have before your iMac? As mentioned I was HP and CRT. I'm trying to live in the 21st Century with flat screen. It isn't working out. I suppose I could buy an eMac or a CRT monitor. I know where to get the eMac right now. Not sure who has good CRTs (new) for sale anymore.
Jim, try contacting me off this thread. What I did was to go to AppleInsider, clicked on 'Forums', then 'User CP' above the list of fora, then under 'Networking' clicked on 'Contacts and Friends', and then entered your avatar of 'WPLJ42' to my list. My avatar is 'BertP'. As stated before, I am conscious that this thread is in the public domain.
Edit: check for 'Private Messages' under 'User CP'.
Will the drivers in that update support ZoomText and changing the DPI? I don't know. You could check the Apple discussion group for Boot Camp, and pose those questions:
You have a good machine; it just does not fit your visual requirements completely. I don't see the value of reverting back to analog displays because it will become ever more difficult to find support for that setup. I know that this approach will require you to acquire a Windows 7 license and a ZoomText license. So, bucks are involved here. I think you would need help in installing new memory because it requires deft handling and good vision.
Bert: Sent ya a PM. Also, if we take our stuff private, others can't read. Don't know if anyone is. Being able to change DPI in Windows has been there a long time. Windows 7 makes it one step easier to select between 100 - 125 - 150%.
The reason I wanted to know what you used before your iMac, is how long has it been since you've seen Windows? For me, XP made a very attractive looking scheme. Soft contrast with larger fonts in the menus. I could live with Vista. Not sure how easy it is to get now. The one place who had it up for grabs, has removed it.
Thank you for all the links. It would cost me a bloody fortune to make my iMac Windows 7 ready. I would still (possibly) have an audio problem to deal with.
One drawback to my iMac is the glossy display. Matte would work better. Don't think I will ever opt for an all-in-one ever again. Very handy, but now I'm stuck.
Money is a big deal. I would have to sell this thing before getting something else. Had I done more prep, I'd be using a mini right now. Only recently have I done monitor research.
So far, there have been 1.186 views. I don't have an interpretation on that figure. If you want to keep bouncing the ball, we can. But note, I'm running low on Visual Impairment solutions.
I get the money thing. Also the glossy screen, which means I have to use my iMac in a dark room. The latest mini is getting to be quite capable, so it is of interest to me as a form factor. The cost of the Power Mac is absurd except for business purposes. To me, the problem with the iMac is the inaccessibility of the internal hard drive. If it fails, then big trouble. That is why I have my data backed up on a Time Machine volume on an external drive.
You have a situation of 'one bird in hand is better than two in the bush' – meaning current viable solutions that suit your needs versus speculation on what will be forthcoming from Apple, Microsoft, Linux netbooks, etc. Your iMac is not working for you as needed.
Comments
I don't think it is inappropriate to discuss reasons for vision and/or hearing loss?
I could purchase just about any notebook with Windows 7, bump up the DPI to 125%, and I'm good to go
I am just mindful of the lack of civility on the Internet.
You are obviously well informed about the options best for you. I am pretty much out of ideas for Visual Impairment solutions. I have learned some things, like ZoomText, and the ability to change the DPI on Windows 7 or Ubuntu.
http://www.assistiveware.com/index.php
Apple does a very good job with bundled assistive technology. You may find something that is better for you at Assistive Ware.
A down side for me an Linux is speech. The magnification didn't work well on my computer. Then again, I use VirtualBox and only allocate 384 megs to the guest OS. I not sure why, but I've never been successful at updating an Ubuntu version. As I mentioned, they release new versions in April and October. The 10.04 version coming next will be LTS. Simply put, Long Term Support.
While it is possible to create a BootCamp partition and install Ubuntu directly to it, I haven't been able to. Bluetooth issues. Gonna cost me a hundred bucks to get USB. In other words, I should be able to install Linux directly to BootCamp, but can't prove it.
Just for fun, what did you have before your iMac? As mentioned I was HP and CRT. I'm trying to live in the 21st Century with flat screen. It isn't working out. I suppose I could buy an eMac or a CRT monitor. I know where to get the eMac right now. Not sure who has good CRTs (new) for sale anymore.
…Just for fun…
Jim, try contacting me off this thread. What I did was to go to AppleInsider, clicked on 'Forums', then 'User CP' above the list of fora, then under 'Networking' clicked on 'Contacts and Friends', and then entered your avatar of 'WPLJ42' to my list. My avatar is 'BertP'. As stated before, I am conscious that this thread is in the public domain.
Edit: check for 'Private Messages' under 'User CP'.
?While it is possible to create a BootCamp partition?
Apple recently released an upgrade to Boot Camp to support 32-bit Windows 7:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL996
Will the drivers in that update support ZoomText and changing the DPI? I don't know. You could check the Apple discussion group for Boot Camp, and pose those questions:
http://discussions.apple.com/categor...categoryID=237
If you took that route, you'll probably be better off bumping up your memory from 1GB:
http://store.apple.com/us/memorymodel/ME_IMAC_AL_20_G1
It would be cheaper to buy memory at a third party. Here is one:
http://macsales.com/
You have a good machine; it just does not fit your visual requirements completely. I don't see the value of reverting back to analog displays because it will become ever more difficult to find support for that setup. I know that this approach will require you to acquire a Windows 7 license and a ZoomText license. So, bucks are involved here. I think you would need help in installing new memory because it requires deft handling and good vision.
The reason I wanted to know what you used before your iMac, is how long has it been since you've seen Windows? For me, XP made a very attractive looking scheme. Soft contrast with larger fonts in the menus. I could live with Vista. Not sure how easy it is to get now. The one place who had it up for grabs, has removed it.
Thank you for all the links. It would cost me a bloody fortune to make my iMac Windows 7 ready. I would still (possibly) have an audio problem to deal with.
One drawback to my iMac is the glossy display. Matte would work better. Don't think I will ever opt for an all-in-one ever again. Very handy, but now I'm stuck.
Money is a big deal. I would have to sell this thing before getting something else. Had I done more prep, I'd be using a mini right now. Only recently have I done monitor research.
…if we take our stuff private…
So far, there have been 1.186 views. I don't have an interpretation on that figure. If you want to keep bouncing the ball, we can. But note, I'm running low on Visual Impairment solutions.
I get the money thing. Also the glossy screen, which means I have to use my iMac in a dark room. The latest mini is getting to be quite capable, so it is of interest to me as a form factor. The cost of the Power Mac is absurd except for business purposes. To me, the problem with the iMac is the inaccessibility of the internal hard drive. If it fails, then big trouble. That is why I have my data backed up on a Time Machine volume on an external drive.
You have a situation of 'one bird in hand is better than two in the bush' – meaning current viable solutions that suit your needs versus speculation on what will be forthcoming from Apple, Microsoft, Linux netbooks, etc. Your iMac is not working for you as needed.
Edit: 'Power Mac' should read as 'Mac Pro'.