Computers: Linux and Accessibility

[Steven Edwards]

For a while, I had wanted to experiment with using Linux on my computer but was concerned with the Accessibility Features; basically if they existed or not. I started looking at the KDE (http://www.kde.org/) homepage [similar to Windows] and sure enough, they do have accessibility features (http://accessibility.kde.org/) [Sticky Keys, Mouse Keys, etc]. Comforted by this knowledge, I began looking at the various distributions over at LinuxISO (http://www.linuxiso.org/) and settled on Gentoo (http://www.gentoo.org/). I was still a little concerned about trying it, because I would have to either create a seperate partition or format my hard drive -- losing all my data -- to install it.

Luckily, Tuesday I went to a SuperNerd club [computer http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif] meeting and was talking to a guy about Linux and he told me about Knoppix (http://www.knoppix.org/), which is a distribution of Linux that will boot from a CD-ROM and let you try Linux out without having to install it. If you want to try Linux, I suggest trying Knoppix.

Knoppix comes with KDE, Konqueror and Mozilla [web browsers], Open Office [Word Processor, Spreadsheet, and Database], an MP3 player, and many more. It has everything you need to be as productive as you are on a Windows machine and best of all, its free! [as are all other Linux distros]

To enable Sticky Keys under KDE, click on the big "K" in the lower-left corner of the screen, then Preferences, Control Center, Regional & Accessibility, and finally Accessibility. Use the window pane on the right to set everything up. Mouse Keys are under Control Center, Peripherals, and finally Mouse.

Enjoy the freedom of having an alternative. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

-Steven

[Den in Philly]

Steven, I have used a program in the past called Petition Magic that allows you to re-petition your hard drive without re-formatting it. I was able to install the "Red Hat" version of Linux and Windows didn't skip a beat. This was a couple of years ago and I never did much with Linux but its an option for those who want to experiment with dual booting.


~Den

[alan]

OS/2 and eCS (OEM version - see www.ecomstation.com (http://www.ecomstation.com)) also have disabled-friendly features.

[PN]

It is my understanding that System Commander 7.0 will allow you to run many operating systems on one PC, including Linux.

PN

http://www.cnet.com/software/0-810404-1204-8336421.html

[jimnms]

I used to work with Unix systems. I actually prefer Linux over many of the comercial unix systems. I got out of the business, and I haven't messed with Linux in a while, except for a shell account I have. Back then Redhat was the best for a desktop IMO, but today if I were to install Linux I'd go with Debian. Redhat has become too bloated/comercialized.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.