Hello, and welcome to another installment of Why Linux Isn't Good for Everyone!
I am playing with Accessible Coconut. I have it installed on a virtual machine via VMWare, with Windows 11 as my host. It won't see either my Shared Folders that I set up normally via VmWare as I do with Windows guests, nor my thumb drive when I add it as a removable device (let's not even begin discussing why on Earth Linux doesn't use normal drive letters and must mount things). I have, therefore, been searching for a screen reader accessible way to share files over my wifi network. I found one that works with Windows, called ToffeeShare.

http://toffeeshare.com

It will only work with Supermium (and most likely Chrome), but does not work with Firefox and NVDA. Yet in Accessible Coconut, it will not work with Chromium and I get a message either that the sender has stopped sharing files (not true, since I still have the browser open on the Windows side) or that the computer can't share files. Then, I read this, which explains how to share files in Ubuntu with something called Samba.

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1530773/sharing-any-folder-similar-to-windows-file-sharing

Why does every single thing in Linux have to be done via the commandline! Why can't anything just be simple! I am a DOS lover, but the Linux and DOS commandlines are not the same thing, and quite honestly, this is what puts me off this whole system. It's not possible to update the system, install or uninstall programs, or change system settings like any other normal system (and yes, even DOS has graphical options). Why not just use a punch card while we're at it? It's a shame because, for everyday use, it really did look like this version of Linux would have been good. If there is an easy way to do this, please let me know. For things that I'm just using as experiments i.e. test txt, mp3, pdf, etc. files, I suppose I could use a cloud if I have to, but I definitely don't want that to be my normal means of transfer.

#AccessibleCoconut #accessibility #blind #FileSharing #Linux #Ubuntu

As I have written in the past, I am not a Linux lover. But I do occasionally try to use it, just to see what the fuss is about. Normally, I am very disappointed. Yesterday, I tried two new (to me) versions with mixed results. These are Elementary OS and Accessible Coconut. I wrote reviews of both here. Note that in each case, my experience has been preliminary. I have not delved deeply into either of them. If nothing else, the paragraph in which I explain the general problems with Linux and the blind is very much worth reading, particularly for those who think that Linux, of any variety, is the answer to everything. It's not, and such people need to learn this.

https://dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/257482.html

I intend to write more about Accessible Coconut once I have used it more, but the problem of shared folders and removable drives still remains, and if I cannot solve it satisfactorally, it will severely hinder both my opinion of, and my productivity with, this system.

#AccessibleCoconut #accessibility #blind #computers #ElementaryOS #Linux #Orca #Mate #review #technology

🌴 🥥 Linux OS for the visually impaired? Accessible Coconut 👓

◉Eyes-free desktop UI in the making
◉Includes well established apps
◉Based on highly stable Ubuntu MATE
◉Join the effort on shaping a future where tech knows no barriers
◉Accessible Coconut a savior for your visually impaired friend? ❣️

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4Ehf69V3zA&list=PLPTSNCWLXib-qYm6rbNZwOwZv0lDX0mbk
👉 Help by joining on Zendalona's Google Summer of Code https://zendalona.com/gsoc

#vision #impairment #sight #blind #visuallyimpaired #Linux #Ubuntu #AccessibleCoconut

I wrote this some time ago but can't find my file. Therefore, the experiences aren't as fresh in my mind as they were then, but it was earlier this month.

I've loved MS-DOS since I was a teenager. For perspective, I'm now forty. I've used various versions of Windows, and still use XP, 7, and 11, all with NVDA, as my primary systems. But every now and then, I've played with Linux to see if it would be a viable alternative for me, especially on an older, small system. This time, I tried three blind-specific versions and two mainstream releases. Only two worked well. All of these were tried on a Del Latitude 3120 running Windows 11, with VMware Workstation and Player 6. I used Mate whenever possible.

Slint: This was so difficult to install that I gave up. It would make sense if it were targeted to expert blind Linux users, but as anything for a general audience, or even those good with technology but not Linux, it's hopelessly complicated. I say this as a DOS user who is accustomed to commands. What on Earth were they thinking!

Accessible Coconut: This installed completely. However, all I could get it to do after that was to say "screen reader on". Nothing else worked, no matter what i did. It's also worth noting that there is no32-bit version.

Vinux: This one really surprised me. I ran it in the past with no problem, but here, I couldn't get it to install. I forget why. All I know is that I never even got to try it. Since I only attempted to install this with Workastation,I ay try with Player.

Trisquel: This installed and worked correctly. I don't remember why I switched. Perhaps, it was because my shared folders and thumb drive weren't being seen. However, I do highly recommend this if you can get it to work properly.

Debian: Again, this installed and worked correctly in both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. It works on VMware Player 6 and Workstation 16. However, once again, my thumb drive and shared folders were not accessible, though I think I was able to have them listed some way.

My suspicion was that VMware Tools was not installed, and with a bit of research, I was proven correct. I tried installing Open VM Tools, using a dizzying array of commands, all to no avail. I eventually gave up, yet again. Maybe, I just need to take one of my computers and truly install Linux on it. I am strongly considering Debian, due to its long history, slow rate of change, and supportive community. It just frustrates me that I can't use it fully in a virtual machine, because I would like to learn it first and see if it is a good option for me. And for those who might say get a Mac, my answer is absolutely not. I tried it and didn't like it. If anyone can help me with Linux, please let me know.

#AccessibleCoconut #blind #computers #Debian #Linux #NVDA #Orca #Slint #Trisquel #Vinux #virtualmachines #VmWare #WindowsVista

🌴 🥥 Accessible Coconut is a Linux OS for persons with visual impairment 🕶️

◉Accessible Coconut is derived from firm Ubuntu MATE base
◉The goal is to make an eyes-free desktop environment
◉Essential popular / attractive apps
◉Have a visually impaired friend? This project might be a savior for one's computing❣️

►https://youtu.be/UTaYdXz7OcA

#AccessibleCoconut #Linux #visuallyimpaired #blind #desktop #computing #Ubuntu #MATE #Zendalona