Comment Blind support and Linux (Score 1) 67
>And another annotation:
>Forget the Linux is so good because it is command
>line. theme. Linux is so good because
>applications are cleanly separated into
>application core and user interface. That is the
>big advantage over another OS where applications
>are huge monolithic code monsters which cannot
>run without an open window (no brands here :).
While I would agree that the seperation of program core from the primary benifit, I would not be so quick to downplay the advantages of a command line interface. While it may be slightly cryptic, so is programming. Therefor my assertation would be that for anyone who codes, ie someone who has found a method of getting characters in and out of the system one at a time since this is what coding presently relies upon, would prefer to have a CLI to accomidate their particular disability. There are no circumstances I can see where a usable UI can be set up for the completely blind, ie those who use braille terminals, without a CLI. And I will continue to support my theory that CLIs are the most adaptable system in common use today. A GUI like X is stuck as a GUI, one cannot take it's graphical representation and effectivly convey the information through sound or touch. A CLI on the other hand, can more easily be portrayed in a tactile fasion, and can at least be partially transmitted as auditory info. A series of keystrokes is a more adaptable solution than a button that says 'click here' because while the button is more easily understood from a visual representation, it is virtually impossible to convey in tactile or auditory fasion.
>Now it is possible to rewrite an user interface
>which serves your special needs. (Speech,
>touch...) Your goal is _not_ to do all your work
>on the command line. Your goal is to have an
>_intelligent_ user interface which is adapted to
>your needs. The Command line may be fast but its
>not intelligent.
I would beg to differ. While the ability to create one's own personalized interface is without doubt a great thing, and one I would fight to keep, I would say that until someone shows me another UI I find as appealing, I will strive to do all my work from a CLI, and move to GUIs for only those things they do better, graphics and netscape.
>Forget the Linux is so good because it is command
>line. theme. Linux is so good because
>applications are cleanly separated into
>application core and user interface. That is the
>big advantage over another OS where applications
>are huge monolithic code monsters which cannot
>run without an open window (no brands here
While I would agree that the seperation of program core from the primary benifit, I would not be so quick to downplay the advantages of a command line interface. While it may be slightly cryptic, so is programming. Therefor my assertation would be that for anyone who codes, ie someone who has found a method of getting characters in and out of the system one at a time since this is what coding presently relies upon, would prefer to have a CLI to accomidate their particular disability. There are no circumstances I can see where a usable UI can be set up for the completely blind, ie those who use braille terminals, without a CLI. And I will continue to support my theory that CLIs are the most adaptable system in common use today. A GUI like X is stuck as a GUI, one cannot take it's graphical representation and effectivly convey the information through sound or touch. A CLI on the other hand, can more easily be portrayed in a tactile fasion, and can at least be partially transmitted as auditory info. A series of keystrokes is a more adaptable solution than a button that says 'click here' because while the button is more easily understood from a visual representation, it is virtually impossible to convey in tactile or auditory fasion.
>Now it is possible to rewrite an user interface
>which serves your special needs. (Speech,
>touch...) Your goal is _not_ to do all your work
>on the command line. Your goal is to have an
>_intelligent_ user interface which is adapted to
>your needs. The Command line may be fast but its
>not intelligent.
I would beg to differ. While the ability to create one's own personalized interface is without doubt a great thing, and one I would fight to keep, I would say that until someone shows me another UI I find as appealing, I will strive to do all my work from a CLI, and move to GUIs for only those things they do better, graphics and netscape.
