-----Original Message-----
From: Gene [mailto:gsasner@...]
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2016 10:27 AM
To: nvda@groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] Mouse Navigation with NVDA - Do you use it? Do you like it?

Having an experience that is more like a sighted person's experience may or may not be useful, depending on context. The entire reason the virtual cursor, or browse mode, was developed for blind users is because using the mouse in the context of a web page and the screen layout of a typical web page is less efficient. Nothing can replace the efficiency of using commands such as the skip blocks of links commands, the move by headings command and the find command. Nothing can replace the ease of moving as though a cursor is being used.

There may be contexts where moving with the mouse provides access to more information or to more meaningful information. But using a web page to discuss possible uses is a bad example in most cases.

As to whether to teach this feature, there may not be a general rule. Many users may never need or benefit from it. Then again, people who use a computer differently or for different purposes may.

Someone wanting to use a computer for browsing, e-mail, editing documents, and other common purposes might not benefit at all. Accessibility is usually very good for such tasks in much more efficient ways. Someone using a computer to work with programs and screens that are not ordinarily well available, might benefit significantly.

Gene
----- Original Message -----

From: Patrick Le Baudour <mailto:p.lebaudour@...>
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2016 11:23 AM
To: nvda@groups.io <mailto:nvda@groups.io>
Subject: Re: [nvda] Mouse Navigation with NVDA - Do you use it? Do you like it?

Hi,

I only use it when I have to, with some websites and programs accessible
only with the mouse.
I find it difficult not to be lost and finding a specific item on a big
screen, ( I assume it's much easier on a smartphone where you know
where you are and usually have a tidier screen content).

-- Patrick

Le 09/03/2016 16:15, Brian Vogel a écrit :

The subject pretty much says it all. One of the most interesting
features of NVDA from this sighted guy's perspective is mouse tracking,
which announces what's under the mouse pointer, used in conjunction with
the NVDA left and right click keystrokes (or the actual left and right
click buttons on a mouse or mousepad).

By moving the mouse around the screen you get an experience that strikes
me as far more like what someone who can see gets when they're scanning
a webpage quickly to see if there's anything that interests them. Of
course, it takes some getting used to, and you'll probably have to do
some adjustments on mouse behavior (speed and distance of movement,
coasting, and others) to get mouse movement that's comfortable for you.

I'm just curious as to who may be using this method to cruise around the
screen, and for any program, not just web browsers, and what your
experience was like learning how to use this feature and these methods.
I realize that there are certain applications and contexts where this
would be way more trouble than it's worth, too, and opinions on where
it's worth using and not would be interesting.

My gut tells me that it will be a small cadre that uses this feature
set, but I'm trying to decide whether it's something worth trying to
teach up front or not. There's nothing like asking those who do use it,
or have tried to use it, as a functional navigation alternative to help
shape my thoughts on this.

Brian