[orca-list] VINUX-SUPPORT: RE: Ubuntu Unity Desktop to go to Mir and QT

Tue Jul 23 21:31:04 UTC 2013

I do not work for Canonical, and my statements on this or any list have 
never been anything other than my own opinions. I don't know any more, 
and never have,  about the plans for Unity accessibility than anyone 
else following the Ubuntu blueprints, subscribing to the Ubuntu 
accessibility mailing list, logging into the Ubuntu accessibility IRC 
channel and attending the accessibility related sessions at UDS. This is 
how I know the decision to focus accessibility resources on the LTS 
releases was a very open and transparent decision. It was also not an 
easy decision to make. I don't personally know at the moment what the 
plans are now for the accessibility of Unity and Ubuntu 14.04, but I 
assume they haven't changed and this is still the goal.

I don't think I'm quick to defend Ubuntu or Unity when anyone speaks out 
against it, since there isn't enough time in the world for one person to 
do this. I do try to point out though when someone misstates something 
or says something that can lead to an incorrect inference. I don't just 
do this for Ubuntu but other OS's, screen readers, applications and 
products where I have some knowledge and experience.

The fact of the matter is that you stated the decision to focus 
accessibility resources on 14.04 was to "sooth our ruffled feathers". Of 
course, you have the right to your opinion, and you can be as snarky as 
you want (although I don't know what this has to do with what country 
your from) but as I read this, it implies that the developers made this 
statement to get blind users off their back. I can assure you, since I 
was in the room when this was discussed and this decision was made, that 
this was not the case. The fact of the matter, is that it was considered 
to be the best way to leverage the precious accessibility resources 
working on Ubuntu, and it was just as simple as that. There were no 
ulterior motives, and there was no discussion whatsoever on spin or 
damage control. I understand you think this may be hair splitting, but I 
think it's important that people reading your message  understand that 
the accessibility developers working on Unity aren't doing anything but 
being completely honest and open with the blind Ubuntu/Unity users. I am 
quick to defend those developers who are working so hard, many of them 
giving from their own spare time, to bring us more accessible solutions.

BTW, we weren't told this was the way it was going to be. The proposal 
was laid out at a session at UDS to be discussed. Anyone could have 
attended that session, either in person or via IRC or telephone, and 
participated in the discussion. Since resources are so limited, I'm not 
sure what other conclusion could have been made though.

BTW, given previous emails from you, I assumed this wasn't intended to 
be inflammatory, but I thought the above inference could be made which 
is why I replied as I did. If I'm the only one who made such an 
inference then that's great.

On 07/23/2013 03:41 PM, Alex Midence wrote:
> Placated?  No, we weren't placated.  We were told that's how it was going to
> be and we could suck it up til 14.04.  I heard you work for Cannonical which
> makes sense since you are extremely quick to defend Ubuntu any time anyone
> speaks against it.  If this is the case, would you very kindly answer the
> million dollar question which was the entire point of my prior message:
>
> Will 14.04 be accessible now that it's going to be qt-based or not?  If not,
> when do you anticipate an accessible port of Unity?
>
> Oh, and just so you know, my message wasn't trying to be inflammatory.  I
> *was* being a bit snarky but, I happen to live in a free country where such
> things are allowed.  I was far more concerned with whether or not I should
> project trying to come back to Ubuntu in April of next year or not.  You
> see, I happen to be that very odd thing called a fan.  I follow them on
> Twitter, I like them on facebook, I read about them online and I have even
> hauled off and told my friends about them as a nice way to learn about
> Linux.  So quit hair splitting and answer the question if you can, please.
>
> Thank you.
> Alex M
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: orca-list [mailto:orca-list-bounces at gnome.org] On Behalf Of
> Christopher Chaltain
> Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 2:58 PM
> To: Ubuntu Accessibility Mailing List
> Cc: vinux-support at googlegroups.com; orca-list at gnome.org
> Subject: Re: [orca-list] Ubuntu Unity Desktop to go to Mir and QT
>
> Unity 2D was pulled from Ubuntu 12.10 and not Ubuntu 12.04. The plan to
> focus accessibility efforts in Ubuntu on the LTS releases was meant to
> provide the best accessibility solution with the resources available.
> This was a transparent decision made with the best information at the time.
> Obviously, desktop plans have changed since then. This was not a statement
> or move just to placate blind Ubuntu users as your message implies.
>
> On 07/23/2013 01:23 PM, Alex Midence wrote:
>> Hi, all,
>>
>> It looks like Ubuntu's Unity desktop will be switching to QT/QML in
>> the near future.  It looks like they'll be using QT5.  Does anyone
>> know the current state of accessibility for qt5 or QML?  We were all
>> disappointed to find out that Unity 2d was discontinued in Ubuntu
>> 12.04 and it is believed that Ubuntu 14.04 would continue it's
>> wonderfully accessible legacy.  This was supposed to soothe our
>> ruffled feathers when 12.10 and
>> 13.04 came out with Unity 3d only which was not as accessible.  Well,
>> now, I am curious to know if the timetable for that level of
>> accessibility in a Ubuntu desktop will need to be pushed back even
>> more in light of this development.  Please see link below:
>>
>> http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/03/unity-next-project-announced
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Alex M
>>
>>
>>
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>
> --
> Christopher (CJ)
> chaltain at Gmail
> _______________________________________________
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> The manual is at
> http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-access-guide/nightly/ats-2.html
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> Log bugs and feature requests at http://bugzilla.gnome.org Find out how to
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>

-- 
Christopher (CJ)
chaltain at Gmail
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Log bugs and feature requests at http://bugzilla.gnome.org
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