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

Fri Jul 26 03:23:50 UTC 2013

Hi,
I think this thread can be closed now.
It has generated a lot of back and fourth and I think we all get the point.

If parties involved would like to continue off lists that would be
preferable.

Kind regards
Rob Whyte   
On 24/07/13 07:31, Christopher Chaltain wrote:
> 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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> orca-list mailing list
>>> orca-list at gnome.org
>>> https://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/orca-list
>>> Visit http://live.gnome.org/Orca for more information on Orca.
>>> The manual is at
>>> http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-access-guide/nightly/ats-2.html
>>> The FAQ is at http://live.gnome.org/Orca/FrequentlyAskedQuestions
>>> Log bugs and feature requests at http://bugzilla.gnome.org Find out
>>> how to help at http://live.gnome.org/Orca/HowCanIHelp
>>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Christopher (CJ)
>> chaltain at Gmail
>> _______________________________________________
>> orca-list mailing list
>> orca-list at gnome.org
>> https://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/orca-list
>> Visit http://live.gnome.org/Orca for more information on Orca.
>> The manual is at
>> http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-access-guide/nightly/ats-2.html
>> The FAQ is at http://live.gnome.org/Orca/FrequentlyAskedQuestions
>> Log bugs and feature requests at http://bugzilla.gnome.org Find out
>> how to
>> help at http://live.gnome.org/Orca/HowCanIHelp
>>
>