How Accessible is Windows XP?
By Lazzaro, Joseph; Access World, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 10-14Publication Date: July 2002
Article evaluation the accessibility of Windows XP, which is a computer operating system from Microsoft Corporation. Windows XP is available in two basic modes: (1) XP Home, and (2) XP Professional. The article evaluates XP Professional, which allows the user to log on to both peer-to-peer and client-server networks and has increased security, as it allows the user to encrypt files and folders. The author evaluated XP Professional using JAWS for Windows and Window-Eyes, which he believes are the most popular Windows-based screen readers on the market. The author was able to perform a variety of functional tasks using XP Professional, such as navigate easily through the Start Menu, Task Bar, Notification Area, and Desktop. He was discouraged, however, by the lack of accessibility in the Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance. Remote Desktop is a feature that allows the user to connect to and control remote computers over a network or the Internet. Remote Assistance allows another person to take control of the computer over a network or the Internet. The author contends that Microsoft failed to make those features of XP Professional Accessible to screen readers.
Assistive Products Discussed: WINDOW-EYES PROFESSIONAL
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=AW030403
