WindowsVis?

I would be interested.

I am interested, but I would like to be an admin lol,

I've thought something like this has been needed for a long time. Kind of like how mobile nations use to be (maybe still is?) a thing; a set of sites under one umbrella for mainstream tech. You had iMore for iOS and macos, Windows Central for MS stuff, Android Central for well... android, and Crackberry back when blackberry was still a thing. I used to like listening to their different podcasts and hearing the different perspectives.

I remember coming across a forum for Android users a few years ago. However, it felt clunky and I think it eventually shut down. While the concept of such a forum is a good idea, it needs to be constantly maintained and not just set up and forgotten. This site works well because of its active community and the fact that Apple's ecosystem is less fragmented than Android and Windows.

I am interest

I would be interested, and I would be able to help create the site. I have a bachelor of information technology so I have had lots of experience with creating websites.

If nothing similar already exists, then the concept of a “WindowsVis” sounds great. However, since it's been more than a decade since I last used Windows, I'm afraid I'm not in a position to participate in this project.

Some other members of our Editorial Team are heavy Windows users and with their AppleVis experience possess lots of expertise and insights into the issues involved with running a website of this nature. Obviously I can't comment on whether they would like to get involved with such a project and if they have the time to do so.

Can I ask that when this conversation reaches the point of talking about the practical aspects of moving the suggestion forward, that you move the discussion to a more appropriate location such as a WhatsApp group chat. Thanks.

Good luck with your endeavor, and I hope you can gather enough interested people to get it off the ground!

Not sure how or if I can help besides maybe adding content once the site is up, but I'm a long-time Windows user, and I've thought there needed to be something like this for a long time now.

I recently moved back to Windows with JAWS after continually having problems with Mac. I’m very happy with my move although obviously Windows and JAWS aren’t perfect, they are less of a hassle than voiceover. I’d really like a resource like this to exist especially considering how much things have changed in windows since 2008 and my memory of windows stuff having left me in the last 15 years to be replaced with mac info I now no longer need. It’s only a guess but I’d imagine theres more blind people on Windows than Mac so it should be a valuable resource with plenty of users as long as the message gets out there and theres consistant content being added.

Bella the cat and I would be interested we use windows for PC. Have iPhone, iPad. JAWS have a email list but just focuses on jaws.

I wonder if AppleVis would want a collaboration. Applevis may even donate code. It seems like an obvious partnership that would only benefit both. A familiar interface would also be very easy for users to learn. I can easily imagine a growing set of vis sites. Android windows, Linux. It could be an incredibly powerful resource.

I was actually asking a good friend about this exact thing, whether or not a site existed, like Applevis, but for Windows, as I recently made the switch back from a Mac to Windows. My friend mentioned that he wasn't aware of one but it would be something worth having.

While I'm not a heavy Windows user, I do have a Windows computer that I primarily use if, for example, a website doesn't work well with VoiceOver on my Mac, as well as for casual audio gaming. I know I'd be interested in at least viewing and commenting on the content, as while there are a number of websites, user groups and podcasts geared toward blind Windows users, it would be nice to have a community like this one to share news, tips and experiences from a wide variety of users across different screenreaders, apps, websites, and hardware. Depending on the level of commitment involved, I could also potentially help with administration.

I'd be interested to check it out once it's up and who knows; i might stay around.

The reason I say it's not for me at the moment is because I've got all I need... Having said that; I do think mentioning ninites' screen reader page would be very handy.

I also think mentioning the software archive: https://software.nathantech.net/ from nathan tech might be useful.

Hi,

This is a great idea and I would certainly be interested in helping out with such a project.

I have used a mixture of both MacOS and Windows over the years, however I'm finding myself drifting more towards Windows lately. I'm currently writing this on my 2020 Intel MacBook Air, but running Windows using Bootcamp. Best of both worlds :)

I will be completely honest and mention that I'm not in a position to be able to commit financially at the moment, but of course that may change, however I'm more than willing to put together tutorials, podcasts etc as well as help out with the day-to-day running of the site.

I think some kind of partnership with the AppleVis team would be hugely beneficial for something like this if it would be possible. It would be good to know, for example, what CMS is used for this site? WordPress is the one that usually comes to mind for me when setting up websites, but I'm almost certain that is not what is being used here. While we obviously wouldn't want to copy this website, the layout and style of Applevis has clearly worked well so it would be great to be able to recreate something similar. I have also never known Applevis be down in the 10 or more years of me using it, apart from short times for maintenance so it's clearly a solid platform.

Very much looking forward to seeing where this goes!

Hey Charlotte,

I posted early in this thread that I thought a windows-focus equivalent to AppleVis is a great idea, but as I haven't used Windows for over a decade I would not be a good fit to become directly involved. I also don't use Android, so the same would be true for any project to create an “AndroidVis.” This effectively rules out the suggestion of AppleVis itself expanding to offer sister sites for these platforms.

As also mentioned earlier, I am unable to comment on the interest or availability of other members of our editorial team to participate in this project to some extent.

I think this is a great idea. I'm a Windows with Jaws user and have been since 1995, so I'll definitely take advantage of a Windows resource if one gets established. I'll likely contribute to the same extent as I do here, but I don't want to commit to site development or management.

Perhaps David Goodwin would be willing to contribute his knowledge and maybe some code for the CMS or whatever tools he uses for Applevis. Good luck and please post the link here if/when the site gets created.

As I have windows laptops and I’m hopefully play I’m getting windows desktop in 2027 after graduating from high school, I’m currently in year eight, I’m interested in this project.

I would think that the main reason why there isn't a WindowsVis typ of site, is the fact that windows has several screen readers, each of whom have there own dedicated mailing lists. NVDA and JAWS do at least, I'm not sure about Hal/SuperNova. The idea at least seems pretty popular if the replies to this thread are anything to go by, so more power to you and good luck.

I too think this would be a good idea. I would be unable to contribute to the design and maintenance of the site, but would participate in the site once it's live.

Here are a few thoughts, because Windows accessibility options are a little different than Apple.

The forums would be a central part of the site, however, I think that having a main forums page, then divided into different sections, would be a good idea. Kind of like how the audiogames.com website has their forums, and then sub-sections. This is because you could have sections for things like:
Built-in Accessibility (for things like Magnifier and Narrator)
Jaws section
NVDA section
Hal/Supernova section
ZoomText/Fusion section
Apps and utilities section
Accessible games section
Anything else...

As a long time Windows user, one thing I really like is, that there are so many accessibility options available. If one screen reader doesn't work, try another one... And there are so many free and low cost utilities and apps that can also be helpful.

I think it would be nice to have an Apps & Utilities directory like AppleVis has, where peole can add and rate programs and games for accessibility, similar to AppleVis.

I would be interested to see where a project like this goes, and if it could be kept up.

Both WindowsVis and AndroidVis type websites would be great to have. I personally far prefer this website to busy email lists.
However, please do not underestimate the amount of work and maintenance that goes into this site in the background, almost entirely by David. Asking him to provide such support is not as simple or reasonable as you might think. If you go for it though, and are able to build and maintain it, I would certainly take part.

We haven’t really talked one on one. But he’s a pretty good manager. I’ve been looking at this website since 2020, ever since I got my first ever account here. Ever since then, I’ve been fighting to get back in here, but yeah. I’m not going to bring up old scars. But thank you to all of the editorial team here that are managing this website, all of you guys do such a great job.
Can you guys believe that it’s nearly been? ,
Can you believe that this website is nearly going to be 13 years old?
And these people, these great great people who take the time into making this website, a greater place, have been doing this stuff for nearly 13 years.
Trust me, when the 13th birthday comes round, I’ll be glad, because that will be basically the same age as me.

Hey Charlotte,

Regarding the possibility of using the same codebase as AppleVis, while it may initially seem like a simple solution to mirror AppleVis' site structure, templates, style, and software, there are several reasons why this would not be the best approach for the new website. Firstly, duplicating the AppleVis structure may not be tailored to the specific needs and objectives of Justin's website, which could lead to a suboptimal user experience. Secondly, using the same codebase would bring significant requirements and constraints that would not be desirable for a new project.

Furthermore, it's worth noting that Justin has already indicated his plans to create a completely independent website once he has settled on a name. As such, it's likely that he is already aware that it's not feasible or desirable to simply copy the AppleVis website.

Instead, I recommend that Justin and his team build a new website from scratch, taking into account their needs, objectives, capabilities, and preferred tools. This would allow them to create a unique website that can stand on its own, without any dependencies, constraints or limits.

I'm excited to see how the project evolves and will be following its progress with interest!

It looks like there is a lot of interest in a "WindowsVis" type project from the comments on here, but it seems to have gone a bit quiet from the OP. What are the next steps for this? Is there anything in the works yet?

The only suggestions I have for names are kinda boring... "WindowsAccess" or "AccessibleWindows" were a couple that came to mind, but I'm sure there are more creative options out there.

I personally quite like the idea of it being called WindowsVis seeing as AppleVis has the reputation it does, but I know that would lead to people wrongly assuming that the two sites are run by the same people or in afiliation with each other in some way, which wouldn't be fair to David and the team here.

Would anyone from the team be willing to help with this in some way?

David has already responded further up this thread. He basically said that it has been a long time since he has used Windows, and he cannot comment on whether other members of the AppleVis team have the knowledge, time or even the interest in getting involved in such a project. He does support the idea though.

Hi all,
Why not combine the windows Vis and android comunities in to one website. Currently, there is nothing for Android. Windows and Android are very similar.
Thanks

Hi,

For Android, there is https://accessibleandroid.com/en/. I'm not sure how active it is compared to AppleVis though. There is also the Blind Android Users podcast.

I think the problem with combining Android and Windows would be the busyness of the site. This is already a bit of a challenge with Windows seeing as there are several different screen readers, magnification software, hardware combinations etc. Adding Android to the mix as well would only add extra complexity in my opinion.

However, we could absolutely direct users to the Accessible Android site or similar.

That's just my view on it, but of course others are welcome to share their thoughts on it as well.

accessible android is not that active as Applevis. There are no quality discussions like we do for Applevis
Thanks

Hi, Justin,
I will never forget you were one of the first offering a hand to understand how to use my macbook in 2019, however I found macbook isn’t for me and sold it some months ago.
After buying my macbook I never left windows for my job because I can be more productive and efficient with it, so I’m very interested in giving a hand on your project, and also as I recall, you speak Spanish as me, we can also make translations to the main contents of the page.
So count me in.

I just looked at the android website, it has come along way last time I checked. Good to know there are resources for people who use Android. For me, Apple still wins the day.

Just wondering if there is any update on this project? Thanks!

LOL, I forgot this topic exist.
Thank my tired brain for that but yes, is there any updates?