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How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

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Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#51

Post by jareds »

woliveirajr wrote: post #39

I met two blind programmers. The process they used was exactly how it's described in this video. What was odd was that: 1 - they were given the worst place in the room: no windows, literally facing a wall. Took some time to realize why they didn't complain. 2 - The computer had monitors. Then I learnt that Windows (don't know what version it was) wouldn't work it no monitor was attached.

As a blind programmer who uses a laptop I still got a second monitor that was not currently being used by anyone. My co-workers thank me when they don't have to hunch over to look at my laptop screen when going over code.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#52

Post by lurker456 »

jcadam wrote: post #46
melling wrote: post #4

I imagine many would benefit if we had a smart developer assistant where it could have a higher level understanding of programming. "Jarvis import library foo" - could be said from anywhere in file "Jarvis jump to file bar.c" "Jarvis declare var current temperature equals zero" - var currentTemperature = 0 "Jarvis write for enumeration on var word over var name list" "Jarvis build and run" or simply "Jarvis run" By t…

And then one day there will be a generation of programmers who have only known coding via a voice-driven developer assistant. Imagine trying to interview such a person. "Please stop shouting at the whiteboard. It doesn't work that way. I need you to pick up one of the dry-erase markers and write your algorithm to invert a binary tree." "What? Who codes with their hands? I need my assistant!"

Would that be a bad thing though ? Assuming assistants are ubiquitous. We don't use punch cards in interviews today. Even today whiteboard interviews are sometimes not the best method to fill certain roles.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#53

Post by jareds »

joyofdata wrote: post #48
woliveirajr wrote: post #39

I met two blind programmers. The process they used was exactly how it's described in this video. What was odd was that: 1 - they were given the worst place in the room: no windows, literally facing a wall. Took some time to realize why they didn't complain. 2 - The computer had monitors. Then I learnt that Windows (don't know what version it was) wouldn't work it no monitor was attached.

two thoughts: 1 - does sun light have no physiological/psychological value for blind people? the sun light might still be captured on the skin or even in the eyes and trigger relevant biological processes. 2 - having a monitor is also important for a blind person when working in a team.

I'm totally blind and have what I call no usable vision. I can see light if it's bright or the sun is shining. I can't tell anything about the environment from my vision though other then if there is bright light or not. Anecdotally from talking to other blind people the ability to see light helps set your body clock. Although I keep a fairly normally sleep schedule I know blind people who have no light perception and have a lot harder time keeping a normal schedule with out medicine.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#54

Post by jareds »

GlobalServices wrote: post #23

How is Xcode for this?

In my experience it's pretty much impossible to get any kind of UI done in Xcode, at least as of Xcode 7. I'm a totally blind programmer who has a Macbook Air that I run windows on most of the time. I'm not sure if my issues with Xcode were do to a lack of experience with Voiceover on the Mac, lack of knowledge about iOS programming, or lack of accessibility in Xcode. It would be nice if Apple could come out with a basic guide targeted at Voiceover users to create a simple app that allowed you to enter text into a text box, click a couple of buttons and have something happen, etc. I've had a really ahrd time following any guides online to get started with iOS programming. Not sure what other blind developers experiences are though.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#55

Post by masklinn »

steveax wrote: post #47
Accacin wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That would be interesting to watch. Do you have a link for that?

I believe this article from David Pogue is the one: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/david-pogue-on-iphone-voiceov...

That's exactly the one, thank you! The relevant bit is at 4:10

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#56

Post by canes123456 »

joyofdata wrote: post #48
woliveirajr wrote: post #39

I met two blind programmers. The process they used was exactly how it's described in this video. What was odd was that: 1 - they were given the worst place in the room: no windows, literally facing a wall. Took some time to realize why they didn't complain. 2 - The computer had monitors. Then I learnt that Windows (don't know what version it was) wouldn't work it no monitor was attached.

two thoughts: 1 - does sun light have no physiological/psychological value for blind people? the sun light might still be captured on the skin or even in the eyes and trigger relevant biological processes. 2 - having a monitor is also important for a blind person when working in a team.

The vast majority of visually impaired and legally blind have some degree of sight or at least light perception. The tiny percentage that does not still needs/like sunlight for vitamin D etc, but you don't get much sunlight form a window.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#57

Post by gregshap »

jrimbault wrote: post #18
melling wrote: post #4

I imagine many would benefit if we had a smart developer assistant where it could have a higher level understanding of programming. "Jarvis import library foo" - could be said from anywhere in file "Jarvis jump to file bar.c" "Jarvis declare var current temperature equals zero" - var currentTemperature = 0 "Jarvis write for enumeration on var word over var name list" "Jarvis build and run" or simply "Jarvis run" By t…

If I'm reading or thinking and leaning back in my chair I often want to say or gesture a command to scroll up or down for example, it happens more often than not when reading long articles. (btw, if anyone knows anything about software/hardware to do that? let me know) It would good to have the options to voice or gesture command a desktop computer.

For basic gestures, an apple magic mouse is pretty good (also works in windows).

Almost the identical use case - I sometimes sit back and use gestures to scroll, swipe browser back, swipe between desktops.

An external trackpad would also do the trick, but the mouse is ergonomically nice for when you're stretching or leaning back.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#58

Post by Someone »

woliveirajr wrote: post #39

I met two blind programmers. The process they used was exactly how it's described in this video. What was odd was that: 1 - they were given the worst place in the room: no windows, literally facing a wall. Took some time to realize why they didn't complain. 2 - The computer had monitors. Then I learnt that Windows (don't know what version it was) wouldn't work it no monitor was attached.

Quite a few legally blind people have some remaining vision that is both useless for them and extremely annoying, so they wear sunglasses, and prefer not looking towards light sources.

So, this may have been by choice.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#59

Post by sssilver »

masklinn wrote: post #37
Pigo wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm glad you mentioned that. After watching this it made me wonder if this is normal, or if this guy is some sort of auditory wizard. It seems like an awful lot of work to master, but maybe not if it's a skill you're using everyday.

> After watching this it made me wonder if this is normal, or if this guy is some sort of auditory wizard. The "visual cortex" area is not deactivated but gets re-tasked with non-visual processing tasks, even in "late blind" people (people who lost their sight after age 12): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667661/ Considering the amount of visual information the sighted process more or less effortlessly…

I wonder if any of it is also being directed at just being better at programming.

Re: How a Blind Developer uses Visual Studio [video]

#60

Post by Someone »

canes123456 wrote: post #56
joyofdata wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

two thoughts: 1 - does sun light have no physiological/psychological value for blind people? the sun light might still be captured on the skin or even in the eyes and trigger relevant biological processes. 2 - having a monitor is also important for a blind person when working in a team.

The vast majority of visually impaired and legally blind have some degree of sight or at least light perception. The tiny percentage that does not still needs/like sunlight for vitamin D etc, but you don't get much sunlight form a window.

For those wondering: you can get lots of sunlight, but not any UVB (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19614895: "All glasses totally blocked UVB radiation."), and that's what your body needs to make vitamin D (https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/how-do-i-get...)
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