From: Aman Singer <aman_at_asinger.net>
Date: Sun, 7 May 2006 20:50:04 -0400

Hi, all.
        I don't know how difficult this would be to implement. I don't
imagine it would be that hard, as it wouldn't require new drivers/codecs,
but it might be difficult all the same. What I've been having some trouble
with is using the Ipod's wheel as a blind person. I sometimes find myself
overshooting my target and being forced to retreat. I know others have
suggested a click every time the selection is moved, and this sounds like a
good idea. However, I was thinking we could, if possible, have a mode
invoked by pressing a few buttons simultaneously. In this mode, the wheel
would be disabled, and the buttons on the wheel would act as they did on the
Archos recorders. The down button would move down through directories and
menus. The up button would do the opposite. The right button would act as a
select/play button and the left button would act as a back button. The round
button in the middle of the wheel could be left as it is. The menu could be
accessed by holding one button for a time or by the use of two buttons
together, as could other generally used functions. To avoid people asking
"why doesn't my wheel work?", a message could come up every time the wheel
was used "you are in wheel-disabled mode. To return to normal mode press
[whatever the buttons you need to press may be]".
        This would have several distinct advantages for blind users, users
who's motor coordination isn't the best, users with MS or some other disease
that hampers feeling in the fingers, users who are using the Ipod through a
thin case or, generally, users who want forceful feedback to selection
requests. The wheel would be eliminated from the equation, which would make
all such uses easier, at least for new users. In the same way, brushing the
wheel, which I've done once or twice, won't be a problem and won't change
the selection. Do any of the developers think this would be doable and
desirable?
        Aman
     
Received on 2006-05-08