Thread Subject: Re: "closed software"

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From: Gregg Vanderheiden
Date: Tue, Jan 16 2007 5:11 PM

I think this is a good example of how we need to think of 'closed' as a
condition - not as a type of software or hardware.





Anyone know more about the iphone? They said it was based on OS X but it
could be just a small version of it (like windows and windows mobile).





Gregg
-- ------------------------------
Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.






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From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Randy
Marsden (Home)
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2007 10:32 AM
To: TEITAC self contained/closed products subcommittee; 'TEITAC Web/Software
Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-websoftware] [teitac-closed] "closed software"

Jim - I see this is a repost from the same email sent on Dec 22nd. My
apologies for not responding back then.

We're starting to split hairs here, but technically I think the iPod could
be characterized as follows:

1. The iPod hardware is an example of open hardware, since there is a
port that allows 3rd party software to be loaded on the device (ie. Rock
Box).
2. The iPod operating system as shipped from Apple is an example of
closed software, since it does not allow 3rd party application software or
assistive technology software to be loaded in addition to the existing
software that it ships with.


I think you're accurate in drawing the analogy between the iPod hardware and
PC hardware. Loading Rock Box on an iPod is analogous to purchasing a PC
with Windows loaded, but then reformatting the hard drive and loading Linux
instead. Same PC - different operating systems. So, in terms of
definition, I think you would still have to characterize the iPod's software
as closed (but its hardware as open).

So what defines a product? Its hardware, its software, or the combination
of both? When the federal government purchases iPods for their employees to
use for training purposes, I assume they are thinking of the latter. If a
Department bids out and receives 500 computer running Windows, they don't
expect some people to remove Windows and load Linux instead (or visa versa).
With respect to the iPod, they probably have little instruction manuals
written that say things like:

"To listen to module 1 of the training, navigate to the Music menu, select
Playlists, and choose 'Module 1'".

I doubt there is an addendum to the manual that says:

"If you have a disability, back up all the content of the iPod, load the new
operating system called Rock Box by connecting a USB cable from your iPod to
your computer that is running the Rock Box installation software (which
you'll need to obtain on-line), restore the content (and try to keep it in
the same order), and then find Module 1. And by the way, since there is no
text-to-speech engine that comes with Rock Box, you will need to find
'Module 1" by listening to each letter pronounced "m", "o", "d", and so on.

This just doesn't seem like an equitable solution for people with
disabilities. If the government hands them an iPod for training, it should
be accessible as-is, or with the addition of AT. Right now it isn't, so I
would call that "closed" (ie. Not accessible on its own, and not possible to
add AT that makes it accessible to people with disabilities).

-Randy

PS: Maybe the repost is because of the recent announcement of the iPhone,
which is also an iPod, and running OS X, which (I think) is open, and
completely changes my iPod argument! ;-) See how fast technology
changes...?


From: "Jim Tobias" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Reply-To: TEITAC self contained/closed products subcommittee
< = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 10:01:39 -0500
To: "'TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee'"
< = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >, "'TEITAC self contained/closed
products subcommittee'" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Subject: Re: [teitac-closed] [teitac-websoftware] "closed software"



Randy wrote, regarding iPods that it's an example of "closed software", even
given David Poehlman's identification of "Rock Box" as alternative
interface. I don't see how this is so.

1. iPods are designed to accept software upgrades from Apple, so they are
not "closed" in that aspect, at least. Apple could somehow lock out all
software changes that did not come thorough Apple themselves, but they
appear not to have done that. Even in that case, the "closedness" would be
by policy, not by technological feasibility.

2. "Rock Box" is an example of a third-party software solution to some
accessibility issues that can be loaded onto an iPod. Assuming that the
original iPod interface can be restored somehow, doesn't that make the iPod
almost like a PC, able to run with or without a screen reader, not like a
product

***********
Jim Tobias
Inclusive Technologies
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
+1.732.441.0831 v/tty
skype jimtobias
www.inclusive.com




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From: Randy Marsden [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 6:46 PM
To: TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee; TEITAC self contained/closed products
subcommittee
Subject: Re: [teitac-websoftware] "closed software"

My iPod description given in emails yesterday is one such example.

-Randy


From: "Jim Tobias" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Reply-To: TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee
< = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 07:55:58 -0500
To: "'TEITAC self contained/closed products subcommittee'"
< = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >, "'TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee'"
< = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
Subject: [teitac-websoftware] "closed software"



In the discussion of closed products, we seem to be converging on the
opinion that "closed" is a characteristic, not a category. In this context,
software has been mentioned as potentially closed. Can someone please give
me an example, or a further explanation, of what closed software might be?

***********
Jim Tobias
Inclusive Technologies
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
+1.732.441.0831 v/tty
skype jimtobias
www.inclusive.com

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