Wendel helped me build a PC a few years back.
I have a disease like ALS and it’s getting more difficult for me to use the computer. I need some help with accessibility in Linux. I need voice recognition which is really lacking in Linux. Everything I’ve seen is pretty bad. Nothing comparing to Dragon Naturally Speaking on Windows. Best solution I’ve found is my Android phone over scrcpy. I don’t want to have to go back to windows… Any ideas welcome. I type painfully slow so I’ll be adding more to this post.
I’ve updated my post. Hopefully it makes more sense. I’m needing to start from scratch. I’m biased towards Linux, but I’m pragmatic and at the end of the day I need what works. Please offer suggestions!
What host OS should I use?
My biggest complaint about different distros and desktops
- Logging in to the Display Manager with the on-screen keyboard.
- Logging back in when the screen saver is activated with the on-screen keyboard.
- Authenticating system dialogs not in the terminal.
This is why I keep coming back to xfce. Gnome in Ubuntu was awful last time I tried when they switched.
- Assuming Linux, what distro, desktop environment, window manager…
- What applications?
- Voice recognition
- On Screen Keyboard
- Browser
- Text editor
- Terminal
What software I use:
- Voice recognition
- On Screen Keyboard
- Onboard - This is what I’m using. Onboard is pretty great except the text suggestions don’t work gmail in Firefox, telegram or Atom. This just could be my particular Xubuntu.
- Florence
- xvkbd
- Screen Magnifier
- KMag
- xzoom
- Browser
- Firefox
- w/ ScrollAnywhere
- Text editor - These are the only ones I’ve found that support text suggestions with onboard.
- mousepad
- gedit
- Terminal
- Terminator
My unique needs:
- I use my pc at my desk in my office, from my bed in the bedroom and from my power wheelchair on the go.
- I’m a CS student getting into machine learning and more advanced coursework.
- I switched to Linux 2 years ago.
How I use the computer:
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I use the joystick on my wheelchair as a Bluetooth mouse to control the computer and my phone.
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Bluetooth mouse so I can switch between my pc and my phone (Pixel xl). Again suggestions needed. Maybe a kvm or something could be better.
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On screen keyboard
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In my wheelchair in front of my desk.
Office:
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I have a 2019 65’’ 4k Samsung TV for a monitor.
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I have a dual monitor arm w/ a 27’’ 1080p monitor and a 21.5’’ 1080p monitor.
Bedroom:
- I’d like to use the computer from my adjustable bed. Currently, I just have an old tv, so I need everything from scratch. Displays, mounts, arms, tables…
On the go:
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I can’t really type on a laptop keyboard or trackpad, so I don’t really use the computer on the go. I need ideas!
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The chair has usb power.
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What hardware I have:
- Modest Upgraded Coffee Lake Gaming PC that Wendell helped me build.
OS: Xubuntu 19.10 x86_64
Host: Z370 AORUS ULTRA GAMING WIFI
Kernel: 5.3.0-42-generic
Shell: bash 5.0.3
Resolution: 3840x2160
DE: Xfce
WM: Xfwm4
WM Theme: Breeze
Theme: Greybird [GTK2/3]
Icons: Numix-Circle [GTK2], elementary-xfce-darker [GTK3]
Terminal: terminator
CPU: Intel i7-8700 (12) @ 4.600GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
Memory: 15954MiB
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2019 65’’ 4k Samsung TV for a monitor.
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Dual monitor arm w/ a 27’’ 1080p monitor and a 21.5’’ 1080p monitor.
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Electric sit/stand desk
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Thecus NAS
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Pixel xl