[Odb-help] Some Questions for ODB-Help readers

[odb-help at lists.democracygroups.org]

Good Afternoon! 

Last week we worked on resolving a few last issues in the 0.9.5
release of ODB.  On Thursday the 20th, we placed the final release
of this version of the software on our web site at www.organizersdb.org.
So far, so good!  If you try this new version and anything does not
work as expected, please email this list.

For today, we have a few questions for you:

1.  First, we are looking for examples for literature we are developing
of "technology success stories" for small organizations.  We hope
to have at least half of the success stories focus on groups that
engage in grassroots organizing.  If you can contribute a success
story, we are only looking for about 80-100 words.  We are not
necessarily looking for stories about ODB.  We would prefer to
highlight a variety of solutions people have implemented that made
an important difference within their organization (without costing an
arm and a leg).  Your success story should cover:

a) when (and why) did you start looking at improving the technology
    your group uses
b) what were the main problems (or challenges) you wanted to address
c) what technologies (web, email, database, telephone, etc.) did
    your group use to address these problems
d) what was the final outcome of your technology upgrade?

This is an informal poll, and if we like your example we might email
you back and give you an extra week to fine tune it before we publish
on this list (and possibly on our web site).



2.  ODB with a screen reader?

Date: Mon, 03 May 2004 08:17:51 -0400
To: odb-help at lists.democracygroups.org
From: Jon  Falk <jfalk <at...> midmaine.com>
Subject: ODB accessibility and screen readers

I've gotten the following question from a potential ODB user
who is tech-savvy, and visually-impaired:

"Is there anything spoken of or written about accessibility
of this product to alternative technologies such as screen
readers? A friend has told me it seems usable by
keystrokes---That could be a start."

I know that ODB is usable just with the keyboard -- is this
"mostly" usable, or 100%?  And does anyone have experience
using it with a screen reader?