December 2013 - Blind-sysadmins - lists.hodgsonfamily.org

Best Remote Desktop Tools for Accessing Servers & Desktops
by Mika Pyyhkala 02 Jan '14

02 Jan '14

Hi, I would like to present two scenarios, and see what sort of tools or combination of tools people are using & find most helpful for accessing remote desktop sessions or similar functionality. Scenario 1: Server Access I will sometimes need to remote desktop in to a server such as an Exchange server or a Office Communicator server. While most functions can be performed from your desktop pc client using a console or Powershell, there are some functions that must be performed logged in to the server itself. My challenge is now when I use MSTSC I lose speech almost immediately since these servers do not have Jaws or other AT on them. We may also need to enable the Windows audio service as I am not sure that even Narrator will work at this point. We also have a VMWare infrastructure for many of our servers, but the VmWare console, it is kind of like remote desktop or being on the console itself, does not appear to work with Jaws....I did not really think it would work. So far I have been able to use the assistance of colleagues, but I wonder how others do this? Right now I launch the MSTSC and then let someone else "drive." I think a real issue, and perhaps an easy one, may be that our servers just aren't enabled by default with the Windows Audio service to allow Narrator. But then again, if its a complex task, I don't think I would get enough information from Narrator alone, and it may be time consuming to use Narrator. Scenario 2: Access to a Users Desktop I will also sometimes need to access a remote desktop type session on an end users Windows XP or Windows 7 desktop computer. This might be to install or configure an application, troubleshoot something, or work on say a machine in our training room. These machines also would not have Jaws or any other AT on them, although as needed it would be easier to install AT on these machines than it would be on our production servers :). Under this scenario also may be helping a remote user or family member in a different physical location. I have done this a little with Jaws tandem in the past and it has worked relatively well again if the end user I am trying to help has Jaws. I know I have read some discussions about remote desktop but I'm just wondering how exactly folks handle these scenarios, and what type of tools & solutions are best? Best, Mika Pyyhkala ________________________________ This message contains information from Neighborhood Health Plan that may be confidential or privileged. This message is directed only to the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this email is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the message and any attachments.

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FW: How to sell yourself to employers as a blind, but capable technologist
by Katherine Moss 02 Jan '14

02 Jan '14

-----Original Message----- From: Katherine Moss Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 2:47 PM Subject: How to sell yourself to employers as a blind, but capable technologist Hello all, My name is Katherine Moss, and let me tell you. Boy do I wish I had discovered this list years ago. I have been a technologist/administrator for the past ten years dabbling in everything from Windows to most recently Linux. I'm wondering what you guys have done to sell yourself to employers during interviews to get hired at your fulfilling jobs. I desire greatly to become a paid systems administrator and not just have technology as a hobby. I have a degree in English, though I'm planning on getting a certificate in network technologies and administration at Bunker Hill Community College (I am from Massachusetts). As of right now, regardless of the fact that I do have experience, employers are getting tripped up by my lack of official vender certifications, as well as my blindness. I will admit that I'm very open about my blindness, using it as a jumping off point to launch accessibility awareness campaigns rather than brooding over it. I'm wondering if my openness during the first interview at a job could be hurting me? I ask this because qualifications can't be the problem since I'm a member of a couple of user groups here in New England, and not many of us have computer science degrees at all. What has been your take on this? Thanks.

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Preparing a 3TB drive
by David Mehler 31 Dec '13

31 Dec '13

Hello, To anyone with a 3TB internal or external drive, though internal is what I'm dealing with. This is going to be in a system running windows7sp1, which is not detecting the drive. I've read that the drive needs to be prepared outside of windows, partitioned gpt and formatted ntfs then windows will see it. I have also read about drive alignment and that this is crucial on larger drives and also the 4k boundaries on these larger drives instead of 512 byte boundaries. The end result is I'm a little confused. The primary goal of these drives are going to be Windows data storage drives, with probably some Linux systems talking to them as well again for data storage. I want to ensure that all operating systems can see them, that they are properly aligned, and have the correct 4k boundaries set. What all do you use for this? Thanks. Dave.

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bsd anyone?
by mattias 28 Dec '13

28 Dec '13

as topic anyone here admins a bsd server? if so when you e.g should install postfix and enter make intall a text dialog come up with sevral choices you can only see ok and cancel this is with jaws and putty

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Preparing a 3TB drive
by David Mehler 26 Dec '13

26 Dec '13

Hello, To anyone with a 3TB internal or external drive, though internal is what I'm dealing with. This is going to be in a system running windows7sp1, which is not detecting the drive. I've read that the drive needs to be prepared outside of windows, partitioned gpt and formatted ntfs then windows will see it. I have also read about drive alignment and that this is crucial on larger drives and also the 4k boundaries on these larger drives instead of 512 byte boundaries. The end result is I'm a little confused. The primary goal of these drives are going to be Windows data storage drives, with probably some Linux systems talking to them as well again for data storage. I want to ensure that all operating systems can see them, that they are properly aligned, and have the correct 4k boundaries set. What all do you use for this? Thanks. Dave.

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Install xp
by mattias 19 Dec '13

19 Dec '13

Sorry if this are wrong list But I used winnt32.exe inside talking winpe To copy the installation files to my laptop And selected use narrator during setup And rebooted the computer And nothing happens aNd yes i formated the hd first to ntfs And used Bootsect /nt52 c: Thanks to bryan smart or how it spells

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Cherwell helpdesk software
by Ryan Shugart 18 Dec '13

18 Dec '13

Hi: Quick question, we're looking at outsourcing our helpdesk software to Cherwell. Has anyone used their ticket management system with a screen reader, and if so any comments on accessibility? We're using System Center Service Manager today, and accessibilitywise its horrible. Actually in general its pretty bad, crashes all the time etc. but hey. The Cherwell system is completely web based from my understanding. Thanks. Ryan

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Cherwell helpdesk software
by Ryan Shugart 18 Dec '13

18 Dec '13

Hi: Quick question, we're looking at outsourcing our helpdesk software to Cherwell. Has anyone used their ticket management system with a screen reader, and if so any comments on accessibility? We're using System Center Service Manager today, and accessibilitywise its horrible. Actually in general its pretty bad, crashes all the time etc. but hey. The Cherwell system is completely web based from my understanding. Thanks. Ryan

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Looking Windows useage monitoring and reporting software
by Barry Toner 17 Dec '13

17 Dec '13

Hi guys, I've been asked to find this. Are any of you in work or home using software that works well with a Screen Reader. I don't' really have allot of time to download and trial. Cheers, Barry. Barry Toner IT Assistant IT Department Clanmil Housing Northern Whig House 3 Waring Street Belfast BT1 2DX Tel: 02890 876000 Fax: 02890 876001

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Remote access.
by Darragh Ó Héiligh 17 Dec '13

17 Dec '13

Good morning, What are you all using for remote access? As I've said here before, my company are currently using teamviewer but their not particularly happy with it. I tried RIM from serotek but I couldn't justify the cost of it. I'd love it to be accessible of course but I've given up on that. Here's what we need: · Fast access. · File transfers · Clipboard access · Remote sound would be great. · Support for windows 7 and 8 is escential. Any suggestions? Thanks Darragh

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Looking Windows useage monitoring and reporting software
by Barry Toner 16 Dec '13

16 Dec '13

Hi guys, I've been asked to find this. Are any of you in work or home using software that works well with a Screen Reader. I don't' really have allot of time to download and trial. Cheers, Barry. Barry Toner IT Assistant IT Department Clanmil Housing Northern Whig House 3 Waring Street Belfast BT1 2DX Tel: 02890 876000 Fax: 02890 876001

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Alternative to Whats up gold.
by Darragh Ó Héiligh 16 Dec '13

16 Dec '13

Good morning, Again. I’m moving away from Nageos here. I know it’s great but I don’t have time to configure the whole thing from scratch. It just takes too much time in my experience. Probably actually likely because I haven’t bothered to take enough time to learn about it. I’m about to buy Whats up gold for €1475 but I@m just wondering, Are there any better / more accessible alternatives out there? Requirements are: · Windows service monitoring · Support for VBScript execution · Support for SSH script execution. · Support for WMI monitoring · Great graphical dashboard · An iPhone / android interface. · Switch monitoring · Email alerting · SMS alerting Probably more that I’m not thinking about at the moment.

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Alternative to Whats up gold.
by Darragh Ó Héiligh 16 Dec '13

16 Dec '13

Good morning, Again. I’m moving away from Nageos here. I know it’s great but I don’t have time to configure the whole thing from scratch. It just takes too much time in my experience. Probably actually likely because I haven’t bothered to take enough time to learn about it. I’m about to buy Whats up gold for €1475 but I@m just wondering, Are there any better / more accessible alternatives out there? Requirements are: · Windows service monitoring · Support for VBScript execution · Support for SSH script execution. · Support for WMI monitoring · Great graphical dashboard · An iPhone / android interface. · Switch monitoring · Email alerting · SMS alerting Probably more that I’m not thinking about at the moment.

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Remote access.
by Darragh Ó Héiligh 16 Dec '13

16 Dec '13

Good morning, What are you all using for remote access? As I've said here before, my company are currently using teamviewer but their not particularly happy with it. I tried RIM from serotek but I couldn't justify the cost of it. I'd love it to be accessible of course but I've given up on that. Here's what we need: · Fast access. · File transfers · Clipboard access · Remote sound would be great. · Support for windows 7 and 8 is escential. Any suggestions? Thanks Darragh

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Scale Computing's HC3
by Scott Wheat 10 Dec '13

10 Dec '13

Hello, Have any of you used Scale Computing's HC3 virtualizing solution? If so, and if you got it to work, what screen reader / web browser did you use? We are considering purchasing one of their clusters to virtualize several of our existing servers. I was given access to one of Scale's test domains and have looked at the interface a bit. It is not very friendly to Window Eyes using either Firefox or IE. I will be trying Voiceover and Safari on a MAC later today to see if that is any better. We may go with VM Ware, but are currently leaning toward Scale but I need to figure out how I will be able to use it. Thanks for any comments! Scott

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VMware vSphere Client
by Scott Wheat 10 Dec '13

10 Dec '13

Hi again, Another virtualization question. Once the VMware HyperViser has been installed on a machine, has anyone had luck using the vSphere Client to manage virtual machines? Thanks, Scott

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