Jambu - warming up for next round
Steve Lee
more time to work on Jambu again (hooray). I'd really value your ideas
on these big picture ideas for the next round.
@Willie: Aaron said I should chat to you about funding Jambu
@Marco: I'm returning to Web/XUL again as platform and less tied to python
@Eitan: I'm starting to work on your ideas, at last
@ChrisH, Jim: it really does seem that we have some overlap
Jambu is currently in 2 parts:
1) Jambu AT - in app selection of Firefox and GTK apps, using GTK and pyatspi
2) Jambu Overlay - Overlay/OSK framework, SVG in GTK custom widget
So my current big picture thoughts are:
1) get Jambu AT into better shape for FF 3 and Hardy. It is available
then for those who want but I really do think eye tracking will make
it much less important. Could be developed into more general Alt input
AT, perhaps with with work in X. This means a some rework for UI
changes and adding toolkit / app specific scripting.
2) develop Overlay/Symbols/OSK for basic OSK with switch and also
communication using the open symbol set. Start simple but want to
expand to symbol chat and email. Port existing work to web standards
(HTML, CSS, SVG, Javascript) plus XUL + XBR (XULRunner or perhaps FF
extension) using pyXPCOM for out of sandbox functionality. Prefer as
much as possible to be web so can be deployed on any browser but at
least Mozilla gives us any platform locally or on line. Prism looks
very useful here for packaging or perhaps GNOME web integration into
desktop, wherever that is currently. Will want multimedia and ARIA
will allow enhanced AT integration so can be shared with AT users as
well.
I see the main effort on 2, at least initially.
Using Web/Mozilla for overlay/Symbols/OSK fills several needs,
physical and learning difficulties and also possibly primary kids. I
see a lot of application in SEN and health and we'll be overlapping
with commercial products like Grid, clicker boardmake but on open
source and web. I don't see Jambu as a pointer-only OSK though it
could be.
It might be that the 2 can work together for some functionality and
there's a longer term possibility of a GOK 2, espec if we can get
other developers on board (no pun intended).
I also really want to attract other developers and I recall Aaron
saying I don't have to do the coding, just make it happen ;-). I *do*
want to code in case you get the wrong idea, I just realise others are
better/faster.
So what are your thoughts? What is needed, does this fit your ideas?
How can I get a really clear set up so people can drop by and hack.
Anyone fancy a chat on IRC some time?
I'm going to rough out a road map and a proposal next.
--
Steve Lee
--
Open Source Assistive Technology Software
web: fullmeasure.co.uk
blog: eduspaces.net/stevelee/weblog
Simon Judge
2 excites me most! But they are both important.
I'll look at the roadmap etc and contribute what I can. Keep up the good
work.
Simon
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