Hi, so in college I have this network class. It's mainly windows here, I just happen to have a mac. I don't have much problems in general with Packet Tracer, it's just a very visual app first but once you read their accessibility guide it's quite good for what I have to do, using the workspace view. I was just wondering before trying this my self if the experience on mac with VO is any better or at least equal to that of Windows?
Comments
Much better on Windows
I had to use this for my Networking Certs with Cisco, and luckily I had my Windows 11 laptop at this point. Personally, my experience with this on macOS was horrible, admittedly though I was using an older version of macOS at the time.
Having said all of that, there is a podcast that may interest you.
https://applevis.com/podcasts/demonstration-cisco-packet-tracer-mac-powerful-network-simulation-tool
Is it accessible on windows
Good to know that packate tracer is accessible on windows now.
Back in 2018 it was not accessible with windows with JAWS or NVDA.
Yes
My experience with it, and NVDA, was very accessible. Granted that was only last year (2024) that I took my Cisco courses that required packet tracer.
The won and only issue I can remember was anytime I had to go into the section where you choose Windows desktop, or command prompt, etc. I believe that was a little flaky in terms of screen reader accessibility, but it was still usable. Just had to deal with counting Spaces to get to the right icon, etc. Hope that makes sense.
It is accessible
The workspace view is the way to go. Even the cli isn't that bad tbh. Just a bit ob learning curve, it's especially important to get the app's logic, then you're good.
Will have to check it out.
back in 2018 it was crap.
I had to use real equipments like real routers and all since cisco packet tracer was not accessible at all.
If anyone can share a demo using it with windows then that would be awesome.
Not necessarily accessible, but usable
There are more weird bugs on the mac side but it's certainly usable, I've done an entire assignment with the mac version only.
Unable to disable CLI tts under settings as indicated on the web and on cisco packet tracer accessibility page though, any tip will be appreciated as it's quite annoying.
Mouse routing is a must
A lot of elements require you to routing the mouse over before performing a mouse click on. Most device / cable / element choosers.
Much easier on Windows
I realize this isn't necessarily helpful for you, but if I am remembering correctly, when I was doing my Cisco courses, all I had to do was hit spacebar to activate the drop-down menus for each of the different options such as switches and routers or cables etc., and then just press space or enter on the correct one and then go to the next one is so forth and so on. I don't even know how you do anything on a Mac anymore.
I know!
I use it only on Windows. I will send an email to Cisco accessibility team about the mac. It's bearly usable. Doable but horrible UX.
No worries I do everything on Windows now. It was just for that one assignment I pushed my tolerance as much as I could just for the sake of trying it there.
No no, I get it.
Last year around February, when I first began my cyber security CERT course with Cisco, I was still using my MacBook Pro. I think I was actually using Ventura at the time. Needless to say, but that was 'rough'.
I know, I know, you love the Ventura... 😇
Then my VR counselor picked up an HP laptop running Windows 11, which was a much better experience. Thankfully I was relatively familiar with Windows, at least Windows 10, since it was BootCamped on my Intel MacBook Pro.
...and well, I also know how much you love HP computers. 😝
Yes. You can thank Michael that
I haven't publicly confronted you on the forums about some of your... choices.
Maybe I'll send you DMs! Watch out your spam folder, you never know 😂