Getting started with listening to ubuntu.

What does a blind programmer looks for when he starts to use any new operating system for the first time? Yes of course, he needs a Text-To-Speech support. He needs a screen reader. When we switched to ubuntu 12.04 from Windows 7 for exploring rails core, we needed independence to be able to use linux on our own without depending on anybody.
Ubuntu is an operating system which is truely open source working for the community. It has ensured that even blind end users can handle it quite easily. While installing ubuntu, a blind user needs to let the operating system load from CD. That is what happens when you insert the CD and boot your machine from it. The setup doesn't start right away. The linux OS loads from CD so that you can choose to try it out or otherwise install it. As soon as you listen to small sound that indicates Ubuntu has started, you can use the keystroke Control+S which starts orca screen reader right there. And there you are. Ubuntu installation with Text-To-Speech support enabled.
Once installed, you reach the login screen and here again need a screen reader to help you log in to the Ubuntu Linux OS. Well, press Control+S here as well and orca can help you out. Once logged in, you can press the keystroke Alter+F2 to bring up the Run Application dialogue box. Just type orca and hit enter to have orca enabled inside Ubuntu.