Not to mention the fact that the tech support at Freedom Scientific
has been, at best, lukewarm. That thinking about Windows and Jaws
reminds me of my kids' way of thinking. They are staunch, Windows
users, and they are sighted, and yet they have more computer and
hardware problems than I have had with my iMac or Mac Mini. And
whenever I called Apple for tech support, they have been helpful and
have gone out of their way for me, which I appreciate, and it's for
that reason, among others, I will not go back to using Windows,
except to keep my skill level sharp. Richie Gardenhire, Anchorage,
Alaska.
On Apr 16, 2007, at 10:27 AM, John Panarese wrote:
Lol. That mentality is a microcosm of Windows users thinking
about the Mac in many instances. They think they have it better
and are content with crashes, viruses and all that good stuff,
claiming the Mac is dying, is a toy or there is no software out
there for it. It's amazing how some folks get so rooted in
something to the point in which they will make things so hard on
themselves needlessly.
In regard to JFW and WE, I also can't figure out that mystery.
I used JAWS for a while, but will never go back beyond the
occasional use to keep myself familiar with it. Window-Eyes is a
superior product, and Freedom Science Fiction continues to drive
JFW into the ground as affectively as a ranting Bill Gates is doing
the same to Windows' credibility.
Take Care
John D. Panarese
Managing Director
Technologies for the Visually Impaired, Inc.
9 Nolan Court
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Tel/Fax, (631) 724-4479
Email, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Internet, http://www.tvi-web.com
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR PORTSET SYSTEMS LTD, COMPSOLUTIONS VA,
PREMIER ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INDEX, PAPENMEIER, REPRO-TRONICS,
DUXBURY, SEROTEK AND OTHER PRODUCTS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY
IMPAIRED
AUTHORIZED APPLE BUSINESS AGENT
MAC VOICEOVER TRAINING
On Apr 16, 2007, at 2:17 PM, Josh de Lioncourt wrote:
On Apr 16, 2007, at 10:38 AM, Joshue O Connor wrote:
I agree with John, there are many users who would consider going
over to
the Mac if VO was more JAWS like or at least to convince them -
VO would
probably have to do what JFW does and then some. Aside from its
direct
interaction with the OS its limitations with web browsing/
application
support would deter people. However many JFW and other screen reader
users I know would be very interested in switching to VO and
possibly
will in the future, but the consensus seems to be, whether true
or not,
is that VO is not quite there yet. Though I know users who prefer
the
'feel' of VO to JFW. We will wait to see what Leopard delivers
and take
it from there.
Actually, I've found that this is a mentality of JFW users in
general. Window-Eyes, though a superior screen reader in my
opinion, is definitely the underdog, mainly because JFW users are
often unwilling to even try Window-Eyes. They believe that JFW is
the better screen reader, and that WE is awful, and nothing you
can say will convince many of them. WE and VO both suffer from a
massive amount of false information being propigated through the
VI community, which is particularly dentrimental in a minority
group that relies as much as the VI one does on word-of-mouth. I
think the Access World article publishedon VO could be fairly
summarized as saying, "It's not Jaws, therefore it sucks." That
was one of the most horrible pieces of so-called journalism I've
ever read where regards access technology.
The reason for this mentality is up for debate, but in the end it
doesn't really matter. I used to be a huge advocate for Jaws, and
then I found other sollutions that, when fairly judged against it,
stood up better in the overall picture, and also in the areas for
which I needed my screen reader to perform well.
I think making VO more "Jaws-like" would defeat its usefulness in
many respects. Yes, there are some commands that I'd like to see
introduced in VO that are included in Windows screen readers at
present. But VO is a very strong tool as it is now, if one takes
the time to learn to use it properly.
And, I should probably also point out that this sort of thinking
is not exclusive to Jaws users. On the contrary, this seems to be
a relatively common problem in the VI community. I remember 15
years ago or so, many blind people swearing by their
Braille'n'Speaks, even though there were far better devices out
there. The BnS had been well marketed and word-of-mouth spread
that it was the best there was, when in fact several other,
better, products existed. Convincing a BnS user to try something
else was like pulling teeth...I know, because I used a lot of the
other types of products. I've always been one to try everything I
can get my hands on, and make an informed decision. Over the
years I've used, just to name a few, JFW, WE, VO, outSpoken for
Windows, outSpoken for Mac, outSpoken 98, Eureka A4, Aria, Braille
Note, Braille'n'Speak, Braille Lite, Braille Note, KeyNote,
Type'n'Speak, Pocket Braille, and dozens of others, all to quite
an extent. Most blind people say, "What should I use?" and then
get whatever they are told is the best, without any real knowledge
of whether it really is right for them.
Stepping off my soapbox now. *grin*
