I would love to get an estimate, off-list if need be, as to when 3.3.1 or
however it will be numbered ought to be releasd.
It is important in all this not to be so attached to one's screen reader
that you can't acknowledge weaknesses in it, or conversely, strengths in
another. In window-Eyes, the experience of navigating a web page is very
much like that of navigating a word-procesor document, hence the
description. In particular, the ease with which window-Eyes users can zip
past often useless navigational links is impressive. I am quite certain
that if we could take a sampling of JFW users and of Window-Eyes users of
equal facility with their screen reader, the window-Eyes users would master
their program's interface to Internet Explorer 5 faster than would the JFW
users, because it's simply less complicated. Unless you can competently
use both programs, or have watched a competent side-by-side demonstration
of them, you aren't in much of a position to comment substantively.
Of course, JFW will incorporate MSAA, because of the apparent advantages.
Then Gw Micro will make improvements. That's the way the business works!
HJ was one of a small number of screen readers (though not, it is worth
noting) the only one, to provide access to InternetExplorer 4.0. HJ and
some of its less objective admirers have been hyperextending their arms to
pat themselves on the back over this past victory ever since. I have never
quite understood how that achievement matters now. Indeed, there was once
a time when Artic led the world of DOS screen readers. For how many years
do we give them accolades for having done so? In the here and now, when
Internet Explorer 4 is outdated technology, for the last couple months,and
into the near future, those people I know who can competently use both JFW
and Window-Eyes clearly recognize that Window-Eyes offers easier and more
comprehensive (though not perfect!) access to the web via Internet Explorer
5. In the future this may change, but then, doesn't everything in this
business!
Dean
For information about the Baha'i Faith, Sound Computing magazine or Top Dot
tutorials, email me, or check out <ttp://www.eskimo.com/~deamar>
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Visit the jfw ml web page: http://jfw.cjb.net
