Hello Daniel,
I have red your observation with great interest in regards to JFW and
Windoweye. Yes, Gw-micro provide the forty minutes demo CD for free, while
you have too download 13 mg file of JFW demo.
In the mean time, I would like to hear about the Artic product so called
Winvision5.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Tamru.
----- Original Message -----
From: Daniel Jakersol <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 1999 7:18 PM
Subject: jfw gets bashed
> WYFIWYG Newsletter for October 1999
>
> Copyright October 1999 by: Peter Duran
> All rights Reserved
>
> Distributed by:
> BRL, Inc.
> 110 Commerce Drive
> Suite 210
> Fayetteville, GA 30214
> Tel: 770-716-9222
> Fax: 770-716-9599
>
> Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Web: WWW.WYFIWYG.COM
>
>
> Dear Readers
>
> Please send reader comments about the newsletter (or anything
> else) to:
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> Any additions or corrections are greatly appreciated. This
> newsletter is only available by email!
>
> The WYFIWYG newsletter is 3 months old now, and its readership
> has grown from 48 subscribers in August to 823 readers in
> October. Thanks for the interest and support.
>
>
>
> Editorial Corner: Window-Eyes and JFW Comparison Again
>
> In the September issue, I offered a comparison of Window-Eyes and
> Jaws for Windows. I received many comments pro and con which is
> great, but I also received email that attacked me personally and
> defamed my integrity and intellectual honesty. Writers of flames
> are ignored, and I shall, of course, continue to offer you, my
> readers, the best possible reviews of products.
>
> This is a good time to summarize my comments on Window-Eyes and
> Jaws for Windows for the benefit of new readers and to make a few
> points discussed by readers. These comments will foreshadow my
> review in next month's newsletter of the newest screen reader --
> the Narrator from Microsoft Corporation that comes with Windows
> 2000.
>
> I won't mention dozens of program features -- most of which are
> meaningless to the beginner or to a user of a different product.
> Instead, a few fundamental observations are listed that can help
> you make an initial purchase or make a switch to a different
> product.
>
> Purchase Price and Upgrade Costs: Window-Eyes is $200 cheaper
> than JFW, $595.00 versus $795.00. GW Micro offers lots of free
> minor upgrades and charges much less than Henter-Joyce for major
> upgrades. The initial purchase price and the continuous upgrade
> charges are major considerations if you are new to Windows and
> screen readers for Windows. You should decide whether the cost
> difference reflects a real difference in product quality and
> performance before you buy.
>
> Tech support: It is no secret that GW Micro offers great tech
> support, and Henter-Joyce has terrible tech support. What isn't
> clear is why such a difference exists. Newcomers to Windows
> screen readers should weigh this factor heavily, for problems
> will arise and you will need help to resolve them promptly and
> correctly. Clearly, "great" or "terrible" are subjective terms;
> I suggest that prospective purchasers of either product talk to
> current users for additional opinions. I base these evaluations
> on the hundreds of email messages that I read weekly from both
> the GW Micro and the JFW user lists.
>
> Here is a final point about user support. Call GW Micro (except
> at lunch time) and talk to a real person who actually knows
> something about the product and is ready to help you. Call
> Henter-Joyce support and usually wait for days for a call back.
> (Don't believe this; well, then call and check it out.)
>
> Computer Compatibility: Window-Eyes works on all Windows 95 and
> 98 computers, but JFW depends on the installed video driver and
> video hardware. Too often, users must rely on older video
> drivers or replace video hardware so JFW can operate properly.
> In laptops and notebook computers, and now in lots of cheap
> desktop computers, the video hardware can't be replaced. If JFW
> fails to work properly, you are stuck and must buy a different
> screen reader or a different computer. This is a serious problem
> with JFW which Henter-Joyce must address.
>
> Readers pointed out rightly that JFW works on Windows NT and
> Window-Eyes doesn't. But, few of us care about Windows NT --
> unless we need to rely on it at work. It's a new ball game when
> Windows 2000 makes its debut. It is NT based, and all screen
> reader vendors must support it.
>
> Copy protection: Window-Eyes (in the United States, Canada, and
> now England) does not copy protect its screen reader, but
> Henter-Joyce does. This is done to avoid pirated copies of the
> software. However, copy protection has a few problems. It
> interferes with the use of some Windows programs such as the
> Defrag utility which lets you clean-up and speed-up your
> computer. Recently, it has been pointed out that copy protection
> for JFW may fail to work properly with some newer hard disks.
>
> Internet support: Both screen readers work well with the
> Internet, but Window-Eyes presently works much better. This is
> the case because GW Micro supports the Active Accessibility
> technology developed by Microsoft which lets screen readers
> interact well with Internet Explorer, the web browser of choice.
> JFW will in a few months surely catch up; Window-Eyes was behind
> JFW in this area till recently. (In a recent talk-in show, the
> Henter-Joyce development coordinator expressed similar
> sentiments; HJ will mimic all the innovative Internet features
> now available in Window-Eyes. Competition spurs development!)
>
> Mouse Control: Although most users prefer the keyboard, the
> mouse is often necessary because many programs lack keyboard
> equivalents for often vital actions. In fact, the mouse is often
> easier to use than the keyboard. Window-Eyes uses the Column of
> keys on the keyboard to move the Insertion point and uses the
> Block of keys to move the mouse pointer. The Insertion point and
> the mouse pointer are kept totally independent. JFW, on the
> other hand, uses the Block of keys to control both the Insertion
> point and the Mouse pointer, and the user must switch between
> them via a hot key. Often, this is awkward and/or confusing.
> Sometimes, JFW switches between them automatically so the user
> must check which cursor, the Insertion point or the mouse
> pointer, is currently active. It is worthwhile to point out that
> the names JFW Cursor and PC Cursor are poor terms, for they
> obscure the fact that the Insertion point and the mouse pointer
> are really involved. The fact that the user must switch between
> them via a hot key further adds to the confusion.
>
> The GW Micro approach to the Insertion point and the mouse
> pointer is definitely more elegant and simple. This becomes more
> and more evident to me as I write my Word 2000 tutorial and key
> guide. There are lots of mouse tricks very useful to us as blind
> users. Examples: Double click the page number indicator on the
> Status bar, then you can type a page number and immediately jump
> there. Single click a word to move the insertion point there;
> double click a word to select it; triple click a word to select
> the entire sentence.
>
> Window Sizes: You often need to survey the entire display or a
> particular portion of it. You need to examine the entire display
> when you are confronted with a new program and wish to thoroughly
> check it out. You need to scan a pop-up window when it appears
> or restrict your attention to the area of the display which has
> the focus. Window-Eyes lets you cycle through all the basic
> window sizes and read them all. JFW lacks this facility except
> in a rudimentary form.
>
> User Documentation: The documentation for a program is the
> user's first introduction to the program. A well-written and
> well-organized manual makes it far easier to learn a program and
> makes it a lot more fun. The Window-Eyes user manual is a model
> of excellent technical writing; I have found only a few spots
> where it wasn't crystal clear. The JFW documentation, on the
> other hand, is poorly written and poorly organized; repeated
> rereads don't help me much. I had to learn JFW by trial and
> error and with help from friends and colleagues -- a laborious
> way to learn this program.
>
> I must agree with the comments I received from a few readers that
> the Window-Eyes manual is too technical in many places and
> intimidates some newcomers.
>
> ----
>
> GW Micro, Inc.
> 725 Airport North Office Park
> Fort Wayne, IN 46825
> Tel: 219-489-3671
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> WWW.GWMICRO.COM
>
> ----
>
> Henter-Joyce, Inc.
> 11800 31st Court North
> St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1805
> Tel: 800-336-5658
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> WWW.HJ.COM
>
> Customer Corner
>
> Word processors are great for those of us who want to write the
> Great American Novel, but a text editor is better for those of us
> who wish to write programs or edit text files. I have used the
> editor that came with WordPerfect 5.1 because I couldn't find a
> Windows editor that is easy to use and complete enough for real
> technical work. Now, my search is over, and I will soon say
> good-bye to my old friend Mister Ed.
>
> Ultra Edit is a shareware program for $30 with a 45 day trial
> demo. The download web site is www.idmcomp.com and the author
> will supply documentation in Word format upon request. I am told
> by colleagues, who know more about program editors than I, that
> this is an excellent product at a great price.
>
> Technical Tidbits
>
> Microsoft Windows 98 has Y2K problems. Microsoft offers a free
> CD with the necessary fixes. Call Microsoft at 1-888-219-1302
> and request this CD upgrade.
>
> Internet Explorer 5.0 has a "browse back" bug. This is evident
> when the Back button is grayed out; that is, disabled. Use the
> Address drop-down list when this occurs. Or, close and then
> relaunch Internet Explorer 5.0 if this also fails.
>
> There seems to be a bug in Windows that makes the DoubleTalk
> synthesizer skip text on occasion. You can make a change in
> Windows to remedy this problem. (Please Email a request to
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FIX THIS.)
>
> I tried to install my Openbook 3.5 reader from Arkenstone with a
> HP 5P scanner on a Windows 98 computer and got problems. You
> need to upgrade the HP drivers and then re-install the Openbook.
> Call the Hewlett-Packard Ordering Number 661-257-5565 and order
> Deskscan 2.9 which is $24.00
>
> WYFIWYG Announcements
>
> Many of us seek a simple and powerful database that works well
> with a screen reader. So far, our quest has been futile. Yes, I
> know that vendors claim that their screen readers work with
> Microsoft Access. In my opinion, Microsoft Access is too
> complicated for most of us and screen reader support is barely
> adequate. So, another alternative is needed for those of us who
> want a database for personal uses or for a small home business.
>
> File Maker Pro does the trick. It is relatively cheap, powerful
> and, at the same time, very easy to setup and to use. This
> database is used by hundreds of colleges and universities to
> maintain student records. My son, who is sighted, learned File
> Maker Pro in a couple of weeks and developed a database for his
> college with 300+ fields in a few months with all kinds of nifty
> reports. He has used Microsoft Access but definitely prefers
> File Maker Pro.
>
> There is just a little problem with this rosy scenario. This
> program is inaccessible. I have contacted the legal department
> of File Maker, Inc., and got their attention. They have sent a
> evaluation copy of File Maker Pro to GW Micro and are willing to
> cooperate with GW Micro. All of you are asked to sent Carol
> Custer in the legal department an email message in support of
> full access to File Maker Pro. Her email address is
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please CC a copy of your message to
> Doug Geoffray at GW Micro. His email address is
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> About a year ago, I found a different company that was willing to
> alter their database, and I contacted Henter-Joyce. Ted Henter
> assured me that this development issue would be placed on the
> development agenda. Nothing happened. Let's hope that GW Micro
> has more interest and commitment to an alternative database
> solution.
>
> Educational Breakthrough
>
> It is great to own a scanner and a program that scans books into
> readable text. It is a pain, however, to sit there and scan
> hundreds of pages hour after hour. And, it is very difficult to
> scan textbooks well. There must be an easier and quicker way to
> read educational materials.
>
> Now, there is a way if you are a student in California. It is
> now the publisher's legal obligation to provide educational
> materials in e-text format when requested by the University of
> California, the California State University or the California
> Community Colleges. No doubt, other states will follow
> California's lead and pass similar laws because California and
> Texas control the textbook market. (Please email a request to
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you want additional information.)
>
> Newsletter Special
>
> Here is a special offer just for newsletter subscribers. You
> must call to order; this offer isn't available on the
> WWW.WYFIWYG.COM web site.
>
> Verbal View of Windows is ideal for new and intermediate users of
> Windows 95 and 98. Here are a couple of user testimonials:
>
>
> Nolan Crabb, now at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> "Yours is by far the best tutorial I've ever seen on this
> subject. You have a great talent for taking the known and
> translating those components to the unknown. Other great
> teachers do exactly that. Your analogies to appliances with
> buttons and cups of fine gravel to describe monitor resolution
> are outstanding. Don't change that feature about your work. ...
>
> Bottom line: If ACB were in the publishing business, I'd be
> among those crying loudest for us to buy the rights to publish
> this thing and do it ourselves. You must find some way to
> interest every rehabilitation counsellor in the land in this
> tutorial.
>
> I've used win95 for about 20 months now, and I still learned a
> great deal about keyboard commands from your work. That despite
> the fact that I had a copy of the keyboard list for 95. Your
> explanations and examples are excellent. It obviously took long
> hours of work, and that shows."
>
>
> Professor Ronald E. Milliman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> "Peter, I have read the entire tutorial once and parts more than
> once. Peter, I am extremely impressed with your approach, your
> topic flow, and clarity of writing. I do not know what your
> educational background is, but you are a very good writer."
>
> Verbal View of Windows on tape: Retail $75 Newsletter special $50
>
> October Specials
>
> You can place orders by phone, toll free 877-993-4994, fax 770-716-9599,
or
> online at WWW.WYFIWYG.COM. Visa, Master Card, and
> American Express are accepted and so are personal checks and
> purchase orders.
>
> Window-Eyes 3.1 Screen Reader: Retail $595 October $370
>
> DoubleTalk External Voice Synthesizer: Retail $320 October $295
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> -
> Visit the jfw ml web page: http://jfw.cjb.net
>
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