Hi Jim. Good to hear that Window-Eyes is still being used in where you went to college. I just attended a music camp for the blind in Napa, California, and on one of the computers, they had JAWS, Window-Eyes, Zoomtext, NVDA, and Kurzweil on there. So Window-Eyes is one of a range of options on that computer.
-----Original Message----- From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+skyt=shaw...@lists.window-eyes.com] On Behalf Of Jim via Talk Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2016 7:27 AM To: Tony C; Window-Eyes Discussion List Subject: Re: Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 AnniversaryUpdate:The Results Will Surprise You! When I was taking classes at the local Junior college, the councelor specifically asked me which screen reader I preferred. I told her Window-Eyes and that is what she got for me-no questions asked. From what I understand, they are still using W.$E. for their visually impaired students. Not to certain of what the state of Michigan thinks of their decisions, but I was told they are trying to make things as easy as possible for their students. I do know that when I go to look for a job at Michigan Works, they do have JAWs, although I can still use my W.E. if I have it on a USB stick. Just my thoughts for whatever they might be worth<SMILE!>. Catch Ya Later! de <KF8LT><Jim>. On 13-Aug-16 09:04, Tony C via Talk wrote: > I've3 been a WE user since 2004, before that I was a Jaws user. The > states by law have to give you a choice of screen readers. The way > they work it although, is if your states blind services department is > "pro" NFB they will only tell you about Jaws. You have to insist on WE > if that's what you want. > > -----Original Message----- From: Loy via Talk > Sent: Friday, August 12, 2016 5:07 PM > To: Sky Mundell ; Window-Eyes Discussion List > Subject: Re: Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 AnniversaryUpdate:The > Results Will Surprise You! > > I have been a Window Eyes user since 2001 and it is a great screen > reader and have not experienced the crashing you mentioned. And many > people know about Window Eyes, it doesn't have as much of the market > share as does JAWS and that is because government favors Freedom > Scientific and usually doesn't give the client a choice of which > screen reader they would like. > ----- Original Message ----- From: Sky Mundell via Talk > To: 'Kevin Huber' ; 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' > Sent: Friday, August 12, 2016 4:41 PM > Subject: RE: Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary > Update:The Results Will Surprise You! > > > Hi. > > I am sad to say that some, if not all people, are totally unfamiliar > with Window-Eyes. I think one of the reasons is that many of them did > try Window-Eyes when it became free with office but rejected it due to > it crashing a lot and some people even found Window-Eyes droved them > crazy. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Talk [mailto:talk-bounces+skyt=shaw...@lists.window-eyes.com] > On Behalf Of Kevin Huber via Talk > Sent: Friday, August 12, 2016 1:37 PM > To: Chris Skarstad; Window-Eyes Discussion List > Subject: Re: Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary Update: > The Results Will Surprise You! > > Hi: > > Maybe the author of that article is not familiar with Window-eyes. > By the way, how does Window-eyes work with Edge in the Windows 10 > anniversary addition Kevin Huber > > > On 8/10/16, Chris Skarstad via Talk <talk@lists.window-eyes.com> wrote: > > No mention of Window-eyes, eh? tisk tisk. > > On 8/10/2016 9:38 AM, Russ Kiehne via Talk wrote: > >> The following article came from > >> https://www.coolblindtech.com/ranking-screen-readers-in-windows10-ann > >> iversary-update-the-results-will-surprise-you/ > >> > >> He seemed to leave out Window Eyes? > >> > >> Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary Update: The Results > >> Will Surprise You! > >> > >> James Oates > >> > >> > >> On August 9, 2016 > >> > >> In this article, I will attempt to review and rank three of the most > >> popular current screen readers that are available at this time. The > >> three screen readers were tested on the most recent version of > >> Windows 10 anniversary update. This is important because one of the > >> screen readers is Microsoft’s most recently updated Narrator. > >> Although ranking the screen readers might prove to be quite > >> controversial, I think it can also open up a real discussion on which > >> screen readers are most accessible, and even the question of > >> accessibility can sometimes be up for debate. I do realize that > >> accessibility is determined by personal needs and preferences, so I > >> will attempt to define the criteria I used for accessibility in > this review. > >> > >> What Is Accessibility? > >> > >> Quite simply, I determined that accessibility is the ability to > >> access that which needs to be accessed. Also, I take points off > >> accessibility for the screen readers that make it difficult to access > >> material by being dysfunctional or by making it very difficult to > >> figure out which keystrokes need to be used with the material. Some > >> screen readers make you use ridiculous key combinations to activate > >> website elements or functions within applications. So without > further ado, here are the rankings! > >> > >> Number One: Microsoft Narrator! > >> > >> It took me about a day to get used to the screen reader, but once I > >> did, I realized what a powerful tool Microsoft had created and that > >> the company was finally serious about supporting a built-in screen > >> reader for the blind. In fact, the only thing I could find wrong with > >> the screen reader was that it did not work with my braille display. I > >> am currently working with Microsoft and HIMS to see if this problem > >> can be resolved. Besides that one issue, the screen reader was fully > >> accessible on all websites and applications. I tested the screen > >> readers on Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Groove Music, Skype, > >> Dropbox, Microsoft Word, Audacity, Feedback, and the Settings app. > >> Narrator now uses something called scan mode. You can toggle this on > >> and off by pressing caps lock and space bar. When scan mode is off, > >> you can tab through active elements, use Windows keyboard commands, > >> and navigate by means of your preferred preference; such as, items, > >> headings, and paragraphs. When scan mode is on, you can navigate > >> through everything on the screen—that includes text, website > >> elements, and application controls—by using the tab key, arrowing > >> around the screen, or employing letter navigation. How often has your > >> screen reader announced; “OK button”. And you are wondering; “What am > >> I saying OK to?” When scan mode is turned on, you can just arrow up > >> and read the text associated with that button. You do need to toggle > >> scan mode off when you want to use keyboard commands such as control > >> P to pause a music track or alt F4 to close an application. This was > >> the only screen reader that was fully functional using Microsoft > >> Edge. It was also the only screen reader that was able to read > every active element and all text on each website and application. > >> Clearly, hands down, Narrator is the winner! > >> > >> Second-Place Goes to NVDA. > >> > >> NVDA > >> performed mostly well. The problem is it uses a function called > >> browse mode that doesn’t actually work at this time. You’re supposed > >> to be able to toggle between focus and browse modes by pressing > insert plus spacebar. > >> It’s supposed to function like Narrator’s scan mode. Because it > >> didn’t work, Microsoft Edge was only able to read active elements, > >> not text, on the screen. It was also difficult to read text on other > >> applications. Like I said before, you want to know what you’re saying > >> “OK” to. Also, there were other applications where you had to switch > >> the pain view to see what else was on the screen. That’s OK if you > >> know that there are other pains on the screen. But if you don’t, > >> you’re missing out on loads of information. NVDA is still a fantastic > >> screen reader and the developers of the project are working on fixing > >> browse mode. I suspect they will work out the kinks very soon. But > >> can they keep up with all the changes and updates coming from > Microsoft on an almost daily basis? > >> > >> JAWS Finishes in a Distant Third. > >> > >> This wasn’t even close! I don’t even know where to begin! For > >> starters, the JAWS display driver interfered with the Microsoft > >> Upgrade Assistant which is a program that allows customers to > >> download Windows10 Anniversary Update without having to wait for the > >> automatic update. I had to uninstall the Freedom Scientific display > >> driver just to download my free copy of Windows 10 Anniversary > >> Update. Next, JAWS does not work with Microsoft Edge unless you’re > >> using the touch cursor. > >> This makes Microsoft’s primary browser virtually unusable. This is > >> inexcusable and unacceptable. JAWS has also come up with some very > >> convoluted keystroke combinations to interact with elements on > >> webpages. I also ran into several situations where JAWS was incapable > >> of activating navigation bars on webpages. I just want to know, are > >> the people at VFO serious about accessibility, or just interested in > >> convincing people in enterprise and government that they are? > >> > >> Final Thoughts. > >> > >> I really enjoyed the Mark mobile voice that Narrator uses. I was also > >> pleasantly surprised at how quickly the screen reader reacts. I’m now > >> using it as my primary screen reader. I of course will always > >> continue to use NVDA as well. It is an amazing product and will only > >> continue to improve. They have one of the most talented group of > >> developers I’ve ever seen. As for JAWS, I can’t think of one good > >> thing to say. And that’s a difficult position for me to take. When I > >> first became a teacher 25 years ago, JAWS was the only program that > >> made the digital world accessible for me. It was an amazing product, > >> and I’ve always shown a great deal of gratitude toward them, but even > >> I have to admit that they’re not maintaining their commitment to > >> customers. You don’t know how difficult that is for me to say this > >> because I have a great deal of loyalty toward the people who helped > >> me when I was younger. I hope the people at VFO and Freedom > >> Scientific can turn things around, but most importantly I applaud the > >> accessibility team at Microsoft. For years Microsoft has preached > >> accessibility but seemed more interested in promoting their own > >> advancement within the field of accessibility. The new Microsoft > >> accessibility team is finally focusing on their actual customers. > >> What a refreshing change! I have also recorded a podcast > >> demonstrating the use and accessibility of Windows 10 anniversary > >> update. I hope you give it a listen. > >> > >> The views expressed here are purely my own, and should be taken as > such. > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > >> author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > >> > >> For membership options, visit > >> > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/rascal0826%40verizon.net. > >> For subscription options, visit > >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > >> List archives can be found at > >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > > author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > > > For membership options, visit > > > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/huber.kevin7%40gmail.com. > > For subscription options, visit > > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > > List archives can be found at > > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > _______________________________________________ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/skyt%40shaw.ca. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > > _______________________________________________ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/loyrg2845%40gmail.com. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > _______________________________________________ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/tch828%40mediacombb.net. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > _______________________________________________ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the > author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/wohlggie%40gmail.com. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com _______________________________________________ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/skyt%40shaw.ca. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com _______________________________________________ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/archive%40mail-archive.com. For subscription options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com List archives can be found at http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com
