[Blindtlk] Question on what is the best screen-reader to use?

[David Andrews]

So how do you really feel (LOL.)

While I understand your frustration, your hopes are unrealistic.

For starters, screen reading programs like JAWS, Window Eyes, System 
Access, and NVDA are complex pieces of software.  They have to give 
us access to many different kinds of software, and there are 
different ways of doing the tasks they do.  They make decisions which 
have strengths and weaknesses.  They may also have limited resources 
and just can't program everything in at once.  So because they each 
do somewhat different tasks, in different ways, some work better with 
program x and some work better with program Y.

Next, if hardware or software, or web sites never changed then 
updates wouldn't be necessary, but this simply isn't the case.

Think of your computer like your kitchen.  You want to cook a variety 
of food in it.   There isn't just one tool or pot you need to do 
so.  You need knives, a cutting board, bowls, different pans, a 
microwave, a stove etc.  These are the pieces of a screen 
reader.  Then new food comes out and maybe you need a new piece to use it.

Dave

At 10:50 AM 8/27/2012, you wrote:
>    Well, here's a question that everyone may have, so I feel like 
> an idiot asking, but I'm not trying to impress.
>
>Why can't they make a screen reader that works for everything? Why 
>do they have to keep updating? Why are there hackers who feel it 
>necessary to mess with your computer life? Why can't people just be 
>content with what they have? Why be better than your neighbor? This 
>world is sick!
>
>-----Original Message----- From: Mike Freeman
>Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 10:31 AM
>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Question on what is the best screen-reader to use?
>
>Programs is what I mean. For example, it is my opinion that JAWS works
>better than other screen-readers when running MsWord or the other programs
>that are part of the Microsoft Office suite -- PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
>However, other screen-readers do reasonably well with Office programs. On
>the other hand, NVDA handles the Flash updater from Adobe better than any of
>the other screen-reading programs. And on a Mac, the Open Office suite is
>not fully accessible. That's why I'm always nattering on about how it
>depends upon what one desires the computer to do which screen-reader one
>buys.
>
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Nikki
>Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 8:10 AM
>To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Question on what is the best screen-reader to use?
>
>    I'm confused with that statement. What do you mean by "application"?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Freeman
>Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 10:05 AM
>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Question on what is the best screen-reader to use?
>
>Bonnie:
>
>Let's be careful. It depends upon what applications one uses whether JAWS
>works "just as well". By the same token, there ar cases where JAWS works
>better than SA or WE and cases where NVDA works better than the others. It
>just depends upon the application.
>
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Bonnie Ainsworth
>Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 5:19 AM
>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Question on what is the best screen-reader to use?
>
>Some people use System Access.  I can't remember what the cost was, but it's
>much cheaper than JAWS and works just as well.
>
>Bonnie
>
>Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but doesn't get
>you anywhere
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Gloria Whipple
>Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2012 5:44 PM
>To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Question on what is the best screen-reader to use?
>
>Thank you!
>
>I have tried using the I pad and found out touch screens are not for me. I
>do wish Voice over was a windows program because I really like it.
>
>I will give NVDA another try. I couldn't get use to the voice.