[nfbcs] JAWS 10: Freedom Scientific press release

Fri Nov 7 16:18:03 UTC 2008

I have been following this string and I would like to make some
comments.  I started using JAWS after trying Jaws and Window Eyes both
at an NFB convention.  JAWS performed better to me.  Unfortunately,
since Ted Hinter sold the company, the customer focus has disappeared
from the company.  This change has gone so far that I am again
considering evaluating Window Eyes.

Here are some things I notice about JAWS 10.0 that I find troubling.

*  Freedom Scientific did not regression test carefully enough.  Things
that worked fine in earlier versions of JAWS were broken in JAWS 10.0.
For example, the F3 is not spoken when pressed.

*  Key commands that were used for one function are switched to suit
some developer, without respect to the end-users who have been using the
key command for something else for years.  CNTL-PAGE DOWN, in JAWS 10.0.
There have been others in previous releases.

*  Bundling new products on to JAWS and then charging hundreds of
dollars to use them.  If FS wants to charge for new software, (something
I understand and can agree with).  They should not bundle it into JAWS
or MAGIC.  They should market and sell it as a separate stand alone
product.  That is what every other software company I do business with
does.  The Tandem feature looks to be a really nice tool.  But I have no
intention of trying it just to enrich what has become in my mind a
for-profit corporation.  No matter what FS may claim.

THANKS, WILLIAM

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Ryan Mann
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 3:17 PM
To: NFBnet NFBCS Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] JAWS 10: Freedom Scientific press release

System Access has had remote access capability for a little while  
now.  Auto forms mode?  With System Access, all you have to do is  
arrow down to an inputbox in Internet Explorer and type text.  They've  
had this ability for a long time.  The best part is that this is at a  
lot lower cost than JFW.
http://www.serotek.com.
Come on Freedom Scientific, get with the times and lower the cost of  
your products.

On Nov 6, 2008, at 3:32 AM, Steve Pattison (by way of David Andrews
<dandrews at visi.com 
 >) wrote:

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> Media Contact: Brad Davis
> 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
> www.FreedomScientific.com
> Sales: info at FreedomScientific.com
>
>
> Freedom Scientific Releases JAWSR 10
>
>
> Users Call JAWS TandemT a "Breakthrough"
>
>
> (St. Petersburg, Florida, November 3, 2008) - Freedom Scientific today
> announced the English release of JAWS version 10, the world's leading
> screen
> reader for visually impaired computer users. This new release includes
> new
> features that will expand employment, training, and educational
> opportunities for users at all levels. These new features include
> AutoForms
> Mode, JAWS Tandem, and RealSpeakT Direct Solo.
>
> "The new AutoForms Mode makes it easier than ever for new users to  
> work
> with
> Internet Explorer, FireFox 3, and Acrobat Reader," said Eric Damery,
> Vice
> President of Software Product Management. "There is no question that
> JAWS 10
> has taken working with HTML and PDF forms or Web-based applications,
> especially the new Web 2.0 Accessible Rich Internet Applications  
> (ARIA),
> to
> a new level."
>
> For more information, try the updated Surf's Up training
>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RtqfoxsH1bN1MzujUc59jYnqQ2mrLQ1BCeSdJY2ixgeS
FEHn
> PYTQXZex8wcG8EyVd7yay0QIcuFCXfaP0NnYzyCKXm6lqwQVevaDVv- 
> wIfoGbJrEGsMaNphsyzNA
> 0HLq4v6UoPxMGkZS7VI7GiUqAsxsFyQPz2a3J4ee28aHR-kn7mcRTZfuh3DAyFLJQncT>
> aid
> which now includes all the details on AutoForms Mode.
>
> "JAWS Tandem provides an accessible remote assistance option for  
> anyone
> with
> access to the Internet - including dial up. Technical Support staff,
> consultants, trainers, dealers, and knowledgeable friends now have a
> simple
> and powerful tool to assist JAWS users from a distance. It literally
> lets
> our Tech Support team make house calls," added Damery. "Perhaps the  
> most
> important part of this feature is that friends can now help friends.
> Whether
> troubleshooting a problem on their friend's computer, teaching them
> something about JAWS, or even test-driving some new software with JAWS
> on
> their friend's machine before buying, it has already proven to be a  
> huge
> success."
>
> For more information, take a look at the FAQs on JAWS Tandem
>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RtqfoxsH1bO27Ecr2zpiYkdronF0BBndJ_KBI2zkn-Mm
l5mH
> UOuY_GpQc3m46nWBkTjk3GDf1az04ZTL4JwA1IfNxvDgfs0iuwZzJH-RoFu-0uSfma- 
> gLv25964t
> AY5r-TEJj3O0-fbp0WQ2t7hNw7aXoNKcxPILskByD3ijJ25M2pj1k80B7Q==> .
>
> The RealSpeak Solo Direct Synthesizer is another new feature in JAWS  
> 10.
> RealSpeak Solo is much more responsive than the SAPI 5 option in  
> JAWS 8
> and
> 9. Customers will also appreciate the 43 different voices in 19
> languages
> and the convenient on-line location where everyone can sample and
> download
> any of the RealSpeak Direct voices
>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RtqfoxsH1bPMP-cRuEy43xOURC9gsCFoI8OAGEMjEkvp
CJ-o
> xZ85IBkCKvhcupd7VNVGvLNaL9asTqrz9E5d8RSrYUNgjaDn- 
> YrQCb20q6rBHIKVYvJvftW4f5av
> rCzW4FXCtcE-O5BNjz-fcIIMnAR4G1jwkr9w6bT_uS4f- 
> _G3238ezzlzeLtdhMcLij01ojkHLfZ-
> u0qIfNspOAFJOVBe25CqbGJu8G_OfsFolk8=>  for use with JAWS and the
> upcoming
> MAGic 11 update. These new voices are even available for use with
> demonstration licenses of JAWS.
>
> To make learning JAWS even easier, free DAISY training material for  
> JAWS
> and
> MAGic is now offered via the Check for Updates feature. JAWS 10 now
> includes
> 17 DAISY titles which can all be read using the free software DAISY
> player
> (FSReader Demo) installed with all versions of JAWS and MAGic. MP3
> versions
> of all the DAISY training material are also available free of charge  
> on
> the
> Training Downloads Web pages
>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RtqfoxsH1bMrE1gW7RIVr_FdN4OwPezYirBhWWl4IJxY
h6ya
> Hy2haW4uorxge5DFSRO4Cv- 
> NifsD0EAi2hYhyXdcrbpz2dW93wBnOh2mzpSuK_pAQVP_b3RrrZkV
> f9WIGlqKTt7oHFZs6M5-RZ4p0_pEjczO55jLP0NWKTbDNW0oWHR1-ofjIgMDH- 
> auXJUi> .
>
>
> Hear All the New JAWS 10 Features Demonstrated in FSCast
>
>
> Listen to Eric Damery, Product Manager for JAWS, and Jonathan Mosen,
> Vice
> President of Blindness Hardware Product Management, discuss the latest
> JAWS
> 10 enhancements in the August 2008 FSCast
>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RtqfoxsH1bPWVzqNkx4v2nCeGLVu915hzj4I1xz88cGf
RO7Z
> nXm5XKKeMFOvvpuQc0mtMBrYvrXhT7kfOTOKkrlq- 
> BlCsLx2SxyL5D5x0IVfQIQ7fIhQFQh9as9e
> rtTMINiEWfgCpPMN7ZvRyKceV8vV2tSEtbk290ph8xuihNoq-jMRRHemmP1eHzcEnOLv>
> and
> the September 2008 FSCast
>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RtqfoxsH1bPgp32Rnifwgfd6-b_feXgcxM22Ad0yuNbW
qMoZ
> hNESsZoaaOeteXccGR0hJ8YJvIiVc-TK_s5NDeyafWJApFiQxnmiUY- 
> l_c99G_kwrecxfvdLXxwQ
> OkhVWifOBN6j-jpfIqkU_NZLflfDw2cVetR15y0I_y2KI7W1m2UKQe- 
> be0ekjmbWbgig> .
> The
> August FSCast covers AutoForms Mode and RealSpeak Solo Direct, and the
> September FSCast covers JAWS Tandem and the new iTunes 8 support. For
> more
> information about JAWS 10, see the What's New page
>
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RtqfoxsH1bN49sgTr1fnw-WusHezVv0v5Y40C_Zeu0_r
Ed7h
> JfjYUH3bvt9d_LvvYFtmyvpcuklVPjAwJX5hqNi 
> --9YPhIvpcg3aOT8GP2jW_v1hqE47UmM9Rdno
> u2P6lbF2R4gL8-tHkqKibm70Z66Y-RRxPllgSg00fA3bcoGJ8Ep5qf0sSw==> .
>
>
> About Freedom Scientific
>
>
> Freedom Scientific is the world's leading manufacturer of assistive
> technology products for those who are vision impaired. Freedom is the
> only
> company in the industry with a complete line of products for those  
> with
> visual impairments, and all these products are tested to make sure  
> they
> work
> together right out of the box. Freedom sells its products in over 50
> countries and over 20 languages.
>
> Freedom ScientificR, JAWS for WindowsT and JAWS TandemT are either
> trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States and/or other
> countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein
> may
> be the trademarks of their respective owners.
>
>
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