[nfbcs] Questions regarding JAWS and NVDA

[George]

Hi. Many people might disagree with me, but here's my experience with 
Jaws and NVDA:

Until 2014, I used Jaws personally and for work. Jaws was very good, but 
I had two problems: First, Jaws is expensive, very expensive, I feel... 
Second, I had to upgrade sometimes and that means using more money.
For example, in 2014, I installed Windows 8.0 only to discover that I 
could not use my version of Jaws with that "new operating system".
Then, I found NVDA and I could use that operating system thanks to it. I 
just wanted to try Windows 8 to get accustomed to it before switching 
from Windows Xp.

Because of that incident, I started to use NVDA and, after learning some 
small interface changes, I found that I could do everything I needed to 
do. So I felt very happy and relieved. I haven't had any big problem 
since then. Maybe I have to think and get some ideas to solve some 
little problems sometimes, but NVDA covers my needs 100%.
This is my personal experience; other people may have other needs and 
need Jaws, just it's not necessary in my case. I use Word, Exel, 
Firefox, Thunderbird, Visual Studio (From the Command prompt), Skype, etc.

If you know how to use Jaws or Nvda, you will have no big difficulties 
to use the other one, because the interface is the same in most cases, I 
think. However, the screen review mode is different in Nvda and it took 
me some time to understand it and adapt to it.

I think that the main point is if you are OK with a free screen reader 
or you have some special needs for which you need Jaws.
NVDA is free with free updates and you can use it "forever".
Jaws is not free and, if you want to have the latest system you are 
never sure when you will need to update and pay again.
If you use Jaws and don't upgrade the system so that you don't need to 
upgrade Jaws and can save some money, you might have a big learning 
curve when you upgrade to a totally different system later and, of 
course, it's necessary to update the system for security reasons. 
Windows 10 has automatic major updates... I'm using Windows 10 and I 
feel confident when I have to upgrade.

So, if you have money and want to pay first and once in a while so that 
you feel good and comfortable with the best accessibility in cases you 
need it or perhaps even when you don't need it at the moment, Jaws seems 
to be the best option.
However, if you prefer to save money, Nvda is your best option unless 
you have needs that Jaws meets beter. I don't think Jaws can solve all 
the problems and works perfectly with all kinds of software, though: 
there might be some software you need to work with that is inaccessible 
both with Nvda and with Jaws.
I don't think I will buy Jaws again unless I need it. At least until 
now, I can do everything I need to do with the help of Nvda.

I think that this is a matter of specific needs and personal choice. 
Jaws and Nvda are both very good screen readers and I hope we can have 
these two choices also in the future for many many years.
Narrator is also free and it comes with Windows 10, but I use it only 
when Nvda stops, just to restart the system.

HTH
George


On 2018/05/11 11:54, Christopher Chaltain via nfbcs wrote:
> IMHO, the key deciding factor on whether you can use NVDA in the work 
> place or not is how it works with the desktop applications you need to 
> use on your job. I prefer JAWS since I spend so much time in Outlook and 
> Office. NVDA seems to have pretty good support for these applications, 
> but some of the customizations I've come to rely on, such as setting up 
> the automatic announcements of cells, is there in JAWS for sure.
> 
> 
> On 05/10/2018 10:05 AM, Jim Portillo via nfbcs wrote:
>> Good morning,
>>
>> I have a couple of questions regarding both the differences and uses 
>> of JAWS
>> and NVDA.
>>
>>
>> First of all, does anyone know if NVDA is used much in a work place or 
>> even
>> school (such as college) environment?  Is JAWS still considered to be the
>> leading screen reader for blind PC users?
>>
>> Finally, in training environments, such as training centers or personal
>> computer training, which screen reader seems to be preferred these days?
>>
>>
>> I'm working with someone right now who has NVDA on his computer but who
>> would like to learn JAWS because of its wider use in school and work
>> environments. This is why I thought it would be good to ask.
>>
>> Thanks much.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
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