[Nfbf-l] need feedback from Zoomtext users

Mon Nov 22 16:48:55 UTC 2010

Dear All,

I just found that the magnification software and the eye stress was becoming 
harder and harder to get things done.
I thought about the situation and asked myself, if I continue to go on this 
way, reading less and less at maybe 25 words a minute, where will I be in 10 
years as far as speed and readability.
Am I better off investing my time and money in a screen reader and learning 
to use it, will I be ahead in 10 years time and be more productive.
The answer for me is "yes."  With the vision loss I have had, I can not even 
see the computer sitting on the desk in front of me now, much less the 
letters on the screen.  It was the right choice for me, but I realize that 
this may not be so for others and I support them in which ever they choose.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2010 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] need feedback from Zoomtext users

> Jaws is still kind of like hearing one piece of a jigsaw puzzle at a time, 
> but hey, it's much better than nothing. *smile.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 10:40 AM
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] need feedback from Zoomtext users
>
>
>>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> I have RP and my vision loss is still continuing today.
>> I only have the barest light and shadow vision left now.
>> I started out using Magic and then Zoom-Text Extra to run the computer.
>> I found , over time , that I was having a harder and harder time seeing 
>> and finding things on the screen.  Like looking at one piece of a zig saw 
>> puzzle and trying to figure out what the whole picture was about.
>> I then thought that I might be better off investing my time and energy 
>> into learning to use a screen reading software like JAWS.
>> I figured that If I did this, it would not matter how much vision I lost, 
>> I would still be able to use the computer without seeing the screen.  It 
>> has worked for me.
>> Now if the software makers will just learn to leave the menus and layout 
>> the same from version to version and just add to menus new features, so I 
>> don't have to learn all new layouts and structure all over again each 
>> time.  I am very much considering going to an "Apple" next time as I have 
>> had it with all of the viruses and security issues with the PC.
>>
>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Gina Minichiello" <minichiellog at comcast.net>
>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 7:47 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] need feedback from Zoomtext users
>>
>>
>>> David
>>> I do agree with you that low vision people are all different. Even if we 
>>> have the same eye condition, no one sees the same thing, and what works 
>>> for some does not work at all for others.
>>> I was trying to get some kind feedback because I would hate to get a 
>>> larger monitor for work, and it did not work for me.
>>>
>>> On my home PC, I do not not use much magnifiation, so I'm thinking a 
>>> larger monitor may work.
>>> When working, I always have, at least, 15 windows open at once, and I 
>>> size a lot of them at 1/4 the size of the screen, so I can quickly get 
>>> to them, or view them at the same time. Maybe I should try something 
>>> different, but not sure what.
>>>
>>> I work at home, so maybe I will purchase myself a larger monitor and 
>>> hook it up to my work computer and so how it goes, before asking work to 
>>> purchase another one.
>>>
>>> Gina Minichiello
>>> NFBF Fundraising Committee Chairperson
>>> Greater Jacksonville Chapter, Treasurer
>>> minichiellog at comcast.net
>>> 904-571-9117
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
>>> To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 5:35:29 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] need feedback from Zoomtext users
>>>
>>> Gina:
>>>
>>> My observations are that each low vision person is different, so what
>>> works for one, won't necessarily for another.  Some people find a
>>> larger monitor helps them, while others find that it doesn't because
>>> they have to move their head around more.  It depends on the size,
>>> and your style, and how far you are from the monitor etc.
>>>
>>> Also -- this varies from person to person too, but our general
>>> experience is that when you get into the 6X and up magnification
>>> range, some people find speech to be more efficient.  We see good
>>> results in the 2X to 4X range, and with some people up to 6X but much
>>> about that people tend to be inefficient with magnification.  You
>>> just don't fit that much on the screen, however big it is.
>>>
>>> Hope this helps.
>>>
>>> Dave
>>>
>>> At 03:08 PM 11/16/2010, you wrote:
>>>>Hello everyone
>>>>I need some feedback from those of you who use Zoomtext.
>>>>For work and and my personal computer, I was thinking of moving from
>>>>a 19 inch to a 24 inch monitor.
>>>>Do any of you use a larger monitor, and now notice any significant
>>>>difference from using one with a smaller screen?
>>>>I was thinking if I got a larger monitor, I could decrease the
>>>>magnification which would give me a greater field of view, and
>>>>possibly improve job perfromance. It also might help alievate some
>>>>discomfort in wrist which contantly moving the mouse back and forth 
>>>>causes.
>>>>
>>>>I currently use full screen magnification and set to 6x magnification.
>>>>Input would be greatly appreciated.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Gina Minichiel
>>>>NFBF Fundraising Committee Chairperson
>>>>Greater Jacksonville Chapter, Treasurer
>>>>minichiellog at comcast.net
>>>>904-571-9117
>>>
>>>         David Andrews and long white cane Harry, dandrews at visi.com
>>> Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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