Some Food for Thought
Technology is constantly changing. It is more important than ever before, that blind and visually impaired consumers have access to the latest and greatest pieces of hardware and software. I have been a Jaws user for many years. I don't know if I will continue to be a Jaws user or not. In my view, Freedom Scientific has really dropped the ball, the last few years. Jaws is an awesome product, but it isn't all that it could be. I'm sure many will agree, that FS tech support isn't very supportive at all. If Freedom isn't going to pay attention to consumers, and give us what we want, they could start to lose their place in the adaptive technology market. We need, and deserve, cutting-edge solutions to help us keep up with today's technology.
Read the following news from GW Micro, and give me your thoughts. I'd be interested in knowing, what other people think.
Before I post this news piece, I want to make it clear, that I have nothing against Freedom Scientific, or the Jaws product. In fact, I still use Jaws. I'm just posting this, to give people something to think about.
Window-Eyes First with Windows Vista
Jan-30-2007
Think Window-Eyes First - This is the first time in the history of computer technology, where a full-featured screen reader is ready on the same day as
the general release of a new operating system. No other screen reader is ready.
In July 2000 at the summer conferences GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes reading Adobe PDF files. No other screen reader was ready.
In September 2001 at the WCD exhibition GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes running under Windows XP. No other screen reader was ready.
In March 2002 at the CSUN conference GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes version 4.2 utilizing Flash technology. No other screen reader was ready.
With the January 2003 release of version 4.21, Window-Eyes was the first to implement Display Chain Management, the standard that allows applications such
as screen readers and screen magnifiers to co-exist peacefully. No other screen reader was ready.
In March 2003 at the CSUN conference GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes running under Citrix MetaFrame XP, Microsoft Terminal Services and Microsoft Windows
XP/2003 Professional Remote Desktop. No other screen reader was ready.
When Window-Eyes 4.5 was released in September 2003 it had the first and to this date the only error reporting system available in a screen reader. This
error reporting system improves stability and reliability, which are critical to a productive, enjoyable computing experience. No other screen reader
was ready then and no other screen reader is ready today.
In November 2005, the release of Window-Eyes 5.5 offered full support of Mozilla Firefox running DHTML applications. No other screen reader was ready.
December 4, 2006 GW Micro released Window-Eyes 6.0 with Microsoft Office 2007 support and support for the new ribbon interface. No other screen reader
was ready.
Today - January 30, 2007 GW Micro released a public beta version of Window-Eyes that will run under the new operating system, Windows Vista. This is the
first time in the history of computer technology, where a full-featured screen reader is ready on the same day as the general release of a new operating
system. No other full-featured screen reader is ready.
Think Window-Eyes First because we strive to be the First and you should not have to wait. We are leading the way, just as we have for many years - innovating,
changing with new technology, giving you, the customer the true freedom to choose the latest software when you want it.
To download a full public beta version that anyone, even non-Window-Eyes users can try, go to
www.gwmicro.com/beta
and download your copy today.
For our clients with computers running Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Server there is a separate public beta download, which includes various improvements and
performance enhancements. When you download your version, please make certain you are choosing the correct file.
Remember, this is a public beta version - please let us know about any issues that you may find. We listen and respond to our customers and our goal is
to provide the finest quality screen reader possible.
Read the following news from GW Micro, and give me your thoughts. I'd be interested in knowing, what other people think.
Before I post this news piece, I want to make it clear, that I have nothing against Freedom Scientific, or the Jaws product. In fact, I still use Jaws. I'm just posting this, to give people something to think about.
Window-Eyes First with Windows Vista
Jan-30-2007
Think Window-Eyes First - This is the first time in the history of computer technology, where a full-featured screen reader is ready on the same day as
the general release of a new operating system. No other screen reader is ready.
In July 2000 at the summer conferences GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes reading Adobe PDF files. No other screen reader was ready.
In September 2001 at the WCD exhibition GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes running under Windows XP. No other screen reader was ready.
In March 2002 at the CSUN conference GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes version 4.2 utilizing Flash technology. No other screen reader was ready.
With the January 2003 release of version 4.21, Window-Eyes was the first to implement Display Chain Management, the standard that allows applications such
as screen readers and screen magnifiers to co-exist peacefully. No other screen reader was ready.
In March 2003 at the CSUN conference GW Micro demonstrated Window-Eyes running under Citrix MetaFrame XP, Microsoft Terminal Services and Microsoft Windows
XP/2003 Professional Remote Desktop. No other screen reader was ready.
When Window-Eyes 4.5 was released in September 2003 it had the first and to this date the only error reporting system available in a screen reader. This
error reporting system improves stability and reliability, which are critical to a productive, enjoyable computing experience. No other screen reader
was ready then and no other screen reader is ready today.
In November 2005, the release of Window-Eyes 5.5 offered full support of Mozilla Firefox running DHTML applications. No other screen reader was ready.
December 4, 2006 GW Micro released Window-Eyes 6.0 with Microsoft Office 2007 support and support for the new ribbon interface. No other screen reader
was ready.
Today - January 30, 2007 GW Micro released a public beta version of Window-Eyes that will run under the new operating system, Windows Vista. This is the
first time in the history of computer technology, where a full-featured screen reader is ready on the same day as the general release of a new operating
system. No other full-featured screen reader is ready.
Think Window-Eyes First because we strive to be the First and you should not have to wait. We are leading the way, just as we have for many years - innovating,
changing with new technology, giving you, the customer the true freedom to choose the latest software when you want it.
To download a full public beta version that anyone, even non-Window-Eyes users can try, go to
www.gwmicro.com/beta
and download your copy today.
For our clients with computers running Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Server there is a separate public beta download, which includes various improvements and
performance enhancements. When you download your version, please make certain you are choosing the correct file.
Remember, this is a public beta version - please let us know about any issues that you may find. We listen and respond to our customers and our goal is
to provide the finest quality screen reader possible.