[access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
- From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 10:03:27 +0100
Hi Eleanor
Yes, I now live in Maghera, simply beautiful here.
Kind Regards,
J
Jackie Cairns
jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Eleanor Burke
Sent: 07 June 2010 09:57
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
Hi Jackie
On a personal note, are you now writing from your new home in Northern
Ireland?
eleanor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jackie Cairns" <jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:06 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
> Hi
>
> I've always strived to be open and honest in my views on access kit. The
> bottom line is that we need it in order to make our lives as independent
> as
> possible. Some of it and the companies who manufacture it are better than
> others, and there isn't such a thing as a perfect world. They don't
> always
> get it right, and there is room for improvement with everything.
>
> Having said that, however, I personally don't like Freedom's practices and
> the way they treat customers. It never has sat right with me, and it
> never
> will. I enjoyed working for Sight and Sound for two years, but I always
> held that view which takes nothing away from my former employers and the
> high regard I have for them as people. As a user though, I have to buy
> and
> use what I feel is right for me, and while JAWS will continue to be one of
> my tools, there are other and possibly better alternatives that I am
> familiarising myself with. Martin has a Mac as well as a Windows PC
> running
> JAWS, so this is a new adventure and one I am warming to. We have also
> purchased Window-Eyes as an alternative to JAWS. They all have their
> place,
> and I think it is healthy for the industry, not to mention for the user's
> pocket. I just believe that if Freedom are so arrogant that they can
> charge
> what they like for buggy upgrades that have no significant meaning for
> your
> average user, then it is time for other products to shine.
>
> That's about as diplomatic as I can be! (smile).
>
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> J
>
>
> Jackie Cairns
> jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of
> James & Nash
> Sent: 06 June 2010 12:53
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
>
> Hi Jackie,
> On 6 Jun 2010, at 11:55, Jackie Cairns wrote:
>> and I do believe that alternatives such as Voiceover for the Mac,
>> NVDA, Window-Eyes and System Access are beginning to thankfully make
>> an impact.
> Thank you so much for recognising this. I have been using Voice Over since
> its creation and I can tell you first hand that the latest incarnation of
> Voice Over really has raised the bar not only in terms of expectation or
> accessibility, but also in terms of narrowing (perhaps completely
> removing)
> the gap between Windows-based Screen Readers and Apple's own endeavours. I
> would like to add a further comment to yours about alternative Screen
> Readers making an impact and that is that Orca on Linux has also made huge
> improvements.
>
> As I said, it is really nice to see someone from one of the foremost
> Access
> Technology providers being so open-minded about alternatives. If only
> other
> providers and organisations were as willing to do the same at the very
> least, the landscape would be very different.
>
> TC
> James Lyn Nash & Twinny
>
>
>> My big issue with them is that they don't appear to care about customers.
>> They invest thousands of dollars at the expense of visually impaired
>> people in taking out law suits against the opposition, and they come
>> over as being completely paranoid about their licensing policies.
>> There is no doubt that those of us who have invested so much time and
>> money in JAWS need that software to enhance our independence. But I
>> don't like the FS ethos and apparent gravy train, and I do believe
>> that alternatives such as Voiceover for the Mac, NVDA, Window-Eyes and
>> System Access are beginning to thankfully make an impact.
>>
>> Whether there is any truth in the persistent rumours about Freedom
>> will always be nothing but rumour until anything substantive
>> materialises.
>>
>>
>> Kind Regards,
>>
>> J
>>
>>
>> Jackie Cairns
>> jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
>> Behalf Of Barry G
>> Sent: 06 June 2010 11:42
>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
>>
>> I must say too, a number of people are switching to the competition
>> because Freedom seems to be focussing on things like research-it that
>> does what you can do perfectly easily using a search engine on the web
>> whilst appearing to have left simple things like support in Windows 7
>> for word-processor and email to one side. It seems to me like frills
>> over basic functionality, which looks to me to be taking your eyes off
>> the
> ball big time...
>>
>> All the best from a continuing JFW user regardless but in hope, Barry
>> G
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Peter Holdstock" <peterholdstock@xxxxxxx>
>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 3:36 PM
>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
>>
>>
>>> Yes JAWS does need to be updated regularly to keep up, but as so many
>>> people are having to cover the cost of the upgrades out of their own
>>> pocket there is a likelyhood many of them won't be able to afford to
>>> upgrade each time. How often do we ear of users using versions much
>>> lower than the current version. I am guessing that government
>>> departments will probably be the biggest purchaser of JAWS and most
>>> of them won't upgrade unless they really need to due to the limits on
>>> government spending at the
>>
>>> moment in most countries.
>>>
>>> I've always felt that lowering the price significantly for JAWS would
>>> in fact bring in much more revenue for Freedom Scientific because so
>>> many people are switching to the rapidly improving competition at a
>>> fraction of
>>
>>> the cost.
>>>
>>> Peter
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "Neil" <temp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 11:37 AM
>>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
>>>
>>>> Hi all
>>>>
>>>> Some points: Well really one main point, where did the information
>>>> come from?
>>>> This isnt referenced anywhere in the statement and I cant find
>>>> anything on the web.
>>>>
>>>> Surely Freedoms hardware business would be more likely to be sold as
>>>> it cannot be anywhere near as profitable due to the vast amount of
>>>> competition in that area.
>>>>
>>>> Supposing that this does turn out to be true I am sure that a buyer
>>>> would
>>
>>>> be found easily. Is Jaws not the most used screen reader worldwide?
>>>> Jaws needs constant updates to keep up with the rapidly moving
>>>> technology
>>
>>>> that is computer software and so a constant revenue stream already
>>>> exists
>>
>>>> making it a viable business long term.
>>>> Undoubtedly there are huge costs envolved in developing the software
>>>> for the same reason but as the financial situation has been going on
>>>> for around 2 years now would we have seen features like Tandem and
>>>> Research It if profitability was becoming a concern?
>>>>
>>>> At this point I think that without more specific and robust
>>>> information we should not be concerned.
>>>>
>>>> Neil
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> From: "Otto Zamora"<donttreadonme@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>>>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 05:44:14 -0400
>>>>>
>>>>> Morning,
>>>>>
>>>>> In an advocate meeting yesterday, the subject came up reference
>>>>> Freedom Scientific, the company that among other things sports JFw.
>>>>> Because the company is in the state of Florida, it came up on a
>>>>> flag by
>>
>>>>> an
>>>>> analyst.
>>>>> Seems this company is having bad money troubles, not surprising
>>>>> given the economy, but talk is that they are now looking to sell
>>>>> off some of their division, mainly their JFW area.
>>>>> I am not sure who if anyone will buy this division, considering
>>>>> that there is an entity now selling a fully integrated package for
>>>>> only $700.
>>>>> Besides a comprehensive screen reader, if the user chooses to get
>>>>> the package, there is a browser, along with a customed and fully
>>>>> accessible web sites, word processing, and E mail.
>>>>> all of this can apparently be accessed either on line, or as
>>>>> individual program.
>>>>> ad to that, the entertainment mogill, and you have a powerful tool
>>>>> indeed for the kind of money they are asking for.
>>>>> Another side of the equation is the apple company, now selling
>>>>> computers already with speech on board right out of the box and off
>>>>> the
> shelf.
>>>>> Put these two aspects together, and you have a deadly combo that
>>>>> might very well result in a abrupt end to the JFW program.
>>>>> Considering the way that technology is growing, older versions of
>>>>> JFW, will only work for a short while until the programs
>>>>> controlling the OS, begins to outgrow the application.
>>>>> In seeing this package, one of the things which was pointed out to
>>>>> me, was the learning curve, which for the new package being sold by
>>>>> Mr.. Mike Calvo, is very short.
>>>>> The user has the option to learn as little or as much as they want
>>>>> without real loss.
>>>>
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