[access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
- From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 10:52:40 +0100
Hi Eleanor,
Moral to that story, buy Sim-free phones <Smile>.
More expensive, but you always get the latest firmware.
All the best
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Eleanor Burke
Sent: Monday 7 June 2010 14:24
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
No it does not Steve and Freedom Scientific are aware of this. I cannot do
upgrade of firmware as it is Vodafone and indeed I am one behind in the
firmware upgrade. I also cannot label icons with object viewer and Talks
for e-mail Unread, Has Attachments etc.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 1:48 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
> Hi Eleanor,
>
> So what's different about the Mini? Have you tried a firmware upgrade? It
> should work with the Mini as well.
>
> All the best
>
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of
> Eleanor Burke
> Sent: Monday 7 June 2010 09:59
> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
>
> The unfortunate thing about the Focus Blue though is that I now have it
> and
> it worked fine with my e71 but when I moved to N97 Mini it does not work.
> It does work with the N97 though. Not a lot of good to me though.
>
> Eleanor
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Taylor" <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:17 AM
> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom?
>
>
>> Here's a quick thought. The next version of Jaws is V12. What will they
>> do
>> after that? I've never heard of V13 in anything. I would not be surprised
>> if
>> V12 is the last of Jaws whatever happens. Given that while still being
>> the
>> best overall in my view, new releases add less and less, it seems
>> sensible
>> to be thinking about a new screen reader with lots of legacy code removed
>> and some changes in the UI. Jaws has built on a UI that worked well for
>> 20
>> years, and some of it still does, but times, keyboards and requirements
>> have
>> all changed so fast in the past few years, now may well be the time for
>> change for them. That also makes it a great time to sell that division,
>> especially as Jaws is their only outstanding and market leading product.
>> Focus 40 Blue is their only good and competitive braille product in my
>> view,
>> PAC Mate is also life expired, and they won't be able to upgrade to
>> Windows
>> Mobile 7 either!
>>
>> In short, FS have serious problems with the BLV group, particularly the
>> blindness products.
>>
>> It strikes me there is one company out there that is big but doesn't have
>> a
>> screen reader, or its own OCR package, but doesn't need a new note-taker
>> as
>> they have a pretty good one of their own! I wonder! lol!
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
>> Of
>> Jackie Cairns
>> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:06 AM
>> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> 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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