[access-uk] Re: screen reader called Guide
- From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:28:02 +0100
Didn't realise Graham that the makers of Guide do use the words
'screen reader' in their marketing, and as you say this is rather
misleading, though probably not intentionally so. Think its just an
example of lose thinking and wording on their part.
If we were splitting hairs discussing this subject, it could be said
that System Access isn't, properly speaking, a 'screen reader'. I
believe Windows access in that case isn't strictly linked to what's
being displayed on the screen, or happening in video memory. (Much
the same can be said of the MSAA buffer used in internet browsing.)
Still I've no wish to try and bog the list down here with what many
will regard as semantics or at least deeply technical issues which run
counter to this lists main business which, these days, is a sort of
'fix it' questions and answers forum, which is of course useful.
Still, such nice points as discussing what Guide is and isn't do have
their place. Maybe it should be called a suite of self voicing
applications if it is accuracy we're after.
To my mind we are all too often encumbered by clumsy use of language,
such as things being a "technology" when someone has devised a program
that's little more than an extension of what already exists. Still,
its cool to use the T word.
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
Graham Page
Hi Ray. I would agree with you and say that really it is a program of
last
resort for the truely computerphobic who will not ever use anything
else.
I can understand Tracey's confusion however. I went to the Software
Express
website and clicked on a more about version 4.0 link. The following
is
taken from there.
What is Guide?
GUIDE is an all-in-one computer package, for people who are blind or
partially sighted. It has been specifically designed to be easy-to-use
and
easy-to-learn.
So it doesn't matter if you've never used a computer before, GUIDE
will help
you to achieve the results you want.
GUIDE has its own in-built screen reader, so it will read out the text
on
every screen, even while you're typing. It also has its own in-built
screen
magnifier,
so you can enlarge the text on every screen, whether you are writing a
letter or surfing the Internet.
And what's more, GUIDE requires very little training, so most people
can
easily teach themselves how to use it. This is because GUIDE uses
easy-to-follow
menu options for each task, which are controlled via the keyboard and
displayed on uncluttered screens. If you are stuck, a Help Page can be
accessed from
any screen, to give you extra advice and support.
This is ambiguous and confusing to say the least.
I also read guide's claims to be able to do all things on the internet
with
some doubts. Using the internet is not for anyone who cannot spend
time
putting in practice. How can it be possible to quickly and
efficiently
navigate all sites with just 3 keys?
The more features you get, the more it becomes like any computer
anyway
which can do all of those things with, say, System Access and a
scanner
which costs a similar price but which is more upgradable.
Is Guide really that easy? Can you get demo versions to try?
Regards
Graham
Graham Page
Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
Mobile: 07753 607980
Fax: 0870 706 2773
Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: gabriel_mcbird
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 1:18 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: screen reader called Guide
Tracey, I don't know if it helps much to say that I think Guide -
which isn't a screen reader really, more self voicing apps - tends to
be good for those who tend to be computer phobic and maybe not wishing
to become too adventurous in the use of their machines. Guide does
put people in a sort of safe walled garden environment, even to the
existent that they cannot alt-tab out of the application and into the
big bad world of Windows.
Has to be admitted though that for its intended target market it is
probably a much less challenging way of using a computer, even if that
is at the expense of flexibility. I believe the IT for All project,
funded by the Guide Cats Cds, is keen to show this to some new users,
along with the more economical offerings such as System Access and
some free packages.
For someone who is totally blind, System Access maybe a very viable
alternative. Guide has magnification, as well as good speech support,
but, I repeat, it isn't a screen reader.
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
Spring.flower
Hi
Has anyone heard of this and if so, how good do you think it is? Also
how
much is it?
Any information would be much appreciated.
I have a friend who's getting her first computer and she's heard about
this
software.
Trace
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