[bcab] Re: software for students

Hello George, and all contributors to this topic
Thank you all for all the input to this.  George's points about languages will 
be for consideration, and thanks Steve for the useful links.  She is not a 
braillist, and is considering Hal with the Daniel voice, as this would probably 
be a better voice for pronunciation of biblical text and related material.  She 
is not an experienced screen reader, but has used the voice output on supanova, 
and so, would be better sticking to the one she has some familiarity with.  I 
am not sure how the course material will be presented, but there will be a lot 
of scanning involved.  Has anyone used the new fast scanner which was presented 
at sight village, and discussed on In Touch by Geoff Adam-Spink? - It is 
supposed to scan the open pages of a book for example at the press of a button 
like a camera shot and fits neatly into a laptop case.

cheers
Alan Michael Rayner 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: George Bell 
  To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 12:05 AM
  Subject: [bcab] Re: software for students


  Hi Alan,

   

  Give that the subject is Theology, may I suggest that there are other 
considerations here?

   

  Vista and today's popular screen readers should work together, so a decision 
could be made on the basis of whatever exposure the student has had already.  
If she has used one, and hasn't hit any brick walls with it, even if only using 
XP, stick with it as a first choice.

   

  However, let's look at the subject matter.  Is she likely to be faced with 
any Latin or Greek text for example?  Or indeed any foreign language material?  
If so, might it be necessary to consider if the chosen screen reader can handle 
these languages.  I do know that there are voices available for Modern Greek, 
but I'm not sure about ancient Greek or even Latin.

   

  On the other hand, if she is a braille user, she may also be wise to look at 
what braille translation software is available.  (I do know Ancient Greek is 
under development with at least one braille software company while Latin and 
Modern Greek are already available)

   

  Will she perhaps require to use CD based theological material?  Is that 
accessible, and in what format?  Bear in mind that many use PDF, and while it 
may visually appear as text, it may simply be a photocopy of text produced in 
PDF format.

   

  Just some thoughts from past experience of dealing with theological students.

   

  George Bell.

   

  From: bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bcab-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf 
Of alan rayner
  Sent: 23 August 2008 23:09
  To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Subject: [bcab] software for students

   

  Hello folks

  A friend is going on a theological studies course, and does not know which 
speech software works best with vista and word for students and home.  She will 
be able to ask for the latest version of either jaws or hal, but is not an 
experienced user.  I have not used vista myself, and so cannot comment on the 
relative merits of various screen readers with it.  I know that some have 
preferences for one over the other, but I am looking for a balanced view.  
Perhaps someone who has used several screen readers with vista can help with 
some feedback.  I do not want a full assessment, but just want to find out 
which works overall easier and/or if there are particular problems with any of 
them.  Thanking you in anticipation.

   

  cheers

  Alan Michael Rayner

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