[bcab] Re: software for students

Hello Jane
Yes, thats most welcome.

cheers
Alan
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jane Sellers 
  To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:52 PM
  Subject: [bcab] Re: software for students


  dear Alan,
  I ahve some information on this if you would like me to send it off list i 
can do so but it is made byHumanware.
  From
  Jane
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: alan rayner 
    To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 7:30 PM
    Subject: [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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