Will do. Thank you.
N.
From: vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Kingsbury
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2016 7:50 PM
To: vibug-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibug-support] Re: Note on JAWS Upgrades
Hi Nadine,
Obviously, I cannot speak for the MCB. All I can do is reiterate what was in
the note about what I understand their policy to be regarding upgrades. That
said, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to ask.
With regard to Windows 10, that is a free upgrade if you use assistive
technology. When you decide to upgrade, to benefit from this policy on the part
of Microsoft, start the Windows 10 upgrade process from the following link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade
Best,
David
From: vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nadine Mooney
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2016 6:47 PM
To: vibug-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibug-support] Re: Note on JAWS Upgrades
Hi David,
This was very helpful. I see that I have zero upgrades remaining. I’ll contact
MCB and see if they will give me the upgrade to JAWS 18 and Windows 10. Your
thoughts? Thanks.
Nadine
From: <mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [
<mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Kingsbury
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2016 8:35 AM
To: <mailto:vibug-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> vibug-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibug-support] Note on JAWS Upgrades
Hi all,
Please find below the text of a note I recently prepared on the importance of
staying up to date with your JAWS, as well as some current pricing information.
I hope you find it helpful.
Regards,
David
A Note on Upgrading JAWS for Windows
For both technical and financial reasons, it is important for JAWS users to
stay up-to-date in purchasing the most current version of JAWS. As of the
writing of this note in December 2016, JAWS 18 is the most current version.
Many JAWS users receive their initial copy of the software program from their
state commission. The policy of most state commissions who furnish hardware and
software to their consumers is that, once such materials are supplied,
consumers are then financially responsible for keeping their technology
up-to-date.
From a technology perspective, it is important to stay current with JAWS.
Upgrades are released every fall around November 1. While new features are part
of every upgrade, the most important reason for annual upgrades is to keep
current with frequent changes in the Windows operating system, Microsoft
Office, web browsers, and other popular applications.
With the introduction of Windows 10 in July 2015, keeping your copy of JAWS
up-to-date has never been more important. Use of Windows 10 with JAWS prior to
version 16 is not recommended. Support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will
eventually be phased out. While one can still use JAWS 15 and several earlier
JAWS versions with these two operating systems, the financial implications of
delaying your JAWS upgrade can result in serious sticker shock. You are not
allowed to simply leapfrog from, say, version 14 to 18 without paying the full
price of the versions in between.
For individual users, there are two types of licenses:
A home license which entitles the user to three copies of JAWS on his/her
personal computers; and
A professional license which entitles the user to three copies on computers
used in the workplace, in schools and in government.
The technical features and capabilities of JAWS are identical regardless of
type of license.
The most cost-effective way to keep your JAWS current is to purchase a service
maintenance agreement (SMA). This involves pre-purchasing two upgrades forward.
SMA’s can be purchased at any time. As of the writing of this note, the cost
for a home license is $180, or $90 per upgrade. The cost for a professional
license is $260 or $130 per upgrade. By contrast, the full price of a single
home license upgrade is $120.
Freedom Scientific provides added incentive to purchase SMA’s promptly. If one
purchases his/her SMA by January 1 after a new release, the SMA cost is reduced
to $120 for a home license (or $60 per version) and $200 for a professional
license (or $100 per version). So the most cost-effective way to stay current
with JAWS upgrades is to purchase a SMA every two years in November or
December.
Some state commissions for the blind purchase SMA’s when they furnish JAWS to
their consumers. You can find out your SMA status in two ways. First, on your
computer:
Hit Windows M to go to your desktop and hit J until you land on the icon for
your most current version of JAWS, and hit enter).
If the JAWS menu does not immediately open, hit the alt key and it should now
say options or options submenu.
Hit H for “help.”
Hit A for “about.” Your current version of JAWS, your type of license (home or
professional), your serial number, and the number of SMA’s you have purchased
forward are listed here.
It should be noted that state commissions often purchase professional editions
for their consumers because they are government entities, rather than private
users themselves. However, once the consumer is in charge of paying for
upgrades, he/she can convert these to home use licenses if the computer is for
personal use.
As of the date of writing this note, the most current version of JAWS is
version 18. If you are running version 16, and zero SMA’s are remaining, you
will need to purchase two versions at full cost to get up-to-date. If one SMA
is remaining, you are paid up to version 17 and will need to pay the full cost
of one version. If two SMA’s remain, you are paid up through the current
version.
You can also check your current status and the cost of upgrading by visiting
the following web page and typing in your serial number:
<https://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/UpgradeAndSMARenewal> JAWS Upgrade
and Software Maintenance Agreement Purchase Options
You can also call the Freedom Scientific Sales and Information desk at
800-444-4443 to enquire about your SMA status, the cost of upgrading, and
purchasing a new SMA.
Unfortunately, the sticker shock mentioned above is experienced too often by
JAWS users. This is regrettable, but understandable, because the information
presented above is complex. Users may also be under the impression that the
upgrading process is complicated and inaccessible, or that there will be a
daunting learning curve for using a new version. Such impressions are mistaken.
It takes about 15 minutes to install an upgrade. The installation process is
straightforward, fully accessible, and can be done with an Internet connection.
While each version includes new features, core functions and common keystrokes
rarely change from one version to the next.
Technology is in a constant state of flux. So too are the commercial practices
of technology companies. Inevitably, the information presented above will
become outdated at some point. There are a number of ways you can keep on top
of new developments. On either your smartphone or on the web, you can listen to
Freedom Scientific's monthly podcast entitled “FS Cast” which, among other
things, provides information on new developments with that company’s software.
Find out more at:
FSCast - Freedom Scientific's podcast
<http://www.freedomscientific.com/About/FSCast>
You can also sign up for various Freedom Scientific newsletters, including one
for JAWS, at:
<https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001fCFdTiS7mDRcn3Qgfbtc5M6Kvx23QvtDAeTMXYrAETmrBRMOvSBfhj2xrNPgvjOVeYaQmpQEjm466C6BJzn9aWMWA18kO5fMzy_Q4k6PeBFGMXZJvQMODB7dO5_yFOLlBBiFbShBZKFS4ztoqf5GVGsaFrncl548ABgira5yhA5N0WyDRfl1wbUkfLkxJqkC>
Sign Up Page for Freedom Scientific Newsletters
As with everything else technology-related in this world, staying on top of
things is a constant challenge. Proactively searching for information is the
best way to take advantage of new products that meet your needs and your best
defense against unpleasant surprises.
Note: Freedom Scientific is now part of a merged company called VFO. Because
all the web links above open web pages still labeled as Freedom Scientific
pages, to avoid confusion, this note continues to refer to the company as
Freedom Scientific.
