[vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit LaunchedtoBringFreeAccessibility Worldwide
- From: Jim Dunleavy <jim.dunleavy@xxxxxx>
- To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:14:09 +0000
Hi Tim,
Your guess would be as good as mine as to whether MS would allow their
own full-blown screen reader to stagnate or not, it would be in the same
boat as every other Microsoft product that people use daily.
But I think Microsoft is quite happy to have partners like Freedom
Scientific
and SaToGo developing screen readers for their platform.
And, Windows screen readers, whether developed by MS or by 3rd parties
must, by definition, be tied to MS operating systems.
Regarding media players and web browsers, I find the alternatives far more
credible than Microsoft's.
--Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: Tim Culhane <tim.culhane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:02 AM
Subject: [vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit
LaunchedtoBringFreeAccessibility Worldwide
> Hi Jim,
>
> Do you seriously believe that if Microsoft developed a full blown
screen
> reader, and tied it to their operating system that this would be a good
> thing?
>
> The result would be, as has been the case with media players and web
> browsers:
>
> 1. the almost complete elimination of any credible competition in the
> market.
>
> 2. a product which is flawed and which only gets updated and improved
> at the whim of Microsoft.
>
> Granted we would have a free screen reader, but given their track
> record ... Do you honestly trust them to develop a product which we
would
> all want to use?
>
> Tim
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:vicsireland-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim Dunleavy
> Sent: 06 February 2008 17:41
> To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit Launched
> toBringFreeAccessibility Worldwide
>
>
> Hi Flor,
>
> What I find objectionable is the way the nonprofit
AccessibilityIsaRight.org
> is furthering Serotek's business interests under the guise of altruism. It
> would be unfortunate if governments of developing countries were fooled by
> this trick.
>
> Regarding "free software", for software developers the term has a very
> specific meaning: it doesn't mean "gratis", it means availability of
source
> code and no restrictions on the use of the software among other things. So
> free software is a more suitable agenda to be pursued by such a nonprofit
or
> humanitarian effort.
>
> Out of curiosity, why would you not like to see Microsoft develop a
> full-blown screen reader?
>
> --Jim
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Flor Lynch <florlync@xxxxxx>
> To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 9:15 PM
> Subject: [vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit Launched
> toBringFreeAccessibility Worldwide
>
>
> > Jim,
> >
> > Well, if they want to pay, they can pay Serotek, the original product
> > developers, and thus uncripple it. There is still the relatively
> > cheap System Access for $129.95 or thereabouts per annum. Most free
> > programs are 'crippled' in one way or another. Some people have for
> > quite a while been calling and/or squalling for a free Windows screen
> > reader. This is one way towards an affirmative answer. I'm not sure
> > I'd want Microsoft to be providing more than a basic screen reader.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jim Dunleavy" <jim.dunleavy@xxxxxx>
> > To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 3:57 PM
> > Subject: [vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit Launched to
> > BringFreeAccessibility Worldwide
> >
> >
> > lor,
> >
> > My thimbleful analogy refers to the artificial technical restrictions
> > in the software not the types of applications supported. A sighted
> > person wouldn't use a computer where the mouse only worked when the
> > network cable was plugged in. A gamer wouldn't play games on a
> > computer where 3D accellaration only
> worked
> > when the internet is turned on.
> > I expect the tech-savvy "blind baby boomers" will wonder why it is
> > that the future must be worse than the past, and will question the
> > ethics of those who peddle this sort of CrippleWare.
> >
> > --Jim
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > >From: Flor Lynch <florlync@xxxxxx>
> > To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 6:27 PM
> > Subject: [vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit Launched to
> > BringFreeAccessibility Worldwide
> >
> >
> > > Why 'by the Thimbleful'? Did you ever try the SaTo Go demo? You
> > > can do stuff in Microsoft word with it, while remaining connected.
> > > (I think
> you
> > > can also do stuff in Excel.) I can see that the increasing number
> > > of vision-impaired 'baby boomers' are going to be attracted to this
> > > sort of thing.
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Jim Dunleavy" <jim.dunleavy@xxxxxx>
> > > To: <vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 5:00 PM
> > > Subject: [vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit Launched to
> Bring
> > > FreeAccessibility Worldwide
> > >
> > >
> > > MessageIt's another pig at the web 2.0 trough.
> > > The idea of doling out accessibility by the ThimbleFull while you
> > > stay connected to the internet is dispicable.
> > >
> > > --Jim
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > >From: Tim Culhane
> > > To: vicsireland@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 8:24 AM
> > > Subject: [vicsireland] FW: Press Release: Nonprofit Launched to
> > > Bring FreeAccessibility Worldwide
> > >
> > >
> > > Some might find the below interesting.
> > >
> > > Tim
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > >From: Accessibility Is a Right Foundation
> > > >[mailto:announce-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> > > Sent: 31 January 2008 23:32
> > > To: announce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: Press Release: Nonprofit Launched to Bring Free
> > > Accessibility Worldwide
> > >
> > >
> > > NEWS RELEASE
> > >
> > > Media Contact:
> > >
> > > Janelle Schulenberg
> > >
> > > Tacet Consulting
> > >
> > > 612-720-1068
> > >
> > > janelle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Nonprofit Launched to Bring Free Accessibility Worldwide
> > >
> > >
> > > The AIR Foundation committed to 'accessibility is a right'
> > >
> > >
> > > Orlando, Florida - January 31, 2008 - The AIR Foundation, a
> > > nonprofit organization headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. was
> > > announced today at
> a
> > > press conference held during the Assistive Technology Industry
> Association
> > > (ATIA) 2008 National Conference at the Caribe Royale Resort in
> > > Orlando, Florida. The mission of the foundation is to promote
> > > universal
> > accessibility
> > > so that every blind and low-vision person in the world has access to
> > digital
> > > information over the Internet and Worldwide Web.
> > >
> > > The foundation's executive director, Art Schreiber, also
> > > announced that the organization's first offering will be free usage
> > > of a
> > Web
> > > 2.0 accessible screen reader. The product is provided through an
> exclusive
> > > license in perpetuity granted to The AIR Foundation from Serotek
> > > Corporation, the leading provider of Internet and digital
> > > information accessibility software and services. The screen reader
> > > is called SA To
> Go
> > > and is powered by Serotek's award-winning System Access software
> > > which provides immediate text to speech, magnified visual, and
> > > Braille access
> to
> > > digital information presented through the Web or other means, while
> > > the
> > user
> > > is directly connected to the Internet. The software does not remain
> > > resident on the user's computer when the connection to the Internet
> > > is interrupted or terminated. Users can obtain access to the free
> > > software
> by
> > > calling 877-369-0101 or visiting www.AccessibilityIsaRight.org.
> > >
> > > "The basic tenet of The AIR Foundation is that accessibility is a
> > > fundamental human right, regardless of financial or geographic
> > constraints"
> > > said Art Schreiber, executive director of The AIR Foundation, "by
> allowing
> > > the blind and visually impaired to have equal access to computer and
> > > Internet information through the free use of an advanced screen
> > > reader
> > like
> > > SA To Go, we have already taken great strides toward our mission."
> > >
> > > The AIR Foundation will solicit funds and contract development of
> product
> > > enhancements including availability in other languages. The
> > organization's
> > > first priority is to make SA To Go available in Mandarin Chinese.
> > >
> > > "SA To Go is highly intuitive and requires minimal training to use,"
> said
> > > Serotek CEO, Mike Calvo, "the user not only has access to
> > > information displayed on Web pages, but to Web-based applications
> > > such as Internet telephone service, and to applications resident on
> > > the host computer.
> The
> > > user can also access PDF files, fill out forms, and otherwise
> > > interact
> > with
> > > information with the same facility as a sighted person."
> > >
> > > The AIR Foundation will operate through the generosity of
> > > organizations donating their time, expertise, and funds. It invites
> > > other nonprofits, assistive technology vendors, mainstream hardware
> > > and software companies
> > and
> > > anyone interested in promoting accessibility as every person's
> > > right, to align with the AIR team.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The AIR Foundation
> > >
> > > The AIR Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
> > advocate,
> > > teach, and deliver information accessibility tools. We focus on the
> > > accessibility needs of blind and low-vision people. Our mantra is
> > > "accessibility is a right" and we work with corporations and
> > > agencies worldwide to deliver free accessibility to all. For more
> > > information,
> call
> > > 877-369-0101 or visit www.AccessibilityIsaRight.org.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Serotek Corporation
> > >
> > > Serotek Corporation is a leading technology company that develops
> software
> > > and manufactures accessibility solutions. Committed to the mission
> > > of providing accessibility anywhere, Serotek launched the first
> > > online community specifically designed to meet the needs of people
> > > with disabilities. Since then, Serotek has introduced several
> > > powerful, affordable solutions that require minimal training and
> > > investment. For
> > more
> > > information, visit www.serotek.com.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ###
> > >
> > > --
> > > This is a low-traffic, one-way mailing list for announcements about
> > > the Accessibility Is a Right Foundation. To unsubscribe from this
> > > list,
> send
> > a
> > > blank message to "announce-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx".
> > > If
> you
> > > have any trouble unsubscribing, send a message to
> > > "announce-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx".
> > >
> > >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ----
> > --
> > > "Information in this email (including attachments) is confidential.
> > > It is intended for receipt and consideration only by the intended
> > recipient.
> > > If you are not an addressee or intended recipient, any use,
> dissemination,
> > > distribution, disclosure, publication or copying of information
> contained
> > in
> > > this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in this email
> > > may
> > be
> > > personal to the author and are not necessarily the opinions of the
> > > HSE.
> > >
> > > If this email has been received by you in error we would be grateful
> > > if
> > you
> > > could immediately notify the ICT Service Desk by telephone at +353 1
> > 6352757
> > > or by email to service.desk@xxxxxxxxxxxx and thereafter delete this
> > > e-mail from your system"
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ----
> > --
> > >
> > >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ----
> --
> > "Information in this email (including attachments) is confidential. It
> > is intended for receipt and consideration only by the intended
> recipient.
> > If you are not an addressee or intended recipient, any use,
> > dissemination, distribution, disclosure, publication or copying of
> > information contained
> in
> > this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in this email
> > may
> be
> > personal to the author and are not necessarily the opinions of the
> > HSE.
> >
> > If this email has been received by you in error we would be grateful
> > if
> you
> > could immediately notify the ICT Service Desk by telephone at +353 1
> 6352757
> > or by email to service.desk@xxxxxxxxxxxx and thereafter delete this
> > e-mail from your system"
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > ----
> --
> >
> >
> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> "Information in this email (including attachments) is confidential.
> It is intended for receipt and consideration only by the intended
recipient.
> If you are not an addressee or intended recipient, any use, dissemination,
> distribution, disclosure, publication or copying of information contained
in
> this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in this email may
be
> personal to the author and are not necessarily the opinions of the HSE.
>
> If this email has been received by you in error we would be grateful if
you
> could immediately notify the ICT Service Desk by telephone at +353 1
6352757
>
> or by email to service.desk@xxxxxxxxxxxx and thereafter delete this e-mail
> from your system"
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
>
>
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Information in this email (including attachments) is confidential.
It is intended for receipt and consideration only by the intended recipient.
If you are not an addressee or intended recipient, any use, dissemination,
distribution, disclosure, publication or copying of information contained in
this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in this email may be
personal to the author and are not necessarily the opinions of the HSE.
If this email has been received by you in error we would be grateful if you
could immediately notify the ICT Service Desk by telephone at +353 1 6352757
or by email to service.desk@xxxxxxxxxxxx and thereafter delete this
e-mail from your system"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other related posts:
- » [vicsireland] Re: FW: Press Release: Nonprofit LaunchedtoBringFreeAccessibility Worldwide
