I know there a lot of competition in the Windows screen reader market where as Apple have it all to themselves when they made Voice over for their Macs. Even so I wonder if Apple could have made Microsoft think more about Narrator's functionallity. In the next version of Windows it would be great to see an improved Narrator which even if it isn't a fantastic screen reader or Jaws replacement could me more use for surfing the web and general use than it is now. I don't hold out much hope though. On 5 Jun 2010, at 12:11, Peter Holdstock wrote: > Yes I know what you mean, and I do appreciate that JAWS has certain > functionality which allows it to work better in some situations, but for the > majority of people just been able to read emails, surf the net and access > media is all they need, so paying out the higher price tag for JAWS isn't > worth it. I'm certainly not knocking JAWS and I do use it myself, but either > way, something isn't working as they'd hope with the pricing model. > > And yes, people would just use narrator and open office if it fulfills their > needs. > Peter > > -------------------------------------------------- > From: "Neil" <temp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 4:07 PM > To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? > >> >> Although I agree with the first paragraph, lower costs do not neccesarily >> result in more sales. If that was always true we would all be using windows >> narrator with open office. >> >> >> On 05/06/2010 15:36, Peter Holdstock wrote: >>> Yes JAWS does need to be updated regularly to keep up, but as so many >>> people are having to cover the cost of the upgrades out of their own pocket >>> there is a likelyhood many of them won't be able to afford to upgrade each >>> time. How often do we ear of users using versions much lower than the >>> current version. I am guessing that government departments will probably be >>> the biggest purchaser of JAWS and most of them won't upgrade unless they >>> really need to due to the limits on government spending at the moment in >>> most countries. >>> >>> I've always felt that lowering the price significantly for JAWS would in >>> fact bring in much more revenue for Freedom Scientific because so many >>> people are switching to the rapidly improving competition at a fraction of >>> the cost. >>> >>> Peter >>> >>> -------------------------------------------------- >>> From: "Neil" <temp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 11:37 AM >>> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? >>> >>>> Hi all >>>> >>>> Some points: Well really one main point, where did the information come >>>> from? >>>> This isnt referenced anywhere in the statement and I cant find anything on >>>> the web. >>>> >>>> Surely Freedoms hardware business would be more likely to be sold as it >>>> cannot be anywhere near as profitable due to the vast amount of >>>> competition in that area. >>>> >>>> Supposing that this does turn out to be true I am sure that a buyer would >>>> be found easily. Is Jaws not the most used screen reader worldwide? >>>> Jaws needs constant updates to keep up with the rapidly moving technology >>>> that is computer software and so a constant revenue stream already exists >>>> making it a viable business long term. >>>> Undoubtedly there are huge costs envolved in developing the software for >>>> the same reason but as the financial situation has been going on for >>>> around 2 years now would we have seen features like Tandem and Research It >>>> if profitability was becoming a concern? >>>> >>>> At this point I think that without more specific and robust information we >>>> should not be concerned. >>>> >>>> Neil >>>> >>>> >>>>> From: "Otto Zamora"<donttreadonme@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >>>>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 05:44:14 -0400 >>>>> >>>>> Morning, >>>>> >>>>> In an advocate meeting yesterday, the subject came up reference Freedom >>>>> Scientific, the company that among other things sports JFw. >>>>> Because the company is in the state of Florida, it came up on a flag by >>>>> an >>>>> analyst. >>>>> Seems this company is having bad money troubles, not surprising given the >>>>> economy, but talk is that they are now looking to sell off some of their >>>>> division, mainly their JFW area. >>>>> I am not sure who if anyone will buy this division, considering that there >>>>> is an entity now selling a fully integrated package for only $700. >>>>> Besides a comprehensive screen reader, if the user chooses to get the >>>>> package, there is a browser, along with a customed and fully accessible >>>>> web >>>>> sites, word processing, and E mail. >>>>> all of this can apparently be accessed either on line, or as individual >>>>> program. >>>>> ad to that, the entertainment mogill, and you have a powerful tool indeed >>>>> for the kind of money they are asking for. >>>>> Another side of the equation is the apple company, now selling computers >>>>> already with speech on board right out of the box and off the shelf. >>>>> Put these two aspects together, and you have a deadly combo that might >>>>> very >>>>> well result in a abrupt end to the JFW program. >>>>> Considering the way that technology is growing, older versions of JFW, >>>>> will >>>>> only work for a short while until the programs controlling the OS, begins >>>>> to >>>>> outgrow the application. >>>>> In seeing this package, one of the things which was pointed out to me, was >>>>> the learning curve, which for the new package being sold by Mr.. Mike >>>>> Calvo, >>>>> is very short. >>>>> The user has the option to learn as little or as much as they want without >>>>> real loss. >>>> >>>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>>> ** and in the Subject line type >>>> ** unsubscribe >>>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >>>> ** immediately-following link:- >>>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>>> ** or send a message, to >>>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>>> >>>> >>> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >>> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >>> ** and in the Subject line type >>> ** unsubscribe >>> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >>> ** immediately-following link:- >>> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >>> ** or send a message, to >>> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >>> >> >> ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] >> ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> ** and in the Subject line type >> ** unsubscribe >> ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the >> ** immediately-following link:- >> ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] >> ** or send a message, to >> ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq >> > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] > ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > ** and in the Subject line type > ** unsubscribe > ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the > ** immediately-following link:- > ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] > ** or send a message, to > ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq > ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq