Hi Eleanor, So what's different about the Mini? Have you tried a firmware upgrade? It should work with the Mini as well. All the best Steve -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Eleanor Burke Sent: Monday 7 June 2010 09:59 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? The unfortunate thing about the Focus Blue though is that I now have it and it worked fine with my e71 but when I moved to N97 Mini it does not work. It does work with the N97 though. Not a lot of good to me though. Eleanor ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Taylor" <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:17 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? > Here's a quick thought. The next version of Jaws is V12. What will they do > after that? I've never heard of V13 in anything. I would not be surprised > if > V12 is the last of Jaws whatever happens. Given that while still being the > best overall in my view, new releases add less and less, it seems sensible > to be thinking about a new screen reader with lots of legacy code removed > and some changes in the UI. Jaws has built on a UI that worked well for 20 > years, and some of it still does, but times, keyboards and requirements > have > all changed so fast in the past few years, now may well be the time for > change for them. That also makes it a great time to sell that division, > especially as Jaws is their only outstanding and market leading product. > Focus 40 Blue is their only good and competitive braille product in my > view, > PAC Mate is also life expired, and they won't be able to upgrade to > Windows > Mobile 7 either! > > In short, FS have serious problems with the BLV group, particularly the > blindness products. > > It strikes me there is one company out there that is big but doesn't have > a > screen reader, or its own OCR package, but doesn't need a new note-taker > as > they have a pretty good one of their own! I wonder! lol! > > > -----Original Message----- > From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf > Of > Jackie Cairns > Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:06 AM > To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? > > Hi > > I've always strived to be open and honest in my views on access kit. The > bottom line is that we need it in order to make our lives as independent > as > possible. Some of it and the companies who manufacture it are better than > others, and there isn't such a thing as a perfect world. They don't > always > get it right, and there is room for improvement with everything. > > Having said that, however, I personally don't like Freedom's practices and > the way they treat customers. It never has sat right with me, and it > never > will. I enjoyed working for Sight and Sound for two years, but I always > held that view which takes nothing away from my former employers and the > high regard I have for them as people. As a user though, I have to buy > and > use what I feel is right for me, and while JAWS will continue to be one of > my tools, there are other and possibly better alternatives that I am > familiarising myself with. Martin has a Mac as well as a Windows PC > running > JAWS, so this is a new adventure and one I am warming to. We have also > purchased Window-Eyes as an alternative to JAWS. They all have their > place, > and I think it is healthy for the industry, not to mention for the user's > pocket. I just believe that if Freedom are so arrogant that they can > charge > what they like for buggy upgrades that have no significant meaning for > your > average user, then it is time for other products to shine. > > That's about as diplomatic as I can be! (smile). > > > Kind Regards, > > J > > > Jackie Cairns > jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx > > -----Original Message----- > From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf > Of > James & Nash > Sent: 06 June 2010 12:53 > To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? > > Hi Jackie, > On 6 Jun 2010, at 11:55, Jackie Cairns wrote: >> and I do believe that alternatives such as Voiceover for the Mac, >> NVDA, Window-Eyes and System Access are beginning to thankfully make >> an impact. > Thank you so much for recognising this. I have been using Voice Over since > its creation and I can tell you first hand that the latest incarnation of > Voice Over really has raised the bar not only in terms of expectation or > accessibility, but also in terms of narrowing (perhaps completely > removing) > the gap between Windows-based Screen Readers and Apple's own endeavours. I > would like to add a further comment to yours about alternative Screen > Readers making an impact and that is that Orca on Linux has also made huge > improvements. > > As I said, it is really nice to see someone from one of the foremost > Access > Technology providers being so open-minded about alternatives. If only > other > providers and organisations were as willing to do the same at the very > least, the landscape would be very different. > > TC > James Lyn Nash & Twinny > > >> My big issue with them is that they don't appear to care about customers. >> They invest thousands of dollars at the expense of visually impaired >> people in taking out law suits against the opposition, and they come >> over as being completely paranoid about their licensing policies. >> There is no doubt that those of us who have invested so much time and >> money in JAWS need that software to enhance our independence. But I >> don't like the FS ethos and apparent gravy train, and I do believe >> that alternatives such as Voiceover for the Mac, NVDA, Window-Eyes and >> System Access are beginning to thankfully make an impact. >> >> Whether there is any truth in the persistent rumours about Freedom >> will always be nothing but rumour until anything substantive >> materialises. >> >> >> Kind Regards, >> >> J >> >> >> Jackie Cairns >> jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On >> Behalf Of Barry G >> Sent: 06 June 2010 11:42 >> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? >> >> I must say too, a number of people are switching to the competition >> because Freedom seems to be focussing on things like research-it that >> does what you can do perfectly easily using a search engine on the web >> whilst appearing to have left simple things like support in Windows 7 >> for word-processor and email to one side. It seems to me like frills >> over basic functionality, which looks to me to be taking your eyes off >> the > ball big time... >> >> All the best from a continuing JFW user regardless but in hope, Barry >> G >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Peter Holdstock" <peterholdstock@xxxxxxx> >> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 3:36 PM >> Subject: [access-uk] Re: End of Freedom? >> >> >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus >>> signature database 5174 (20100605) __________ >>> >>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. >>> >>> http://www.eset.com >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus >> signature database 5175 (20100605) __________ >> >> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. >> >> http://www.eset.com >> >> >> >> ** 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 >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2921 - Release Date: >> 06/06/10 07:25:00 >> >> ** 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 > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - 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