[access-uk] Re: [UBEBLOCK HIT] Re: screen reader called Guide

  • From: "Joan Muir" <wjmuir.twadugs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:23:22 +0100

Yes, thanks, Phil, I don't actually have Guide so I don't have the problem. All I was saying was that my friend was unable to get to the item she'd downloaded in the normal way of us getting to Windows downloads.I do think that Guide is restrictive. Personally I don't like Narrator. Also, I don't think my friend realised that she could get to Narrator straight from Guide. However, I'll pass this message on to her.


Many thanks.

Best wishes,

Joan.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil" <phil@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 10:24 AM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: [UBEBLOCK HIT] Re: screen reader called Guide


Hi Joan.

Your quite right in that you can't install applications within Guide
yet.

I can tell you that there is a function within Guide that will start
another application when Guide closes, for example 'Narrator'. If you
use this feature then Guide will automatically atart another application
for you so that there is always assistive support.

This option will work alongside any of the screenreaders on the market.

Maybe set this up so that you can close Guide to work on the desktop
using the likes of Narrator and then just restart Guide to get back to
your other features.

I also find that izoom is a nice little application which offers good
assistance on the desktop and it's a free download.

I hope this helps.

Regards Phil.



-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Joan Muir
Sent: 29 August 2007 22:41
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [UBEBLOCK HIT] [access-uk] Re: screen reader called Guide



One of my friends uses Guide and decided to download something, only to
find
that, having downloaded it, she can't get to it to install it. She'd
have to
unload Guide and use Narrator. I feel it's very restrictive, especially
if
someone has begun to enjoy using their computer.

Best wishes,

Joan.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Graham Page" <gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:37 PM
Subject: [UBEBLOCK HIT] [access-uk] Re: screen reader called Guide


ok.  I will look through the website and see what I can find.  I do
have a few questions like how do I set up an internet provider that
Guide will use for doing anything online.  How flexible is the web
browser?  How complex is
the formating available in the word processor?  How comprehensive is
the
radio stations list and can new ones be added?  If I listen to
podcasts,
can
I hear any back issues available?

With all these features, do I really gain by using these applications
as a new user or is it better to just take the plunge and get used to
windows with help of those books published by people such as Sarah
Morley?

You get the ability to read magazines, scan documents and create
spoken
MP3
files.
these  are useful extra aditions but the more complex the program gets
the
harder it is to keep it developed which means cost increase so price
must
also increase and training for many will require personal training to
be
given.

I have plenty of questions, does anyone know of any recent independent

reviews of Guide carried out recently?

Regards

Graham
Graham Page
Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
Mobile: 07753 607980
Fax:  0870 706 2773
Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: gabriel_mcbird
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Hallsworth" <christopherhallsworth71@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 4:43 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: screen reader called Guide


Graham, I had a demo CD containing Guide, but never installed it. A
waste
of
time in my view, but that's what you get at these blindness-related
exhibitions, which is where I got a copy from.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Graham Page" <gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 3:55 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: screen reader called Guide


Hi Ray.  I would agree with you and say that really it is a program
of last resort for the truely computerphobic who will not ever use
anything else.

I can understand Tracey's confusion however.  I went to the Software
Express website and clicked on a more about version 4.0 link.  The
following is taken from there.

What is Guide?

GUIDE is an all-in-one computer package, for people who are blind or
partially sighted. It has been specifically designed to be
easy-to-use and easy-to-learn.
So it doesn't matter if you've never used a computer before, GUIDE
will
help
you to achieve the results you want.

GUIDE has its own in-built screen reader, so it will read out the
text on every screen, even while you're typing. It also has its own
in-built screen magnifier,
so you can enlarge the text on every screen, whether you are writing
a
letter or surfing the Internet.

And what's more, GUIDE requires very little training, so most people
can easily teach themselves how to use it. This is because GUIDE uses

easy-to-follow menu options for each task, which are controlled via
the keyboard and displayed on uncluttered screens. If you are stuck,
a Help Page can be accessed from
any screen, to give you extra advice and support.

This is ambiguous and confusing to say the least.

I also read guide's claims to be able to do all things on the
internet with some doubts.  Using the internet is not for anyone who
cannot spend time
putting in practice.    How can it be possible to quickly and
efficiently
navigate all sites with just 3 keys?
The more features you get, the more it becomes like any computer
anyway which can do all of those things with, say, System Access and
a scanner which costs  a similar price but which is more upgradable.

Is Guide really that easy?  Can you get demo versions to try?

Regards

Graham

Graham Page
Home Phone: 0207 265 9493
Mobile: 07753 607980
Fax:  0870 706 2773
Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx
Skype: gabriel_mcbird
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 1:18 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: screen reader called Guide


Tracey, I don't know if it helps much to say that I think Guide -
which isn't a screen reader really, more self voicing apps - tends to

be good for those who tend to be computer phobic and maybe not
wishing to become too adventurous in the use of their machines.
Guide does put people in a sort of safe walled garden environment,
even to the existent that they cannot alt-tab out of the application
and into the big bad world of Windows.

Has to be admitted though that for its intended target market it is
probably a much less challenging way of using a computer, even if
that is at the expense of flexibility.  I believe the IT for All
project, funded by the Guide Cats Cds, is keen to show this to some
new users, along with the more economical offerings such as System
Access and some free packages.

For someone who is totally blind, System Access maybe a very viable
alternative.  Guide has magnification, as well as good speech
support, but, I repeat, it isn't a screen reader.

From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
Spring.flower


Hi

Has anyone heard of this and if so, how good do you think it is?
Also how much is it?

Any information would be much appreciated.

I have a friend who's getting her first computer and she's heard
about this software.

Trace


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