from what I've tried on Freedom Box, it's not equivalent to JAWS, and comes with its own text interface that can summon a whole plethora of services. I don't know about the shopping bit, but the weather certainly covers the UK if that's any guide. Other things include an Instant Messenger and a voice recognition module. It doesn't cost anything to have a look, and for a lot of people it would be just the right way to get into using their computers. If you're skilled with Jaws I don't know of any particuar reason why System access would be any better, but it's a bit simpler to use if you're not skilled with Jaws. Vince. ----- Original Message ----- From: Graham Page To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 10:17 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: system access service so, apart from audio described movies which are quite good but you would need to watch a real load to make it worth £12 a month, is there anything else of use to others? Does the shopping facility work outside the states? do the TV guides work outside the US? I only ask because I already have JAWS which is good enough as a screenreader for my needs. I would like to play with system access for a while but don't really want to pay the monthly fee if the FreedomBox service is really aimed at those in the US. Cheers Graham ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Nutt To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 10:00 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: system access service Hi Graham, For me, Freedombox, which is the service you are talking about, is worth it, just for the audio described movies. But there's a lot more to it, in that it has one of the best RSS readers I have come across. You can literally create your own newspaper. The other good thing is, because it is a virtually no graphics environment, I can log in with my cellphone if I am on the train. Before anyone jumps on me, yes, I do sell the system, but I am talking from my point of view as a user this time. All the best -- Computer Room Services: the long cane for blind computer users. Telephone Low-call: 08452 606 277 International: +44(0)1438 742286, Fax: +44(0)1438 759589 mobile: +44(0)7956 334938, Email: mailto:Steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Web site: http://www.comproom.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Graham Page Sent: 17 May 2006 22:30 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] system access service Hi all. I know that System Access is available on a key that you can buy. I also understand that you can get the program if you pay $12.99 or something like that a month. I believe for that you get access to various web channels, shopping guides, tv guides and the like. Is the extra service part worth having in the UK or is it mainly american sites? I know they say on the site that the thing is world wide but, in the US, this too often means US wide in a World Series baseball sort of way. Cheers Graham Graham Page Mobile: 07753 607980 Fax: 0870 706 2773 Email: gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx MSN: gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx Skype: gabriel_mcbird __________ NOD32 1.1545 (20060518) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.6.1/343 - Release Date: 18/05/2006