Hi David,
I too will post my request on Nv Access as well as send them an email. The way
I envision it is there would be a keystroke that would allow you to toggle
between traditional navigation like JAWS uses and object navigation.
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 15, 2018, at 11:00 AM, David Goldfield <david.goldfield@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Kelsey,
What you were told by the employee at FS is correct. On the latest FSCast
Eric Damery pretty much said the same thing. He encouraged SMA holders who
were up for renewal to renew their SMA before the end of the year as he
indicated that price changes would take effect at the beginning of next year.
When I first began using NVDA I also struggled with how they use the numeric
keypad for navigation. For a while I practically ignored the number pad as I
felt that it was hurting my brain just to try and understand what it was they
were doing with it. As I used NVDA more and more, however, I began to
appreciate it a bit more. To be honest, I've seen instances where NVDA's
object navigation allows me to read things that I can't access with JAWS. The
capability of the JAWS cursor has really degraded with Windows 10. This is
something FS has acknowledged in a recent Open Line program and I think
they're trying to find ways of improving the functionality of the JAWS
cursor. Philosophically, the way NVDA uses the number pad reminds me of how
the Mac operates with VoiceOver in that NVDA's object navigation allows you
to drill down or, as the Mac calls it, interact with windows within windows,
allowing you to look at what's on your screen in a hierarchical, structured
way. However, this is not necessarily how most of us think when it comes to
the way we navigate our screens and the way JAWS handles navigation is, in
many ways, far more intuitive. Window-Eyes also had a different method for
navigating with their number pad but they had a JAWS-compatibility mode which
forced the numeric keypad to behave more like JAWS. They didn't call it a
JAWS compatibility mode but that's essentially what it was. In fact, this
mode affected more than the number pad and allowed you to use many JAWS
commands to control Window-Eyes. This is the mode I used in my last role when
I was training as it made me more comfortable with using Window-Eyes. Of
course, when I provided Window-Eyes training I always taught students using
the default keystrokes but, as a user, it allowed me to use Window-Eyes with
far more efficiency. NVDA really does need a JAWS compatibility mode, forcing
the numpad to behave as it does with JAWS. If I were a programmer I'd write
an add-on to do it but this is currently way beyond my ability. <smile> I may
post a request for this capability on the NVDA list, as well as on NV
Access's Github page where users can report bugs as well as feature requests.
I think that keeping up your JAWS SMA is a correct choice, particularly if
you use JAWS in a corporate environment.
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist WWW.David-Goldfield.Com
On 12/15/2018 10:37 AM, Kelsey Nicolay wrote:
Hello,
Yeah I’m not happy about the new pricing either. What I was told by a
Freedom Scientific employee is that if you renewed your SMA this year, you
will get the current pricing of $200 for Pro or $120 for home. This covers
through 2021, but after version 2021, I would have to pay $300 each year for
pro license. I also now must pay $800 per year for my PMA for my Focus 80
blue. If it comes down to it, I’d rather keep my JAWS license active. I’m
not saying NVDA is not a good screenreader (it definitely is), but my issue
is that they make the number pad function for kbjest navigation instead of
traditional navigation like JAWS does. There’s no easy way to change it
except either chang all the keystrokes or create a file with the new
gestures in your AppData folder which is a pain since the changes don’t stay
in effect when you reboot. If NVDA would put a setting in keyboard settings
giving users the bility 6o switch between object navigation and traditional
navigation like JAWS uses, I would consider using NVDA full time.
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 15, 2018, at 10:13 AM, Kimberly Starrett <kstarrett5@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I had a similar reaction when I looked over the new pricing structure.
Maybe it was a misunderstanding on my part, but I thought FS was changing
things up in an effort to make jaws more affordable and available to more
blind people. But what I see here is just the opposite. Very disappointing
but perhaps not so surprising since FS is in business to make money after
all.
Sent from Kimber's iPhone
The happy ending still beckons, and it is in the hope of grasping it that
we go on.—Annie Proulx
On Dec 15, 2018, at 10:01 AM, David Goldfield <david.goldfield@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi, Robin.
It's a good question. I think it's safe to assume that the SMA still
provides the next two major updates since the press release doesn't
mention any changes to what you can expect to receive by purchasing an SMA
at the newer, more expensive price. The announcement documents several
changes and it would likely indicate a change to what the SMA provides if
FS intended to make such a change. What I'd like a definitive answer to is
why these prices are actually increasing. On one hand, FS has taken
several steps to make JAWS and some of their other software more
affordable for more people. This includes payment plans for students
through APH, providing a free one-year license when purchasing a computer
from Computers for the Blind, offering their software and SMAs at national
blindness conventions at home use prices, home edition licensing as a
subscription, etc. It also seems that software, in general, tends to
decrease in price over time. Yet they are increasing the cost of what they
and others call a perpetual license, meaning that you pay for one copy in
full and it runs for as long as you need it, as well as increasing the
cost of the SMA. Those who will be hit the hardest are the JAWS
Professional users, including large companies who have purchased licenses
for many users or even site or district licenses, such as schools and
other large campuses. People who are anti-Freedom Scientific may be
tempted to just accuse them of all-out greed in a knee-jerk reaction but I
don't think the answer is that simple. Is this a way of attempting to
recoup some of the short-term costs which might have been lost as a result
of annual home license sales? Is more time and research needed to ensure
compatibility with newer versions of Windows 10 along with apps such as
Edge, Office 365 and Office 2019? Has FS noticed a decline in sales,
possibly due to NVDA continuing to advance with features? Is research
being conducted to push JAWS beyond the boundaries of traditional Windows
machines into something newer? We may never really know but it would be at
least courteous if FS could make a formal statement on their reasoning
behind these changes. It's possible that this issue was addressed during
the December 13 FS Open Line, which is their new monthly call-in program.
I missed the episode but it should be made available soon on the next
episode of their FSCast podcast.
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist WWW.David-Goldfield.Com
On 12/15/2018 1:06 AM, Robin Frost wrote:
Hi,
Firstly my apologies for the subject change but my email program yelled
at me as the re: designation took it past the 255 character count oopsey
(laughs).
Maybe I’m stuck on slow but it’s unclear to me from reading this if the
SMA upgrade of $150 still gets you two versions or just one? Does anyone
know definitively?
Robin
From: David Goldfield
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 9:46 PM
To: blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] Freedom Scientific Announces Changes to US
Pricing and Software Delivery Options,Annual Licenses under $100 for Home
Users of JAWS and ZoomText in the US, electronic delivery of licenses
24/7, and new prices for traditional licenses, upgrades, and SMAs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Eric Damery
800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
www.FreedomScientific.com
Sales: info@xxxxxxxxxxx
Freedom Scientific Announces Changes to US Pricing and Software Delivery
Options
Annual Licenses under $100 for Home Users of JAWS and ZoomText in the US,
electronic delivery of licenses 24/7, and new prices for traditional
licenses, upgrades, and SMAs
(Clearwater, Florida - December 10, 2018)
Freedom Scientific today announced changes that have been implemented so
all software licenses purchased are delivered to customers
electronically, along with instructions on how to download and install.
PDF versions of the user documentation is available to download and
print, or can be purchased for delivery in print and Braille directly
from our online store for a nominal fee.
New Software License Options for US-only available now
New Home Annual Licenses of JAWS and ZoomText are available for purchase
via online sales only in one, three, or five year terms. Prices are as
follows:
JAWS - $90 per year
ZoomText Mag/Reader - $80 per year
Perpetual License Price Changes for US as of January 1, 2019
Product License SMA/Upgrade (per version)
JAWS Professional $1200 $300
JAWS Home $1000 $150
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader $700 $175
ZoomText Magnifier $500 $125
Fusion Professional $1700 $400
Fusion Home $1400 $270
*Upgrades and SMAs available for all perpetual licenses, call for pricing
All sales and quotes prior to end of year 2018 will be at current price
levels
All software sales continue to include free phone and email support
Coming Early in 2019
Details will be announced soon on new Student Annual Licenses of JAWS and
ZoomText, offered FREE to students attending most Higher Education
Institutions in the United States.
About Freedom Scientific
Freedom Scientific is a leading worldwide brand of assistive technology
products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific is part of
Vispero™. Vispero has its headquarters in the USA and the Netherlands,
and offices in Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Germany and the United
Kingdom. Through Vispero's multi-tier distribution, Freedom Scientific
products are available in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Freedom Scientific® and its products are registered trademarks in the
United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and
products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective
owners.
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist WWW.David-Goldfield.Com
