These arguments about JAWS pricing are interesting as despite what some have tried to argue here, some of the practices used by FS are sadly not unique in the fielt of IT as a whole. This being said, I do not know many products that charge more just for running in business editions of Windows like JAWS does without offering any extra features (unless you pay even more for them at least. I don't think it would be asking that much for example to have Tandem Direct free with JAWS Pro! Sadly, signing for Braille displays from other manufacturers and charging them for the privilege is not a practice unique to JAWS. You have to pay for example to get symbian programs signed to run on any symbian phone. This is quite expensive for developers. Given the small size of the market for screenreaders, I think this practice is smacks of greed. If FS had not sued GW Micro over place markers, this would have left plenty of money for FS to sign many more Braille displays at no extra cost. I understand FS is effectively owned by a private equity company. In many ways I would like to see FS owned by people who take a real interest in the business. These equity companies have no interest in individual businesses from an emotional passionate point of view. They just want to make money . Providing a good product, decent technical support and appropriate research and development is a necessary hastle for these private equity companies to exist in order to give products some kind of money making future but there the interest ends. Graham Page Home Phone: 0207 265 9493 Mobile: 07753 607980 Fax: 0870 706 2773 Email: <mailto:gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> gpage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx MSN: <mailto:gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx> gabriel_mcbird@xxxxxxxxxxx Skype: gabriel_mcbird From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of john coley Sent: 20 October 2010 11:38 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: jaws pricing Hi. If that is indeed the case, and not just your own personal understanding that makes FS even less competetive than they'd had people believe. Oh, I forgot, they don't believe in competition, do they! Their motto seems to be "If You Can't Beat Them Sue Them". John. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob <mailto:temp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 11:26 AM Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: jaws pricing Glass half full: Professional is the normal cost and you can get a discount by using a home version of the windows OS. On 20/10/2010 09:59, Amro Bilal wrote: Yes, Jaws pro is a total rip off, and I feel it's more like, they sat me on a spike and I know it! Lots of ifs, but, if you are going to use this MSDN AA for a limited period of time, and you have a spare computer which you can put a pro MS product on it, you could use Jaws in forty minute mode on that spare machine. Otherwise, I am afraid I can see a free spike next to me here or you can join Tiddy's barrel, which ever you prefer. Sorry about the dry sense of humour this morning! Cheers, Amro ----- Original Message ----- From: Tiddy Ogg <mailto:oggy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:26 AM Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: jaws pricing I think we all agree that Jaws Professional is a rip-off, but they've got you over a barrel and know it. If you want/need to use the MS professional products, you're stuck with having to use Jaws professional, unless you can find some alternative screen reader. and this isn't the place to discuss such things without getting your knuckles rapped for going off topic. -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Marvin Hunkin Sent: 20 October 2010 08:12 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] jaws pricing hi. why is it going to cost me $708 to upgrade from the jaws stadnard to jaws pro plus sma. which way should i go. just that i am doing a online help desk course, and the msdn aa subscription i have subscribed to, apart from windows 2003 stadnard, all windows xp, vista and 7 are professional. so i need jaws pro to use these software. please advice, what i should do. got till november 18 to place my order with quantum technology in sydney, australia. marvin.