Wow, That is just amazing. I thought Freedom would have gone under a long time ago given their high prices and lack of tech support at least in my opinion. I think that people are tired of paying $1500 for a screen reader. I use Window-Eyes that is currently being paid off via a payment plan. But Jaws kept crashing on me after version 6. I hope they will get someone to take the project over, since I know that windows users outnumber Mac. If I remember correctly, and this was way back in the late nineties I believe, JFW used to be owned by Henter Joyce. They also own Blazie I think. I think this might finally level the playing field for all of us. I don't have anything against Freedom, I just want technology to be accessible and affordable for everyone.
Allison On Jun 5, 2010, at 2:07 PM, Teresa Cochran wrote: > Well, it strikes me as being at the rumor and discussion level as of yet, but > I wouldn't be surprised to see FS move in that direction. Personally, I won't > be getting any more JAWS upgrades, and I'm perfectly happy with the Mac and > Alex. :) > > Teresa > On Jun 5, 2010, at 9:42 AM, Kawal Gucukoglu wrote: > >> Off topic, but I feel everyone will be interested especially those people >> who run Fusion on their Macs. >> >> Begin forwarded message: >> >>> From: "Ibrahim Gucukoglu" <ibrahim_gucuko...@sent.com> >>> Date: June 5, 2010 9:36:33 AM GMT+01:00 >>> To: "Kawal Gucukoglu" <kawal_gucuko...@sent.com> >>> Subject: Fw: [bcab] End of Freedom? >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Colin r. Howard" <co...@pobox.com> >>> To: <b...@freelists.org>; <access...@freelists.org>; >>> <av...@googlegroups.com>; <ntexpr...@googlegroups.com>; >>> <jaws...@freelists.org> >>> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 1:30 AM >>> Subject: [bcab] End of Freedom? >>> >>> >>>> Greetings, >>>> >>>> I am posting the main text from a thread just seen on the Blind Audio List >>>> which I am surprised not to have seen on the BCAB or AccessUK groups. >>>> >>>> Ought we to give much credence to this? >>>> >>>> I, for one, would welcome any comments from Sight and Sound. >>>> >>>> From: "Otto Zamora" <donttreado...@bellsouth.net> >>>> 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. From: "Alison Trelfa" <codamu...@uwclub.net> >>>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 15:36:47 +0100 >>>> >>>> Hello, Otto, >>>> >>>> I wonder whether many jaws users would move to another speech program as >>>> yet >>>> as many of the packages that are not standard probably wouldn't be >>>> supported >>>> by the out of the box speech. I run Sonar and Sibelius 5.25, both of which >>>> are using scripts that have been written by folk who specialise not only in >>>> Jaws, but only in the two programs. I suppose those people who only need >>>> computers for basic commands may well get away with speech such as you >>>> describe, but I don't think that Jaws would just be dismissed out of hand >>>> because Freedom is going. I think Jaws has changed hands once before if I'm >>>> not mistaken? Correct me if I'm wrong there. >>>> >>>> I would be very sorry to see Jaws go under, but I'm not worried yet. There >>>> is a huge following for Jaws and I believe that someone would take it over. >>>> >>>> From: "Otto Zamora" <donttreado...@bellsouth.net> >>>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 10:49:36 -0400 >>>> >>>> hi, >>>> >>>> You are correct, I am just stating that from what we were told, they are >>>> having a hard time finding someone who will take on the project,especially >>>> since as you point out, most people are not using anything that is high >>>> end, and from what we also have heard, people are tired of having to pay >>>> $1500 and change, when there now is a program which will do speech and more >>>> for only $700. >>>> Given the economy, for many people, the sedition may be financial. >>>> >>>> >>>> From: Geoff Long <ge...@tisab.demon.co.uk> >>>> Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:20:04 +0100 >>>> >>>> Hi Alison, I wonder how many JAWS users have to >>>> pay for their own equipment. I use window-eyes, >>>> which is considerably less expensive, and as I >>>> had to pay for my training and kit from my own >>>> pocket, it makes a big difference. >>>> >>>> From: "Dr Norman Waddington" <normanwaddington...@btinternet.com> >>>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 16:36:22 +0100 >>>> >>>> Hi Geoff, >>>> >>>> I need no introduction to you on this list. >>>> >>>> I am a Jaws user and have paid all the way through out of my own pocket >>>> from >>>> version 3.5 methinks if I remember correctly. >>>> >>>> >>>> From: Anders Holmberg <and...@pipkrokodil.se> >>>> Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:37:37 +0200 >>>> >>>> Hello! >>>> Also we have nvda as a very good and free alternative. >>>> And Hal or supernova which costs less money than jaws. >>>> From: "Mike Stewart" <stewar...@verizon.net> >>>> Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:58:45 -0600 >>>> >>>> The entry price is steep, but upgrades only run about $100-$140 or so... >>>> >>>> From: "Alison Trelfa" <codamu...@uwclub.net> >>>> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 21:31:33 +0100 >>>> >>>> Hi, Geoff, >>>> >>>> It is expensive to get jaws I agree with that. The problem I have is that >>>> there are no other programs that support the music side as far as I know. >>>> If >>>> all programs worked as well as microsoft office or outlook express then I >>>> think Jaws would really be struggling. Most of the other programs that I >>>> know of don't support many programs apart from the basics. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> From Colin Howard, for whom a small place near Southampton in >>>> Southern England, has the honour of providing a home. >>>> To find out more about BCAB and the benefits that membership can bring, >>>> please visit our website: >>>> http://www.bcab.org.uk/ >>>> >>>> To manage your subscription to the BCAB mailing list, please visit our >>>> website: >>>> http://www.bcab.org.uk/mailing-list.html >>>> >>>> To discuss matters relating to the mailing list, please email >>>> bcab-moderat...@freelists.org >>> >> >> >> >> ____ >> Kawal Gucukoglu >> >> (E-mail/MSN): >> >> kawal_gucuko...@sent.com >> >> (Skype ID): >> >> kawalgucukoglu >> >> (Mobile/Text): >> >> +447905618396 >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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