Hi
Yeah, I'm finding out that most people that aren't using the latest
version of JAWS are using version 16, which is encouraging.
I use Windows 7 because I hated the Metro interface Microsoft tried to
force on us in Windows 8, and because I believe Microsoft is over
reaching their authority with some of the changes they made in Windows
10. It's my Computer damn it! And nobody but me has the right to tell me
what software runs on it! When they restore the user's ability to decide
which updates get installed on their computers, among other things, then
I'll consider Windows 10.
I used to have Office XP which I really liked, but gave it to my dad and
got Office 2007 because I could get it for $10 through my employer. If I
could have, I'd have gotten 2003 to avoid the ribbons.
So far JAWS 16 is proving to be quite stable, however the dictionary
manager still keeps crashing when it is first run, I was hoping that
that was a version 17 and 18 problem that would go away with the switch
to 16, oh well.
I found out that it gets pricey if you let your SMA lapse, so for $5 a
month, I'll keep it current even if I don't use those newer versions of
JAWS.
Later...
On 5/25/2017 4:52 PM, John M. wrote:
Hi Gene,
I have been using Jaws since version 5. Over the years, I have found
that some versions of Jaws are very good and others are junk. In my
opinion, version 17 is junk. I had upgraded from Jaws 15 to 17. After
the upgrade, I had nothing but problems. After several months of
struggling, I eventually installed version 16 and that is what I am
still using today. I tried version 18 for a short while, but it was
still not as stable and reliable as version 16. I am using Windows 7
also. One more thing...I still use Office 2003, because I just like it a
lot. Jaws version 17 support for Office 2003 was terrible.
I always go back to a saying that I have used for years--"Just because
you can doesn't mean you should.". Just because there is a new version
of Windows or Office or Jaws or any other piece of software or hardware,
doesn't mean you have to rush to install it or purchase it. I rely on my
computer on a daily basis to do my job and service my clients. I demand
that my core software is extremely stable and reliable. I have Jaws SMAs
through version 20. I don't know if I will actually switch to those
versions. Time will tell.
Best,
John
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Warner" <genewarn...@gmail.com>
To: "JAWS Users" <jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2017 3:25 PM
Subject: [JAWS-Users] Downgrading to JAWS 16
Hi everyone!
Back in 2013, when I was finally declared legally blind and had to
switch from Zoom Text to JAWS, JAWS was at version 15.
As I recall, other than having to learn it on my own because the
Lighthouse here is a bad joke, there were few, if any problems I had
with it, it just worked. JAWS 16 was pretty much the same but with the
addition of the very useful command search function.
Then came JAWS 17 with the apparent almost complete rewrite of the
engine. From there it seemed like every time I turned around I was
running into another misfunction of JAWS. Version 18, when it came out
wasn't much better.
So, after long thought, as well as fighting an apparently
recalcitrant version of JAWS, I've finally decided to install version
16 to see how it compares to version 18. If it works as well as my
memory of it recalls, I will eventually uninstall JAWS 18, and
consider not maintaining my SMA anymore. Besides my dissatisfaction
with versions 17 and 18, it seems like most of the enhancements are
for Windows 10 and have no effect on my Windows 7 system which I have
no plans to upgrade. If things do change for the better in the future,
I can always reestablish a new SMA.
I'm just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this idea or has
already preceded me in downgrading back to version 16.
Thanks!
Later...
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