I have similar interests to your good self. Sometime ago, when this topic came up on the list, Doug commented that Gw had not seen a Focus Blue, and did not know anything about drivers. Of course: things may have changed between then and now. I was left with the conclusion that Freedom Scientific won't share and that is its right in the competitive market and we can choose not to buy their products.
Currently - it is not possible to use any Freedom Scientific Braille display for direct input with Window-eyes, and quite frankly - it should be. Whereas Braille display output from Window-eyes is generally better (with one or two exceptions) than what is offered by Freedom Scientific, Braille input puts JAWS 12 in a new league, so long as you use their displays. What I hope is that with Window-eyes version 8 coming - Braille input will be addressed properly and they have solved the problems associated with the interfaces with the Focus displays. I have the earlier edition to the Blue, and it is frustrating to not be able to have direct input as the controls and keys on the unit are almost perfect. We might just have to get used to the fact that Freedom and GW are competitors and whilst GW supports things like open standards and agreeing to some basic principles of accessibility and device support, Freedom Scientific appears to be wanting to go its own way. I have looked or used five different Braille displays, and the one I liked most is by far and away the most expensive - the Alva bc640 supported direct input using Window-eyes, but like you, I am attracted to the Focus Blue, (which I have still to see) as I do need an updated display at an affordable price. \Vaughan. -----Original Message----- From: Dave bahr [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 4:07 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Focus blue braille display Hello all, I am interested in purchasing a braille display and have been looking at the focus blue by freedom scientific. why? because it's affordable, as far as displays go. I'm wondering if anyone has had luck with it and window-eyes? It would be great to write in grade two braille but I'm not sure if there is a translation table. To upgrade the version of jfw that I do have would be too costly on top of the braille display's price. If there is something comprable, I'm open to suggestions but I really haven't found much that's at least a grand or two more than FS is asking. I've been a diehard WE user since v2.0 and I don't really want to learn jfw just to use a braille display. So, any help and/or advice is welcome on this topic. thanks, -- Dave C. Bahr If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv. Please consider the environment before printing this email and its attachments. Avoid printing, or print double-sided if you can. ------------------------------- This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of Social Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the Ministry. ------------------------------- If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
