I think that this is being a bit hard on GW Micro. I understand that some
people are having some browse mode issues, but what the problem is exactly,
I do not know. I am running WE 7.2 here on my Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
machine, and I have not had any issues with browse mode. If I am missing
something, then I apolagize.
I for one am really looking forward to the release of the 7.5 Beta 1. I
have listened to the Guess What podcast and I like what I am hearing so far.
I think that having a new and easier user interface will help the Window
Eyes newbies when they decide to make a screen reader change. I think that
to say that GW Micro is beginning to go down the same road as their
competitor by releasing an update in order to make money in my opinion is
not even close to the truth. How long has it been since the last paid for
upgrade? It has been more than 2 years, and in that same time the
competition has probably released at least 2 if not 3 paid for upgrades. I
still believe that GW Micro's main focus is on the satisfaction of their
customers, and to me that makes all the difference in the world...
Scott
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Nimer Jaber" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 5:11 PM
To: "Steve Pattison" <[email protected]>
Cc: "GW Info" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Guess What? - Window-Eyes 7.5 Beta 1 - New User Interface
Hello Steve and all,
I've read this guess what thingy and I've listened to the blind
bargains podcast. I have used and recommended window-eyes to others
for some time now, and have enjoyed the stability that window-eyes
used to offer. I am also on the mentor list of GWMicro. However I
can't recommend this product any further. I am really amazed that
browse mode hasn't been fixed yet. Aria isn't new. Dynamic pages
aren't new. Having a layout that allows a user to see how a page is
displayed to a sighted user possibly allowing for faster navigation
isn't a new or revolutionary idea either. However, window-eyes doesn't
have these essential features. When GWMicro released scripting, I was
really looking forward to continued use and stability but the
scripting engine, on my machine and others that I've talked to, is
unstable and scripts still either slow down or completely lock up
window-eyes. Just having scripting enabled slows down performance of
window-eyes. Many apps _are not being supported out of the box, and if
they are, they are extremely cumbersome. My hope that UIA support will
help change some of this, and that GWMicro will get their act
together, stop trying to make money, and work on browse mode. I am not
a full-time programmer, and GWMicro has not offered a paid upgrade in
sometime. They've given many free upgrades to their users. I
understand the need to generate income. But it seems to me that
GWMicro is starting to go down the same path that their main
competitor is going down, which is to offer upgrades that aren't
adding screen reading features while possibly changing the look or the
way something is done. I haven't seen list messages requesting an
interface change. Does this mean that they haven't gotten some
requests? No. Will the new interface make things easier for users to
use window-eyes? Possibly, possibly not. Only time will tell. But even
if it does, making your product usable so that the interface can serve
a purpose seems to me like a more logical decision. You can't drive a
car without an engine if the first thing you put on is the paint.
Worry about the look and feel and interface _after you got your
product working and as stable as it possibly can be, to make sure that
you follow the mission statement.
Thanks, and I really hope that window-eyes eight will fix up
window-eyes so that it can continue to be the most stable screen
reader on the market. I would love to continue supporting GWMicro, but
it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so.
Nimer J
On 01/02/2011, Steve Pattison <[email protected]> wrote:
After reading the first in the "Guess what" series for WE 7.5 I'm really
looking forward to the new interface. I think the new interface will
make WE easier to use and also cause WE to look more like other Windows
programs visually for a sighted person who might be teaching people how
to use WE. Also for those who remember or are interested in historical
trivia this new interface breaks the link with the old interface that
was based on Vocal-Eyes! But I think it's time for this change.
Regards Steve
Email: [email protected]
MSN Messenger: [email protected]
Skype: steve1963
Twitter: steve9782
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