Dear Mr. Crowell:
Permit me to say a word or two with respect to your enquiry.
First, the Bureau of Blind Services DOES NOT have the right to tell you
which screen reader to use. Such a choice should be made by you. If
Window-Eyes presently meets your needs, then tell them you don't have a need
for another screen reader.
Second, you did not indicate what your line of business is. I own and
operate a wee, small company that specializes in durable and home medical
equipment and supplies. I sell diabetic products like shoes, glucometers
and socks; various sizes of gauze pads, children and adult diapers, blood
pressure monitors, canes, crutches, rollators, transfer chairs and benches
and lots more. I got some assistance from the Colorado Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation Services to move my business into a store front
back in 2011. The rehab counselor I had worked with wanted me to purchase
for me a copy of Jaws, but I made it clear that I already use Window-Eyes!
As part of my business, I must log into a state provided Web Portal to
submit claims for adjudication and payment since my company is a service
provider via the Colorado Medical Assistance Program, commonly referred to
as Colorado Medicaid. For what I have to do, Jaws WILL NOT work! I can't
use Jaws to fill out the form on the said Web Portal, only Window-Eyes fits
the bill. So, until the present moment, even though I am frustrated with
recent incarnations of Window-Eyes and Internet Explorer updates, this GW
Micro screen reader still keeps "food" on my table and enables me pay our
children's school fees!
Third, yes, you can install both Jaws and Window-Eyes on the same computer.
Be aware though that Jaws has two versions: A standard version, and a
professional version. The standard version, as I understand it, WILL NOT
run on Windows7 Professional and higher, you will need the professional
version for these.
I believe Control-Alt-J is what you use to load Jaws; however, before you
can load it, you must turn off Window-Eyes unless you wish to listen to two
screen readers chattering. The keystroke to turn off Jaws is Insert-F4.
The Insert key is generally referred to as the Jaws key. The demo copy will
run for 40 minutes. Thereafter, you will need to restart your computer.
If you purchase Jaws, you will have to authorize it via the Internet and I
think there is a limit as to the number of times you can do so.
Freedom Scientific's tech support is extremely poor according to what avid
users of the Jaws screen reader have told me.
Fourthly, before you install Jaws, be sure to turn off Window-Eyes
completely, and re-enable Window-Eyes to use as before when the installation
process has been fully completed.
Lastly, if there is a particular software you need to use in running your
business, it is possible that it can be scripted for Window-Eyes! I have
several myself that need scripting, and I am shopping around for reasonable
script writing prices.
I hope the foregoing is a bit helpful; others will chip in and fill in any
missing blanks. If you have questions for me, please consider send those
privately so as not to clog the list. Much thanks!!
Sincerely,
Olusegun
Denver, Colorado
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