The main benefit of GWC for me was that it was smaller and less cluttered. The Skype client is full of unnecessary eye candy and junk and I don't really see much of a way to get rid of it. Oh well; no use crying over spilt milk, I reckon. ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Grimsby Jr. To: 'MJ Williams' Cc: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 5:26 AM Subject: RE: support for skype kit ends
Hello, yes, we definitely have confirmation from AISquaired it was Mark from AISquaired who boasted the initial message. We also have confirmation from Microsoft, if you would like to go back and check the Skype garage blog, you will note that they recommend that everybody upgraded from older versions of Skype, because as of Monday, all older versions of Skype will no longer be supported. This includes all applications using the SkypeKit. You will also note that in the original message posted by Mark from AI squared. He indicates that everyone who has purchased a subscription to GW connect will receive a proactive refund. Therefore, no one has any cause to be upset. You will also note that GW micro when it released Window-Eyes 8.4 started working on scripts for Window-Eyes for Skype. At that time. They indicated that the SkypeKit would not be supported by Windows 8. They also indicated that it was very likely that at some point, the Skype skip would no longer be supported at all, it was clear from the message posted by Mark from AISquaired that they attempted to work out some deal with Microsoft so that they might be allowed to continue to use the Skype kit. Unfortunately, they were unable to work out some sort of amicable arrangement. Therefore, GW connect will no longer be supported as of Monday, August 4, we have all the confirmation possible. Considering the fact that Skype is extremely accessible using Window-Eyes and all of the other major screen readers that I know of. I don't see this as being much of an issue. Yes, the GW connect interface might have been slightly simpler to use. However, you really don't see much of an accessibility benefit from using GW connect overusing Skype. This of course is just my opinion. However, I can verify this opinion because I have been using Windows 8 and GW connect never worked here and I have been using Skype for several years now with absolutely no problems. This is why I myself to use GW connect very rarely. I was very pleased. Therefore, when GW micro began working on Skype scripts versus a nonmainstream solution to the Skype problem due to the fact that with every other screen reader, I was able to use Skype and I had access to it, but with Window-Eyes if I wanted good access. I needed to use GW connect because there were no scripts for this program that were updated and working. I'm sorry I would rather see a company devoted time and resources to providing me access to mainstream applications versus providing me with an accessibility backdoor to a service. This is why I am not and never will be a socialized customer, nor will I ever owned a product such as chicken nugget, nor do I use the socializer, I would rather use the mainstream applications that everyone else uses the only adaptive software that should be necessary to use mainstream applications should be my screen reader once again. Of course, this is my own personal opinion, but it seems to me that the latest GW connect incident bears o ut this conclusion, it is unlikely that Skype will ever stop support for Skype as long as it exists. Therefore, I will always be able to use Skype itself without resorting to an accessibility product designed specifically for my own personal needs or the needs of my personal subgroup. I hope this helps, and thank you for reading. From: MJ Williams [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 2:54 AM To: gw Micro Product Discussion Listserv Subject: RE: support for skype kit ends Do we have a confirmation of this from GW Micro? Matthew At 02:22 02/08/2014, you wrote: GW Connect uses the SkypeKit to make its connection to the Skype servers. It is the heart of GW Connect. Microsoft is no longer supporting any product that uses the SkypeKit. As of Monday GW Connect will no longer connect to the Skype servers. Hope this helps. Chris From: Mike Bernard [ mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 5:50 PM To: [email protected] Subject: support for skype kit ends Hello everyone, What's this I hear about support for Skype kit ending? What is Skype kit? I have both standard skype and gw connect installed on my computer and have never had to purchase anything extra to get either to work. Are you telling me that as of Monday Augast 4, my free version of gw connect will stop working? This can't be. I depend on gw connect because of its accessibility and ease-of-use. Although standard Skype is not as user friendly, I still use it, in conjunction with mp3 Skype recorder. So what does this mean for those of us who use the free client on our pcs that we've downloaded from the app central site? Mike Rochester, NY. 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.
