Since as you have said in your message, this is speculation, and therefore really isn't relevant to Jaws until FS takes a stand one way or another on any further developments. So, let's keep this one off-list until we know differently. Thank you, Richard Q. Justice-list moderator [email protected]
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gerald Levy" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 8:55 AM Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] The Future of JAWS Yep, this is the talk of the screen reader world. There has been nonstop buzz about it on all the general blind tech lists. But for us JAWS users, it is definitely a cause for concern. There has even been speculation that this new alliance between the rival screen reader company and Microsoft may ultimately lead to MS's acquisition of that company, which would really create uncertainty about the future of JAWS. I realize that this topic doesn't deal with any aspect of using JAWS itself, but it is so important in light of this shocking development that it merits discussion, and so should be considered on topic for this list. Gerald ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Whitehead" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 8:35 AM Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] The Future of JAWS > good morning; > has anyone read this? > > > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE > > Fort Wayne, Indiana (January 14, 2014) - GW Micro, Inc. > (www.gwmicro.com<http://www.gwmicro.com>) is proud to make a revolutionary > announcement. GW Micro and Microsoft Corp. have partnered to make > Window-Eyes available to users of Microsoft Office at no cost. Window-Eyes > is a screen reader that enables people who are blind, visually impaired, > or > print disabled to have full access to Windows PCs and makes the computer > accessible via speech and/or Braille. > > To better deliver Window-Eyes to the people who need it most, GW Micro > and > Microsoft have collaborated on this global initiative, available in over > 15 > languages, to enable anyone using Microsoft Office 2010 or later to also > use > Window-Eyes for free. Access to technology is critical to people who are > blind or visually impaired in order to have the same opportunity to > compete > in the workplace. As such, this initiative between GW Micro and Microsoft > has the potential to reduce barriers for millions of people who are blind > or > visually impaired around the world. > > As the population ages, technologies like Window-Eyes will become more > and > more important as the number of people with age-related macular > degeneration > and other retinal degenerative diseases increases. "This significant > change > in the way we are doing business reflects the changing perception of > accessibility and also technology in general. Rather than wait for the > world to change, Microsoft and GW Micro are leading the way," said Dan > Weirich, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GW Micro. Weirich > believes this technology can help millions of people gain access to their > PC, and that providing it free of charge will open a whole new world of > assistive technology to many people. > > In light of the rapidly changing face of technology and specifically, the > changing face of assistive technology, the combined efforts of GW Micro > and > Microsoft have the goal of providing accessibility to people who are blind > and visually impaired for the long term. > > Microsoft continues to take accessibility seriously. "By partnering with > GW Micro in this endeavour we are demonstrating Microsoft's on-going > commitment to provide all of our customers with the technology and tools > to > help each person be productive in both their work and personal lives." > said > Rob Sinclair, Chief Accessibility Officer for Microsoft. > > Eligible customers, using Microsoft Office 2010 or higher, will be able > to > download a full version of Window-Eyes starting today at > www.WindowEyesForOffice.com<http://www.WindowEyesForOffice.com>. The > website provides download instructions as well as additional details about > this offer. > > GW Micro, Inc. (www.gwmicro.com<http://www.gwmicro.com>) has been a > trusted pioneer in the adaptive technology industry since 1990, and > continues to lead with innovative, customer driven solutions. > > Nothing arrived yet tiddy sent this dorothy > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tiddy Ogg [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: 15 January 2014 10:06 > To: 'Dorothy' > Subject: FW: [BCAB] Microsoft and GW tie up in Window-Eyes office > initiative. > > How's that going to hit FS? > Buying Office 2010 is a lot cheaper than paying for Jaws, but, of course, > means learning Window Eyes. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Bcab [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ibrahim > Gucukoglu > Sent: 14 January 2014 20:53 > To: [email protected]; BCAB Discussion List > Subject: [BCAB] Microsoft and GW tie up in Window-Eyes office initiative. > > Hi Everyone. > > This was forwarded from another list I'm on, I know no more than this but > if > it is true, it could be something quite exciting and as the press release > states, revolutionary and a first for a mainstream software maker like > Microsoft: > > Jan-14-2014 > > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE > > Fort Wayne, Indiana (January 14, 2014) - GW Micro, Inc. > (www.gwmicro.com<http://www.gwmicro.com>) is proud to make a revolutionary > announcement. GW Micro and Microsoft Corp. have partnered to make > Window-Eyes available to users of Microsoft Office at no cost. Window-Eyes > is a screen reader that enables people who are blind, visually impaired, > or > print disabled to have full access to Windows PCs and makes the computer > accessible via speech and/or Braille. > > To better deliver Window-Eyes to the people who need it most, GW Micro > and > Microsoft have collaborated on this global initiative, available in over > 15 > languages, to enable anyone using Microsoft Office 2010 or later to also > use > Window-Eyes for free. Access to technology is critical to people who are > blind or visually impaired in order to have the same opportunity to > compete > in the workplace. As such, this initiative between GW Micro and Microsoft > has the potential to reduce barriers for millions of people who are blind > or > visually impaired around the world. > > As the population ages, technologies like Window-Eyes will become more > and > more important as the number of people with age-related macular > degeneration > and other retinal degenerative diseases increases. "This significant > change > in the way we are doing business reflects the changing perception of > accessibility and also technology in general. Rather than wait for the > world to change, Microsoft and GW Micro are leading the way," said Dan > Weirich, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GW Micro. Weirich > believes this technology can help millions of people gain access to their > PC, and that providing it free of charge will open a whole new world of > assistive technology to many people. > > In light of the rapidly changing face of technology and specifically, the > changing face of assistive technology, the combined efforts of GW Micro > and > Microsoft have the goal of providing accessibility to people who are blind > and visually impaired for the long term. > > Microsoft continues to take accessibility seriously. "By partnering with > GW Micro in this endeavour we are demonstrating Microsoft's on-going > commitment to provide all of our customers with the technology and tools > to > help each person be productive in both their work and personal lives." > said > Rob Sinclair, Chief Accessibility Officer for Microsoft. > > Eligible customers, using Microsoft Office 2010 or higher, will be able > to > download a full version of Window-Eyes starting today at > www.WindowEyesForOffice.com<http://www.WindowEyesForOffice.com>. The > website provides download instructions as well as additional details about > this offer. > > GW Micro, Inc. (www.gwmicro.com<http://www.gwmicro.com>) has been a > trusted pioneer in the adaptive technology industry since 1990, and > continues to lead with innovative, customer driven solutions. > > -----Original Message----- > From: JAWS-Users-List [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Gerald Levy > Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 8:22 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [JAWS-Users] The Future of JAWS > > > As many of you may have learned from other lists, Freedom Scientific's > main > rival in the commercial screen reader market has announced that it will > offer its screen reader absolutely free and unrestricted to users with > licensed versions of Windows Office 2010 and higher. How will this > development affect us JAWS users? Will hordes of JAWS users flock to the > competition and force JAWS into oblivion? Will FS be forced to make a > counter move and offer JAWS for free on a similar basis to remain viabole? > In short, what is the future of JAWS in light of this stunning > announcement, > and do we loyal JAWS users have any cause for concern? > Any thoughts ? > > Gerald > > For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: > http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ > > > For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: > http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/
