First thoughts. GW Micro seems to be in bed with Microsoft. Given the latter's reputation as a monopolist (think Netscape, etc.) I would be very careful to align my working future solely with GW Micro and, by extension, Microsoft products. I am not unhappy, though, to see FS sweating a bit. Consumers should win with this tie-up, I think. Now, if Mozilla did a screen reader I might be swayed. Could FS move move to a Mozilla type model that works on donations and collaboration? The FS installed base is Freedom Scientific's best asset. If they don't pull a Microsoft, letting themselves be passed by Google and Apple,. then the GW Micro/Microsoft deal could be a boon to all. Still..what was the motivation for Microsoft to apparently single out one screen reader maker for partnering? Surely too many questions for me to take any action now, including switching to Apple products.
On 1/15/2014 11:35 AM, David Whitehead wrote:
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:o...@tiddyogg.co.uk] 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:bcab-boun...@lists.bcab.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ibrahim Gucukoglu Sent: 14 January 2014 20:53 To: access...@freelists.org; 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:jaws-users-list-boun...@jaws-users.com] On Behalf Of Gerald Levy Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 8:22 AM To: jaws-users-list@jaws-users.com 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/ __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 9293 (20140115) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com
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