Hi: Maybe the author of that article is not familiar with Window-eyes. By the way, how does Window-eyes work with Edge in the Windows 10 anniversary addition Kevin Huber
On 8/10/16, Chris Skarstad via Talk <[email protected]> wrote: > No mention of Window-eyes, eh? tisk tisk. > On 8/10/2016 9:38 AM, Russ Kiehne via Talk wrote: >> The following article came from >> https://www.coolblindtech.com/ranking-screen-readers-in-windows10-anniversary-update-the-results-will-surprise-you/ >> >> He seemed to leave out Window Eyes? >> >> Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary Update: The Results Will >> Surprise You! >> >> James Oates >> >> >> On August 9, 2016 >> >> In this article, I will attempt to review and rank three of the most >> popular current screen readers that are available at this time. The three >> screen readers were tested on the most recent version of Windows 10 >> anniversary update. This is important because one of the screen readers is >> Microsoft’s most recently updated >> Narrator. >> Although ranking the screen readers might prove to be quite controversial, >> I think it can also open up a real discussion on which screen readers are >> most accessible, and even the question of accessibility can sometimes be >> up for debate. I do realize that accessibility is determined by personal >> needs and preferences, so I will attempt to define the criteria I used for >> accessibility in this review. >> >> What Is Accessibility? >> >> Quite simply, I determined that accessibility is the ability to access >> that which needs to be accessed. Also, I take points off accessibility for >> the screen readers that make it difficult to access material by being >> dysfunctional or by making it very difficult to figure out which >> keystrokes need to be used with the material. Some screen readers make you >> use ridiculous key combinations to activate website elements or functions >> within applications. So without further ado, here are the rankings! >> >> Number One: Microsoft Narrator! >> >> It took me about a day to get used to the screen reader, but once I did, I >> realized what a powerful tool >> Microsoft >> had created and that the company was finally serious about supporting a >> built-in screen reader for the blind. In fact, the only thing I could find >> wrong with the screen reader was that it did not work with my braille >> display. I am currently working with Microsoft and >> HIMS >> to see if this problem can be resolved. Besides that one issue, the screen >> reader was fully accessible on all websites and applications. I tested the >> screen readers on Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Groove Music, Skype, >> Dropbox, Microsoft Word, Audacity, Feedback, and the Settings app. >> Narrator now uses something called scan mode. You can toggle this on and >> off by pressing caps lock and space bar. When scan mode is off, you can >> tab through active elements, use Windows keyboard commands, and navigate >> by means of your preferred preference; such as, items, headings, and >> paragraphs. When scan mode is on, you can navigate through everything on >> the screen—that includes text, website elements, and application >> controls—by using the tab key, arrowing around the screen, or employing >> letter navigation. How often has your screen reader announced; “OK >> button”. And you are wondering; “What am I saying OK to?” When scan mode >> is turned on, you can just arrow up and read the text associated with that >> button. You do need to toggle scan mode off when you want to use keyboard >> commands such as control P to pause a music track or alt F4 to close an >> application. This was the only screen reader that was fully functional >> using Microsoft Edge. It was also the only screen reader that was able to >> read every active element and all text on each website and application. >> Clearly, hands down, Narrator is the winner! >> >> Second-Place Goes to NVDA. >> >> NVDA >> performed mostly well. The problem is it uses a function called browse >> mode that doesn’t actually work at this time. You’re supposed to be able >> to toggle between focus and browse modes by pressing insert plus spacebar. >> It’s supposed to function like Narrator’s scan mode. Because it didn’t >> work, Microsoft Edge was only able to read active elements, not text, on >> the screen. It was also difficult to read text on other applications. Like >> I said before, you want to know what you’re saying “OK” to. Also, there >> were other applications where you had to switch the pain view to see what >> else was on the screen. That’s OK if you know that there are other pains >> on the screen. But if you don’t, you’re missing out on loads of >> information. NVDA is still a fantastic screen reader and the developers of >> the project are working on fixing browse mode. I suspect they will work >> out the kinks very soon. But can they keep up with all the changes and >> updates coming from Microsoft on an almost daily basis? >> >> JAWS Finishes in a Distant Third. >> >> This wasn’t even close! I don’t even know where to begin! For starters, >> the JAWS display driver interfered with the Microsoft Upgrade Assistant >> which is a program that allows customers to download Windows10 Anniversary >> Update without having to wait for the automatic update. I had to uninstall >> the Freedom Scientific display driver just to download my free copy of >> Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Next, >> JAWS >> does not work with Microsoft Edge unless you’re using the touch cursor. >> This makes Microsoft’s primary browser virtually unusable. This is >> inexcusable and unacceptable. JAWS has also come up with some very >> convoluted keystroke combinations to interact with elements on webpages. I >> also ran into several situations where JAWS was incapable of activating >> navigation bars on webpages. I just want to know, are the people at >> VFO >> serious about accessibility, or just interested in convincing people in >> enterprise and government that they are? >> >> Final Thoughts. >> >> I really enjoyed the Mark mobile voice that Narrator uses. I was also >> pleasantly surprised at how quickly the screen reader reacts. I’m now >> using it as my primary screen reader. I of course will always continue to >> use NVDA as well. It is an amazing product and will only continue to >> improve. They have one of the most talented group of developers I’ve ever >> seen. As for JAWS, I can’t think of one good thing to say. And that’s a >> difficult position for me to take. When I first became a teacher 25 years >> ago, JAWS was the only program that made the digital world accessible for >> me. It was an amazing product, and I’ve always shown a great deal of >> gratitude toward them, but even I have to admit that they’re not >> maintaining their commitment to customers. You don’t know how difficult >> that is for me to say this because I have a great deal of loyalty toward >> the people who helped me when I was younger. I hope the people at VFO and >> Freedom Scientific >> can turn things around, but most importantly I applaud the accessibility >> team at Microsoft. For years Microsoft has preached accessibility but >> seemed more interested in promoting their own advancement within the field >> of accessibility. The new >> Microsoft accessibility >> team is finally focusing on their actual customers. What a refreshing >> change! I have also recorded a podcast demonstrating the use and >> accessibility of Windows 10 anniversary update. I hope you give it a >> listen. >> >> The views expressed here are purely my own, and should be taken as such. >> _______________________________________________ >> Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the >> author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. >> >> For membership options, visit >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/rascal0826%40verizon.net. >> For subscription options, visit >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com >> List archives can be found at >> http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > > > _______________________________________________ > Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author > and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. > > For membership options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/huber.kevin7%40gmail.com. > For subscription options, visit > http://lists.window-eyes.com/listinfo.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com > List archives can be found at > http://lists.window-eyes.com/private.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com _______________________________________________ Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ai Squared. 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