Hi. I am sad to say that some, if not all people, are totally unfamiliar with Window-Eyes. I think one of the reasons is that many of them did try Window-Eyes when it became free with office but rejected it due to it crashing a lot and some people even found Window-Eyes droved them crazy.
-----Original Message----- From: Talk [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Kevin Huber via Talk Sent: Friday, August 12, 2016 1:37 PM To: Chris Skarstad; Window-Eyes Discussion List Subject: Re: Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary Update: The Results Will Surprise You! 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-ann >> iversary-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. For membership options, visit http://lists.window-eyes.com/options.cgi/talk-window-eyes.com/skyt%40shaw.ca. 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/archive%40mail-archive.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
