Hi Sky: I am using the free version of Window-eyes on my home system and the retale version of Window-eyes at the office where I work and I do not notice any difference in the number of crashes. Kevin Huber
On 8/12/16, Sky Mundell <[email protected]> wrote: > 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. 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