Hi Vaughn. Your quite correct. -----Original Message----- From: Vaughan Dodd [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2016 6:25 PM To: 'Sky Mundell'; 'Window-Eyes Discussion List' Subject: RE: The future of Window-eyes
I am keen to support Sky in raising this topic again. Whilst our critics might say that we are simply speculating, generating new hysteria after an initial high level of noise, I believe that VFO leadership should clearly tell us what the group's intentions are with respect to Window-eyes. Why does Freedom Scientific get on the front foot to promote planned enhancements, but AI Squared does not? The VFO Executive member who would be leading integration of software across the group is David Wu, and Sky has indicated that JFW and Zoomtext are likely to integrate in some way. Freedom Scientific, as the larger screen reader manufacturer in the VFO group, would surely be influencing the strategic and marketing directions of screen readers and image magnification applications. I have sensed a decline in Window-eyes activity for longer than just the recent acquisition into the VFO group of AI Squared. The public beta testing programme has gone. Advertising the availability of individually requested full dvd downloads of Window-eyes releases is very low key - on request by individual users. When you request your own download link for your purchased upgrade, it can take several days for the request to be honoured. Once delivered, the link is only active for two or three days. There are identity issues. Is it GW Micro, AI Squared, or VFO? According to my reading of convention programmes and VFO promotional literature, AI Squared was largely absent from both NFB and ACB events. Why does the group name not factor in AI Squared? Why are there no FS Cast type podcasts which promote AI Squared? Will my New Zealand dealer for Freedom Scientific products process my Window-eyes requests? More generally: what is happening for us in that great international free trade market place which VFO has promised to serve?Requests for needed braille support features have not been actioned. If a company wants to discontinue a product line, that is a truly commercial decision. In my grumpy customer's opinion, There would be greater respect from owners of Window-eyes if a clear strategic direction was given to us by VFO. If that direction were to clearly report the withdrawal of Window-eyes as a viable screen reader, then those who are of a mind to can continue to make it better. If they want us to buy JFW, make it less expensive and incorporate our Window-eyes product keys into our new purchase, with all of the benefits we had through our software maintenance agreements and no copy protection. Or, if they want us to have meaningful product choice, incorporate the best features of JFW into a better Window-eyes. Vaughan. Please telephone the Regional Disability and Health Team prior to emailing or faxing any new referrals. Vaughan Dodd, Regional Disability Advisor. Desk2desk: 97187. Email: [email protected]. For referrals: email [email protected]. Our up-to-date desk file is located at: http://doogle.ssi.govt.nz/resources/publications/reports-research/regional/a uckland/auckland-health-disability-resources.html -----Original Message----- From: Talk [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Sky Mundell via Talk Sent: Monday, 3 October 2016 1:15 p.m. To: Window-Eyes Discussion List Subject: The future of Window-eyes Hello Window-Eyes users. Sky here. I wanted to update you guys on What's been happening at VFO Group, Particuarly in regards to Zoomtext, and Window-eyes. In September, 2 editions of FSCast came out regarding JAWS 18. One of the features that will be in JAWS 18 will be a talking mouse support. The guys at VFO group has said that They have plans to put the talking mouse support in Zoomtext, and make JAWS work with it. This made me laugh, as first of all, Zoomtext already has Window-eyes in it, called Fusion, secondly, Zoomtext, from my understanding, already has built in mouse support already with Fusion. No menschen of Window-eyes or even Fusion. In the next FSCast, VFO went into more details on JAWS 18 and Zoomtext. What is going to happen is that in Zoomtext 11, JAWS and Zoomtext will be working together. I can honestly tell you that they also plan to put in a talking mouse support for MAGic, which will be released in 2017. This is not a good sign, and besides, Zoomtext and JAWS, would cost a lot more to buy, than it would cost to buy Zoomtext Fusion. At no point in the two FSCasts do they menschen what's going to happen with Window-eyes. If you guys would like to take a look at the two FSCasts, go to http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/FSCast131-JAWS_18_part1 .mp3 and http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/FSCast132-JAWS_18_part2 .mp3 I also want to hear what the senior management from AI Squared have to say on the future. _______________________________________________ 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/vaughan.dodd00 1%40msd.govt.nz. 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 ------------------------------- This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. 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