I saw the following on another list:
From: Joseph Lee
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 9:36 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [BlindTech] Window Eyes to be phased out
Hi,
Speaking from a screen reader developer’s perspective:
Window-Eyes and Windows 10: compatibility and support matters. Supporting a
Windows 10 release doesn’t involve just source code changes; it is a huge
commitment that requires months of effort and testing. Supporting Windows 10
not only means incorporating UI Automation changes, but also opens up
opportunities to support universal apps, Edge and related technologies.
Although the classic desktop apps will be supported, the future is Universal
Windows Platform. Until a few years ago apps powered by this platform were
seen as mediocre in terms of accessibility, but that is changing thanks to
advocacy from users and efforts by Microsoft and other vendors who realized
that accessibility is more than compliance (it is also a marketing
opportunity). And because universal apps are UIA universes, Window-Eyes MUST
have firm UIA support and foundations to incorporate additional materials
and workarounds in the future. Why did VFO release a JAWS 17 build a few
weeks ago to fix issues in Creators Update? Because they had to incorporate
UIA changes in Creators Update (which are numerous). Why do I experience
anxiety on a weekly basis? Because I know that new Insider Preview builds
may contain issues that may impact NVDA users. Thus I second Rob’s claim
about future Windows 10 releases and Window-Eyes.
Microsoft Edge is a special case. Not only the user interface is different,
how it works internally is also different. Because of what Microsoft has
done, screen reader vendors have rewritten (or are rewriting or have to
rewrite) browser support modules. This is the chief reason why VFO had to
wait until Edge is stable before writing support for it in JAWS.
In short, Windows 10 and UWP are in a constant flux. Support for Windows 10
by a screen reader means developers must be willing to adopt to changes at
the earliest opportunity. Because Window-Eyes is in maintenance mode at the
moment (unless VFO wants to shower some love before it retires it), it is
highly unlikely that it’ll be ready in time to support what’s coming in the
fall or in early 2018.
Cheers,
Joseph
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim via Talk
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 1:37 PM
To: CJ &AA MAY ; Window-Eyes Discussion List
Subject: Re: Window-Eyes!
Good Point! I seriously believe that all these folks that are
supposedly touting the end of Window-Eyes should think about that next
time they quote someone's "blog" or some other supposedly reliable
source. I have no idea on the exact number of Window-Eyes users but I
strongly suspect that it is quite high. How does it compare to the
number of JFW users-I have absolutely no idea. But there is still a
very large number of Window_Eyes users that would be left to hang out
and dry if VFO suddenly discontinued production of Window-Eyes. Keep
this in mind when you read the multiple posts about Window-Eyes demise.
Have a Good 1! de
<KF8LT><Jim Wohlgamuth>.
On 09-May-17 19:40, CJ &AA MAY via Talk wrote:
Is this just an urban myth or a fact? Do you actually know that the number
of Window-eyes users has fallen?
What will kill Window-eyes is the fear of it being discontinued so new
users
will not take the risk in future of purchasing it.
Alison
burban
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