Narrator under Windows 8 is not bad.
It is not completely there yet, but it is much better than before.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ronald E. Milliman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: screen readers


> The two fellows that originally developed and is currently maintaining 
> NDVA
> seem to be totally sincere in their dedication to always providing a very
> excellent free screen reading program. They have some funding from some
> major firms in the industry, but they also depend some on individual
> contributions. Since it is open source software, and since several highly
> qualified people are assisting them in the on-going development of the
> product, I suspect it will be around for quite some time in the future.
>
> The largest challenge, in my opinion, is whether free products like NVDA,
> or even costly programs like JAWS, will continue to keep up with the
> rapidly changing technology and even be needed at some point, not that far
> in the future. We are seeing signs that computers, as we have known them
> are soon to be totally obsolete. With the availability of totally
> accessible, off the shelf devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple
> TV, I question how much longer there will be a need for programs like 
> JAWS.
> Oh, I am not suggesting JAWS and WindowEyes will no longer exist in five
> years, but in ten years, that might be an entirely different issue. Input
> and output using total Voice and thought activation and even thought
> interaction with our devices is not out of the question within a very few
> years.
>
> Ron, K8HSY
>
>
> At 07:32 AM 12/24/2012 -0500, you wrote:
>>The problem with the free ones is, they don't owe anyone anything, they 
>>get
>>sick of complaints because of course people want perfection for free, so
>>they get sick of the complaints and pull the plug leaving you scrambling 
>>to
>>find something else and learn it. that's especially bad in a work
>>environment. I've seen it happen and heard of it happening, thankfully 
>>never
>>to me in a work environment personally though some of the fun programs 
>>I've
>>used it's happened to.
>>----- Original Message ----- 
>>From: "Howard Kaufman" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Monday, December 24, 2012 7:21 AM
>>Subject: Re: screen readers
>>
>>
>>>I have thought of the same questions many times.
>>> And then to see agencies needlessly spending our tax payer money when 
>>> they
>>> could put this technology in to the hands of three times as many clients
>>> for
>>> the same money, just makes me sick!
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Gary Tillinghast" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 8:32 PM
>>> Subject: Re: screen readers
>>>
>>>
>>>> You would think that with the free screen reading software out there, 
>>>> you
>>>> would think JAWS would be better in pricing.  We all should drop it an 
>>>> go
>>>> FREE!  Gary KB2YAA  What is the value of a hug if you don't share it?
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "KK4AHX Darren Duff" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 3:23 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: screen readers
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It works great! I dropped jaws back in June and I use NVDA everyday 
>>>> now.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 73.
>>>> Darren Duff.
>>>> amateur radio station KK4AHX.
>>>>
>>>> Vice President,
>>>> Cherokee Amateur Radio Society.
>>>> http://www.cherokeehams.com
>>>>
>>>> Cherokee County ARES.
>>>> http://www.cherokee-ares.org
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>>>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>>> On Behalf Of Ronald E. Milliman
>>>> Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2012 9:58 AM
>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>> Subject: Re: screen readers
>>>>
>>>> Re Free Screen Reading Programs...
>>>>
>>>> I am hearing really positive feedback about the NVDA screen reading
>>>> program
>>>> which is entirely free. I am not using it, but I am sure thinking
>>>> seriously
>>>> about switching over to it instead of shelling out bucks all of the 
>>>> time
>>>> on
>>>> this JAWS program. The one person I know who uses the NVDA screen 
>>>> reading
>>>> program is Riley, KL3RH; so, you can check with him to see what he 
>>>> tells
>>>> you
>>>> about it. I think he uses JAWS too.
>>>>
>>>> Ron, K8HSY
>>>>
>>>> Dr. Ronald E. Milliman, retired Professor Western Kentucky University
>>>>
>>>> Chair, American Council of the Blind Public Relations Committee
>>>>
>>>> Chair, American Council of the Blind's Monthly Monetary Support Program
>>>> (MMS) Committee
>>
> Dr. Ronald E. Milliman, retired Professor Western Kentucky University
>
> Chair, American Council of the Blind Public Relations Committee
>
> Chair, American Council of the Blind's Monthly Monetary Support Program
> (MMS) Committee