Richard,  I can answer one or two of your questions.  System Access uses 
many of the same commands that JAWS does but you do have the option of using 
the laptop keystrokes for commands so that you don't need the numeric 
keypad.

No, you do not need to use their software to subscribe and use their 
services and many do that.

Also, for what it is worth, I do agree with you about a large part of the 
updates with the two big screenreaders do only benefit a small number of 
their users.  I would like to see them spend more effort at fixing known 
bugs.

All of that has contributed to me going more and more toward the Mac.  The 
only disadvantage there is that a fair number of applications that I use are 
not available on the Mac so I am still using both.

73,

Bob WA0KZB

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Fiorello" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 9:37 AM
Subject: off topic saratech


Hi;
I have reading messages and had to take a look at system access and all
their other offerings.  The price is drastically lower than other
offerings wonder how the performance compares.  I am left with the
uninformed feeling that sometimes sometimes updates are done for the
sake of updating and whatever changes are made only effect a small
percentage of users.
I did make the mistake of looking at their hardware.  Looked like they
were selling your basic netbook with a screen reader for about 1,000.
Considering I could get the licensed version of the screen reader for
$400 does that net book sound pricey to anybody else?
Also has anyone played with their sam network?  Can you use that network
without their screen reader?
I didn't see any command list.  Wonder if they are using the number pad
as are jfw and window-eyes?

-- 
richard