One, admittedly rather cynical translation of the below message is "We're
dumping our dos reader on the market so we don't need to bother with the
support for it."  I understand that when dropping to a dos box in windows
with jfw, one doesn't get full control over dos programs.  without a dos
reader.  If you want a directory listing, fine, but you won't get optimum
use out of a more complex dos program.  "And, by the way, while we're
dumping the dos reader on the market, we would like to remind you folks
with the older versions of the Windows product, to get with it and pay
some money to us so we can bother to support you Too."  Just an
observation.  Reminded me of microsoft when they have their inexpensive
so-called windows reader and they have a free audio streaming program to
ccompete with real audio I believe. Interesting stuff.

Steve

On Sun, 4 Oct 1998, Kelly Ford wrote:

>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  October 2, 1998
>
>
>FOR MORE INFORMATION
>Wilson Craig
>Marketing Manager
>727-803-8000
>[log in to unmask]
>
>Henter-Joyce Inc. to Release JAWS for DOS Screen Reader Software
>as Freeware on the Internet at www.hj.com
>
>Henter-Joyce, Inc. has announced that JAWS for DOS 2.31, the product that
>brought the company to prominence in the access technology industry in 1988,
>will be released as freeware on the Internet beginning January 1, 1999. The
>company will discontinue sales and shipments of JAWS for DOS after this
>
>date, providing the software instead as a free download from the web at
>http://www.hj.com/SoftwareDownload/SWdnld.html.
>
>Those who wish to download and use the free software will require one of the
>many hardware speech synthesizers supported by JAWS for DOS.
>
>"Most people who use computers, including those who are blind and visually
>impaired, have migrated from DOS to Windows in recent years, and that's
>where we have focused our development efforts," said Henter-Joyce General
>Manager Jerry Bowman. "The decreased demand for DOS-based software, coupled
>with the overwhelming demand for our Windows-based screen reader, JAWS for
>Windows, makes this a good decision for us and for our customers."
>
>In order to better serve those using current versions of
>Henter-Joyce's JAWS for Windows (JFW) screen reader software, the company
>will discontinue technical support of JAWS for DOS beginning January 1,
>1999. Technical support for JFW versions 1.X and 2.X will also be
>discontinued on January 1, with the exception of JFW 2.00.29 being used
>with Microsoft Windows 3.1 Support for JFW 3.2 and 3.0 will be continued as
>usual. The discontinuation of support for earlier versions of JFW will
>ensure that users of more current JFW software will receive technical
>support in a more timely and efficient manner.
>
>For more information about Henter-Joyce, Inc., JAWS for Windows
>Screen-reader Software, or Magic Screen-magnification Software, please call
>1-800-336-5658 or visit the Henter-Joyce web site at  www.hj.com.
>
>- 30 -
>






--
+----------------------------+
|  Steve Zielinski  (N8UJS)  |
|      [log in to unmask]      |
+----------------------------+