[gui-talk] Switching To Windows EyesSwitching To Window Eyes IThink?

[Steve Jacobson]

Jess and Others,

I've been using Window-Eyes for a long time and have found it to be a good program.  While my experience is not the same as that of Chris in his note below, I think 
there is an important point to be made.  Switching screen readers takes some work and there is a learning curve.  What is most intuitive is going to be what you are 
used to.  For example, one of the most apparent differences between Window-Eyes and JFW is the keyboard.  With JFW, you toggle all arrow and navigation keys 
such as HOME, END, PGUP and PGDN between PC Cursor and the JAWS cursor.  It doesn't matter which of the two sets of keys you use, they always behave the 
same.  More than once, I've heard people say that is one of the things they really like about JFW.  With Window-Eyes, the keys on the Numeric Pad are always 
used to control the mouse pointer, which is similar to the JAWS cursor, and the cursor keys in the middle always control the navigation associated with the software 
you are running.  There is no toggling between cursors, you simply choose what you want by which keys you press.  When I use a computer with JFW on it, I have 
a terrible time because I am always forgetting to pay attention to which cursor is active.  Window-eyes users generally fine the two separate cursors assigned to 
different keys to be intuitive.  Yet, I know JFW users who love the fact that they can use the same set of arrows for everything if they want to and knowing which 
cursor is active is automatic to them.  I suspect that each program will seem most intuitive to those who have used it for some time.  If you switch, you have to 
assume that the new screen reader will seem less intuitive for a while, but you will get used to it.  

For many years, Window-Eyes emphasized the fact that it did not need scripts, that the powerful "set" file structure along with many menu options placed more 
power into the hands of customers.  You could do a lot without writing scripts, but Window-Eyes has now added scripting capability.  It still has all of the menus it had 
before, though.  I know that JFW has added some menu items, too, so I am no longer certain whether Window-Eyes has as clear an edge there as it used to or not, 
but I would find it difficult to believe that JFW is really more configurable or easier to configure.  

Responsiveness is a harder one to figure.  I've heard other people say that JFW is much more responsive than Window-Eyes, but I just have not seen that.  It could 
be that certain applications or certain systems exhibit different behavior, though.  Also, I've seen instances where a quick response can also be incorrect, for 
example.  It makes a lot of sense to try the demos of programs that one might want to buy realizing that at first they are going to seem hard to use, but one can judge 
such things as responsiveness for them selves and decide whether there is a difference and if it is important.

the lack of copy protection on Window-eyes in the United States is a big plus for me.  It is just one less thing to worry about when doing system maintenance, even 
though it seems as though JFW's copy protection is less of an issue than it once was.  

GW Micro is very good at support and customer service, but no screen reader company can provide in depth training or system configuring through their technical 
support staff.  One has to try to think about what they expect from technical support and whether one's own expectations are reasonable.  For example, how you 
print mailing labels in Word is not a screen reader problem.

I think Window-Eyes is a good product, but I recognize that JFW is as well.  They have different strengths and weaknesses and each is made better by the pressure 
placed upon them by the other.  If you are considering switching from one screen reader to another, assume that the new screen reader will be more difficult to use 
for a while and that those who have used either screen reader for a while will feel that their favorite is more intuitive.  Figure out which software you use most often, 
and take the time to try the appropriate demo with that software.  Understand what it is you really want in a new screen reader so that the learning curve will be 
worth it.  

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Mon, 9 Mar 2009 07:45:08 -0000, Chris Hallsworth wrote:

>In my experience, Window-Eyes is less responsive than JAWS. The interface 
>isn't as intuitive compared to JAWS. For example it's not as easy to 
>configure Window-Eyes as it is with JAWS. Hope this helps in your decision 
>making.

>--
>Chris Hallsworth
>e-mail: christopherh40 at googlemail.com
>MSN: ch9675 at hotmail.com
>Skype: chrishallsworth7266
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Jess From Orlando" <jsears1986 at gmail.com>
>To: <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 2:12 AM
>Subject: [gui-talk] Switching To Windows EyesSwitching To Window Eyes 
>IThink?


>Hello
>I have been using JFW for 10 years but after this past week and them just 
>not being able to assist me I am switching to Window Eyes. I need to know 
>though if anyone can give me sort of the pros and cons between that and JFW? 
>Thanks a lot.
>Jess
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