[nfb-talk] Fw: Guess What? Window-Eyes 6.0 Beta 1 is Now Available!

[Christopher McMillan]

Guess What? Window-Eyes 6.0 Beta 1 is Now Available!----- Original 
Message ----- 
From: gw-news at gwmicro.com
To: gw-news at gwmicro.com
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 2:11 PM
Subject: Guess What? Window-Eyes 6.0 Beta 1 is Now Available!


If you're subscribed to the GW Micro or Guess What podcast feed, you'll 
automatically receive this Guess What in MP3 format.  Check out 
www.gwmicro.com/podcast for more information.  If you want to download the 
MP3, read this article online, or view more Guess What articles (when they 
are released), please visit www.gwmicro.com/beta.

Enjoy!

--

Welcome to GW Micro's "Guess What?" series, an introductory look at the 
highly anticipated release of Window-Eyes 6.0 Beta 1.

Today is the day that you have all been waiting for!  Today is the day that 
PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook Calendar become fully accessible to blind 
consumers for the first time in history.  The excitement has been building, 
and the time has come.  To learn how to make your life easier, help you 
through your educational experience, and make yourself more marketable in 
the workplace, stay tuned to download Window-Eyes 6.0 Beta 1.

But, before we get to how to download, there are a few things you need to 
know about the new version, including both technical and pricing 
information.  First, let's cover the technical details.

What operating systems will Window-Eyes 6.0 work with?  It will only support 
Windows 2000, XP, and 2003.  As Microsoft has dropped support for older 
operating systems, such as Windows 95 and 98, we will also no longer be 
supporting these operating systems.  You might ask, "Why are you no longer 
supporting these systems?"  First, it is important to note that technical 
support will not stop for users who are still running Windows 95, 98, or ME. 
However, at some point, in order to make future operating systems more 
accessible, we must cease support for older operating systems that hold back 
screen reading development.  Thus, along with the rest of the world, we must 
think about the future and ensure accessibility for all of you who have come 
to know and love the rock solid stability offered by Window-Eyes.  Before 
you start saying, "But, I can't afford Windows XP," keep reading or 
listening to see how we are going to help you with this issue.

Will Window-Eyes 6.0 work with Office 2007?  The answer is yes.  As we have 
demonstrated, you can even use the current public beta in order to use 
Office 2007.  Of course, since it is not yet shipping, you will be using a 
beta of Office 2007.  Note that some of the functionality will not be 
available with the current beta, but it will be in the final release.  Rest 
assured that Window-Eyes 6.0 will work with 2007.

Will Window-Eyes work with Microsoft Windows Vista?  The answer to this 
question is both yes and no.  Currently, Vista is still what is known as a 
"moving target" in the software world.  This means that things continue to 
change on a daily basis.  Since this is still the case, it is impossible for 
us to ship Window-Eyes, and have it work with an operating system that is 
not complete yet.  So, the public beta will not work with Windows Vista. 
However, GW Micro is committed to supporting Vista, and will be providing a 
FREE service pack in order to support Vista when it ships.  Just imagine, 
for the first time in history, there will be a screen reader that supports a 
new operating system when it ships.  The only cost you will have is to ship 
the new CD to your home.

That brings us to our next point, how much does Window-Eyes 6.0 cost?  The 
full version will cost $895.  However, you can purchase the full version of 
Window-Eyes 5.5, and receive the upgrade to 6.0 for FREE!  Remember, this is 
a limited time special.  When you purchase Window-Eyes while 6.0 is still in 
public beta, you can get the full version for the existing price of $795. 
So, if you have been waiting to order Window-Eyes, now is the time to do so 
to save $100!

If you are currently at Window-Eyes 5.5 Professional, the upgrade will only 
be $150 plus shipping to provide you with all of the great features that we 
have been talking about.  For upgrade prices for versions prior to 5.5, 
check out our catalog page at www.gwmicro.com/catalog, and then activate the 
Upgrades link.

Previously, I mentioned that we would have a special offer if you are still 
running an out-of-date operating system like Windows 9x.  And, you are 
saying, "But, I cannot afford Windows XP."  Today's current price at 
Amazon.com is only $49.99 for an upgrade to Windows XP.  We have taken the 
extra step, and put the link to the upgrade at www.gwmicro.com/beta.  How 
are we going to help you to afford the upgrade?  For those of you who 
already have the Professional edition of Window-Eyes, you will not need to 
migrate.  However, for those of you who are using the Standard edition of 
Window-Eyes, you will need to migrate, since 9x is no longer supported. 
Normally, it would cost $250 to migrate to the Professional edition of 
Window-Eyes.  But, up until the official release of Window-Eyes 6.0, we are 
running a
special. We're knocking $100 off the price of migrating to Window-Eyes 
Professional. That means $100 savings that you can use to upgrade to Windows 
XP. This is a great opportunity to migrate to Window-Eyes Professional, to 
start using Windows XP, and to enjoy the exciting new features that 
Window-Eyes 6.0 has to offer.

How else can we make Window-Eyes 6.0 more affordable to you?  As most of you 
know, it is possible to buy a brand new copy of Window-Eyes through our 
Lease-to-Own (LTO) program.  GW Micro is now proud to offer a LTO path for 
upgrades.  If the total cost of the upgrade would cost you $400 or more, 
then you can use the LTO program to upgrade to the latest version of 
Window-Eyes to help defray the cost.  If you choose this option, you must 
migrate, pay an extra $50, and pay for one upgrade via the LTO program. 
This will not be paid up front, but over time.  The first payment is $50 
plus shipping, and then $100 per month until the balance is paid in full.

Now, the moment you have all been waiting for.  To download and try 
Window-Eyes 6.0 Beta 1, simply go to www.gwmicro.com/beta.  Not only can you 
download the beta, but you can get a list of all enhancements for 
Window-Eyes 6.0 Beta 1.  We have only talked about the major features of 
Window-Eyes through this series.  But, there are many, many changes that we 
have not mentioned.  So, if you are one of our customers who wants even 
better stability, and performance enhancements, make sure to check out the 
list.  After you go to the page, activate the link to download the beta. 
Once the download is complete, activate the file, and let the installation 
begin!  If you have any questions, please call us at (260) 489-3671, Monday 
through Friday from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. (Eastern).  Or, you can contact us via 
email at support at gwmicro.com.

We hope you have enjoyed this Guess What series, and stay tuned to more 
Guess What episodes in the future.


Sincerely,

Christopher McMillan
Rehabilitation Engineer
http://christophermmcmillan.spaces.live.com
chrismcmillan at earthlink.net
203 404 7275   Work Number
203 286 2156   Fax Number
Chrismcmillan   Skype Username
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