From: Kelly.Ford@f8.n121.z1.fidonet.org (Kelly Ford)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Windows Bridge is real
Date: 3 Oct 92 03:06:50 GMT
Reply-To: Kelly.Ford@f8.n121.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:121/8 - JW-PC DataFlex.HST, Sun Prairie WI
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24602

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I'm not sure if my comments about Windows Bridge ever made it to this
echo.  I have had a problem with my Blink Talk connection that has left
some messages in a dead mail area on my local BBS.,
I have finally received my copy of Windows Bridge and I must say that
I'm quite impressed with the program.  I've bben using it for two weeks
now and it is really a pretty complete package.
It has everything you'd expect from a program that has to operate in an
environment like Windows.  It deals with all the pull down menus and
dialog bboxes really well.  When in the menus, you simply use the
Windows keys to do things but get all the text spoken automatically.  In
dialogs you can use the Tab key (a windows function) to move to the next
option or group of options.  In just about all cases the new option is
automatically spoken.
When things like check boxes appear you are told if they are marked or
not.
The program includes a DOS screen reader as well.  This too is pretty
complete.  My guess is that it is the current version of Slimware but I
don't know this for certain.  You can, however, easily switch between
Windows and Dos applications.  I typically run WordPerfect (I still like
the program) Excel for Windows and a Windows database package, the name
of which escapes me right now.
Windows Bridge also has facilities for naming icons and such.  for any
users of outSPOKEN, the screen access package for the Mac, you'll be
happy to know that the preferences or configurations files in Windows
Bridge are all separate, unlike outSPOKEN.  For everyone this means that
you can share icon dictionaries.
The most recent update to the program makes all of the online help
available in Windows very easy to deal with.  I've seen few, if any DOS
programs, with anything close to the amount of help available online in
either Windows or the Macintosh.  The especially nice think about all
the Windows help is the fact that it is all linked together.
When you enter the help system for Windows (as with most things in
Windows the help for each program operates the same) Windows Bridge
starts reading automatically.  Press the Tab key and you hear the first
linking word.  press the enter key and you are  taken to that word's
information.
Windows Bridge is by no means perfect but then what program is?  Nor am
I going to defend Syntha-Voice's history.  I've already mentioned here
that I think it took too long for me to get something I purchased but I
do know now (with a paper trail to follow_ that not every delay was the
fault of Syntha-Voice.
What I can say is that since I've purchased and received the program
I've found the company to be extremely responsive.  Calls, if not dealt
with on the spot, are typically returned within a couple of hours.
They've update various parts of the program several times in the past
couple weeks, making major improvments on what was already a very usable
product.
I think congratulations are in order for this company.  They are the
first to open the door to Windows and that's a major development.
I'll be happy to answer questions about the program for those that are
interested, assuming my BlinkTalk connection doesn't go south again.
Kelly

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