From: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Freeman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: window bridge and syntha
Date: 10 Sep 92 16:41:04 GMT
Reply-To: Mike.Freeman@f126.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/126 - Lawson & Reay, Vancouver WA
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference

Index Number: 24502

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

In a message to All <08 Aug 92 15:29> Paul Nobrega wrote:

 PN> As far as the validityof syntha-voice
 PN> and their products is concern, i would
 PN> like to     point out that A.T&T demonstrated Window
 PN> Bridge at the NFB National Convention. They would have to
 PN> be crazy to demo a product that didn't work; as they would
 PN> not want to taint their reputation in the industry.

Perhaps.  However, I, being the Secretary of the NFB in Computer
Science, was there for the demonstration.  As far as I am aware,
no one got the chance to play with the system and put it thru its
paces outside of the gentleman from AT&T (whom I am not maligning
here -- he did the best one could at giving a second-hand
demonstration).  But, as far as I am aware, no blind persons got
to play with the system and the situation was *certainly* not
comparable to that with IBM's Screen Reader for OS/2 in which
they had four machines set up in one of the hotels *just* for us
to play with!

I am not impugning Joe Lazarro or others who may review
Window-bridge; I simply maintain that no interview can substitute
for hands-on experience.  Also, it takes a number of people with
different ways of doing things to ferret out all the bugs in a
program.

 PN> i really hope that this bit of info
 PN> wil help to correct some unfair
 PN> perceptions and give syntha-voice and its staff the
 PN> credibility it deserves. i feel that when such a firm is
 PN> devoting so much energy in bettering our conditions, it
 PN> should be encouraged, not put down. even if some things
 PN> were not adequate, there are ways of informing the
 PN> concerned firm or person; mouthing them will not help the
 PN> blind in any way, espacially whenthe the  criticism is not
 PN> not coming from informed sources. let's work together
 PN> rather than against each other. paul

Admirable sentiments.  However, it should be admitted that Mr.
Kostyshyn is, so-to-speak, reaping that which he sewed.  Although
complainers are notoriously louder than priasers, I have heard
*far* more dissatisfied customers of Slimware than I have heard
proponents (about eight to one).

In addition, IMHO, Synthavoice, if it wants a cooperative spirit
from the blind computer users who are its potential customers, is
going to have to exhibit far more of a customer-oriiented mindset
than apparently has been its wont hieretofore.  It should make a
Windows demo available or, if not, give good reasons why not.  It
should also institute a better software trail mechanaism for
potential customers.  Above all, if it believes in its product,
it should get it out there and show it to blind users  If the
product measures up, it will sell itself.

Mike Freeman
... ** Sevareids law:  The cause of problems is solutions. **
___ CRR QWK 1.40

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