Freedom Scientific - FSCast

FSCast Episode 35, October 2009

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:15:00 GMT

October marks the release of Freedom Scientific's JAWS® 11 screen reading software and Microsoft's new operating system, Windows® 7. JAWS 11 offers a number of feature enhancements to improve accessibility with this new operating system, and Microsoft itself has made many changes. To get a user perspective on JAWS 11 and Windows 7, we are joined by J. R. Westmoreland, an experienced technology user. We discuss what's new in Windows 7 and when might be the right time to consider an upgrade.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast035-october2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 34, September 2009

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:30:00 GMT

This month, we continue to profile the new features in Freedom Scientific's JAWS® 11 screen reading software. Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management, updates us on the beta process as we move towards release.

Jonathan Mosen demonstrates some changes to Research It in JAWS 11 that have been implemented as a result of your feedback.

Glen Gordon, Freedom Scientific's Chief Technology officer, discusses the secure and compatible braille display driver initiative introduced in JAWS 11 to improve the experience of braille display users with JAWS. He is followed by Dirk Kochanek of Papenmeier, a German manufacturer of braille displays, who discusses the signed driver initiative from the perspective of a braille display manufacturer.

We round off FSCast this month with a voice familiar to many. Jim Ellsworth from our technical support department discusses his background and his work, so you can learn more about the man behind the voice.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast034-september2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 33, August 2009

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:00:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen is joined by Eric Damery, our Vice President of Software Product Management, to unveil what's new in our JAWS® 11 screen reading software. JAWS 11 will be in public beta starting the week of August 31.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast033-august2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 32, July 2009

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:00:00 GMT

This month's FSCast introduces three new products from Freedom Scientific.

Charlie Madsen joins us to describe our RUBY™ handheld video magnifier.

Ron Miller introduces Focus 40 Blue, our portable 40-cell braille display with Bluetooth® technology.

And Ron also demonstrates StreetTalk™ VIP, our powerful GPS solution for PAC Mate Omni™

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast032-july2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 31, June 2009

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:15:00 GMT

This month, we invite you to visit Freedom Scientific at the conventions of the American Council of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, and Sight Village in the UK.

Jonathan Mosen then speaks with award winning science fiction author Robert J Sawyer. The first of his WWW Trilogy was released in April. Its main character is a JAWS® user who spends plenty of time on the Web. Rob talks about the trilogy, its characters, and some important philosophical questions raised in the books.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast031-june2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 30, May 2009

Tue, 26 May 2009 19:30:00 GMT

This month's FSCast discusses the use of the social networking site Twitter in conjunction with JAWS® screen reading software and PAC Mate Omni™ accessible Pocket PC.

Jonathan Mosen speaks with Shannon Reece, Pratik Patel, and Mika Pyyhkala, who actively use Twitter with Freedom Scientific products. They discuss what Twitter is, how to sign up, and some third party applications and services they use to make the most of it.

Jonathan then speaks with Sean Randall, the author of Jawter, a set of JAWS scripts that give you access to Twitter from within any application while JAWS is running.

We're then joined by Jamal Mazrui, author of McTwit. This is a powerful application written specifically for blind Twitter users, with functions accessible using a series of keyboard commands.

If you use Microsoft Outlook®, you can send and receive tweets, and run Twitter searches, right from within your inbox. The Chief Executive of TechHit, Alex Kovalchuk, tells us about TWInbox, formerly known as OutTwit.

While the main Twitter site works very well with JAWS, Accessible Twitter offers a number of enhancements that makes the Twitter experience easier. It's creator, Dennis Lembree, tells us all about it.

During our discussions, we mention a number of other Twitter tools. Here are links to a few.

Twikini is a Windows Mobile Twitter client that's easy to use, and works well with PAC Mate Omni.

Twittermail facilitates the sending of tweets via e-mail, as well as scheduling tweets to be sent in the future.

Twimailer provides detailed follow notifications, so you can see some recent tweets from people who are following you.

Tweetlater offers many powerful enhancements to Twitter, including automatic sending of welcome messages and e-mailing a digest of replies.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast030-may2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 29, April 2009

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:30:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Dusty Vorhees about new features in Freedom Scientific's MAGic® screen magnification software version 11. Find out about the many enhancements in the recently released MAGic update, and how you can apply to test the next release. Dusty also tells us about new features in our OpenBook™ scanning and reading software.

T&T Consultancy have released Say MAGic, a powerful interface between MAGic and Dragon Naturally speaking. Brian Hartgen tells us all about it.

Skype™ is a popular way to make high quality calls over the Internet. Version 4 of Skype was recently released, offering improved audio quality. It has a completely new user interface. Doug Lee has written popular scripts for Skype for use with Freedom Scientific's JAWS® screen reading software. He joins us to talk about the pros and cons of upgrading to this new version of Skype.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast029-april2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 28, March 2009

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:45:00 GMT

This month's FSCast begins with a summary of Freedom Scientific-related activities you can enjoy at the 24th Annual CSUN International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference.

We then speak with Tom Wlodkowski, Director of Accessibility at AOL™. Tom talks about his role at AOL and invites feedback from FSCast listeners regarding the accessibility of AOL software and services. Following the positive response from listeners to our January FSCast on accessible Web 2.0 applications with Aria and Freedom Scientific's JAWS for Windows screen reading software, Tom describes the DHTML Style Guide. He shows how it helps to make Web 2.0 applications keyboard friendly, by demonstrating an accessible version of AOL Mail.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast028-march2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 27, February 2009

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:30:00 GMT

In this month's FSCast, learn about new Freedom Scientific Training workshops to assist you in using JAWS® screen reading software, MAGic® screen magnification software, and other Freedom Scientific products and get information on new interactive Webinars for online training from your home or office.

Guest: Dan Clark, Senior Trainer

We also speak to Henry Oliu, a blind Tampa Bay Rays baseball color commentator and Freedom Scientific access technology user.

Show Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast027-february2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 26, January 2009

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:45:00 GMT

This month's FSCast focuses on Web 2.0. Thanks to Freedom Scientific's JAWS® for Windows® and an emerging technology known as ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Application), Web sites using the latest technologies are becoming more accessible.

Freedom Scientific's Chief Technical Officer Glen Gordon explains ARIA and its benefits. Jonathan Mosen then demonstrates some applications with ARIA enabled for improved accessibility.

Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast026-january2009.mp3

FSCast Episode 25, December 2008

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:45:00 GMT

On this month's FSCast, a beta version of our JAWS® for Windows® screen reading software is announced for the 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista®. Guest: Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management

International Product Specialist Oleg Shevkun talks about growing up in the Soviet Union and the remarkable story that led him to Freedom Scientific.

Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast025-december2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 24, November 2008

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:00:00 GMT

This month's FSCast looks at Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for the blind with VoIP specialist Patrick Perdue. Patrick, who uses Freedom Scientific technology, discusses the advantages of using the Internet, rather than a telephone services carrier. You'll also learn about easy control of VoIP services with a Web browser and JAWS® for Windows® screen reading software, and you can sit in as we make actual calls using JAWS and the PAC Mate Omni™ Accessible Pocket PC for the blind.

Host: Jonathan Mosen

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast024-november2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 23, October 2008

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:30:00 GMT

This month's FSCast with Jonathan Mosen features the new SAPPHIRE™ portable video magnifier for low vision -less than 2 lbs., flexible, and foldable for magnification of flat documents and 3D objects - as well as for writing. Guest: Brad Davis, Freedom Scientific Vice President of Hardware Management

FSCast also spotlights T&T Consultancy's J-Tools - a set of JAWS® screen reading software scripts that add productivity and efficiency features for the blind. Guests: Brian Hartgen and Sue Martin

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast023-october2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 22, September 2008

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:20:00 GMT

This month, Eric Damery returns to talk about the next public beta of JAWS® 10. Not only have we made changes in response to your feedback, but there are exciting new features to show you. We'll demonstrate the powerful out-of-the-box access JAWS users can now enjoy with iTunes® 8. Plus, we unveil a significant new feature that will change the way many JAWS users receive support and assistance. This is an FSCast you won't want to miss.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast022-september2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 21, August 2008

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:00 GMT

This month, FSCast unveils JAWS® 10, as Jonathan Mosen speaks with Eric Damery, Freedom Scientific's Vice President of Software Product Management. In advance of the first public beta, Eric will demonstrate a wide range of new features that provide unparalleled access to Windows®.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast021-august2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 20, July 2008

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:15:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen introduces PAC Mate Omni™ 6.1, a free upgrade for all PAC Mate Omni users that puts this accessible Pocket PC even further ahead of the pack.

Get information about several exciting new features including: full support for contracted braille input, the new Reader Mode which provides access to PDF files, and the addition of new Navigation Quick Keys. In addition, learn about the new upgrade path that enables users to keep their data and installed applications in tact when the firmware is updated.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast020-july2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 19, June 2008

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:30:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Olga Espinola from Freedom Scientific's scripting department. Olga has been a user, trainer, and influential force in assistive technology for a quarter of a century. She discusses her fascinating career, reminisces about the evolution of assistive technology, and offers some advice to people considering a career in technology.

We also summarize Freedom Scientific-related events at this year's Sight Village exhibition in the UK.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast019-june2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 18, May 2008

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:15:00 GMT

In this month's FSCast, we tell you about new releases of JAWS® and MAGic®, announce the return of our Open Plan notetaker trade-in offer, and take you through the schedule of Freedom Scientific events at the forthcoming conventions of the National Federation of the Blind, and American Council of the Blind.

During this episode you can also listen to a recording of "PAC Mate Omni™, Beyond the Basics", a presentation delivered at the CSUN 2008 conference by Jonathan Mosen.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast018-may2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 17, April 2008

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:00:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen speaks with several users of Freedom Scientific's MAGic® screen magnification software. We learn how MAGic is used stand-alone, in conjunction with speech and braille, in situations where scripting can help productivity, and in complex network installations.

We also tell you about our free MAGic trial, allowing you to try MAGic at absolutely no cost until the end of August.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast017-april2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 16, March 2008

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:30:00 GMT

This month's FSCast features some presentations given in conjunction with the CSUN Conference.

Eric Damery talks about JAWS® 9 and demonstrates the seamless integration between JAWS and MAGic®.

Dusty Voorhees discusses some of the new and unique features in MAGic 11.

David Pinto of Yes Accessible introduces us to version 3.0 of Typeability, with new lessons covering JAWS keystrokes.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast016-march2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 15, February 2008

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:00:00 GMT

In this month's FSCast, we'll tell you about all the Freedom Scientific presentations you can attend at this year's CSUN conference in Los Angeles. You'll also hear about our special CSUN reception where you can meet many familiar names from Freedom Scientific and enjoy some great hospitality.

Jonathan Mosen then speaks with David Pinto of Yes Accessible. With no programming background but a natural gift of being able to share knowledge, David began developing a range of JAWS for Windows® scripts. CakeTalking and Sibelius Speaking are sold in the US by Dancing Dots. Typeability, which we demonstrate later in the podcast, is available directly from Yes Accessible.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast015-february2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 14, January 2008

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:45:00 GMT

This month, we discuss how JAWS can help you to manage content on your MP3 player.

Technology author Anna Dresner joins us to discuss taking your music on the go and, in particular, working with Apple® iPods® and iTunes®.

We also feature a demonstration of J-Tunes from T and T Consultancy, which allows JAWS users to buy music from the iTunes store, listen to iTunes Radio, manage their iPods, create playlists and more.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast014-january2008.mp3

FSCast Episode 13, December 2007

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:30:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Brad Davis about Freedom Scientific's low vision hardware, including the TOPAZ™, ONYX™, and OPAL™. They also will demonstrate the SARA™, the Scanning and Reading Appliance, which has features of interest to both blind and low vision users.

The PAC Mate Omni™ is now shipping. Ron Miller joins Jonathan to discuss how you can upgrade your existing PAC Mate to this latest technology.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast013-december2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 12, November 2007

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:00:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen demonstrates working with RSS and podcast feeds using Internet Explorer® 7 and JAWS® 9.0.

Then we speak with Mark Arnold of the US Blind Golf Association (http://www.blindgolf.com). Mark tells us about how blind golf is played and discusses his experiences as a JAWS and MAGic® user.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast012-november2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 11, October 2007

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:00:00 GMT

In this edition of FSCast, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Dusty Voorhees about two exciting software updates. OpenBook™ 8.0 scanning and reading software is so much more than an optical character recognition package. Find out about the many enhancements that make OpenBook a powerful way to convert printed documents or graphic-based text into an electronic text format using accurate optical character recognition and quality speech.

MAGic® 11.0 screen magnification software for low vision users is currently in public beta. Dusty tells us what's new.

One of the many benefits of the PAC Mate™ accessible Pocket PC is that its uses can be expanded with third-party, mainstream software right out of the box. Many users write scripts to make other off-the-shelf applications accessible. Louis Bryant of BrailleSoft has gone a step further by developing games and original utilities for PAC Mate.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast011-october2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 10, September 2007

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:30:00 GMT

In this month's FSCast, Jonathan Mosen talks with Eric Damery, as we unveil the many exciting new features in JAWS 9.0.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast010-september2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 9, August 2007

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:00:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Glen Gordon, Freedom Scientific's Chief Technology officer. Glen tells us a little about himself, talks about writing the first versions of JAWS for Windows®, and examines some of today's technological challenges.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast009-august2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 8, July 2007

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:30:00 GMT

Jonathan Mosen demonstrates the PAC Mate™ Omni.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast008-july2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 7, June 2007

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:00:00 GMT

On this month's FSCast, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Eric Damery regarding the latest release of JAWS 8.0 and a few hints about what's coming in JAWS 9.0.

Jim Snowbarger (AKA the Snowman) talks about his range of scripts available for purchase on the Snowman Web site, as well as his free Hotspot Clicker utility that makes it easy to configure difficult applications.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast007-june2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 6, May 2007

Tue, 15 May 2007 21:45:00 GMT

This month, we speak with Dr. Lee Hamilton, President and CEO of Freedom Scientific. Lee has been with Freedom Scientific now for five years. In this interview, we find out a little about him and answer some commonly-asked questions.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast006-may2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 5, April 2007

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:00:00 GMT

This month on FSCast, we speak with Dan Clark of our Training Department. Learn about all of the training resources we produce to help you get the most out of your Freedom Scientific products, as well as training courses you can attend.

Doug Lee has written free JAWS scripts that make Skype™ more convenient to use with JAWS. With the free Skype software, computer users can talk to other Skype users. Skype also offers premium services letting you make telephone calls from your PC. Doug talks about the scripts for JAWS.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast005-april2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 4, March 2007

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 19:00:00 GMT

This month, we talk about the PAC Mate™ accessible Pocket PC and Focus braille displays. Ron Miller, whose voice will be familiar to users of the PAC Mate audio tutorial, joins us to talk about these products. He demonstrates the forthcoming StreetTalk™ 2.0 GPS solution, as well as our ScanTalker™ accessible barcode scanner for PAC Mate.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast004-march2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 3, February 2007

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:00:00 GMT

This month, FSCast features an interview with Dusty Voorhees, one of our product managers at Freedom Scientific. We'll talk about MAGic® screen magnification software. You'll hear what makes MAGic unique, what's new in the MAGic 10.5 release, and learn about an exciting new edition of MAGic. Dusty also has great news for OpenBook™ users, as he updates us on the OpenBook development cycle.

Jonathan Mosen then speaks with Terry Clasper and Brian Hartgen of T&T Consultancy in the United Kingdom. We learn about how you can control your computer completely by voice using the J-Say solution for JAWS® and Dragon® NaturallySpeaking™. Brian, who is not a computer programmer by training, discusses how he learned to write such powerful JAWS scripts. We hear about what's in store for low vision users regarding access to Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and find out about what support is available for users of the Windows Vista™ speech recognition.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast003-february2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 2, January 2007

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:00:00 GMT

This month, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Glen Gordon and Eric Damery about Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista. We discuss what's new in Vista, demonstrate JAWS running on a Windows Vista machine, and outline how JAWS will work with Windows Vista.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast002-january2007.mp3

FSCast Episode 1, December 2006

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:00:00 GMT

In this edition of FSCast, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Bryan Carver, the Director of Technical Support at Freedom Scientific.

We also learn more about pacmategear.com and speak with three key people behind the PAC Mate Gear user-guided Web site, Olegg Shevkun, Patrick Turnage, and David Engebretson.

Find the audio for this podcast at http://podcast.freedomscientific.com/FSCast/episodes/fscast001-december2006.mp3