Jared Rimer’s Technology blog and podcast

GW Micro is proud to announce the release of Window-Eyes 7.2 Beta 1. Continuing on the success of previous versions, Window-Eyes 7.2 Beta 1 provides support for the latest applications, such as Office 2010 (soon to be released), and the latest version of iTunes. Window-Eyes 7.2 Beta 1 also enhances the stability, performance, reliability, and security that Window-Eyes users expect. With the addition of the Eloquence Performance patch, and multiple speed enhancements (such as access to list view controls), this maintenance release provides a significant performance boost.

You must already have an existing copy of Window-Eyes 7.X (including 7.0, 7.01, 7.02, 7.1, or 7.11) installed before installing Window-Eyes 7.2 Beta 1. Retail versions (including non-copy protected versions inside the United States, and Dongle and Everlock copy protected versions outside the United States), Payment Plan, and Evaluation versions are all supported by Window-Eyes 7.2 Beta 1.

Read more about the features and enhancements that Window-Eyes 7.2 Beta 1 has to offer, as well as important information and instructions regarding the installation of Window-Eyes 7.2 Beta 1 at this beta page. We anticipate a very short beta cycle, so please test this version of Window-Eyes extensively. If you encounter any problems, have any questions or issues, or any constructive feedback to provide, please contact support@gwmicro.com, or post to the GW-Info list.

Enjoy!

Oracle database can be hacked remotely: researcher | Reuters.

I wouldn’t blame oracle for all of this. Any software could have this type of a flaw. Oracle, since you’re being talked about here, how about fixing your software, and if other companies are found to have this, then they will be ordered to fix their stuff too, right? Come on oracle, stop fooling around, find what caused this, and get a patch out.

GW Micro is proud to announce that the BookSense officially supports Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). RFB&DAr is the leading accessible audio book library for students with disabilities such as visual impairment or dyslexia. BookSense customers can now take advantage of the large selection of textbooks available from the RFB&D service.

With the addition of support for RFB&D books, students can now instantly download textbooks from http://www.rfbd.org, and read the books on the BookSense. Textbooks are available from RFB&D’s AudioPlus service, which has books in DAISY format. Students can choose from any of the 50,000 books, all of which are read by humans, so students get the benefit of an actual person reading the book.

Adding RFB&D support to the BookSense adds even greater capability to one of the most advanced eBook readers available to people who are blind or visually impaired. The BookSense XT is the only eBook reader for the blind to have built-in Bluetooth for wire-free listening while in the classroom, as well as built-in memory to make it easier for students to carry textbooks without the need to worry about memory cards.
Whether you own the BookSense or BookSense XT, both models support RFB&D. Your player must be authorized to play RFB&D content. This means you must become an RFB&D member. You can sign up by going to www.rfbd.org, or by calling RFB&D at 1-800-221-4792. Once you have become a member of RFB&D, you will need to authorize your BookSense player. To learn how to authorize your player, go to www.gwmicro.com/kb1114.

If you have any other questions regarding the BookSense, please contact GW Micro at (260) 489-3671.

Sorry I’m late on this, This was posted September 11 of this year to the news list.
GW Micro is thrilled to announce new training opportunities to Window-Eyes customers. We have received many requests for training, and GW Micro is rising to the challenge to meet those needs.

We will continue to offer our two-day in-depth Window-Eyes classes that provide the entire Window-Eyes curriculum, and are held in various places around the country. While those classes are an excellent hands-on training, many beginners feel they need individual attention at first, especially in regards to the basics, which is what this training focuses on. Other Window-Eyes customers have used Window-Eyes for years without official training, and this is the perfect opportunity to hone in your Window-Eyes skills.

The training is broken up into four sections:

1. Getting started with Window-Eyes
2. Getting started with Window-Eyes and Microsoft Word
3. Getting started with Window-Eyes and the Internet
4. Getting started with Window-Eyes and Microsoft Outlook

Each of the four sections has a part one and a part two, and each part is an hour long. For example, Getting Started with Window-Eyes has two parts; part 1 and part 2 for a total of two hours. You may choose to take one or both parts of the training.

The cost is $99 per part. For example, Getting Started with Window-Eyes has two parts, so the cost would be $99 for each part. However, if you purchase both parts of a section at the same time, then you will save $30. So, if you were to purchase part one and part two of Getting Started with Window-Eyes at the same time, the price would be $168. This offer is not available if you purchase the two parts at a separate time. For example, if you purchase part one today and then purchase part two next week, you will not get the $30 discount.

What do you get with the training? You get over-the-phone individual training with a GW Micro certified trainer. There are no long-distance charges because the trainer will be calling you. This is the individual attention that many of you have asked for. There are many times when customers call technical support, and feel that they need a quick course in the best way to use Window-Eyes for some of the basics. That option is now available. Keep in mind that the training is not technical support, and there are specific items that are intended to be covered in each training session. This means that this is not a custom training, but instead, the training will focus on each topic. For information on what each topic covers, check out www.gwmicro.com/phonetraining.

Phone training from GW Micro is the perfect way to get started using Window-Eyes, as well as a valuable tool to start using Window-Eyes more effectively. If you wish to have written materials, then you should consider the Window-Eyes training class that GW Micro offers in various locations.

Another convenience of Window-Eyes phone training is availability. Once you have paid for the training, a GW Micro trainer will contact you to setup a time for your training. If you are a busy professional and work during the day, then this is the perfect solution for you because we are able to provide phone training to customers outside of our normal business hours. Weekend hours are extremely limited, but it is possible to schedule after-business hours training. Flexible hours and individual training are two of the biggest advantages to phone training.

As a special offer, if you are using an old version of Window-Eyes, you will receive 15 of your upgrade if you order the upgrade when purchasing training. This will save you money, and ensure your training goes smoothly. This offer expires on December 31, 2009.

GW Micro is proud to be the first screen-reader company to offer phone training. Be one of the first to take advantage of this training program. We anticipate a high demand, so training will be provided on a first-come, first served basis. Phone training is currently only available in the United States.

To order, call GW Micro at (260) 489-3671, and press the option for our Orders Department. For more information, contact Fred Wurtzel at (260) 489-3671, ext. 602 or via email at fred@training.gwmicro.com. Or, contact Jeremy Curry at (260) 489-3671, ext, 210 or via email at jeremy@gwmicro.com. Don’t forget to check out our Window-Eyes training classes, as well as our Window-Eyes Script Writing classes at www.gwmicro.com/training.

This was sent to me on July 2nd, 2009. Sorry its so late. Its still useful, even though the convensions are since past.

“GW Micro is proud to announce the release of the Braille Sense Plus QWERTY – a full featured notetaker boasting many of the great features of the Braille Sense Plus, with the addition of a 77-key, PC-like keyboard.

The Braille Sense Plus QWERTY includes a 32 cell Braille display, speech output and ergonomic design, weighing in at a mere 2 lbs. With 8GB of built-in storage memory you will have plenty of storage space for all the files you download using the built-in Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. 128MB of RAM provides for quick processing response time. The VGA Port allows you to have a conversation with a large group using an external monitor or projector. It also has one SD slot, one CF slot, two USB ports, a user-removable battery, and supports Bluetooth and GW Sense Navigation.

The Braille Sense Plus retails for $5995, plus shipping.

If you already own a Braille Sense Plus, you may choose to upgrade from your existing unit to a Braille Sense Plus QWERTY for the reduced price of $2000. This offer is only available until September 30, and will involve using some components of your existing Braille Sense Plus unit.

If you are attending the ACB or NFB national conventions we hope you will stop by our booth to try out the Braille Sense Plus QWERTY, and see the latest, most advanced QWERTY Braille notetaker in action.

For questions or to place an order, please call GW Micro at (260) 489-3671 or visit www.gwmicro.com to find a local GW Micro dealer.

I’m not posting the links as clickable at this time. I’m already late, so posting as is.

Greetings,

GW Micro is proud to announce the release of Window-Eyes 7.1. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the public beta cycle. Your feedback helps make Window-Eyes the best it can be.

Window-Eyes 7.1 is packed with features, including support for Windows 7, support for 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows 7, enhanced Braille functionality, new scripting features for end users and script authors, and more. Window-Eyes 7.1 also continues to build on the foundation of stability, performance, and reliability. The unrivaled Window-Eyes Error Reporting feature has again proved itself invaluable, allowing us to resolve a wide range of issues. We are committed to ensuring a stable computing environment so that you can get your job done, without worrying about crashes and unexpected reboots. You can rely on Window-Eyes.

Read more about the features that Window-Eyes 7.1 offers at http://www.gwmicro.com/Window-Eyes/Latest_Features.

If you own a copy of Window-Eyes 7.0, or Window-Eyes 7.01, you may download an upgrade to Window-Eyes 7.1 for FREE. To get started, either select the Window-Eyes Update option from the Help menu in the Window-Eyes control panel, or open a web browser and navigate to http://www.gwmicro.com/upgrade. If you prefer to obtain a CD version of Window-Eyes 7.1 for $20, you may do so by contacting our order department at 260-489-3671, or via email at orders@gwmicro.com.

If you have Window-Eyes 7.1 Beta 1 installed (either the 32-bit version or 64-bit version), you may download and install the final Window-Eyes 7.1 upgrade on top of the beta version. If you have a 64-bit operating system, but do not have Window-Eyes 7.1 Beta 1 installed, you will need to obtain a CD copy of Window-Eyes 7.1 for $20. Even if you do have Window-Eyes 7.1 Beta 1 installed on a 64-bit operating system, we strongly recommend purchasing a CD version of Window-Eyes 7.1 in case you need to re-install in the future. Contact our order department at 260-489-3671, or via email at orders@gwmicro.com, for additional information.

All versions of Window-Eyes 7.0/7.01 (Retail, Dongle, Everlock, Payment Plan, Evaluation, and Demo) can be upgraded to Window-Eyes 7.1.

If you do not own a current version of Window-Eyes, and are interested in upgrading, refer to the pricing information available at http://www.gwmicro.com/Catalog/Upgrades/.

Enjoy!