[NIFL-LD:4811] RE: Reading software

From: VB (veb8899@fastmail.fm)
Date: Sat Aug 13 2005 - 18:20:41 EDT


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From: "VB" <veb8899@fastmail.fm>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-LD:4811] RE: Reading software
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Hi,

Since we are discussing this topic, does anyone know if there is any screen
reading software program that has the double highlighting feature like the
Wynn and Kurzweil Readers have but is less expensive?   I am looking to
purchase this type of program for myself and really do not want to spend
$400 or a program that has features that I mostly wouldn't use.

But the cheap screen reading programs lack the double highlighting feature,
which is crucial for me to get anything out of the software.   I know that
Premiere Programming (I hope I have the right name) offers what I call a
poor man's version of the Wynn and Kurzweil Readers.   But I do not like the
color schemes that they offer.

At one point, I tried the Cast Reader but the program refused to open even
though I tried everything I could think of to correct the problem.   When I
later reinstalled the program, I received the infamous "your trial period
has expired" even though I never used the program.   Emails to the company
were not returned.

NextUp, which produces Text Aloud, which by the way is a great program for
around $25, plans to eventually implement the double highlighting feature in
this product.   But unfortunately, it is not on their immediate list of
features to implement and it doesn't sound like it will be done anytime
soon.

However, if you don't need the double highlighting feature for the people
you work with or yourself, NextUp, besides producing a great product, has
outstanding customer service.   When I initially tried the product out as I
thought it might have more features than what I am currently using, Read
Please, I couldn't get it to run correctly.   Ken White, treated me like a
regular customer and was very very prompt in responding to emails.    Sad to
say, I received much better treatment from him than from companies whose
products I own.  Another post.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Vivian

-----Original Message-----
From: nifl-ld@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-ld@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of
PDuffleyRenow@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 1:50 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-LD:4808] Reading software

Kurzweil 3000 and Read and Write Gold 7.1E are some other excellent
software programs. Co Writer is an excellent word prediction software
program  that I have used with adult learners. I have had great success with
Reading  Horizons teaching phonics to adult learners. There is a free
decoding assessment  on the HEC website. Other software that can be used and
adapted for adults is classroom suite by Intellitools. Wordmaker by Don
Johnston. I used powerpoint to create my own assessments. 
Patricia Duffley-Renow
Assistive Technology  Practitioner



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