Opposing Freedom Scientific's Secure and Compatible Braille Display Initiative
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Freedom Scientific LLC.
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Sponsored By:
National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science and Open Braille API Initiative -
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On August 11, 2009 Freedom Scientific announced its "Secure and Compatible Braille Display Initiative" which it says is being introduced in the name of security with respect to its JAWS for Windows screen access program. This announcement may be found at:
http://www.freedomscientific.com/news/pressroom/2009/secure-compatible-braille-displays.asp
The announcement explains that, "The goal of this new program is to follow Microsoft's move to signed drivers to improve security and compatibility for customers who use a Braille display."
According to Freedom Scientific, this policy will go into effect with the 64-bit version of JAWS 11, which is soon to be released; Users of 32-bit versions of the Windows operating system will not be affected.
In the same article, Freedom Scientific points out that "most new computers now come with 64-bit Microsoft Windows preinstalled," implying that in the very near future, it will no longer be possible to purchase a new computer with the 32-bit version of the Windows operating system.
Put into layman terms, Braille displays require a screen reader in order to work. Freedom Scientific has steadfastly refused to provide Braille display manufacturers with the driver development kit required to enable a particular Braille device to communicate with JAWS. Instead, the manufacturer must first pay an outrageous sum of money before support for the Braille device will be permitted. What's more, this charge to the Braille display manufacturer is not a one-time fee but is imposed annually.
In his article posted to the GW Micro Blog entitled A Thought on Braille Driver Signing, posted on August 15, 2009, Doug Geoffray, lead developer of the
Window-Eyes screen reader wrote:
"I have a hard time accepting the concept of requiring digitally signed
Braille drivers in the name of security when the JAWS mirror driver itself
isn't digitally signed by Microsoft."
You will find Mr. Geoffray's article in its entirety at:
http://www.gwmicro.com/blog/index.php/all/?title=a-thought-on-braille-driver -signing more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#c434
One might ask how Freedom Scientific can play the gatekeeper to its JAWS product where Braille driver support is concerned. The answer is simply and for no other reason because it can. It is certainly not because Freedom Scientific's Braille displays in and of themselves offer any higher level of security.
This petition contends that Freedom Scientific's Braille driver signing program is not in the best interest of consumers and will only serve to harm the Braille reading community as a whole.
In the September, 2009 FScast, a Podcast produced by freedom Scientific Product Manager and Host Jonathan Mosen, Mr. Mosen asked Glen Gordon, Freedom Scientific's Chief Technology officer, if he could site an instance where a virus had been introduced into the operating system upon the installation of a Braille display driver. Not only did Mr. Gordon deliberately evade this question to which a yes or no answer would have sufficed, but he gave the reason that driver signing is a preventative measure and compared it to having fire insurance.
Freedom Scientific is surely aware that in order to justify the expense of driver signing, the Braille display manufacturers will have no other choice but to raise prices at a time where they are doing all they can to lower costs in these economically turbulent times. Under the same pretext of a heightened level of security, perhaps Freedom Scientific should require that manufacturers of mainstream keyboards, mice, and other common hardware have their drivers signed before allowing them to be supported under JAWS.
I for one am shocked, appalled, and amazed that Freedom Scientific would impose such limitations and restrictions not only upon its own customer base but also on those organizations which manufacture products that supplement the information that JAWS provides. This draconian and self-serving policy is not at all in keeping with the pro-Braille spirit exemplified by the Braille Readers are Leaders Initiative set into motion earlier this year by the National Federation of the Blind in honor of the Bicentennial celebration of Louis Braille. Instead of offering an additional opportunity to expand the usage of Braille, it stifles the ability of the blind consumer to choose the Braille display that will best meet his/her needs.
I sincerely believe that what Freedom Scientific is doing is flat out wrong and that continuing down this path will have far reaching and negative repercussions for Braille users worldwide. Please sign this petition to let Freedom Scientific know that penalizing people for using Braille displays other than the Braille Focus is wrong!
http://www.freedomscientific.com/news/pressroom/2009/secure-compatible-braille-displays.asp
The announcement explains that, "The goal of this new program is to follow Microsoft's move to signed drivers to improve security and compatibility for customers who use a Braille display."
According to Freedom Scientific, this policy will go into effect with the 64-bit version of JAWS 11, which is soon to be released; Users of 32-bit versions of the Windows operating system will not be affected.
In the same article, Freedom Scientific points out that "most new computers now come with 64-bit Microsoft Windows preinstalled," implying that in the very near future, it will no longer be possible to purchase a new computer with the 32-bit version of the Windows operating system.
Put into layman terms, Braille displays require a screen reader in order to work. Freedom Scientific has steadfastly refused to provide Braille display manufacturers with the driver development kit required to enable a particular Braille device to communicate with JAWS. Instead, the manufacturer must first pay an outrageous sum of money before support for the Braille device will be permitted. What's more, this charge to the Braille display manufacturer is not a one-time fee but is imposed annually.
In his article posted to the GW Micro Blog entitled A Thought on Braille Driver Signing, posted on August 15, 2009, Doug Geoffray, lead developer of the
Window-Eyes screen reader wrote:
"I have a hard time accepting the concept of requiring digitally signed
Braille drivers in the name of security when the JAWS mirror driver itself
isn't digitally signed by Microsoft."
You will find Mr. Geoffray's article in its entirety at:
http://www.gwmicro.com/blog/index.php/all/?title=a-thought-on-braille-driver -signing more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#c434
One might ask how Freedom Scientific can play the gatekeeper to its JAWS product where Braille driver support is concerned. The answer is simply and for no other reason because it can. It is certainly not because Freedom Scientific's Braille displays in and of themselves offer any higher level of security.
This petition contends that Freedom Scientific's Braille driver signing program is not in the best interest of consumers and will only serve to harm the Braille reading community as a whole.
In the September, 2009 FScast, a Podcast produced by freedom Scientific Product Manager and Host Jonathan Mosen, Mr. Mosen asked Glen Gordon, Freedom Scientific's Chief Technology officer, if he could site an instance where a virus had been introduced into the operating system upon the installation of a Braille display driver. Not only did Mr. Gordon deliberately evade this question to which a yes or no answer would have sufficed, but he gave the reason that driver signing is a preventative measure and compared it to having fire insurance.
Freedom Scientific is surely aware that in order to justify the expense of driver signing, the Braille display manufacturers will have no other choice but to raise prices at a time where they are doing all they can to lower costs in these economically turbulent times. Under the same pretext of a heightened level of security, perhaps Freedom Scientific should require that manufacturers of mainstream keyboards, mice, and other common hardware have their drivers signed before allowing them to be supported under JAWS.
I for one am shocked, appalled, and amazed that Freedom Scientific would impose such limitations and restrictions not only upon its own customer base but also on those organizations which manufacture products that supplement the information that JAWS provides. This draconian and self-serving policy is not at all in keeping with the pro-Braille spirit exemplified by the Braille Readers are Leaders Initiative set into motion earlier this year by the National Federation of the Blind in honor of the Bicentennial celebration of Louis Braille. Instead of offering an additional opportunity to expand the usage of Braille, it stifles the ability of the blind consumer to choose the Braille display that will best meet his/her needs.
I sincerely believe that what Freedom Scientific is doing is flat out wrong and that continuing down this path will have far reaching and negative repercussions for Braille users worldwide. Please sign this petition to let Freedom Scientific know that penalizing people for using Braille displays other than the Braille Focus is wrong!
1168 Signatures
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Buddy Brannan
- Comments
- This initiative is simply unconscionable, and I certainly oppose FS's attempt to stifle, or at least discourage, use of displays other than its own with its screen reader.
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Jan Bailey
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Cory
- Comments
- This is crazy and isn't fare. It doesn't give the consumer the choice that he/she has or should have the right to.
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Mich Verrier
- Comments
- I agree with all that has been said on this topic. I hope this helps fs go down the right path.
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Milissa Garside
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larry krejci
- Comments
- the greed for money has to stop in the assistive technology field
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Matthew Janusauskas
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Rick Alfaro
- Comments
- Best way to oppose this kind of shameful behavior is to not buy their products.
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Ginny Owens
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Kelly Jo Dunn
- Comments
- Literacy is something that is a right and access to materials on the web, using email, using a word processor should never be limited by a screen reading software in any way.
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Richard Wells
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Stephen Clower
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- This is just another attempt by Freedom Scientific to extort the blind community. I am whole-heartedly against this practice but, based on past money-making schemes, I'm not terribly surprised. FS, for once, stop throwing your weight around and do something positive and useful for the blind community and braille readers in particular. Your customers, believe it or not, still have a choice. Continuing to stifle innovation will only drive people to more open and affordable alternatives.
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Theresa Taylor
- Comments
- It seems unfair to shut out other braille displays...the customer has the right to choose what braille display and what screen reader...please keep this right alive....
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David Wright
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John Harden
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Travis Butler
- Comments
- Please, please, please! We're all supposed to be promoting literacy and equality for all, not introducing draconian measures into our products and policies aimed at making yourselves bigger than everyone else. This Braille Driver Signing Initiative is not the way to promote an honest and upright company. Please reconsider in the name of the customers you serve.
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Ellen Rawlings
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Ezra Timberlake-Alves
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Jeff Bishop
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Brandon Hicks
- Comments
- This program is based on politics and greed. When a freedom scientific employee asks a valid question on their official podcast and the one responsible for the program avoids it, that shows us right there that this program is not based on security as has been claimed.
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Mike F
- Comments
- This is outrageous, just another strategy for FS to make money, as if they don't make enough already selling thousands of copies of JFW, braille displays and Pac Mates. I'm quite sure this will lose FS some JAWS customers, those who have a choice. Again, outrageous. What about the deaf blind who need their displays?
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Cynthia Handel
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Brandon Bracey
- Comments
- I love how they use security as an excuse to pettle their crappy idea.
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Chanelle
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Holly Anderson
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Julia Chang
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Joy Tilton
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Aaron Harrison
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Cameron Roles
- Comments
- I think FS should stop imposing more requirements on their customers. Window eyes, snow leopard etc let you use any display you like - so should FS.
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Austin Grace
- Comments
- i have to wonder. what is with freedom scientific? first they sue gw micro over something that gw micro started then freedom scientific stole. by this i mean the place marker issue. then they do this? im thinking of going to a mac or window eyes or something. it's hard to support a company that does this stuff.....
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Brent Harding
- Comments
- I never liked this idea of signing the braille drivers since I first heard about it. This is because FS makes braille displays themselves, and controlling which ones will be usable in JFW doesn't seem right.
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Luis Peсa
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Lisa Salinger
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Jason Horacio Santa Ana-White
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Michael J. Mello
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Roxy Homstad
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Lu Ann Schmidt
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Mike Schmidt
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Aaron Cannon
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- I'm a long-time Jaws user, and I usually try to give Freedom Scientific the benifit of the doubt, but this is obviously just a money grab. If you are that in need of cash, just raise your prices. Don't play games which will end up making already expensive hardware that much more out of reach.
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juan Bello
- Comments
- there we go! not only freedom scientific has fallen out of the line with production rates, which only aid in sales rather than quality, but it now decides to follow the steps of such corrupt and cryminal industries as the flim and music industry. Thankfully, we have many other alternatives available and should freedom scientific get away with their money lawndering those alternatives will be better than any product freedom scientific has ever made because the alternatives think of their customers, not their greedy pockets. I feel this is a complete an utterly detestable abuse of a disability, and its indeed more wrong than the cryminals that break into your house and destroy you and your family. Its liek genozide against the technology, the very limitted and yet developping technology that persons with disabilities can use.
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Juliana Peсa
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Frank Lizarde
- Comments
- First there expencive protection skeems, then charging mor for there pro version than there home version, and now this? Does Freedom scientific really care about us blind people? No, I don't think so. They should follow the example of companies like Serotek, GW Micro, and Apple just to name a few. It's a real shame, because I'm a JAWS user. Freedom Scientific, don't dig your own grave!
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Robert Jaquiss
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Jeffrey Young
- Comments
- Anyone who supports Braille literacy should sign this petition
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D. H. Carter
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Krishna Jariwala
- Comments
- that's just one more reason why I've switched to System Access
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Terrell Jones
- Comments
- FS is in it for the money. They have bugs in the PAC Mate, and Bugs in JAWS. I have heard that they are not in good shape financially. They are probably thinking "Oh crap, how can we dig ourselves out of this hole?"
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Brett Campbell
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Jedi Moerke
- Comments
- This new security feature works. It's so good that you've secured your fate. way to go FS! *head/palm*
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Darcy Burnard
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1168
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