Freedom Scientific FSCast
167 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★★ - 22 ratingsThe official podcast of Freedom Scientific, leaders in assistive technology for blind people and those with low vision. Hosted by Glen Gordon, FSCast features news, interviews, and product demonstrations relating to Freedom Scientific products such as JAWS and ZoomText. FSCast is a great way to make the most of the products you have as well as learning about what's new and what's around the corner.
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Episodes
FSCast 193, Student Of The Month Taylor Cox, and JAWS developer Mohammed Laachir
December 22, 2020 16:39 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBOn FSCast 193 we’ll meet Taylor Cox. She’s our first Freedom Scientific Student of the Month. Then it’s over to Amsterdam for a visit with Mohammed Laachir. We’ll hear how he rapidly switched from using ZoomText to using JAWS full-time, and how he went from being an FSOpenLine caller to a JAWS developer. Transcript available at blog.freedomscientific.com.
FsCast 192, archive of FSOpenLine from November 2020
December 04, 2020 17:14 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBOn the archive of FSOpenLine from November 2020, Your questions about a variety of issues including: Getting Chrome to automatically describe images, JAWS on ARM processors, and multiple selection of items in list boxes on the web. Transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com
FSCast 191, all about Computers For The Blind, and an interview with JAWS scripter Doug Lee
November 25, 2020 14:42 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBOn FSCast 191, Christy Householter talks about Computers for the Blind, a place to get a refurbished computer if you live in the U.S. Then a visit with JAWS scripting ninja Doug Lee. We’ll learn about his life and why he scripts so many popular apps for free. And, finally, a song about JAWS keyboard commands from the students at the Texas School for the Blind. Transcript available at blog.freedomscientific.com.
FSCast 190, Rachael Bradley Montgomery talks about accessible escape rooms, and Ed Potter tells the story of Playback Magazine
October 28, 2020 16:47 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBOn FSCast 190, news about the release schedule for Jaws, ZoomText, and Fusion 2021. Rachael Bradley Montgomery talks about escape rooms, what they are, and what Vispero has done to prove that they can be made inclusive of people with disabilities. Then Ed Potter drops in. He’s the man who created Playback, a cassette magazine where blind people turned for technology news long before the Internet.
FSCast 189, A demonstration of new features in JAWS and Fusion 2021, and David Kingsbury's new book "When One Web Browser Is Not Enough"
September 23, 2020 14:20 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBOn FSCast 189, the 2021 versions of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion are just around the corner. We’ll demonstrate the new Voice Assistant, OCR directly to Word, improvements to Picture Smart on the web, and the new streamlined way of reading messages in Outlook. Plus, David Kingsbury is back to talk about his new book: “When One Web Browser Is Not Enough”
FSCast 188, archive of the August 2020 FSOpenLine
September 08, 2020 16:32 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBNews about features coming in the first public beta of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2021. Plus, your questions on a variety of topics including: JAWS with Citrix, simplifying the JAWS UI, WhatsApp Web, and mail merge in Word.
FSCast 187 - Dan Clark, the long time voice of JAWS training, and Laura Wolk, the first blind woman to clerk for a Supreme Court Justice
August 26, 2020 16:14 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBOn FSCast 187 we’ll get to know Dan Clark who’s been the voice of JAWS training for the past twenty years. We’ll also meet Laura Wolk who just completed a year clerking for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with JAWS by her side.
FSCast 186, Blindness consultant Joe Strechay, a new Freedom Scientific Training podcast, and a demo of the JAWS feature to prevent speech cut off
July 22, 2020 16:45 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBOn FSCast 186, we meet blindness consultant and TV producer Joe Strechay who helps ensure that blind people are accurately portrayed in media. There’s news about the new Freedom Scientific training podcast, and Jonathan Mosen drops in with a demo of the new JAWS feature to prevent speech cut off when using certain audio devices.
FSCast 185, A profile of musician and longtime JAWS scripter Dave Leo Baker, Using Reaper for audio production, features in the June product updates, and U.S. summer product specials.
June 23, 2020 16:49 - 47 minutes - 44 MBOn FSCast 185, we meet Dave Leo Baker who spent over twenty years in the JAWS scripting department before setting off on his own to pursue a musical career. Jim Snowbarger talks about why Reaper software and his JAWS scripts are a powerful combination for doing any sort of audio production. Plus, Eric Damery with news about what’s in the June product updates, and info about special U.S. product pricing that coincides with the summer NFB and ACB conventions. Transcript available ...
FSCast 184, archive of the May 2020 FSOpenLine
June 02, 2020 13:26 - 53 minutes - 49 MBOn the May 2020 FSOpenLine, a preview of June product updates that bring a new Braille and Text Viewer, plus a JAWS feature that prevents chopping off the beginning of words when using some laptops and Bluetooth headphones. Of course, we also take your calls on a variety of topics including scripts for YouTube and Wireshark from Doug Lee, and a new ElBraille mailing list. Transcript available at https://blog.freedomscientific.com/fscast/ http://blog.freedomscientific.com/fscast/
FSCast 183, using the SAS Graphics accelerator to listen to graphs and charts
May 13, 2020 16:20 - 30 minutes - 28 MBOn FSCast 183, we’re joined by Ed Summers, director of accessibility at SAS, to get a stereo demo of the SAS Graphics accelerator, and to learn about accessible SAS tools for doing statistics. He’ll also direct us to some of his blog posts about how he trained himself to listen to synthesized speech at close to 600 words per minute.
FSCast 182, NFB president Mark Riccobono, and ACB president Dan Spoone on coping with COVID-19
March 31, 2020 21:13 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBOn FSCast 182, we focus on coping with COVID-19. NFB president Mark Riccobono, and ACB president Dan Spoone discuss what these advocacy organizations are doing to help. Richard Tapping talks about product offers for students and employees now at home, and Rachel Buchanan lets us know about special training opportunities.
FSCast 181, Freedom Scientific sessions at the CSUN technology conference, a power tip, and a discussion about the latest generation of ElBraille
March 09, 2020 16:48 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBOn FSCast 181, we preview Freedom Scientific sessions at the CSUN technology conference, Joseph LaFauci Offers up a JAWS Power Tip, and we get details about the latest ElBraille from Ron Miller and Adi Kushner.
FSCast 180, archive of the February 2020 FSOpenLine
March 02, 2020 17:55 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBOn the archive of the February 2020 FSOpenLine, tips on listening to FSCast on your smart speaker, using TurboTax with JAWS, and your calls on a variety of topics ranging from accessible statistical software to the need for more advance Microsoft Teams training.
FSCast 179, CSUN technology conference coming in March, product updates in early February, and Everything you wanted to know about the new Chromium based Microsoft Edge
January 21, 2020 17:18 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBDetails about the upcoming March 2020 CSUN Technology conference, a preview of the JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2020 updates coming in early February, two Power Tips, and a demonstration of JAWS working in the new Chromium based Microsoft Edge.
FSCast 178 - A visit with Brian Hartgen, creator of J-Say, Leasey and other JAWS scripts
December 11, 2019 14:11 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBBrian joins John and Larry Gassman to discuss his 25 year career as an assistive technology trainer, the things that motivate him to extend JAWS functionality, and what's new in the products he offers. Plus, a JAWS Power Tip from Michael Fulton.
FSCast 177, archive of the November 2019 FSOpenLine
November 25, 2019 18:19 - 50 minutes - 46 MBYour calls on a variety of topics including the new Chromium based Microsoft Edge, making our non-visual products more sighted friendly, the JAWS Skim Reading feature, whether to take the plunge upgrading from Office 2010 to Office 365, and more.
FSCast 176 - The 2020 versions of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion release at the end of October, a JAWS Power Tip, and things you might not know about our free product training.
October 25, 2019 15:56 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MBEric Damery is back to get you prepared for the upcoming product releases, Debee Armstrong offers up a JAWS Power tip, and Rachel Buchanan talks about the ongoing process of enhancing free product training and documentation.
FSCast 175, archive of the September 2019 FSOpenLine
September 25, 2019 15:42 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBMore details about using the new JAWS Scan cursor that’s part of the JAWS 2020 public beta, a reminder about bringing your SMA up to date before the end of October, and of course your calls. This time, questions about PictureSmart, additional Vocalizer voices, Home Annual license renewal, and more.
FSCast 174 - Eric Damery previews the first JAWS 2020 public beta, and retired Superior Court Judge David Szumowski previews his new autobiography "Reach for More."
September 16, 2019 15:53 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBEric Damery joins John and Larry Gassman to discuss what’s coming in the first public beta of JAWS 2020, and David Szumowski talks about assistive technology and his legal career.
FSCast 173: Software updates Release August 6, John Gassman wins Disney's highest award, and a new book about formatting Word documents using a screen reader
August 05, 2019 17:19 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBLarry Gassman talks with John Gassman about winning the Walt Disney Legacy award, and David Kingsbury discusses his new book, “Format Your Word Documents with JAWS and NVDA.” Whether your formatting requirements are simple or complex, this book has you covered. Read the transcript at blog.freedomscientific.com
FSCast 172, Archive of the June 2019 FSOpenLine
July 02, 2019 15:21 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBWe report progress on some suggestions made in previous FSOpenLines and take your calls on a variety of issues including: future directions for JAWS, real-time document collaboration, Track Changes in Word, Wireshark Accessibility, and how to decide if the Home Annual License is right for you.
FSCast 171 - Product discounts at the U.S. summer shows, a JAWS byte, and news of the Freedom Scientific APH partnership
June 25, 2019 12:52 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBEric Damery is back with news about saving money by purchasing products at the U.S. summer shows, Debee Armstrong offers up a JAWS Byte about using JAWS Speech History to review spelling, and Dave Wilkinson lets us know about the partnership between Freedom Scientific and the American Printing House for the Blind. Transcript available at blog.freedomscientific.com
FSCast 170 - Product Specials for attendees of the July National Conventions for both NFB and ACB, What's new in April Software Updates, And News About American Blind Golf
May 14, 2019 16:52 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBEric Damery joins John and Larry Gasman to announce product specials that’ll be available at the ACB and NFB summer conventions, and discuss details of the April software updates. The Gasman’s demonstrate recent improvements to JAWS and Fusion heading navigation when on the web, and Mark Arnold returns to the podcast to talk about American Blind Golf.
FSCast 169 - Interviews from the 2019 CSUN Technology Conference
April 09, 2019 14:53 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBJohn and Larry Gasman catch up with Jonathan Mosen and find out about his work with AIRA, Terry Bray talks about being a JAWS beta tester, and Larry Lewis explains how JAWS Inspect visualizes the screen reading experience.
FSCast 168, archive of the March 2019 FSOpenLine
April 01, 2019 17:11 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MBNews about our free training webinars and other learning resources, a preview of improvements to student licenses, what's coming in the JAWS April update, and of course your calls. Transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com
FSCast 167 - Podcast transcripts, CSUN technology conference history, and previews of features coming in the March updates of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion
March 08, 2019 13:13 - 33 minutes - 31 MBGlen Gordon joins John and Larry Gasman to provide the backstory on why we now offer podcast transcripts. Eric Damery remembers some of the early CSUN technology conferences and sets the stage for the one occurring the week of March 11. He also offers a sneak peek at the new Picture Smart feature included in the JAWS and Fusion 2019 March updates. Transcript available at blog.freedomscientific.com.
FSCast 166 - Streamlined installation of Vocalizer Expressive voices, new sounds in Word and Outlook to indicate spelling errors, and the Freedom Scientific CSUN presentation schedule
February 05, 2019 16:06 - 31 minutes - 29 MBThe January JAWS update brings a more streamlined method of installing Vocalizer Voices, along with sounds to indicate spelling errors in Microsoft Word and Outlook. John and Larry Gassman show these new features in action and chat with Eric Damery about them., They also offer up the Freedom Scientific presentation schedule at the annual CSUN conference coming up the week of March 11th, in Anaheim, CA. Transcript available on February 9 at blog.freedomscientific.com
FSCast 165 - A JAWS Byte from Beta Manager Rosemary Kleske, stories from director of Beyond Vision Loss Elly Du Pre, and the tenacity of Desert Storm veteran George Tice
January 16, 2019 16:09 - 44 minutes - 40.3 MBRosemary Kleske, Beta Manager, discusses her favorite JAWS feature, “Virtualize Window.” Elly Du Pre is the director of Beyond Vision Loss in Florida, and George Tice is a veteran of Desert Storm who lost his sight and has learned JAWS. Transcript available at blog.freedomscientific.com
FSCast 164 - Archive of December 2018 FSOpenLine
December 17, 2018 16:22 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBNews about December updates, last chance to renew SMAs at 2018 prices, a discussion of Microsoft's upcoming revamp of the Edge web browser, and of course your calls.
FSCast 163, New Hosts John and Larry Gassman Introduce themselves, Eric Damery discusses December Updates, and Gassmans chat with Curtis Chong, innovator and Accessible Technology pioneer
December 06, 2018 15:51 - 48 minutes - 44 MBFSCast 163, New Hosts John and Larry Gassman Introduce themselves, Eric Damery discusses December Updates of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2019 releases plus home annual subscription licensing, and The Gassmans chat with Curtis Chong, long time user of Freedom Scientific Access Technology and one of the true innovator and Accessible Technology pioneers.
FSCast 162, Hal Knight with stories from his broadcast radio career, and Rob Santello talks ham radio accessibility
November 08, 2018 14:04 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBHal Knight has one of the most familiar voices to people calling the U.S. Freedom Scientific sales department. Most people don't know that before joining Freedom in 2000, he spent 25 years+ on WPOR as one of Maine's most popular country music DJs. Hal is also a great storyteller as you'll hear in his conversation with Glen Gordon. Rob Santello created the Hampod to make ham radio equipment more accessible. What he thought would be a one-off device has turned out to become a project tha...
FSCast 161, archive of the October 2018 FSOpenLine
October 29, 2018 12:32 - 38 minutes - 23.8 MBThe October edition of FSOpenLine, Freedom Scientific’s global call-in show, keeps you informed of new developments and answers listener questions from around the world.
FSCast 160, what's new in JAWS 2019 beta 2, a demonstration of our new Home Annual licensing portal for US customers, and Jonathan Mosen says goodbye
October 03, 2018 23:04 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBPublic beta 2 of JAWS 2019 is just around the corner. Eric Damery and Jonathan Mosen discuss and demonstrate the new features. Soon, there'll be a new option for licensing JAWS and ZoomText if you're a home user in the United States. Jonathan demonstrates the new portal for Home Annual licenses as it nears completion. And after producing 160 episodes of this podcast, Jonathan Mosen says goodbye, reflecting on his time behind the FSCast microphone and wishing FSCast every success in futur...
FSCast 159, archive of the September 2018 FSOpenLine
September 28, 2018 01:04 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBThe September edition of FSOpenLine, Freedom Scientific's global call-in show, keeps you informed of new developments and answers listener questions from around the world.
FSCast 158, Eric Damery unveils JAWS 2019, Stuart Lawler talks Sight and Sounds expansion to Ireland
September 16, 2018 22:12 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBThe next major release of our screen reading software, JAWS 2019, is about to enter public beta as this podcast is published. Eric Damery takes us through some of the new features available immediately, and those planned for the JAWS 2019 cycle. Jonathan Mosen speaks with Stuart Lawler, who has a new role with Sight and Sound as it expands to Ireland.
FSCast157, archive of the August 2018 FSOpenLine
August 31, 2018 16:52 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBThis episode of FSCast contains a recording of the first FSOpenLine session. If you are listening in a podcast app that supports chapter marks, each question and section is its own chapter, making it easy to skim through to the topics that interest you. Topics covered in the August FSOpenLine include, the move to our new building, some of the new features in JAWS 2019, the accessibility of webinar software, requested Braille improvements, future FS webinars, JAWS with Microsoft Edge, the...
FSCast 156, announcing FSOpenLine, JAWS support for Skype 8, scholarship winner Kenia Flores, and we here again from Cricket Bidleman
August 23, 2018 15:14 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBWe're launching a new global call-in show called FSOpenLine, and we're looking forward to your participation. Learn all about it at the start of this episode. Jonathan Mosen then demonstrates the support for Microsoft's Skype 8 released in the August update for JAWS 2018, and explains how to make sure you have the correct version. We meet Kenia Flores, recipient of our scholarship at this year's National Federation of the Blind's national convention. And in keeping with our theme of me...
FSCast155, new software releases, listener comments, and an extended interview with Isaac Lidsky
July 21, 2018 16:14 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBAfter news about the latest software releases and some listener comments, Jonathan Mosen speaks with Isaac Lidsky. You may have heard Isaac's Ted Talk already, heard him speak recently at the NFB national convention, or read his book, Eyes Wide Open". Isaac has been an actor, the editor of the Harvard Law Review, and a Supreme Court clerk among other things. He's an entrepreneur, public speaker, and father of four, three of them triplets. We're also very proud to say he's a JAWS user. He...
FSCast154, convention information and specials, Sight Village Central and specials, Focus Blue scratchpad and book reader, and a chat with our partners at Nuance
June 20, 2018 23:51 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBThere are huge savings to be made when you purchase our products at the NFB and ACB national conventions, and through Sight and Sound as part of their summer special. Learn about what’s on offer, as well as exhibits and presentations. We’ve released the much-anticipated firmware upgrade to our Focus Blue 5th generation Braille displays, and they now offer scratchpad and book reading functionality. Jonathan Mosen demonstrates where to find the update, how to install it, and what it does. ...
FSCast 153 US national conventions, May software updates, listener feedback, Mark Nelson from Digital Apex, Douglas Gerry
May 17, 2018 17:07 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBWe’re looking ahead to the ACB and NFB national conventions. Mark your calendar for Eric Damery’s presentations at both. Software updates for JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion are coming by the end of May. Listener comments discuss dongle authorization, hearing FSCast on Amazon Echo and more. At the CSUN conference, Jonathan Mosen spoke with Mark Nelson of Digital Apex. Mark discusses what he’s doing now including his innovative training solutions, and looks back to the early days of screen re...
FSCast 152, April 2018 JAWS Update, Miguel Abdo
April 18, 2018 19:24 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWe’re ready for the next major version of Microsoft Windows, the Spring Creators Update. Eric Damery discusses our plans to ensure you’ll be ready for the update when Microsoft pushes it to your computer, and we look at other changes in the April update of our JAWS ® screen reading software. At the recent CSUN conference, Jonathan Mosen sat down with Miguel Abdo, our Vice President, Software Business. Miguel discusses his involvement in this industry and some exciting changes to come regar...
FSCast Episode 151 - March 2018 JAWS Update, Jack Mendez from the Louisiana Center for the Blind
March 12, 2018 20:25 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBEric Damery looks ahead to the CSUN conference, and discusses some new features and fixes in the March JAWS 2018 update. Jack Mendez, Director of Technology for the Louisiana Center for the Blind, talks with Jonathan Mosen about the importance of mastering your technology, and why JAWS best equips you for being on the job. Show Host: Jonathan Mosen FSCast Episode 151 - March 2018 JAWS Update, Jack Mendez from the Louisiana Center for the Blind
FSCast Episode 150 - Eric Damery talks about the JAWS February 2018 update, ZoomText 2018 and Fusion 2018
February 16, 2018 21:10 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBEric Damery talks about the JAWS February 2018 update, ZoomText 2018 and Fusion 2018 Show Host: Jonathan Mosen FSCast Episode 150 - FSCast Episode 150 - Eric Damery talks about the JAWS February 2018 update, ZoomText 2018 and Fusion 2018
FSCast Episode 149 - CSUN 2018 sessions, hours and prizes. Group Training offerings. Jonathan Mosen speaks with Jamie Teh of Mozilla about making Firefox compatible with JAWS
February 12, 2018 19:15 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBWe look ahead to the CSUN conference. Learn about our sessions, exhibit hours, and prizes you can win. Did you know we offer training for groups at our headquarters or at a place of your choosing? We outline the courses available and tell you about a forthcoming course at Palomar College. Jonathan Mosen speaks with Jamie Teh of Mozilla about the ongoing work to make new versions of Firefox compatible with JAWS®. The work will ensure support for advanced web features only found in JAWS. ...
FSCast Episode 148 - Speech and Sound Scheme in JAWS, Jeanne Hink and Carli Metze from Keystone Blind Association talk about employment options
January 05, 2018 18:30 - 46 minutes - 43.6 MBJonathan Mosen demonstrates the powerful Speech and Sounds Scheme feature in JAWS, including voice aliases. And we meet Jeanne Hink and Carli Metze from Keystone Blind Association, who are seeking to make a range of employment options available to blind people. Show Host: Jonathan Mosen FSCast Episode 148 - Speech and Sound Scheme in JAWS, Jeanne Hink and Carli Metze from Keystone Blind Association talk about employment options
FSCast Episode 147 - Renew Software Maintenance Agreement online, New software releases - JAWS, ZoomText and MAGic, new features in JAWS 2018, Chad Hays talks about how Freedom Scientific products helped him buy family business
December 06, 2017 19:00 - 48 minutes - 45 MBDid you know that if you’re in the United States, you can renew your JAWS Software Maintenance Agreement online? Jonathan Mosen shows you how easy it is. Eric Damery tells us about new software releases in December for JAWS, ZoomText and MAGic, and Jonathan shows us two new features coming to the December JAWS 2018 update, Screen Shade and Speech On Demand. Chad Hays talks about how Freedom Scientific products gave him the tools and competence to buy the family business. And we announc...
FSCast Episode 146 - Special PEARL pricing, Rachel Flowers produced her latest album with JAWS, justice themed interviews
November 17, 2017 15:58 - 57 minutes - 53 MBFor JAWS and Fusion 2018 customers, we’ve slashed the price of our powerful PEARL ® portable reading camera. FSCast has all the details. Rachel Flowers, who we’ve featured on FSCast before, has a new album, which she has produced herself with the help of JAWS. We feature a track from the album and tell you how you can win a copy. Our interviews on this episode have a justice theme. First, Jonathan Mosen speaks with retired San Diego County Superior Court Judge, David Szumowski. Then, we ...
FSCast Episode 145 - Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
October 17, 2017 15:15 - 34 minutes - 32.3 MBMicrosoft will begin releasing the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update this week. VFO and Microsoft have collaborated closely during this release cycle. We hear from Glen Gordon, VFO’s Chief Technology officer, discussing things you need to know about access to Microsoft Edge in the Fall Creators Update, and the importance of JAWS® 2018 public beta 3 in this regard. Jonathan Mosen then speaks with Jeff Petty and Brett Humphrey from Microsoft, regarding Microsoft’s accessibility commitments, ...
FSCast Episode 144 - Software News, Michael Arbitman - a ZoomText user who hunts software vulnerabilities
October 05, 2017 15:10 - 48 minutes - 45.2 MBEric Damery brings us plenty of software news, including what’s new and improved in public beta 2 of our JAWS® 2018 screen reading software. We learn about a forthcoming update to ZoomText and Fusion, Microsoft’s new Windows Fall Creators Update, and Firefox version 57. Plus news of a 5 city tour in Australia coming up in November, with Quantum Technologies. Jonathan Mosen speaks with Michael Arbitman, an IT professional who lost his sight suddenly. Now, he’s a ZoomText user who hunts down...