Icon and Braille+ Software Release 1.11.16

From: “Marc Mulcahy” <marc [at] levelstar [dot] com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:38:05 -0600

Hi All:

Software version 1.11 build 16 is released.?? This one contains support for
content from Audible.com.?? The complete what’s new is below.

Marc

What’s new in 1.11

Bug fixes:
* fixed navigation in continuous read–reading no longer gets stalled when
arrowing through a document while in continuous read.
* Fixed continuous read in the docking station–Alt + Space should now read
beyond the current paragraph.
*Fixed problems disconnecting from Ethernet in the dock.
*Keylearn Mode now works correctly when docked.
*Braille Translator is much faster.
* NLS books beginning with short clips of silence, such as the May issue of
Smart Computing, no longer hang up the bookshelf.

New features and changes:
*Audible content is now supported!
* Software packages installed through File Explorer such as games are now
automatically re-installed after an update.
* New Manage Software Utility lists all installed software packages,
including system software.?? This utility only allows for the removal of
software packages–packages must be installed by selecting them in File
Explorer or downloading them through the Check for Software Updates utility.

*There is a new item in the Applications Menu called Work Space which
contains 4 views: Welcome, RSS, Recent Books, and Recent Files.?? Through
these various views, the Work Space application gives you quick and easy
access to your most recently downloaded RSS podcasts and articles, your
recent books, and your most recently accessed files, as well as providing a
quick link to the APH or LevelStar website (depends on your unit).??

To navigate among the views, press Pound + the Left and Right Arrows (Alt +
Left and Right when docked). To navigate among the items in a given view,
use the Up and down Arrows.?? If the view contains a folder structure, use
the Right arrow to enter a folder, and the left Arrow to exit back out of
the folder to the previous structural level.

In addition, you’ll find when you check for software updates this go-round
that there are two additional packages available for download: an audio
tutorial package, and an audible content package.?? If you choose to download
and install these packages, they will also appear in the Welcome View of the
Work Space below the manufacturer’s website.??

The Audible content package contains several samples of various types of
content from Audible.com as well as a link for a free trial.?? The Audio
Tutorial package is an audio daisy book containing updated versions of all
of the tutorials produced by LevelStar, including the introduction to the
docking station and a tutorial on the new Work Space application.

* Due to the addition and placement of the Work Space application under
number 1 in the Applications Menu, the Address Book is now number 7 in the
Tools Menu, and so can be accessed by typing 57 from the Applications Menu.

* Due to the fact that f10 will be one of the programmable hotkeys for
opening programs using the docking station, the Qwerty command for accessing
the Options Menu within a program is now Alt + O.

And finally,
* The Check for Software Updates utility now supports the installation of
multiple packages.?? Press Select to mark each package you wish to download,
then press OK to begin download and installation.?? All the packages will
download, next all the packages will install, if a package requires a reboot
as do the system software packages, this will happen next, and finally after
the restart and restoration of data, games and other software packages
installed from File Explorer will be re-installed.

Known issues.
1. The NLS books that give “error 22″ when unpacking: we’re stillworking on
it.
2. Can’t currently select links from email or RSS articles when docked.
3. The unit ocasionally resumes with no system sounds or media player or
bookshelf audio.?? Closing all applications, powering off, and turning the
unit back on again usually fixes this.?? We’re still working on fixing the
underlying issue.
4. The function key on the dock says nothing in key learn mode.
5. Occasionally, when docked, no audio can be heard through the dock’s
speakers.?? Pressing caps lock seems to resolve this.?? We’re investigating
the underlying issue.
6. Re-installation of packages with interdependencies silently fail.?? This
only affects anyone who has a bunch of interdependent .ipk files installed.
7. Installing the Soduku game hangs the installer.

Work Space

Podcast 25.  This podcast introduces you to the new work space application for the Icon and Braille
+.

 

OTL025_Work_Space.mp3

Update: Coming up on Main Menu for the week of June 25 – Window-Eyes 7.0 Fully Disclosed

Coming up on this week’s Main Menu Live, we dedicate the two hour episode to
talk all about Window-Eyes 7.0. Doug and Aaron from GW Micro will be with
us as well as many beta testers from the Window-Eyes private beta team. We
will discuss the product and the many scripts that will be available on GW
Micro’s Scripting Central web site found at:

http://www.gwmicro.com/Script_Central/

We had Doug and Aaron on Main Menu in the past and it is time to bring them
back to discuss the product and to get feedback from private beta users and
scripters on the new version. Jamal Mazrui has written a significant amount
of scripts for the 7.0 product and he will be here to talk about the many
things he has developed. I will discuss the newest refinements to the
Winamp scripts that will be available including features that could replace
the ACB Radio Tuner for Winamp users that use Window-Eyes as well as much
improved access to the Auto-Tagging capabilities of Winamp. Aaron and Doug
will talk all about the GW Toolkit scripting library, the AutoComplete
script, the progress indicator script, the VirtualView script, the Weather
or Not script, and much much more.

As of this writing, we are happy to report that Window-Eyes 7.0 Public Beta
1 is available at the following link:

http://www.gwmicro.com/beta

Here is how to participate in the show:

The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The
MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org

Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com

Come join an already lively group of users.

Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:

Main Menu – http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenu
Main Menu Live – http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenulive

For this next week, only the Main Menu Live podcast feed will be updated.

Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific,
and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream
channel.

Follow this link to listen to the show:

http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=8

Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team

Opinions expressed belong to the Individual Contributors.

Podcast:

ml20080625.mp3

Window-Eyes Training

 Window-Eyes,When:  Tuesday, September 30, 2008 to Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Where:  Portland, OR
What:  Training
Who:  Jeremy Curry, Kimberly Cline

Do you need to know how to use Microsoft Office products with Window-Eyes? Do you want to expand your employment opportunities by learning how Window-Eyes makes applications accessible? Are you a teacher or IT professional that needs to know how to use or support Window-Eyes? Then, Window-Eyes training is for you.
GW Micro is pleased to announce Window-Eyes training in Portland, Oregon! Come and enjoy the Pacific Northwest in all its glory, and learn all about the great features that Window-Eyes has to offer. Learn how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more!
Unlike other advanced technology courses that cost up to $800 per day, the cost for Window-Eyes training is only $250 per day per person. You�ll get hands-on training and experience with trainers direct from the manufacturer. You�ll also get the entire Window-Eyes curriculum for both days on two CDs. You�ll learn how to use many of the functions in Window-Eyes, and how they can apply to your everyday life, along with training materials that you can review after the training.

The training will be held on Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, October 1 at the Oregon Commission for the Blind at the following address:

Oregon Commission for the Blind
535 SE 12th AVenue
Portland, OR 97214

Remember that GW Micro accepts most major credit cards, checks, and state agency authorizations. Space is limited, so register today at www.gwmicro.com/training by entering the code OR092008.

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Curry at  (260) 489-3671 , or email Jeremy at jeremy@gwmicro.com.

 Training

 

http://www.gwmicro.com/News_&_Events/Upcoming_Events/?eventID=175

AER 2008 International Conference

When:  Wednesday, July 23, 2008 to Friday, July 25, 2008
Where:  Chicago, IL
What:  Conference
Who:  Chris Park, Jeremy Curry, Drew Markley

Visit us at AER 2008 International Conference in Chicago, IL July 23-25!

New products and features:
-Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 offers the latest advancements in screen reading technology, including full Unicode support, new scripting functionality, web browsing enhancements, a new synthesizer, and much more
-Sense View Duo portable Video magnifier, next generation handheld CCTV with long distance view feature!
-The Braille Sense Plus, the lightest and latest notetaker with built in 32-cell Braille display Also, you can find out what it and the Voice Sense (the smallest notetaker available) can do for you, including the new GW Sense Navigation powered by Sendero

Conference location:
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
540 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel:  312-836-0100 

Dates and hours of exhibits:
Wednesday, July 23, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm Opening Reception
Thursday, July 24, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday, July 25, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

Best Regards,
Chris Park
GW Micro Inc
725 Airport North Office Park
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Voice:  260-489-3671  ext.204
FAX: 260-489-2608
Email: chris@gwmicro.com
Web Site: www.gwmicro.com

NFB National Convention 2008

When:  Sunday, June 29, 2008 to Thursday, July 03, 2008
What:  Conference
Who:  Jeremy Curry and Dan Weirich

GW Micro will be providing training and exhibiting our products at the NFB National Convention which is being held at the Hilton Anatole hotel, 2201 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207. For hotel information call  214-748 1200 .

We will be there from Sunday, June 29, 2008 through Thursday, July 3, 2008. Kewing Enterprises will be assisting at our booth as well. The exhibit schedule is …

Monday, June 30, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 1, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday Afternoon, July 2, 12:00 noon to 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday Evening, July 2, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 3, 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.

Stop by to learn more about the new features of the upcoming Window-Eyes version 7 and pick up a free demo CD. We will also demonstrate the Voice Sense and the new Braille Sense Plus with GW Sense Navigation. For those with low vision we will also demonstrate the Portable SenseView and the new Portable SenseView Duo.

We hope to see you in Dallas next week.

http://www.gwmicro.com/News_&_Events/Upcoming_Events/?eventID=179

Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 Is Now Available!

Jun-24-2008

After much anticipation, Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 is now available.  Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 offers the latest advancements in screen reading technology, including full Unicode support, new scripting functionality, web browsing enhancements, a new synthesizer, and much more.

Full Unicode support means the ability to work with more international languages. Web browsing enhancements mean easier navigation between controls, and the ability to add placemarkers that can remember places on a webpage even when the webpage changes. ECI Eloquence 6.1 is now available as yet another speech option. Other enhancements like speed increases for list views, the system tray, and error reporting, being able to increase and decrease the speech rate during read to end, new options for keyboard voice interruptability, and numerous bug fixes make Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 a welcome update.

The most notable enhancement in Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1, however, is scripting. Window-Eyes scripting is unparalleled in its design and implementation.  Rather than require a scripter to learn a proprietary language, Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 allows a scripter to choose from a number of standard computer languages for writing scripts.  This means that more people will be able to take advantage of Window-Eyes scripting, and ultimately more accessibility to more software applications. Access all Window-Eyes features and settings, all operating system windows and properties, create custom accessible dialogs for user interaction with power and ease, and more.

To make scripts easily accessible and encourage script development, GW Micro has created a centralized script repository called Script Central (www.gwmicro.com/sc). Script Central provides script developers with the tools to distribute their scripts, and provides scripts users the tools to download, comment, rate and track favorite scripts.  The GW Micro forums (www.gwmicro.com/forum) have also been enhanced for general script discussions, script requests, script announcements, and much more. While we encourage everyone to take advantage of Script Central, Window-Eyes scripts can be hosted anywhere and distributed by anyone.

Read more about all of the features Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 has to offer, and download your copy, at www.gwmicro.com/beta.

GWKB1088 : Switching To The New ECI Eloquence Speech Synthesizer Included With Window-Eyes 7.0

Product: Window-Eyes
Category: Guide
Author: Raul Gallegos
Date Added: 06/24/2008
Last Modified: 06/24/2008

---

Window-Eyes 7.0 comes with a newer version of the Eloquence software synthesizer called ECI Eloquence 6.1. This version of Eloquence is directly tied to Window-Eyes and therefore does not use the SAPI interface. This also means that you can use Eloquence as your synthesizer when running Window-Eyes mobile from a removable device such as a USB drive (also known as a flash drive, pen drive, or USB memory stick). In order to successfully switch to using this newer version of Eloquence, you cannot be using the older 5.0 version of ETI Eloquence. If either a Window-Eyes script or a third-party application such as other access technology is using the older Eloquence, that script or application will need to be closed or disabled. If it is not, then the new Eloquence engines may not be found, or you might experience a system hang.

Switching to the newer ECI Eloquence version 6.1

The following steps will guide you in switching to a temporary synthesizer first, then switching to the newer Eloquence to insure a smooth change over. These steps assume you are using the default hot keys for Window-Eyes.

1. Press CTRL-\ to focus the Window-Eyes control panel.
2. Press ALT-F, then the letter Y to open the synthesizer selection dialog box.
3. Press the HOME key then the letter D to select the DECtalk Access32 (Window-Eyes) synthesizer.
4. Press the ENTER key and Window-Eyes will begin speaking using the DECtalk Access32 synthesizer.
5. Press ALT-F4, then the ENTER key to shutdown Window-Eyes.
6. Press CTRL-ALT-W to restart Window-Eyes. Remember it will still be speaking using the DECtalk Access32 (Window-Eyes) synthesizer.
7. Press CTRL-\ to focus the Window-Eyes control panel.
8. Press ALT-F, then the letter Y to open the synthesizer selection dialog box.
9. Press the HOME key then the letter E twice to select the Eloquence synthesizer.
10. Press the ENTER key and Window-Eyes will begin speaking using the Eloquence synthesizer.

Some final notes

1. If no other applications are using the older ETI Eloquence 5.0 engines, you can remove them from the PC.
2. If you choose to leave the older ETI Eloquence 5.0 engines on the PC, you cannot switch back to using this synthesizer without first switching to another temporary synthesizer and restarting Window-Eyes. Failing to do this could result in a system hang.
3. The newer ECI Eloquence 6.1 synthesizer is directly tied to Window-Eyes. This means you can use it if running Window-Eyes mobile from a removable device such as a USB drive (also known as a flash drive, pen drive, or USB memory stick). Details of installing Window-Eyes mobile are found in Knowledge Base Article KB1067.
4. If you have multiple sound cards in your PC, you can tell the newer Eloquence synthesizer which card to use.

 

http://www.gwmicro.com/Support/Knowledge_Base/?kbnumber=GWKB1088

PowerPoint 2003 Training with JAWS and MAGic

Learn how to create and give PowerPoint® 2003 presentations using JAWS® screen reading software and MAGic® screen magnification software. This lesson teaches you how to use the keyboard to create and give presentations, and includes a link to practice files.

Some of the things you will learn include:

• Use JAWS or MAGic and the keyboard to create and present slide shows
• Set a background color for all slides in the presentation
• Use a photograph as a background for an entire slide
• Label pictures and objects with alternate text
• Use design templates in PowerPoint to choose a variety of different slides
• Navigate at the object as well as the text entry level of slides
• Insert a button to play a sound on a slide
• Use slide animation effects to fly in bullet points one at a time
• Rearrange animation effects for a more effective presentation
• Insert and be able to read speaker’s notes during your presentation
• And much more!

Go to the PowerPoint 2003 with JAWS and MAGic training page now and get started, or use the link on that page to download the lesson along with practice files and work offline at your leisure.

http://www.freedomscientific.com/RSS/Training/rss.xml

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, Issue #164, June 19, 2008

1) The latest version of the popular Opera web browser now supports the Voiceover screen reader for the Mac.
<http://www.lioncourt.com>

2) If you want to know what software version 2.0 of the Victor Reader Stream will contain, you’ll hear it first if you attend Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 24 June at 00:00 (Monday evening in the States.)
<http://www.accessibleworld.org>

3) The Assistive Technology Center is now a dealer for MobilEyes, a product which we mentioned several months ago here which purports to be a portable reading machine, magnifier, mp3 player, organizer and computer all in one. Hence, they are offering free hour-long demonstrations of the product online. Two such demos will take place onGMT Friday, 20 June at 17:30 and 21:30 GMT. To get a place, e-mail
connie@atechcenter.net
Then drop into the room at the appointed time, download the free conferencing software if you haven’t done so before, and participate.
http://www.atechcenter.net

4) Gw Micro has created a video demo of the SenseView Duo, the portable digital magnifier that claims to magnify both close-up and at a distance, enabling reading of both restaurant menus and signs with the same unit.
<http://youtube.com/watch?v=cPFa4CesXZU>

5) The next Hadley School seminar will be entitled Mobile Access and Your Adaptive Technology and will take place on Saturday, 21 June at 16:00 GMT. Registration online is required
http://hadley.edu/seminar
And recordings of past seminars are available
http://hadley.edu/2_f_past_seminar_hadley.asp

6) For those not familiar with it, the Hadley School offers free correspondence courses to the blind worldwide. Their course on Internet Basics has recently been updated, and they also have a course on Internet, Beyond the Basics.
http://www.hadley.edu

7) Dolphin Systems has released version 3 of their EasyReader Daisy book reader. This version is said to work closely with the Microsoft Save as Daisy plug-in for Word. It supports fifteen languages and comes with the Acapela software synthesizer built-in.
http://www.yourdolphin.com/productdetail.asp?id=9&z=3

Fred’s Head Companion introduces us to Radiopaq, a site that contains a large listing of online radio stations and podcasts. They seem to have some good international radio station coverage, so we’ll see if they keep the links updated.
http://www.radiopaq.com/

9) That prolific blog and web site also mentions WikiAudio, the encyclopedia for everything audio.
http://www.wikiaudio.com/

10) Another discovery from there is Jot, a free service which lets you use your cell phone to send e-mails and reminders to yourself and e-mails to others, as well as listen to news feeds.
http://jott.com/

11) Here’s a pretty accurate Fred’s Head Companion posting called The Ten Net Commandments:
http://www.fredshead.info/2008/06/ten-net-commandments.html

12) Here’s a new blog to track: Managing Assistive Technology in Higher Education.
http://athighered.blogspot.com/

13) Code Factory is offering a competition in which ten winners will share some $20,000 worth of prizes.
<http://www.codefactory.es/en/page.asp?id=251>

14) As laws requiring drivers who talk on mobile phones to use headsets proliferate throughout the U.S.,here is a site which can actually benefit anybody in the world and is apparently one case where, if something looks too good to be true, it still might be true: FreeHeadset.org will send a headset for your particular phone anywhere in the world for the shipping cost of $3.94.
http://www.FreeHeadset.org <>

15) An organization known as Association of Blind Citizens slaims to provide grants for adaptive technology to citizens of the U.S.
http://www.blindcitizens.org/

16) Dakota State University is offering an online course, Introduction to Computers, and reader Keith Bundy is teaching a class under this course title for users of screen readers, braille displays, magnifiers and speech recognition technology. The three-credit course will cost $658.65 and will provide much information about Office 2007. Perhaps the best way to get through the registration process or get more information is to e-mail
keith.bundy@dsu.edu

Dean Martineau provides adaptive technology training by phone, online and in person, with flexible arrangements, and at affordable prices.

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tidbits is intentionally concise, but I know a lot of people don’t understand many of the items because little explanation is given. If a Tidbit brings up a question in your mind, feel free to ask, and I’ll answer as time, knowledge and inclination permit.

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