[j-say list] Recommendation for people wishing to use Skype
- From: "Brian Hartgen" <Brian.Hartgen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <j-say@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:21:26 -0000
Hi everyone
First of All, everyone at T&T would like to wish you all the best for
Christmad and the new year.
Yesterday, a standalone alternative application for the Skype internet
telephony program was released by GW Micro. This program, known as
GWSkype, is designed to provide an alternative accessible interface to
the Skype software. You do not need to use Window-Eyes (GW Micro's
screen-reader) or have Skype installed to use the software. To
reiterate, it is self-contained. You will, of course, require a Skype
account. If you do not have one, the program allows you to easily create
one in an accessible way.
The program provides you with the ability to make calls, manage
conferences, text chat, and more. Best of all, it works beautifully with
J-Say technology, far better in fact that the standard Skype program,
with or without JAWS scripts. For example, access to the menu bar and
the context menu is far superior with GWSkype. Say, "Click View", and
you will of course get into the View menu.
When the shortcut keys are learned, such as Control+L to call someone,
you can easily say, "Press control key L" to launch that item on a
contact. Skype chat is also possible as J-Say will echo back your
dictated text when within the text window.
Calls can be quickly answered, rejected and placed, all by voice. It
would be very easy for someone experienced with creating native Dragon
commands to create a set of custom commands for this, although if you
wanted to get started right now, these would not be necessary as you can
easily navigate the menus and contact list without additional commands.
Personally for home use, I use a Microsoft LiveChat headset microphone
which provides extremely good recognition for J-Say, but more
importantly for Skype calls also, so people can hear me clearly. The
sound balance is not upset when using Dragon and GWSkype combined.
People can hear you very well over Skype despite the fact that Dragon is
being used at the same time.
I may well do a podcast on this to demonstrate this more thoroughly, but
if you want to have a play over Christmas, I thought I would pass along
the information.
GWSkype is in public beta right now, but from my experience it is very
stable and works extremely well. It is an excellent example of an
interface which is well crafted and accessible without the need for
additional scripting.
You can obtain the program by going to:
https://www.gwmicro.com/App_Central/Apps/App_Details/?scriptid=1353
Brian Hartgen
Product Development Manager
Freedom Scientific approved script writer
Dolphin Computer Access approved script writer
T&T Consultancy Ltd
Advantage House
Trentham Business Quarter
Bellringer Road
Trentham
Stoke-On-Trent
ST4 8GB
Tel: 01782 644141
Fax: 01782 645135
Web Site, www.tandt-consultancy.com
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