[macvoiceover] Re: prepare for Leopard:
- From: "Ron J." <Ganahee@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: macvoiceover@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2007 13:47:46 -0500
Hi David, and all fellow listers,
In answer to this post, here's what I've been able to glean, as to
new VO features:
1. Ability to use Braille displays to both install the OS, and
update it.
2. Place your VO preferences on a "jump-drive", plug it into any Mac
running Leopard, and it will automatically configure VO to match your
personal VO settings. When you leave that Mac, there won't be any
trace you've ever been there. This is reminiscent of Freedom Box's
portable version of their system.
3. Application "hot spots". Define up to 10 of these, per
application, and when things change in them, VO will speak the
changes, and allow you to jump to those areas, or take appropriate
actions. This hearkens back to the days of Enable-Reader, TinyTalk,
etc.
4. Now, you'll be able to program your numeric keypad with your most
commonly used VO functions - i.e. 8=Line Up, 2=Line Down, 4=Word, or
Char Left, 6=Word, or Char Right, 5=Click (select), etc. Now, we VO-
users will be able to navigate our Macs, similar to how most other
screen reader users do.
5. The ability to search web pages, and other documents, by
headings, tables, links, text-attributes, objects, text-strings, etc,
and you'll also be able to save 64 of your most frequently used
searches.
6. A "Braille Pannel". This will give the user a virtual
representation of the Braille, along with an English text translation.
7. Customizable Braille Display input keys.
8. Ability to use Contracted, & Non-Contracted, Braille (computer
Braille).
9. Drag-&-Drop support. Use Drag-&-Drop actions, by keyboard only,
in accessible applications. This feature was present in the "Spoken
Interface Preview", only available in Mac OS X 10.3.4, during the
initial development phase of VO. For some reason, this feature was
left out of the initial release of VO - I suspect it needed
additional refinement.
10. Misspelled Word Detection. Hear when words are misspelled as
you read text. YOu can be alerted to this by a tone, or spoken
description.
11. Integrated, Interactive Tutorial allows you to learn VO in a
safe, non-destructive, environment, so you can practice while you learn.
12. Positional Audio Effects. There are many new sound effects in
VO, which should help the user gain a better sense of what's going on
in their Mac's environment.
13. Hilite by Word, or Sentence. Now, you'll be able to set the VO-
Cursor to hilite each word, or sentence, as it is spoken.
14. New VoiceOver utility provides many more options, & preferences
for customizing VO more easily.
15. Improved Application Accessibility. Bundled Leopard
applications, and utilities, have been enhanced for greater VO
accessibility.
As you can see, VO has been radically upgraded! While all these new
features are going to increase the learning curve for us, I think
using our Macs is going to become much more efficient, fun, and
enjoyable!
My sighted roommate, & I, have pre-ordered our copy of Leopard from
Mac Mall, and are eagerly awaiting it's arrival at our door on
Friday! I can hardly wait to dive in and see what fun awaits!
This has all been 2.5 years in the making, and I'm sure it'll be
well worth the wait!
Enjoy!
Ron
On Oct 21, 2007, at 12:38 PM, David Poehlman wrote:
Hi all,
I've been seeing some discussion on this list and in other places
which lead me to caution folk using VO to read the VO info in
leopard carefully as there are likely to be big changes. We have
already heard about the braille support and the new alex voice.
One can only wonder at what is to come, new keystrokes? New
capabilities? I'm looking forward to it with huge excitement!
--
Jonnie Appleseed
With His
Hands-On Technolog(eye)s
Reducing Technology's disabilities,
one byte at a time.
Click on the link below to go to our homepage.
http://www.icanworkthisthing.com
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Ron J. | AKA Ganahee
"For millions of years, mankind lived, just like the animals. Then
something happened, which unleashed the power of our imagination - we
learned to talk."
From the MD "The Division Bell", the track "Keep Talking".
Click on the link below to go to our homepage.
http://www.icanworkthisthing.com
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