Window-Eyes 5.0 Revision
History
Document Layout
This document is laid out as follows:
- Each heading level 1 represents one major version of
Window-Eyes.
- Each heading level 2 represents one minor version of
Window-Eyes
- Each heading level 3 represents a category of new features under
each version of Window-Eyes.
5.5
released: 11/2/2005
Cost: $75
Welcome to Window-Eyes 5.5
Congratulations!
You are about to experience the cutting edge leader in screen access
technology: Window-Eyes 5.5.
Installation
When installing Window-Eyes 5.5 (as well as any future upgrade), you
will be asked if you want to make a backup of your existing set files.
If you choose yes, the Window-Eyes installation will default the Path
edit box to a location of x:webackup (where x: is the drive letter where
Window-Eyes is currently installed). You may, however, enter a path in
the Path edit box manually, or select a different location using the
Directories tree view provided. Note that you should not choose your
Window-Eyes directory as a location for backing up your set files, as
that directory will be removed if Window-Eyes is ever uninstalled. If
you choose no to the backup prompt, no backup of your existing set files
will be created.
Microsoft Excel
The following section deals with the specific Excel features that
Window-Eyes 5.5 now supports. As you will discover, there are many new
features available.
The Microsoft
Excel DOM (Document Object Model)
Window-Eyes 5.5 uses the Microsoft Excel DOM (Document Object Model)
to communicate directly with Excel (much like the Microsoft Word DOM
support in Window-Eyes 5.0), insuring a robust and accurate environment
when navigating through Excel spreadsheets.
Cell Navigation
When you navigate through cells in Excel, either with the dedicated
arrow keys, or with TAB and SHIFT-TAB, you may hear a lot of information
(depending on the format and contents of the cell that you have
navigated to, as well as your verbosity options, discussed below), such
as Cell Data, Cell Position, and Additional Options.
If a cell contains data, by default, Window-Eyes will read that data
as you move from cell to cell. If a cell does not contain data,
Window-Eyes will not read anything for the contents. You can, however,
use the Blank Lines option from the Screen menu to have Window-Eyes say
�blank� when it encounters a cell with no data.
Verbosity
Window-Eyes 5.5 includes a new verbosity group in the Window-Eyes
Verbosity Settings dialog, accessed by pressing the Verbosity Settings
hot key (INS-V by default). Note that when you press the Verbosity
Settings hot key while in Excel, the Excel verbosity group will be
selected automatically. The Excel verbosity group contains four
elements: Cell Information, Miscellaneous, Selection, and Summary.
Cell Information: This information will be announced when navigating
through the cells of a worksheet with either the dedicated arrow keys,
or TAB and SHIFT-TAB.
- Contents (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak the contents of the current cell.
- Never Speak Position/Always Speak Position/Speak Position If No
Header (Default: Speak Position If No Header) � With the Never Speak
Position setting enabled, Window-Eyes will not speak the current cell
position. With the Allow Speak Position setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak the current cell position. With the Speak Position If No
Header setting is enabled, Window-Eyes will only speak the current cell
position if no cell header is found.
- Speak Position Before Contents (Default: checked) � With this
setting enabled, Window-Eyes will speak the position of the current cell
before speaking the current cell contents.
- Formula (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak “has formula” if the current cell contains a formula.
- Comment (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak “has comment” if the current cell contains a comment.
- Hyperlink (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak “has hyperlink” if the current cell contains a
hyperlink.
- Clipped (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak ” clipped” if the surrounding cells clip the data in the
current cell.
- Wrapped (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak ” wrapped” if the cell’s contents have been wrapped, spanning
more than one line.
- Overlaps (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak the number of cells to the left and right that the current
cell overlaps, such as “overlaps 5 right” or “overlaps 3 left” or
“overlaps 5 right, 3 left.”
- Merged (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak the number of merged cells by indicating the total number of
rows and columns contained in the current cell, such as “merged 3
columns, 2 rows”.
- Shrunk (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak “shrunk to fit” when the contents of a cell have been
decreased in size in order to fit inside the current cell boundary.
- Affects Cells (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak “affects cells” when the current cell’s value is
used in a formula.
- Auto Filter (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak “auto filter” when a cell has an auto filter
defined.
- Orientation (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the rotation amount of the text in the current
cell when the text has been rotated, such as “rotated 38 up” or “rotated
45 down.”
- Input Message (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the title and message of the input message when
the current cell contains an input message.
- Conditional Formatting (Default: checked) � With this setting
enabled, Window-Eyes will speak “has conditional format” when the
current cell contains conditional formatting.
- Number Format (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will describe the number format of the current cell, such as
“format date” or “format percentage with two digits.”
- Border (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak the border style for all sides if the current cell is styled
with a border, such as “top medium slant dash” or “left thick
double.”
Miscellaneous
- Speak Worksheet Name On Focus (Default: checked) � With this setting
enabled, Window-Eyes will speak the name of the Worksheet when the
worksheet gains focus.
- Speak Workbook Name On Focus (Default: checked) � With this setting
enabled, Window-Eyes will speak the name of the Workbook when the
workbook gains focus.
- Inches/Centimeters/Millimeters/Points (Default: inches) � This is
used to tell Window-Eyes what measurement to use when providing size
information.
- Automatically Dock Toolbars (Default: checked) � In order to ensure
that text is not hidden by any of Excel’s floating toolbars, Window-Eyes
provides the option to automatically move the floating toolbars from the
worksheet area to the toolbar area (this method is called docking). With
this option enabled, Window-Eyes will automatically dock floating
toolbars. This setting should be left enabled unless a floating toolbar
is truly desired.
Selection: This information will be announced when selecting
cells.
- Speak Both New Corners (Default: checked) � As you select cells,
Window-Eyes can either read the single corner cell in the direction
being selected, or read both corner cells in the direction being
selected.
- Speak Number of Rows and Columns (Default: checked) � With this
setting enabled, Window-Eyes will speak the number of rows and columns
in the current selection.
Summary: This information will be announced when using the Speak
Summary hot key (CTRL-SHIFT-S by default)
- Workbook Name (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the name of the current workbook.
- Worksheet Name (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the name of the current worksheet
- Worksheet Count (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the number of worksheets in the current
workbook.
- Comment Count (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the total number of comments in either the
current workbook, or current worksheet.
- Hyperlink Count (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the total number of hyperlinks in either the
current workbook, or current worksheet.
- Object Count (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the total number of objects in either the current
workbook, or current worksheet.
- Chart Count (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the total number of charts in either the current
workbook, or current worksheet.
- Counts Relative To Worksheet/Counts Relative To Workbook (Default:
Counts Relative to Worksheet) � With the Counts Relative To Worksheet
setting enabled, Window-Eyes will speak all counts relative to the
current worksheet. With the Counts Relative To Workbook setting enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak all counts relative to the current workbook.
- Position (Default: checked) � With this setting enabled, Window-Eyes
will speak the position of the current cell.
Hot Keys
Element Properties: To display additional information about the
properties of the current element, use the Element Properties hot key
(INS-E by default). The Element Properties dialog can contain the
following information.
- Textual Information
- Contents of the cell
- Position of the cell
- Font name (Verdana, Arial, etc.)
- Font size (10 point, 14 point, etc.)
- Text color (red, green, shade of blue, etc.)
- Text attributes (bold, italic, double underline, etc.)
- Horizontal alignment
- Vertical alignment
- Number format
- Borders
- Background color
- Cell size
- Any of the Cell Information verbosity options such as formula,
comment, hyperlink, etc.
- Chart Information
- Area type (chart, point, legend, etc.)
- Chart Title (Sales Performance Chart, My Bar Graph, etc.)
- Chart Name (Bar Chart 10, August Pie Chart, etc.)
- Chart Type (3D stacked bar, etc.)
- Series Elements (Name, Point Count, Axis Group, Series Type, Values,
etc.)
- Axis Elements (Number, Title, Type, Group, Scale, etc.)
- Advanced Information (chart size, obscured cells, border weight,
fill type, etc.)
- There are two sections of chart information, depending on whether
the main chart area has been selected, or an individual chart element.
The top part of the chart information relates to just the data of the
chart. Further down, you’ll find a separator that says, “Advanced
Information:” which provides information about the data in the chart, as
well as the visual features of the chart.
- Object Information
- Object Type (Picture, Ole Object, etc.)
- Object Text (Bitmap Image, Wave Sound, etc.)
Page Navigation: The Page Navigation dialog (INS-TAB by default)
provides the ability to quickly navigate through or review the
components of a worksheet, or workbook, in one comprehensive dialog.
When accessed, the title bar of the dialog will contain the number of
selected element along with whether the element is being examined in the
current region, worksheet, or the entire workbook. To switch between the
various element groups use the available radio buttons or associated
accelerators (listed below). To focus the currently selected item and/or
move the selection to that item, select the Focus Item button, press
ALT-F, or simply press ENTER.
- Comments: ALT-C � Lists all comments contained in the current
worksheet or workbook.
- Hyperlinks: ALT-H � Lists all hyperlinks contained in the current
worksheet or workbook.
- Objects: ALT-J � Lists all objects contained in the current
worksheet or workbook.
- Named Areas: ALT-A � Lists all named areas contained in the current
worksheet or workbook.
- Cells in Column: ALT-E � Lists all non-empty cells contained in the
current column, and their value constrained either by the current region
or workbook.
- Cells in Row: ALT-L � Lists all non-empty cells contained in the
current row, and their value constrained either by the current region or
workbook.
- Page Breaks: ALT-P � Lists individual pages and their corresponding
cell range for either the current worksheet or workbook.
- Monitor Cells: ALT-N � Lists all monitor cells contained in the
current worksheet or workbook.
- Worksheets: ALT-O � Lists all worksheets contained in the current
workbook.
- Charts: ALT-T � Lists all charts contained in the current worksheet
or workbook.
The current specified area is the region that Window-Eyes will
examine to find the items that you have selected. You can control the
current specified area by pressing ALT-R for region, ALT-W for Worksheet
(the default), or ALT-K for Workbook. When you select a specified area,
all items (such as comments, hyperlinks, objects, etc.) will be relative
to the specified area. Note that certain element types are not available
for certain areas. For example, Cells in Column is not available for the
entire workbook.
You can also access an edit box containing Miscellaneous Information
regarding the currently selected element by either tabbing to the
Miscellaneous Information edit box, or by pressing ALT-I. For example
with comments you get the following in the edit box: size, whether the
comment is visible or hidden, what cells it obscures when it is visible
and if that region is covering any non-blank cells, the cell’s contents,
and the full comment. With hyperlinks you get the URL. With objects, you
get what cells it obscures and whether there are any non-blank cells
under that. With monitor cells, you get all the individual cells for
that named group along with their data. Charts also give you what cells
they cover.
The Focus Item button will give the selected element focus or make
that element active. For example, if you select a comment and activate
the Focus Item button, the cell containing that comment will become the
active cell.
The Selected Item button is similar to the Focus Item button in that
it will give the selected element focus or make that element active. In
addition, it will also select all the other cells. For example, if you
select Cells in column and have selected a cell from this group,
pressing the Focus Item button will cause the selected cell to become
the active cell. If you press the Select Item button, the selected cell
will become the active cell, and all the other cells in the column will
be selected. Note that the Selected Item button is not available for all
element types.
Headers and Totals: This dialog allows you to setup what columns
and/or rows should be used as either header cell and/or total cells for
an area in the current worksheet (ALT-SHIFT-H by default). As you TAB
through the Headers and Totals dialog, you will discover the following
controls:
Header or Total Name Edit Box � Allows you to enter a description for
the currently defined item. This name is only for documentation
purposes, and has no impact on the functionality of the item being
defined. For example, you might enter the name “headers for yearly
sales.” This name is useful for determining the function of each
header/total definition for the current worksheet.
Region To Use List Box: Allows you to set the area to be used for
your headers and totals definitions. This list box will always start
with “current region.” Regions are automatically defined by Excel based
on blank rows and columns. The region that you were in when you entered
the dialog would be used if you select “current region.” The next item
in the Region To Use list box is “full worksheet.” The full worksheet
option means that your entire worksheet will be used. Any named regions
that exist in the current worksheet will also be listed in the regions
list box. Named areas are defined by selecting a group of cells, opening
Excel�s insert menu, choosing the Name pull down, and then selecting the
Define option. You can then specify a name for the current selection of
cells. When you select a named region, that defined region will be used.
The last item in the Region To Use list box will always be “custom.” The
custom item allows you to manually define an area to be used for headers
and/or totals.
- Row Header Radio Button (Default: Checked): With this option
enabled, the defined row(s) will be used as column headers for the
specified region.
- Column Header Radio Button (Default: Unchecked) With this option
enabled, the defined column(s) will be used as row headers for the
specified region.
- Row and Column Header Radio Button (Default: Unchecked) With this
option enabled, the defined row(s) and column(s) will be used as column
headers and row headers for the specified region.
- Row Total Radio Button (Default: Unchecked) With this option
enabled, the defined row(s) will be used as column totals for the
specified region.
- Column Total Radio Button (Default: Unchecked) With this option
enabled, the defined column(s) will be used as row totals for the
specified region.
- Row and Column Total Radio Button (Default: Unchecked) With this
option enabled, the defined row(s) and column(s) will be used as column
totals and row totals for the specified region.
Always Read Header (Default: Unchecked) � When a column header is
defined, the header will only be read when navigating horizontally
through the specified region. When a row header is defined, the header
will only be read when navigating vertically through the specified
region. With this option enabled, Window-Eyes will always read the
defined header, regardless of how you move through the specified region.
Note this option will be disabled if you have not selected a region type
of header.
Region Cells Edit Box: Allows you to define a range of cells for the
custom item in the Region To Use list box. If any other region is
selected in the Region To Use list box, the range of cells used in that
selected region will be displayed in this edit box, and the edit box
will be read only. This item can be used in place of setting up a named
region in Excel. An Excel named region, however, should be used over a
Window-Eyes custom region if the region itself will be changing in size.
Window-Eyes custom region is fixed to the defined size, while an Excel
named region automatically adjusts as columns and rows are added or
removed.
Add Entry Button: Saves all current data to the list of Current
Headers and Totals for the current worksheet. The dialog will remain
open after selecting this button.
Remove Entry Button: Removes the currently selected item in the
Current Headers and Totals list box, and associated data, for the
current worksheet. The dialog will remain open after selecting this
button.
OK Button: Automatically saves all current data to the list of
Current Headers and Totals for the current worksheet, and closes the
dialog.
Cancel Button: Closes the dialog without saving the current
entry.
Current Headers and Totals List Box: Displays all areas that have
been defined using the Headers and Totals dialog for the current
worksheet in the current workbook. When the Headers and Totals dialog is
accessed for the first time in a new worksheet, this list will be empty.
Entries will be displayed using the text entered in the Header or Total
Name edit box after an entry is added, and the defined region type will
be added to the end of the name. When you select an item in the Current
Headers and Totals list box, the data associated with that header or
total will be displayed in the respective controls throughout the
Headers and Totals dialog, allowing you to either review the settings or
adjust them. If you adjust any settings, you will need to re-add the
entry. Note that if you change the name of the Header or Total, and you
add the entry, the previous entry will not be removed or replaced. The
settings will only be updated if you leave the name the same as the
previous entry, and then add the entry.
Rows and Columns To Use Edit Box: Displays the row(s) and/or
column(s) that you plan on using as the header or total for the
currently selected region in the Region To Use list box. The information
in this edit box will default to being the active cell or the selected
cells. You can manually change this to use discontinuous rows for
headers or totals. For example, you may want to use row 3, then row 5,
then row 10 as header information for the currently selected region. You
can also specify rows or columns in a different worksheet if
desired.
Use Selected Cells Button: Allows you to reset the Rows and Columns
To Use edit box to the active cell or the selected cells.
Monitor Cells: This dialog allows you to setup a single cell, or
group of cells, you want to monitor (ALT-SHIFT-M by default). You can
monitor them manually or they can be set up to speak automatically
whenever they change. As you TAB through the Monitor Cells dialog, you
will discover the following controls:
Name Edit Box: Allows you to enter a description of the monitor cells
group you are about to define. This name is only for documentation
purposes, and has no impact on the functionality of the item being
defined. The name can also be spoken when the monitor cell is spoken,
and will also be displayed in the Monitor Names list box when the “Any
monitor cell” hotkey is pressed.
Cells To Monitor Edit Box: Displays cells to be monitored, and
defaults to being either the active cell or range of currently selected
cells. You may also enter monitor cells manually, using a single cell
position, a collection of cells separated by a comma, or a range of
cells separated by a colon. You can also supply the worksheet name. For
example, you might enter something like:
a1,b1,c5:d10,sheet2!a1,sheet2!b5:sheet2!c10
Note that it is important to make sure all punctuation is correct
when entering cell collections or cell ranges. If you do not specify the
worksheet name, the current worksheet will be used.
Hotkey Combo Box: Allows you to select an ID (ranging from 1 to 10)
to apply to the current group of monitor cells. The ID is only used when
you press the associated Monitor Cell hot key (Monitor Cell 1 through
Monitor Cell 10, discussed below). If you do not wish to read the
defined monitor cells using any of the 10 read monitor cells hotkeys,
meaning you set it up to read automatically or you will use the any
monitor cell hotkey, then you can set this to none. Doing so will cause
Window-Eyes not to attach this monitor cell to any of the 10 read
monitor cell hotkeys.
Name Check Box (Default: Unchecked) � With this option enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the name supplied in the Name edit box before
speaking the monitor cell data.
Row Header Check Box (Default: Unchecked) � With this option enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the row header (if defined) before speaking the
monitor cell data.
Column Header Check Box (Default: Unchecked) � With this option
enabled, Window-Eyes will speak the column header (if defined) before
speaking the monitor cell data.
Position Check Box (Default: Checked): With this option enabled,
Window-Eyes will speak the cell position before speaking the monitor
cell data.
Auto Speak Check Box (Default: Unchecked): With this option enabled,
Window-Eyes will automatically speak the monitor cell when its content
changes. The monitor cell hot keys will always read regardless of
whether or not this option is enabled. If the monitor cell group
contains more than one cell, only the cell or cells that change will be
read automatically within the group.
Get Dependent Cells From Edit Box: Defaults to the active cell
position or the selected cells. You can type any cell, collection, or
range like the Cells To Monitor edit box. This control is useful for the
following list box.
Dependencies For List Box: Displays all cells that are dependencies
for the cells listed in the Get Dependent Cells From edit box discussed
above. For example, if you have a list of numbers from cell A1 to cell
A10 and cell A11 is the sum of cell A1 through cell A10, and cell A5 was
the active cell when accessing the monitor cell dialog, cell A5 will be
in the Get Dependent Cells From edit box, and cell A11 will be in the
Dependencies For list box. You can type any cell, collection, or range
like the Cells To Monitor edit box.
Add Selected Dependencies Button: Allows you to add the selected item
in the Dependencies For list box to the Cells To Monitor edit box. If
monitor cell information already exists in the Cells To Monitor edit box
when pressing this button, the selected item in the Dependencies For
list box will be appended to the text in the Cell To Monitor edit box.
Note that this button will be disabled if you have not selected any
items in the Dependencies list box.
The Get Dependant Cells from edit box, Dependencies for list box and
the Add Selected Dependencies button are tools which allow you to easily
setup monitor cells for cells that are dependent on other cells, and
will list the dependent cells for the active or selected cells. You can
also use these tools like a calculator to get any dependencies you
wish.
Add Entry Button: Saves all current data to the list of Monitor Names
for the current worksheet. The dialog will remain open after selecting
this button.
Remove Entry Button: Removes the currently selected item in the
Monitor Names list box, and associated data, for the current worksheet.
The dialog will remain open after selecting this button.
OK Button: Automatically saves all current data to the list of
Monitor Names for the current worksheet, and closes the dialog.
Cancel Button: Closes the dialog without saving the current
entry.
Monitor Names List Box: Lists all the names of the monitored groups
currently defined, and allows you to arrow between them. As you move
through them all the other controls will update to their settings. This
can be used to review or update settings for existing groups.
The Monitor Cells dialog allows you to easily set up a quick monitor
cell by automatically setting the name to Quick # (where # is the first
unused Read Monitor hot key. If there is no unused hot key, the name
will be left blank), the Cells To Monitor will default to the active
cell (or current selection), and only the position check box will be
checked. This quick feature can be used if you are on a single cell or
selection of cells that you wish to monitor. Simply bring up the Monitor
Cells dialog, note the default name given, and press enter. The quick
monitor group will be saved automatically. The name indicates the number
of the Read Monitor Cell hot key to use. This feature provides you with
a way to monitor a cell or group of cells quickly, without having to set
up a number of options.
Monitor Cell 1-10: Each of these 10 hot keys will read the monitor
cell with the respective ID (ALT-SHIFT-0 through ALT-SHIFT-9 by
default). In other words, Monitor Cell 1 will read the monitor cell
whose ID is 1. Monitor Cell 2 will read the monitor cell whose ID is 2,
and so on. Note that multiple monitor cells can be associated with the
same ID.
Any Monitor Cell: This hot key activates the Read Monitor Cell
dialog, which allows you to select which monitor cell you want to read
(ALT-SHIFT-A by default). As you TAB through the dialog, you will
discover the following controls:
Monitored Cells List Box: Lists all defined monitor cells.
Speak Data Button: Allows Window-Eyes to read the selected monitor
cell in the Monitored Cells List Box.
Cancel: Closes the dialog.
While in the list of monitor cells, you can press ENTER to have
Window-Eyes read the information for the selected monitor cell. Focus
will stay in the list so that you can arrow to a different monitor cell
without having to TAB back to the list.
- Read Total Cell: This hot key will automatically read the total cell
defined in the Headers and Totals dialog (ALT-SHIFT-T by default). If a
total cell is not defined, Window-Eyes will look for all dependent cells
of the active cell that have a formula starting with �=SUM�, and will
read them automatically.
- Read Comment: This hot key will read the comment for the active cell
(ALT-SHIFT-C by default).
- Read Formula When pressed once, this hot key will read the formula
for the active cell (ALT-SHIFT-F by default). When pressed twice, this
hot key will spell the formula for the active cell.
- Previous Cell: This hot key will move focus back to the cell that
was active before the current cell became active (ALT-SHIFT-P by
default).
Miscellaneous Hot Keys
- F2: This is an Excel hot key that allows you to edit the current
cell. When pressed, Window-Eyes will speak “edit mode.” Press ESC to get
out of edit mode. You will also hear �edit mode� if you start typing in
data in any cell.
- Mouse To Focus (INS-NUMPAD-PLUS by default) � When pressed,
Window-Eyes will route the mouse to the center of the active cell or
selected object.
- Field Name (CTRL-SHIFT-N by default) � When pressed, Window-Eyes
will read the position of the active cell. If a defined header is found,
only the defined header will be read. If there is no defined header, the
cell position will be read. The second press of this hot key will always
read the cell position, along with any defined header.
- Field Data (CTRL-SHIFT-D by default) � When pressed, Window-Eyes
will read the data of the active cell. The second press will spell the
contents. The third press will spell the contents phonetically.
- CTRL-PAGE UP/CTRL-PAGE DOWN � Excel hot keys that move forward and
backward through the worksheets of the current workbook. By default, the
new worksheet name will be read, followed by the active cell.
- Speak Summary (CTRL-SHIFT-S by default) � When pressed once,
Window-Eyes will speak the cell information using the current verbosity
options. When pressed a second time, Speak Summary will speak cell
information forcing all verbosity options on for the current worksheet
(note that only those elements that exist will be spoken). If a header
has been defined for the active cell, speak summary will read the
header. If there is no header and the location verbosity check box is
checked, then the current cell will be read. You can choose to hear info
relative to the worksheet or workbook via the verbosity option.
- Highlighted Block (CTRL-SHIFT-M by default) � When pressed,
Window-Eyes will speak the range of cells that are selected, as well as
which cell is currently active. For example, if cells A5 through H11 are
selected, and A5 is the active cell, Window-Eyes will say, “Selected A5
to H11, active cell A5.” The second press will provide more information
about the selection. In the same example above you would hear, �Selected
A5 to H11, A5 blah, H5 blah, A11 blah, H11 blah 7 rows 8 columns, active
cell A5,� where �blah� is the cell�s contents. Note that if a cell is
blank, then the cell is not read on the second press. Also, if a defined
header is set up for any of the cells being read, the header will be
spoken.
Document specific settings
Window-Eyes now supports the ability to save specific settings for a
specific worksheet using the Document Specific Settings feature located
in the File menu of the Window-Eyes Voice Control panel, just like you
can for Microsoft Word documents. Whenever you setup headers or totals,
or monitor cells, these settings are automatically saved for the current
worksheet for the current workbook, and are saved in the document
specific settings. Also, as with Microsoft Word, you will be able to
import and export document specific settings.
Chart Navigation
When you focus any chart, you can use Excel to navigate the chart
elements by using the up and down arrows to move by major groups, and
the left and right arrow keys to move within a group. Window-Eyes will
automatically read the information as you navigate. You will, however,
be able to obtain much more information about the current chart element
by using the Element Properties dialog (INS-E by default). This dialog
will provide information relative to the focused element on the chart.
If the main chart itself (the chart area) is selected, all information
about the chart will be provided.
Mozilla Firefox
Window-Eyes 5.5 is the first screen reader to fully support Mozilla
Firefox. Firefox is a free, open source, web browser developed by the
Mozilla Foundation and hundreds of volunteers. Some of the major
features that make Firefox an attractive alternative web browser
are:
- Tabbed Browsing: Open several pages in a single window, allowing you
quick access to multiple pages of information. Tabbed browsing makes
setting up travel plans, researching information, or reading news much
more efficient. You can also load new links in the background so they’re
ready to be viewed when you’re ready to read them.
- Popup Blocking: A built in popup blocker keeps unwanted windows from
being displayed
- Privacy and Security: No ActiveX controls are loaded, and you can
choose to have Firefox clear private data (such as browsing history,
saved form information, passwords, cookies, cache, etc.) either on
startup or shutdown.
- Smarter Search: Google search is built into the Firefox toolbar,
allowing you quick access to the most popular search engine. You can
also customize searching capabilities by adding keywords to any search
edit box.
- Live Bookmarks: RSS integration lets you view news and headlines
from your favorite sites.
- Download Manager: Keep all your downloads organized in one
place.
For more information on all Firefox features, visit the Mozilla
Firefox web page: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/.
Window-Eyes support for Firefox is almost identical to that of
Internet Explorer. In other words, all of the quick access keys,
detailed in Section 19 of the Window-Eyes manual, will work in both
Firefox and Internet Explorer. In other words, regardless of the
browser, C will move you through form controls, S will move you through
lists. L will move you through links, and so on.
You can find information on where to download Firefox at
http://www.gwmicro.com/support/firefox.
Accessible DHTML
Accessible DHTML (Dynamic HyperText Markup Language) is now possible
thanks to GW Micro’s partnership with IBM and the Mozilla Foundation.
Dynamic HTML is designed for applications that are developed to work
through the browser. DHTML applications are treated just like stand
alone Windows applications. In other words, we don’t want you to realize
the difference between using a dialog in a browser application and using
a standard windows dialog. Window-Eyes provides complete access to
controls like treeviews, combo boxes, progress bars, radio buttons,
check boxes, etc., to ensure a seamless and productive environment,
whether online or offline.
Corporations like AOL, Yahoo, Oracle, and Peoplesoft have all
expressed great interest in supporting Accessible DHTML in their future
web applications, and GW Micro and IBM are working hard to guarantee
DHTML accessibility.
Hot Keys
- CTRL-PAGE UP/CTRL-PAGE DOWN: Allows you to move forward and
backward, respectively, through currently open tabs.
- CTRL-1 through CTRL-0: Allows you to select the tab corresponding to
the number pressed. In other words, to activate the 5th tab, press
CTRL-5. To activate the 3rd tab, press CTRL-3.
- CTRL-T: Opens a new tab, and places focus in the location edit
box.
- CTRL-K: Focuses the search edit box (the Google search engine is
used by default)
- CTRL-ENTER: Opens a link in a new tab in the background.
- ALT-ENTER: When using the address bar, or search bar, this hot key
will cause the results to be opened in a new tab in the background
- ALT-D/CTRL-L: Focuses the address bar.
- ALT-HOME: Sets the current tab to the defined home page.
- CTRL-R: Reloads the current tab.
Additional hot keys can be found in the Firefox help menu.
Misc. Features
- In an effort to provide the best possible computing experience for
new users, the Window-Eyes Voice Control Panel has been improved in a
few different ways.
- Menu Level - Under the Global menu, you will find a new option
called Menu Level that lets you choose between a simple menu system
(designed for beginners), an advanced menu system (designed for advanced
users), or a menu system that is in between.
- M = Menu Level � Default = Beginner
- Choosing Menu Level opens the Select Menu Level dialog box. The box
contains a list with the following items.
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- When Menu Level is set to Beginner, the Window-Eyes Voice Control
panel menu system will be stripped down to the basic functions a
beginner might be interested in (such as voice settings, synthesizer,
and Braille display). The Window-Eyes title bar will also change, only
showing the name Window-Eyes (the active and associated set file
information is not announced). When Menu Level is set to Intermediate,
the Window-Eyes Voice Control panel menu system will be stripped down to
the functions an intermediate user might be interested in (such as
verbosity, punctuation, and dictionary editing). The Window-Eyes title
bar will also change, only showing the name of the active set file (the
associated set file information is not announced). When Menu Level is
set to Advanced, all Window-Eyes menu options will be available. The
Window-Eyes title bar will also change, showing the names of both the
active set file, and associated set file.
- Note that menu level setting does not affect whether or not an
unlisted feature still functions. In other words, when the menu level is
set to beginner, the Verbosity menu is not available. But you may still
access verbosity options by using the Verbosity Dialog hot key (INS-V by
default).
- Global Options - The Window-Eyes global options for voice, rate,
pitch, tone, and volume for screen, keyboard, and mouse are no longer
available in the global menu, but are now always available under the
Screen, Keyboard, and Mouse menus. The same is true for the verbosity
options; they are no longer available in the global menu, but are now
always available under the Verbosity menu item (when the menu level is
set to Intermediate or Advanced). Global voice parameters and verbosity
options still exist, and are still enabled or disabled using the Global
Settings option in the global menu (note that Menu Level must be set to
Advanced to adjust the Global Settings). There is no longer an Apply
Settings option in the global menu. Instead, whenever you save ANY set
file, Window-Eyes will automatically apply your verbosity settings at
the same time. In other words, you would use the Screen menu to change
the rate of speech, and then use File, Save, Save Set File to “apply”
those settings. If the Menu Level is set to beginner, and a set file has
not been associated to the current application where settings are being
saved, Window-Eyes will create a new set file automatically using a
default set file name (based on the current application), and will
automatically associate it without prompting the user. If the Menu Level
is set to Intermediate or Advanced, the Save As dialog will be
displayed, allowing you to modify the name of the set file being saved.
This set up allows beginner users to easily save both the current set
file settings, and global settings, in one step, even if a set file does
not already exist for an application.
- The Init Synthesizer option has been removed from the general menu,
as this feature is not needed much anymore. We have, however, left in
the ability to press the letter “i” while in the Window-Eyes Voice
Control panel to initialize your synthesizer should you need to. Also,
the Screen Redraw hot key (INS-BACKSLASH by default) will reinitialize
your synthesizer.
- Window-Eyes in the System Tray � The file menu includes a new option
that will allow you to place Window-Eyes in the system tray, out of the
ALT-TAB program list, allowing you quicker access to your open
applications. Note that this feature is only available in Windows 2000
or greater.
- I = Run in System Tray � Default = Off
- This option will place a Window-Eyes icon in the system tray when
you close the Window-Eyes Voice Control panel. You can still access the
Window-Eyes Voice Control panel by using the Menu hot key
(CTRL-BACKSLASH by default), by clicking the icon with the mouse (using
either the left mouse button, right mouse button, or appropriate
keystroke), or (if you’re using Windows XP or greater) by pressing
WINDOWS KEY-B, arrowing to the Window-Eyes icon, and either pressing
ENTER, the context menu key, or SHIFT-F10.
- Route to Tooltips: Window-Eyes now allows you to route the mouse
pointer to a tooltip. This feature is extremely useful when a balloon
tool tip pops up in the system tray saying something like, “Click here
to perform a task.” For example, if you have automatic updates turned on
under Windows XP, when updates are available, a balloon tool tip may pop
up in the system tray saying, “Updates for your computer have been
downloaded from Windows Update. Click here to review these updates and
install them.” When you hear this message, press the Mouse to Focus hot
key (INS-NUMPAD-PLUS by default) twice. Window-Eyes will say, “Pointer
routed to tool tip,” and will place the mouse pointer in the center of
the tool tip. At that point, you can press the Single Click Left Button
(NUMPAD-SLASH by default) to perform the click that the balloon refers
to.
- Auto Complete: When using Eudora, Outlook XP and 2003, or Outlook
Express, Window-Eyes will now automatically read auto completed text in
the email fields. Auto completion happens when you enter the first few
characters of a name that exists in your address book, and the email
program recognizes the text as being part of an address book entry. The
applications mentioned above will automatically display the rest of the
address that corresponds to the text that you’ve entered. For example,
say you have wesupport@aisquared.com in your Eudora address book. If you
create a new message in Eudora, and enter “su” in the To field, Eudora
will automatically fill in the rest of the email address that matches
what you’ve typed (in this case, pport@gwmicro.com). Window-Eyes will
now automatically read the information that the email program has
displayed (again, in this case, pport@gwmicro.com), as that is the text
that Eudora has used to auto complete the email. You can press the Speak
Summary hot key (CTRL-SHIFT-S by default) or speak current line
(CTRL-NUMPAD-CENTER by default) to hear the entire email address. If you
press Speak Summary twice, the email address will be spelled out.
- Sonar: Window-Eyes now supports the appropriate MSAA events that
allow Sonar 4 and Sonar 5 to speak automatically when navigating through
the track view items, such as Manual Mute, Solo, Record, Volume, Pan,
Volume Trim, Phase, Input, Output To, etc. In order for the proper MSAA
events to fire, you will need to run one of the following registry
files:
- For Sonar 4: wineyessetssonarsonar4.reg
- For Sonar 5: wineyessetssonarsonar5.reg
- Either type the full path to the registry file of your choice in the
run dialog in the Windows start menu (followed by enter), or select the
appropriate file through Windows explorer (followed by enter). Make sure
that Sonar is not running when you run either registry file.
Enhancements
between Window-Eyes 5.5 and Window-Eyes 5.0
Browse Mode
In an effort to clear up the mystery behind what MSAA mode actually
is, we are no longer calling it MSAA mode. Window-Eyes now refers to the
environment used for browsing web pages, PDF documents, HTML help, HTML
emails, etc., as browse mode. Note that the functionality of browsing
has not changed; we have simply changed the name to provide users with a
better understanding of what this environment is used for. When you’re
in browse mode (formerly known as MSAA mode), CTRL-SHIFT-A is still the
default toggle key, and when pressed, will announce, “browse on” or
“browse off.” And Browse mode, just like MSAA mode, needs to be off
before you can interact with edit boxes, and similar form controls. All
hot keys that worked in MSAA mode are exactly the same in Browse mode,
and can be found under the Hot Keys dialog, in a section called Browse
mode. Once again, functionality has not changed. We have only changed
the name of this mode to help provide a clear understanding of its
purpose.
Microsoft Word
- Next/Prev Sentence � We have added two new hot keys for moving to
the previous (CTRL-SHIFT-PAGE UP) and next (CTRL-SHIFT-PAGE DOWN)
sentences in Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word does not define the
next/previous sentences hot keys by default, so we added them to the
Normal template automatically when Word starts.
- Tab controls in the Page Setup dialog in Word were not reading when
focused. This has been resolved.
- Controls created using Word Macro forms were not being read. This
has been resolved.
- Some Word documents caused Window-Eyes to become sluggish when
opened. This has been resolved.
- Next and Previous line hot keys would cause lockups in types of
documents. This has been resolved.
- We have enhanced form support for Word. Forms should now be much
faster and more reliable.
- We fixed a problem where Braille output would show “re” while in the
document area in Word.
- If you type Janu, Word will pop up a tool tip saying to press ENTER
to automatically complete the word January. Window-Eyes now reads these
tool tips.
- We fixed a problem where pressing ESC to cancel a read to end could
cause lock ups when using Word under Windows 9X.
- We fixed a problem where enhanced apostrophes (ANSI 146) would cause
words like “don’t” to be spoken “don t.” This correction affects any
application that uses this type of apostrophe.
- Window-Eyes now includes alternative text for graphics in the page
navigation dialog.
- Window-Eyes now allows check boxes and radio buttons to be toggled
inside of protected documents.
- Thanks to our feedback to Microsoft, they have resolved more issues
on their side, so make sure that you have all of the latest Microsoft
Office updates from the Microsoft web site.
- We fixed a problem where the file name edit box would not speak
correctly in Word 2000.
- Characters were not being read in the spellchecker in Word. This has
been resolved.
- Tabbing between the toolbar items in Microsoft Office is now much
more responsive.
Internet Explorer
- In Internet Explorer, the left and right arrow keys would not read
form titles correctly. This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes now works much better with IFRAMES on web pages.
- We have resolved several list issues.
- We fixed a problem where moving through anchors on web pages was
inconsistent.
- On some web pages, onClicks would disappear when you navigated away
from the page, and then back. This has been resolved.
- We fixed a problem where tabbing through links on some pages would
cause the page to reload.
- We fixed a problem where same page links were not working on some
pages.
- Window-Eyes was incorrectly reporting foreground and background
colors in the element properties dialog. This has been resolved.
- The element properties dialog was listing foreground and background
colors in RGB format rather than using color names. This has been
resolved.
- We fixed a problem where selecting text in MSAA mode would cause
additional characters to be selected, even after being unselected.
- Smart Table mode was ignoring form controls when determining whether
a table should be announced or not. This has been resolved.
- On some web pages, Window-Eyes would place protected text (such as
“end frame”) at the beginning of the next line of text. This has been
resolved.
- The fieldset verbosity option was being ignored. This has been
resolved.
- Quotes and Blockquotes now use the same verbosity option
- The “refresh blocked” and “redirect blocked” messages are now forced
on, regardless of the new page information verbosity setting, and are
the first messages spoken after a load done message when a new page has
a refresh or redirect that has been blocked.
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes would not put the cursor on an
edit box when pressing ENTER on the control.
- We fixed a problem where font information was being provided for
images in the element properties dialog.
- If an onClick existed on a given element, all child elements would
also have onClicks associated with them. This has been resolved.
- We fixed a problem where protected text (such as “list 1 with 4
items”) would be selected when using the SHIFT-ARROW keys.
- The headings on some pages were not being indicated. This has been
resolved.
- Window-Eyes now provides access to hidden edit boxes, such as search
boxes located inside drop down menu items.
- We fixed several list problems with Macromedia Flash movies.
- We have added support for the current beta of Internet Explorer
7.
Outlook/Outlook Express
- We resolved a problem where messages in Outlook would just say,
“loading page” or would ding when pressing the down arrow after loading
a new message.
- In Outlook 2003, when you opened a new message, you would hear the
title of the previous message being read. This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes now supports the Outlook 2003 auto complete
feature.
- We resolved a crash that would happen when opening email in Outlook
Express.
Browse Mode
- Browse Mode would not always reload automatically after pressing
enter on a button on a web page. This has been resolved.
- Browse Mode would not reload automatically after sending a message
in Outlook Express. This has been resolved.
- We have added a new Browse Mode link verbosity option: Do Not
Indicate Link/Indicate Link Before/Indicate Link After � This option
will notify the user of link elements. If Do Not Indicate Link is
enabled, no link indication will be announced. If Indicate Link Before
is enabled, the link announcement will be spoken before the link text.
For example, “Link GW Micro.” If Indicate Link After is enabled, the
link announcement will be spoken after the link text. For example, “GW
Micro Link.” This option is also used when tabbing through links with
browse mode turned off.
- We fixed a problem where links spanning multiple lines would be
broken up into individual lines in Browse Mode.
- Window-Eyes would incorrectly indicate “redirect blocked.” This has
been resolved.
- Window-Eyes would get stuck, saying, “downloading page.” This has
been resolved.
- We fixed a problem where browse mode would not load correctly with
multiple browse windows open.
- Browse Mode would not load in Outlook Express when a message was
open in Eudora. This has been resolved.
Braille
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes was not indicating “mic” for
checked menu items.
- We fixed a crash when using Grade 2 Braille in certain cases.
- We have added support for the Braille Sense Notetaker (serial and
USB), Papenmeier Braillex EL 66s and 80s, Humanware Brailliant 32, 64,
and 80 Braille displays.
- Updated the default Braille keys for the Brailliant, SuperVario, and
PocketVario displays.
- Existing data in edit boxes on web pages was not showing up in
Braille. This has been resolved.
- We fixed a problem where Braille was not visible in the command
prompt under Windows 2000 or higher, and some 16-bit applications.
- BrailleNote with full keyboard support has been added to the list of
supported Braille displays.
Lotus Notes
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes was not able to locate the
document/database link icon in both new and existing messages.
- Window-Eyes now reads event list boxes correctly.
- When arrowing through a message, Window-Eyes could triple speak
certain lines. This has been resolved.
- The open database list box was not speaking. This has been
resolved.
- We fixed a problem where message status graphics (read, unread,
etc.) were not always reading.
- Browse mode was not being activated when opening the first message.
This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes now automatically determines the version of Notes being
used rather than relying on an INI file.
Visual Studio
- If you exited a menu, and then opened a dialog in Visual Basic 6,
all of the controls in the dialog would not be announced when pressing
the TAB key.
- In Visual Studio 2005, text would not read in the Advanced SQL
Generation Dialog. This has been resolved.
- In Visual Studio 2005, Expanded/Collapsed Tree View Nodes were not
reading. This has been resolved.
- In Visual Studio 2005, Window-Eyes was not reading edit box
information. This has been resolved.
- In Visual Studio 2005, the correct information was not being read in
the Export Class Diagram dialog. This has been resolved.
- In Visual Studio 2005, Window-Eyes would not read the Zoom Factor
item in the toolbar. This has been resolved.
- In Visual Studio 2005, Window-Eyes would not read the Insert Snippet
Information option. This has been resolved.
- In Visual Studio 2005, Window-Eyes would double speak Link Labels in
a .NET VB app. This has been resolved.
- We fixed a problem where opening up the Windows control panel, or a
Windows Explorer window, would cause the machine to hang.
- We fixed some major OSM corruption when using Excel. This fix also
affects other applications using the same method to put data on the
screen.
- Window-Eyes could lose information in newly launched applications.
This has been resolved.
- When Window-Eyes is running and a screen saver that requires a
password comes up, the system could lock. This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes could max out the CPU under specific circumstances. This
has been resolved.
- We have fixed several reports submitted via the Window-Eyes Error
Reporting utility. Thanks to everyone who continues to use this utility
to report problems. You help make Window-Eyes a better product!
- Several blow ups and memory leaks have been resolved.
- We have made several low level changes that should greatly impact
Window-Eyes performance. General usage should appear to be much
faster.
- We have made several stability enhancements.
- We have made several performance enhancements.
- We have made some internal speed improvements dealing specifically
with graphics.
- We fixed a significant memory leak in browse mode.
- We resolved a crash that occurred in the page navigation
dialog.
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes would crash when opening the
Windows XP Media Center application.
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes would crash when looking for a
default button.
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes would crash after closing
Internet Explorer in Windows 9X.
- Fixed a few more GPF reports submitted to us through our Error
Reporting utility.
- Thanks to our Error Reporting feature, we were able to fix a GPF
that would occur when using the Microsoft RDP Virtual Synthesizer.
Misc. Enhancements
- Window-Eyes now has preliminary support for the beta versions of
Windows Vista. Note that XP video drivers are required for Window-Eyes
to work successfully under Windows Vista betas.
- Top and Bottom index were not spoken when a Windows Explorer folder
view was set to list under Windows 2K/XP. This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes now reads an index number in MSAA tab controls.
- When switching between two applications that use browse mode (such
as Eudora, and Lotus Notes), sometimes browse mode would not come back
on automatically. This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes was speaking the checked status, as well as “on/off” for
the check boxes in the Start Menu customization dialog. This has been
resolved, and will now only speak on or off.
- A portion of the text manual was missing. This has been
resolved.
- We have resolved the “Cannot Create Hook” message that showed up
after a recent security update from Microsoft under Windows 9X.
- Window-Eyes now speaks the tool tips in Skype.
- The text “blink” was not being localized for other languages. This
has been resolved.
- We fixed a problem when switching identities in Outlook Express with
the preview pane enabled.
- We fixed a problem where browse mode would not always turn on
automatically in Eudora.
- MSN Messenger 7 would crash when exiting Window-Eyes. This has been
resolved, and helped fix a major shutdown problem that Window-Eyes
had.
- Trackbars in MSN Messenger 7 were not reading. This has been
resolved.
- When you press the speak summary hotkey, if a field name is
associated with the control that currently has focus, it will now be
read. For example, before this fix, while on the combo edit box in the
run dialog Window-Eyes would say “blah x of y” where blah is the current
text in the combo edit box. Now we say “open o blah x of y”.
- Window-Eyes was not indicating the check box status in some
applications. This has been resolved.
- There were a handful of applications (such as MDaemon, and Sygate)
where Window-Eyes was not able to read menus, or context menus. This has
been resolved.
- Menu accelerators were not being reported for some Windows menus as
well as most (if not all) MSAA menus. This has been resolved.
- We have increased the limit on manual field name labels (created
with CTRL-INS-F by default) from 48 characters to 200.
- Window-Eyes would not check to see if a particular window was in the
Off Screen Model before setting system caret information for it.
- Read Current Line would occasionally pick up old line information.
This has been resolved.
- We have made several improvements for the next version of AOL.
- Window-Eyes fully supports MSN Messenger 7.5
- When word mode was enabled, apostrophes would not be sent to the
synthesizer. This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes now correctly reads the View, and Arrange Icons context
menu, and will indicate when items are checked.
- When arrowing past the first screen of text in Outlook, Window-Eyes
would no longer announce blank lines, and would read previous lines in
place of blank lines. This has been resolved.
- If the system tray gets focus, Window-Eyes will make sure that the
mouse pointer is not in the system tray � this helps reading accuracy
when focus is in the system tray.
- Window-Eyes no longer double reads tool tips as you move from entry
to entry in the quick launch, task bar, or system tray.
- If you were using an enhanced apostrophe (ANSI 146), Window-Eyes
would break up the word the apostrophe was used in. This was most
notable in Word with the “Straight Quotes” with “Smart Quotes”
replace-as-you-type feature enabled. This has been resolved.
- You can now apply different speech parameters to individual SAPI and
ViaVoice synthesizers. In other words, if you want to use ETI Eloquence
Reed with a voice rate of 50, but want to hear ETI Eloquence Grandma at
rate 35, you can. The Use Engine Specific Specified Speech Parameters
check box in the Select Synthesizer dialog allows different speech
parameters to be applied to each SAPI and ViaVoice engine installed.
Note that the Use Specified Speech Parameters check box must be checked
to enable this feature. If you do not specify parameters for a specific
engine, the parameters will revert to the specified parameters for SAPI
or ViaVoice, depending upon which one you are using. If no specific
parameters have been specified for the engines globally, then
Window-Eyes will revert to the settings in individual set files, either
global or local, depending upon what you are using.
- The wefixset utility has been updated. This is what the installer
uses to update your sets. Also you have updated set2text and text2set
utilities.
- Window-Eyes no longer allows access to File dialog (such as open,
close, save, and save as) when you’re sitting at the Windows login
screen. We disable these menu items due to security reasons to prevent
people from overwriting files or exploring the file system.
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes would chop off the first letter
of each item in the Duxbury status line.
- Window-Eyes would read incorrect menu items in Notepad when text was
selected. This has been resolved.
- MSN Messenger 7.5 contact list items were reading multiple items.
This has been resolved.
- We fixed a problem where text entered in the Visual Studio .NET code
area was not speaking.
- Window-Eyes would speak “tree view” or “outline button” too often in
MSN Messenger 7.5. This has been resolved.
- Window-Eyes could miss events (such as window creations) when
applications were opened.
- Eudora’s Microsoft Viewer would say, “Loading page” when you pressed
the down arrow too quickly. This has been resolved.
- We have increased supported lengths for name, value, and description
fields in MSAA events and queries.
- Window-Eyes now supports the Windows XP Media Edition Media Center
application.
- You can now specify which sound card to use for the DECtalk
Access32. This new feature works for both the full DECtalk Access 32 as
well as the DECtalk Access 32 (Window-Eyes) version. When you have
either synthesizer selected, you can tab to a combo box that lets you
select the default card, the first card, second card, and so on. Note
that this change may cause your existing speech parameters to be reset
to the default settings.
- We have resolved several context menu problems, specifically in the
Word XP file/open dialog, Windows Explorer, AdAware, and Skype.
- Up-down controls were not speaking label or contents in Microsoft
Word. This has been resolved.
- We fixed a problem where Window-Eyes hot keys would stop
working.
- The verbosity dialog would sometimes open up in the wrong group.
This has been resolved.
- Braille would not refresh in some situations. This has been
resolved.
- In Word, the first letter of a list item would not speak. This has
been resolved.
- We have added Word and Excel support for the current beta of Office
12.
- The control tabs in the Services control panel would double speak.
This has been resolved.
- In Eudora, the first letter of some lines in Eudora would not being
read when using the left and right arrow keys. This has been
resolved.
- An error would occur if MSCONFIG was closed while Window-Eyes was
running under Windows 9X/Me. This has been resolved.
- The Window-Eyes help/about dialog how shows if a copy is a Lease to
Own, Evaluation, Dongle, or Everlocked copy.
- Window-Eyes now supports the ability to be installed during a remote
session (i.e. Citrix, Terminal Services, or Remote Desktop).
- Window-Eyes offers a Video Support install, and a Window-Eyes Mobile
install for creating a portable installation of Window-Eyes on a
removable drive, such as a USB Flash drive. More information can be
found in Section 2.11 of the Window-Eyes Manual.
Set File Updates
- Eudora
- Field names have been manually set in the help and register
dialogs.
- Sponsored Mode, Paid Mode, and Light Mode graphics labeled.
- Labeled checked/unchecked graphics for Eudora install program.
- Added key label “out box” for CTRL-0.
- Internet Explorer
- Context Sensitive help has been updated.
- The status line hotkey is now consistent between IE and
Firefox.
- In order for these changes to take effect, you will need to
re-install the Internet Explorer set files using the Select Set File
dialog in the File menu of Window-Eyes.
- Changed the next / prior frame hot keys to M and SHIFT-M.
- Firefox
- New Firefox sets have been added
- Outlook 2000
- Conversation Graphics have been added.
- Outlook 2003
- Added hyperactive window to reload main set file
- Added new cursor keys:
- Office
- We have removed ALT-S from reading the status line in the Outlook
2003 set files, because ALT-S is the Outlook send key. The Window-Eyes
status line hot key (CTRL-INS-S by default) will read the status
line.
- Labels for message headers were not speaking correctly when replying
to messages in Outlook 2003. The sets have been modified to remove the
manual field labels for To, CC, BCC, and Message Area. This is fixed for
Outlook 2K, XP and 2003.
- Microsoft Office Outlook repeats 3 times when launched - This does
require that you update your sets with our factory sets. This fix also
makes it cleaner for Outlook 2K and Outlook XP.
- In order for these changes to take effect, you will need to
re-install the Office 2003 set files using the Select Set File dialog in
the File menu of Window-Eyes.
- Graphic labels for the Word Art dialog has been added for Word
2003.
- Outlook Express
- News thread graphics labeled.
- Labeled more read/unread graphics.
- Lotus Notes
- The readme file for the Lotus Notes sets has been updated.
- The set files are now called NOTES instead of NOTES5, as they
support versions of Notes greater than 5.
- Microsoft Excel 2000
- The Excel 2000 sets have been completely redone.
- Microsoft Excel XP
- The Excel XP sets have been completely redone.
- Microsoft Excel 2003
- The Excel 2003 sets have been completely redone.
- Microsoft Word 2000
- Added CTRL-SHIFT-PAGE UP/PAGE DOWN to read sentence.
- Microsoft Word XP
- Added CTRL-SHIFT-PAGE UP/PAGE DOWN to read sentence.
- Microsoft Word 2003
- Added CTRL-SHIFT-PAGE UP/PAGE DOWN to read sentence.
- Sonar 4/5
- Added two .reg files for MSAA support
- Updated readme with registry file information
- Window-Eyes Defaults
- Labeled checked/unchecked graphics for Nullsoft installer
applications
- Labeled checked/unchecked graphics for Installshield installer
applications
- Fixed scroll up/scroll down graphics
- Associated wepunc.000 to the Window-Eyes element properties dialog
forcing all punctuation on
- We have updated the default global setting for Browse Mode -> New
Page Information, and Status Messages – these options are now off by
default globally.
- We have labeled additional checked/unchecked graphics in the Windows
XP Add/Remove Windows Components dialog.
- In order for these changes to take effect, you will need to
re-install the Window-Eyes Default set files using the Select Set File
dialog in the File menu of Window-Eyes. Because re-installing the
Window-Eyes Default set files effects the WINEYES.000 set file currently
in use, you will need to shut down Window-Eyes and re-launch it after
re-installing the Window-Eyes Default set files in order for the new set
file changes to take effect.
- Misc.
- We’ve added Accupos Point of Sale sets, Groupwise sets, and have
updated the Goldwave sets. Thanks to Richard Turner for all of these set
files
- Converted MSAA to Browse Mode in readme files, and context sensitive
help for all set files.
5.0
Released: 1/19/2005
Cost: $75
Welcome to Window-Eyes 5.0
Congratulations!
Your productivity just got better. Thanks to the revolutionary power
of Window-Eyes 5.0, with new support for Microsoft Word, and an
innovative color identification feature (not to mention the existing
robust features of Window-Eyes, like powerful, W3C compliant web access
with Internet Explorer), you now have the power to be more successful at
work, at school, and at home.
Word Specific Features
The following section deals with the specific Word features that
Window-Eyes 5.0 now supports. As you will see, there are many new
features available.
The Microsoft Word
DOM (Document Object Model)
Window-Eyes 5.0 offers 100% text accuracy, 100% of the time thanks to
the use of the Microsoft Word DOM. The DOM (Document Object Model)
allows Window-Eyes to communicate directly with Word, insuring that the
text you hear is exactly the same text in your document. This is a first
in the screen reader industry.
Microsoft Word Hotfixes
Thanks to our working relationship with Microsoft, we now offer the
most stable, feature-rich support for Word. During our development
cycle, we found a few Word bugs that affected all users of the Microsoft
Word DOM. Microsoft has released several hotfixes to resolve these bugs,
and we are helping to distribute them, since they benefit all screen
reader users. We believe it’s important � and responsible � not only to
provide our own bug fixes, but to help you update the software we all
rely on. For more information on obtaining the latest versions of
Microsoft Word, and the latest hotfixes, please visit
http://www.gwmicro.com/support/office.
- Columns - Columns are commonly used in newspapers, magazines, and
multi-pane layouts. Window-Eyes will restrict reading to the current
column, rather than letting text from each column bleed through on a
single line. This has long been a problem for many screen readers.
- Fields - Fields are textual placeholders used for automatic
generation of a specific type of element, such as document information,
calculations, or even personal data on a job application. Window-Eyes
can announce when you enter/leave fields, and count fields on the
current line.
- Headers / Footers / Page Numbers - Headers and footers provide page
information outside the boundary of the main document. Headers appear at
the top of a page, and footers appear at the bottom. They often include
items such as page numbers, chapter titles, dates, and author names.
Window-Eyes can announce headers, footers, and page numbers.
- Miscellaneous Verbosity Window-Eyes can also indicate the following
features and elements:
- Indicate AutoCorrect - Will indicate when a word has been
auto-corrected by Microsoft Word.
- Indicate Borders and Shading: Will indicate when the cursor enters
or leaves an area that has been styled with either a border or
shading.
- Indicate Smart Tags: Will indicate when a word contains a Smart
Tag.
- Indicate Styles: Will automatically speak the format style of the
current element when moving from one style to the next.
- Automatically Dock Toolbars: To ensure that text is not hidden by
any of Word’s floating toolbars, Window-Eyes provides the option to dock
the toolbars from the document area to the toolbar.
- Pictures / Objects: Inline pictures and objects are elements that
are positioned directly in the text of a document. Non-inline (or
floating) pictures and objects are elements that have a fixed position
regardless of the surrounding text or other elements. Window-Eyes can
announce when the cursor encounters one of these pictures or
objects.
- References: Window-Eyes can read the following references:
- Comments: Comments are notes added to a document. The comments are
usually displayed in balloon windows in the margin of the document
area.
- Footnotes/Endnotes: Footnotes and endnotes are used to provide
additional information (for example, further explanation, comments, or
references) for specific text in a document. They’re also used in some
academic writing styles.
- Indicate References: Window-Eyes will announce when a reference is
encountered, and will read the associated reference information.
- Revisions: Revisions (or markup) contain changes such as insertions,
deletions, and formatting changes that have been applied to an original
document. Window-Eyes will announce when a revision is encountered and
will read the associated revision text. It will also read the revision
author’s name, date, and number of revisions.
- Sections: Sections are portions of a document which contain specific
formatting options that differ from the rest of the document. For
example, a document may begin with text in two columns, and end with
text in three columns. Each group of columns would be considered a
section. Window-Eyes will announce when the cursor enters a new section
of a document.
- Spelling / Grammar: When Window-Eyes finds a spelling or grammar
error, it’s possible to correct them “on the fly.” Just press SHIFT-F10
to bring up a context menu with several options for the current error.
Use the feature to count and indicate spelling and grammar errors.
- Tables - Tables are displayed much like a spreadsheet, however they
can be designed in a non-uniform way by merging cells. With other screen
readers, reading keys may not work as expected in non-uniform tables,
and navigation may be confusing. Window-Eyes can indicate whether a
table contains non-uniform rows or non-uniform columns. In addition to
the traditional tab/shift tab, there are several Window-Eyes hotkeys
used to navigate through table cells
- Element Properties: Window-Eyes can summarize the properties of a
particular element, such as different format styles, including colors,
fonts, and formatting (bold, underline, italic, etc.).
- Page Navigation: The Page Navigation dialog provides the ability to
quickly navigate through or review the components of a document in one
comprehensive dialog. Window-Eyes will list all comments, hyperlinks,
bookmarks, footnotes/endnotes, objects, revisions, form fields, and
spelling and grammatical errors.
- Additional Word Features
- Drop cap: Window-Eyes fully supports drop cap letters (initial
characters of a word whose font size is significantly larger than the
rest of the word) and will incorporate them seamlessly into their
associated line.
- Vertical Text: Window-Eyes fully supports vertical text when reading
by line, and will indicate if the text is presented from top to bottom
or from bottom to top.
- Speak Summary has been enhanced to provide detailed information
about the current document.
- Cursor Position Information: When using the Cursor Position hot key,
Window-Eyes will speak the position to 1/100th of whatever unit Word has
been configured to use. For example, if Word has been configured for
inches, the Cursor Position hot key might read, �1.83 inches from left,
3.55 inches from top, page 8.�
- Insert vs. Overtype: Regardless of whether the dedicated INS key is
pressed, or the INS key on the number pad is pressed, the insert and
overtype modes will always be announced, and will always function
properly.
- Format Alert: Window-Eyes can indicate offsets from the left margin
of the current section. Window-Eyes can indicate if two or more spaces
exist on a line, as well as tab spacing. For example, if a line
contains, �This tab is space space a tab test,� Window-Eyes would
announce, �This tab is 2 spaces a tab test.�
- Selecting text: In addition to 100% text accuracy 100% of the time,
Window-Eyes also boasts 100% selected text accuracy 100% of the time,
regardless of the selected text color.
- Document Specific Settings: Window-Eyes now supports the ability to
save specific settings for specific documents using the Document
Specific Settings feature. Currently, only Word documents are supported,
and only field names can be saved per document. Additional settings will
be able to be saved per document in future versions of Window-Eyes.
Color Dictionary
Initially, Window-Eyes presented both foreground and background
colors in an RGB (Red/Green/Blue) format that, although extremely
accurate, was somewhat difficult to interpret without memorizing
multiple combinations of colors. For example, one shade of red might be
equal to r255,b0,g0, while another might be equal to r100,b10,g10.
To remove the confusion of RGB values for both foreground and
background colors, Window-Eyes 5.0 introduces a revolutionary color
dictionary concept that not only indicates colors by names, but also
indicates when an unknown color is close to the shade of a known color.
For example, instead of reading r255,g0,b0 for the color red,
Window-Eyes will now simply say, �red.� Instead of saying, r100,b10,g10,
Window-Eyes will now say, �shade of red.�
Like all other Window-Eyes dictionaries, the Window-Eyes Color
Dictionary is completely customizable. Colors that have already been
defined can be altered, and new colors can be added. For example, the
color red could easily be defined as, �my favorite color.� Then,
whenever Window-Eyes would encounter the color red, it would announce,
�my favorite color.� This can be specific to individual programs and
applications.
The power of the Window-Eyes color dictionary becomes evident when
you imagine scenarios where Window-Eyes might announce a color as being
�shade of my favorite color� or �shade of important information,� such
as an email program.
Mozilla
Window-Eyes 5.0 is proud to be the first screen reader to include
robust support for the Mozilla web browser, a popular alternative to
Internet Explorer.
Enhancements
between Window-Eyes 5.0 Window-Eyes 4.5
- Window-Eyes 5.0 now fully supports Windows 2003 SP1 (beta)
- The following set files have been updated: MSN Messenger, Microsoft
Office 2000, Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Office 2003, Outlook
Express, and the Window-Eyes defaults.
- The default and laptop layouts have been enhanced. Both layouts
include CTRL-SHIFT-A for the MSAA toggle, and the laptop layout has been
completely redesigned to rely less on the numpad, providing a more
comprehensive keyboarding experience.
- Window-Eyes now defaults to the following settings:
- CTRL-ALT-ARROW keys to modify Voice Up/Voice Down/Voice
Selection/Voice Parameter
- Split Mixed Case defaults to On
- Menu Shortcuts defaults to After Option
- Non Menu Shortcuts defaults to After Option
- Focus Window Type First defaults to Off
- Color Changes defaults to On
- We have updated the Internet Explorer Element Properties dialog
(INS-E by default). The element description is now the first line of the
properties list, and the colors now use the Window-Eyes color
dictionary.
- All known issues have been resolved in MSN Messenger 7 (beta)
- We fixed several small, and one rather large, memory leaks.
- Pointer identification now has all correct options in set2text and
text2set
- Under Windows 2000 (and greater) top and bottom indexes were not
spoken when the verbosity setting was on for list views in details view
due to a bug in the operating system. We have worked around this
problem.
- Window-Eyes now allows Braille displays to access up to 50 different
COM ports
- ASCII character 160 reported as dots on Braille display. Window-Eyes
now converts this to a space on the Braille display just like we do for
speech.
- We cleaned up field names in many Word dialog controls.
- Various issues in Microsoft Word dialogs have been resolved.
- MSAA provides the check box state for some MSAA checkboxes
associated with list boxes and treeviews. Window-Eyes was ignoring these
states, but now we pay attention to them. An example of the listbox case
can be found in applications that use the Inno Setup installer.
- Multi-selection list boxes now work in Internet Explorer.
- We resolved a problem where Window-Eyes would not read anything for
a combo box that was set to a blank entry.
- This version of Window-Eyes contains an updated version of DCM. This
version resolves a fatal error when using some dual monitor systems.
Although dual monitor systems are not supported at this time, all known
conflicts should now be resolved. Please note that this updated version
of DCM will not affect any other DCM application; all the companies in
the DCM group should currently be using this version. If you have any
video problems, please let us know.
- We fixed some reading problems for AOL’s next version
- Thanks, once again, to Window-Eyes Error Reporting, we have resolved
many reported blowups, further increasing the stability, reliability,
and performance of Window-Eyes.
- We resolved a problem where the ASAP virus scanning software would
crash when Window-Eyes was set to start before login.
- The DECtalk USB driver has been added.
- Delphi hotkey controls now work.
- We fixed a problem with applications that use system carets.
- ANSI 159 for Polish code page was shown as upper case. This has been
resolved.
- We resolved a problem where the Window-Eyes Error Reporting dialog
would come up more than once.
- When attribute changes is enabled we now only speak the attribute or
attributes which have changed rather than all the attributes regardless
of which actually changed.
- We resolved a problem with the Papenmeier Braillex EL 40s Braille
display and added default hot keys for it.
- We resolved a problem where Window-Eyes would not slow down the rate
of speech or indicate capital letters when spelling (including
phonetically spelling). The same was true for the current character
hotkey.
- Window-Eyes will now keep screen savers from kicking in during the
read to end function.
- The Office 2000, Office XP, and Office 2003 set files now offer
context help for the Word spell checker, and have been updated to
conform to the new Office support.
- The Window-Eyes Default set files (WEFILES) have been updated with
new graphics, and a new color dictionary.
- All set files now use CTRL-ALT-ARROW keys to modify voice parameters
on the fly, have Split Mixed Case set to On, Menu Shortcuts set to After
Option, Misc. Shortcuts set to After Option, Focus Window Type First set
to Off, and Color Changes set to On.
- Window-Eyes now supports Bluetooth technology for those Braille
displays which offer it, such as the Brailliant display from PDI.
Keep reading!