Frequently Asked Questions for OSW v1.21

Demonstration software of outSPOKEN,  inLARGE, drivers patches and updates can be downloaded from the appropriate product information pages of the manufacture site.

What are the new features of outSPOKEN v. 1.21 versus 1.2?

  • Multi-lingual Version, supported languages: English-American, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Polish.
  • Separate speech and braille labels for graphics. Braille and speech labels are defined for mainstream applications.
  • Supports Double Touch Cursor on ALVA Delphi 4-series braille display.
  • Stable Braille output. Responsiveness of speech, fast response on key hits.
  • Office '97 compatibility.
  • Tracking of active cell in Excel '97 and '95.
  • Compatible with Explorer 3.02 and Netscape 4.0 Compatible with MSAA 1.0 and 1.1
  • Latest SSIL speech drivers are included

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What are the new features of outSPOKEN v. 1.2 versus 1.1x?

  • Windows 95 compatibility.
  • Braille interface for refreshable displays that supports 8 dot and Grade 1 and 2 Braille.
  • The numeric keypad can be toggled to be used as a 10-key for spreadsheets and other number functions.
  • Improved ability to read by columns, up and down.
  • The program will announce shortcuts.
  • There is a shortcut to the taskbar.
  • There is a right mouse-click button.
  • A new driver for Soundblaster.

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What are some of the other features and advantages of outSPOKEN?

  • No programming required
  • Intuitive reading commands
  • Full mouse emulation supports pointing, clicking, dragging, and dropping
  • Automatic reading of dialog boxes
  • Automatic tracking of cursors and highlight changes
  • Identification of buttons, check boxes, and other controls
  • Identification of all fonts, sizes, and styles
  • Easy naming of graphics
  • Multiple voices differentiate between text, graphics, and system events
  • Support for windowed DOS sessions
  • Rich set of adjustable feedback settings
  • Find text or graphics, caret or highlight
  • Free demo version available Easy to Install:
  • outSPOKEN installs on virtually any PC
  • Unlimited number of installations Easy to Learn:
  • Excellent Windows tutorial includes tactile diagrams
  • Manual provided in print, cassette, and electronic formats and upon request, in braille. Easy to Use:
  • All commands located on the PC's numeric keypad
  • One set of simple reading commands works everywhere
  • Easily reads through complex window layouts

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Will I be able to navigate on-line with outSPOKEN?

YES

Which Internet browser do you recommend?

At the moment we recommend to use Internet Explorer 3.02 or Netscape 4.0 with outSPOKEN 1.2 or 1.21. We have tested outSPOKEN 1.21 with Internet Explorer 4.0x. Explorer 4.0x must be installed as classic version. You have access to all text on the screen. However we experienced that some controls in dialogs are not accessible. This is something which will be fixed in a next release of oSW.

Will outSPOKEN support the Corel, Lotus, Microsoft Office Suites?

Yes, outSPOKEN 1.21 supports also the button like menu bar and cursor keys in the button bars of Microsoft Office '97. outSPOKEN is compatible with Corel Office Suite, Lotus' design hampers oSW's reading of all its screens.

I am in need of a screen reader to work with Filemaker Pro for Mac OS and Windows 95 or 3.1. Will your software work with these systems?

outSPOKEN works with Filemaker Pro on both platforms.

I downloaded and install the demo 1.2 on my computer. I am running Windows 3.1 and tried oSW with Encarta 97. It doesn't seem to work. If you know it works, please tell me what I'm suppose to do.

oSW has difficulty with the structure of Encarta; it is easy to get lost in that program. Using the outSPOKEN read (KPD 2, 4, 6, and 8) keys is probably the best way of working with Encarta. By pressing the mouse key (KPD 5) you can activate information and hypertext in Encarta.

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When I launch Matlab 4.2 I loose oSW 1.2, and Matlab crashes. I'm not sure what the error looks like. Has anyone else tested with Matlab

We've not tested Matlab 4.2. In OSW 1.21 the stability is improved, so perhaps OSW 1.21 does a better Job on MatLab.

Can I use outSPOKEN in DOS-applications?

Yes, outSPOKEN supports DOS-sessions. In order to OSW work in DOS, the feature 'read DOS windows' must be selected in the outSPOKEN menu -system preferences. For reading all text changes in the DOS-box select 'SAY-ON' (Ctrl-KPD Enter). The DOS window has to be normal-sized. Please note a known bug with a Dectalk Express that the system will lock trying to do a DOS-session.

Will it support Sound Blaster cards?

Yes, you can install the Taspeech driver for those sound cards. Also all software speech synthesizers that support SSIL can be used.

Which video adapters are supported by outSPOKEN?

outSPOKEN works with any video adapter and driver for Window 3.1x or Windows '95. The Graphic libraries of outSPOKEN are defined in Windows 3.1x for 16 Colors, in Window '95 for 256 colors. There are no restrictions on the resolution.

Which are the system requirements for outSPOKEN 1.2/1.21?

PC with Windows '95 or 3.1x. For a Windows '95 system we recommend a Pentium computer with 16 Mb. For the Windows 3.1x computer a 486DX with 8 Mb is required. outSPOKEN is tested with Windows 3.1, 3.11, Windows '95 version 4.00.95.a and 4.00.95.b.

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Is it necessary to uninstall previous versions of OSW before installing a new version?

No, you should be able to install over the old copies.

Do I need to install a new key when I upgrade from v1.2 to v1.21?

No, outSPOKEN uses the key that already installed.

I tried to install oSW 1.2 on my Win 3.1 machine, and got a 'build keyboard error" Why?

The Windows version is probably Windows 3.1 with 32 bit support added (WIN32s). When installing the keyboard driver, the installer checks whether it is Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, however, the WIN32s case was not handled by the installer and the installation is aborted. A separate SETUP.INS can be obtained to fix this error from AAGI. In version 1.21, there is a separate installation disk for Win 3.1.

Can I run a virus guard while installing OSW?

A:We recommend to run the installation without a virus guard.

I just uninstalled outSPOKEN from my hard disc but forgot to uninstall the key. Now, I've put it back on the hard drive, but did not reinstall the key. Did I just lose one of the protection keys?

No, you did not lose the protection key. If you uninstalled outSPOKEN without removing the protection key you can reinstall outSPOKEN again without installation of a new key. In the outSPOKEN installer, choose either to move the protection key with 'manual installation' or 'install later'. Since there is already a key on the Hard-drive, outSPOKEN will run with that key.

I just uninstalled outSPOKEN from my hard disc but forgot to uninstall the key. Can I uninstall the key in DOS?

Yes, on the outSPOKEN protection key disk you find a DOS-program EVMOVE. Move the key to the diskette with EVMOVE c: a:

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How should I make a backup of my hard-drive with the protection key on it? If I run a tape backup of my drive, will the protection key exist as part of the backup?

If your backup is an exact image of your hard-drive then the protection key will be backed up as well and function after reinstalling the backup. We recommend to uninstall the protection key before reinstalling the backup.

Can I de-fragment my hard drive with the key installed?

Yes, but if you use Norton's Speed disk, you must tell Norton to not move the pointer file (hidden osw12b50.sys file stored in the root directory, which is the fingerprint for the authorization), which is done through its option dialog. Consult your Norton manual.

Can I use my graphic dictionary files of OSW 1.2 in 1.21?

No, due to the languages that OSW supports and the separate braille and speech label, the graphic dictionary file structure is different for OSW 1.21.

Is there a way to unload OSW in a batch file when starting a DOS-session?

There is no possibility to unload OSW automatically with a batch file when a DOS-session is started. Before starting the DOS-session, unload outSPOKEN simply by pressing Ctrl-Shift-O. Start outSPOKEN again after the session with Ctrl-Shift-O.

I cannot easily do combinations using SHIFT and CONTROL. Can I use the sticky key in Microsoft accessibility options with outSPOKEN?

Yes, you can run the Microsoft Sticky keys with outSPOKEN, so that the Shift and Ctrl keys can be pressed one after the other.

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I wanted to know whether outSPOKEN would have access to the ALVA braille display by the serial port?

OSW uses the 16-bits Windows drivers for the ALVA braille display. These are developed only for parallel connection.

Can I improve tracking of hyperlinks in Internet Explorer when outSPOKEN is installed for braille only?

The tracking of the braille display is better when outSPOKEN is installed for Braille and Speech. Select the Nospeech driver in the synthesizer list, so that you have still only braille output.

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