Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm From: CBLIH@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU (CB Lih) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: OUTSPOKEN FOR THE APPLE MACINTOSH Message-ID: <15078@bunker.UUCP> Date: 20 Oct 90 01:59:32 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: CBLIH@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU (CB Lih) Distribution: misc Lines: 57 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference Index Number: 11207 [This is from the BLIND-L mailing list] On Thu, 18 Oct 90 15:51:27 CDT said: > Hello everyone: > > I'm looking for an OUTSPOKEN "MAC" user! Now I realize that many "MAC" users ----------- Mr. Cutway is asking about a program called outSPOKEN ----------- a screen reading package for the Mac from Berkeley Systems. Here's a brief reply. I've had a little experience with the software. It seems to work fine with word processors and window management. The system has a certain amount of flexibility with parameters for tone, pitch, volume, and speed. You would have to 'teach' the program about what to say when cursor is over an icon. Without intruction some graphic parts of the screen are labeled 'icon' or 'symbol'. It has several options that deal with such issues as cursor and insertion bar movement. The program uses the ten key pad as an input device. Movement around a window or screen or dialog box is handled by the key pad. Documentation comes in written, braille, and audio tape formats. A few negative comments: The Mac operatiing system loses a lot of it's user friendly-ness when you have to learn it with this product. That's not too surprising; it is a visual interface. However, you might think twice about asking a blind user to learn it if they can use comperable software on an MS-DOS machine. It doesn't work with HyperCard. I've had the program for several months and they may have upgraded since I received it (although I don't think it has), but HyperCard is just too graphic oriented for this screen reader. One reason I purchased the package was in hopes of helping a blind music student use the Music Department's composition software. It wasn't compatible. A Berkeley representative at the spring MacWorld told me their developer used outSPOKEN with a music package but the rep didn't know which package. As the student found other solutions (without outSPOKEN) I haven't contacted Berkeley again to get the name. Well, I *thought* it was going to be a brief reply! One last note -- the written documentation had no illustrations. Illustrations would have made it much more useful for me (I am sighted). > Thanks in advance to anyone who can be of help. > You're welcome. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =--> CB Lih <--= Macintosh Support / Disabled Student Computer Support BITNET: CBLIH@UAFSYSB AppleLink: U0669 Phone: 501-575-2905 US Mail: ADSB 220, University of Arkansas 155 Razorback Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA