Stream NewsWire - Version 2.0 Software Released

Dear Victor Reader Stream Customer:

HumanWare has released the latest Stream software version 2.0.3. This is a free software upgrade that can be downloaded and installed on your Stream. To download the software visit:

http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/support/vr_stream_software

Select the link to download the new software version 2.0. On the same page, you will also find a Release Notes document describing in detail what's new and the installation instructions. Briefly,to install follow these steps:

- Download the software zip file

- Unzip the single UPG upgrade file from the zip file. You do not need special unzip software. Simply press Enter to open the zip file and you can then select the UPG file.

- Copy this UPG file to the root of your Stream SD card.

- Disconnect the Stream from the computer, connect it to AC power and turn it on.

- The Stream will automatically start the update process which takes about 1 minute during which time it will announce intermittent "please Wait" messages. The Stream will power off when the new software is installed.

- You may then remove the UPG file from the SD card.

After the new software is installed, the Release Notes document will also be available in a HumanWare sub-folder of your Text Bookshelf so you may read the Release Notes with your Stream. Highlights of the new version 2.0 include:

- New dedicated bookshelf to save downloaded podcast audio files

- Audible books will now be announced on its own bookshelf instead of Other Books bookshelf

- Support of electronic Braille (BRF) files placed on the text bookshelf

- Support for Rich Text Format (RTF) files on the text bookshelf

- Support for unprotected Windows Media Audio (WMA version 9)

- Spell mode for text files

- Ability to disable key beeps and sleep messages

and much more. See the Release Notes document on the Stream page for a complete description of all new features and improvements. A copy of the version 2.0 User Guide as well as an updated FAQ document (frequently asked questions) can also be found on the web page. The FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions about battery, important information on different book and media formats, voice recording, and SD cards.

With this announcement, version 2.0 is available in English only. As other version 2.0 languages become available they will be posted on the same download page.

We also are releasing a new version of Stream Companion which will be described in a second email.

HumanWare values your continued support of the Victor Reader Stream. We remain committed to existing and future customers to make the Stream the most powerful, flexible, and enjoyable product used for listening to digital talking books, computer files, and music.

Thank you,

The HumanWare Team

Stream NewsWire - Stream Companion 2.0 Released

Dear Victor Reader Stream Customer:

HumanWare has released a new Windows Stream Companion software version 2.0.4. This is a free Windows software that can be downloaded and installed on your Windows XP or Vista computer. To download the software visit:

http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/support/vr_stream_software

To install the software, download the zip file for the Stream Companion and unzip the embedded executable (EXE) install file. Then run this exe file. You do not need to uninstall the previous version of Stream Companion. The Windows Install Shield program will run and ask you to read and accept the license. It will ask if you want a complete or custom install. Select 'complete'.

The Stream Companion is optional software to support the Stream. There is no need to install this software unless you need its functionality. There are extensive new features and usability improvements in version 2.

New Features

- In addition to the Talking Books Tab version 2.0 offers five new TABS to transfer files to the Stream's Other Books, Audible, Music, Podcasts, and Text bookshelves. The Music and Podcast Tabs have a button to allow you to transfer by folder or individual file.
- The Music Tab has a button to allow you to create playlists in the root of the Music bookshelf. Simply move to the list of Music files on your SD card and select the files or folders that you want for your playlist and then activate the Create Playlist button. You will be asked to enter a name for the playlist. The playlist will then be created on your music bookshelf. When you browse the music bookshelf with your Stream each playlist will be announced as a separate music book. The actual music files will be announced as the "All Music" book.
- There is a new Tab to convert the recorded 3gp audio files of Audio Bookmarks to wav files on your computer.

Usability Improvements
- In the Talking Books TAB the user may activate a check box to allow books contained in zip files on the computer to display in the PC list. If this checkbox is checked you will be able to transfer zip books (e.g. NLS books in the USA) to the Stream without first having to unzip the book.
- The PC Path can now be edited in the textbox.
- Support for transferring a talking book contained on Multiple CD's.

The Companion User Guide can be read by activating the Help button in any of the program Tabs. The User Guide can also be downloaded from the Stream documentation page at:

http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/support/vr_stream_documentation

HumanWare hopes you enjoy the new Stream Companion 2.0

HumanWare Launches Version 2 of the Victor Reader Stream DAISY, MP3 and NISO Player

VICTOR READER STREAM THE PROVEN SUCCESS STORY, IS NOW EVEN BETTER WITH A FREE VERSION 2.0 SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Longueuil, Canada, June 30, 2008 -- Victor Reader Stream, the pocket-sized portable MP3 player designed for blind and low-vision people has swept the world wide market place since its launch in September 2007. Heralded by its users as the most significant assistive technology in recent years, the Stream has already enhanced the life style of thousands of blind and low vision people world wide. In addition to the variety of audio formats (MP3, DAISY, and NISO books and music) supported by Victor Reader Stream, the new version 2 software will add even more media and text formats.

Victor Reader Stream version 2 will now play electronic Braille files with its built-in text-to-speech including multiple formats of English Braille encoded files, Unified English Braille, and non-English Braille formats. Version 2.0 also adds playback of Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Rich Text Format (RTF) files. , Further, the bookshelf feature has been extended to enhance the access and playback of all media types with special new features for Audible books, Podcast files, and music.

With the addition of the new media types of version 2.0 the Stream now provides a pocket size device that can play an impressive list of alternate format books and documents available to the print-disabled. IT will play the special navigable DAISY and NISO digital talking books produced by most libraries for the blind in the world. It can be authorized to play the AudioPlus digital books from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) in the United States. It can play Bookshare.org digital books. It can be authorized to play the popular commercial audio books, newspapers, and magazines from Audible.com. It is optimized to integrate with Serotek.com who provide an extensive repository of digital multi-media content for blind and low vision people. It also plays MP3,, OGG Vorbis, WMA, Wav, AMR-WB+, SPX, and FLAC audio files. The built-in text-to-speech can play electronic text formats including BRF (Braille), HTML, RTF, TXT, and XML. In addition to its extensive digital player capabilities, it has a voice recording functionality for recording of voice notes, meetings, and lectures.

What Stream customers are saying:
"I love my Victor Reader Stream and it travels with me wherever I go."
"This is one of the best products I have seen come along in a long time. It is well made, works right out of the box, and reads just about any kind of book you need read."
"It's one of the most impressive and well-planned and well-working pieces of equipment I have seen for a long time."

"We appreciate the overwhelming enthusiasm of our customers and are pleased that we have been able to incorporate many of their suggested new features and improvements in the enhanced version 2 of the Stream", says Gerry Chevalier, HumanWare Victor Reader Product Manager. "And the best news is that the latest version 2 software can be installed for free on all existing Victor Reader Streams."

The Stream has extensive navigation features for moving through audio books and text files, including functions that allow you to move to the next chapter, section or page, or to set bookmarks. For all audio book and media formats the Stream provides a variable speed control with digital pitch correction which allows the reader to accurately listen at higher than normal playback speed.

The player is completely accessible by blind and low-vision users. All keys and messages are provided through audio feedback. The player has a built-in User Guide and a Key Describer mode.

Besides playing electronic text, the integrated text-to-speech voice announces the track names of music files. It uses an SD memory card to store books and music transferred from a computer.

Victor Reader Stream can be purchased online at www.humanware.com (in USA). Current Victor Reader Stream users can upgrade their player to software version 2.0 online at www.humanware.com.

About HumanWare

HumanWare (www.humanware.com) is the global leader in assistive technologies for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind and have low vision and students with learning disabilities. HumanWare offers a collection of innovative products include BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for the blind in education, business and for personal use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audiobook players, and SmartView Xtend, the first fully modular and upgradeable CCTV-based video magnifier.

For more information:

HumanWare
Nicolas Lagace
Tel.: (450) 463-1717
E-mail: nicolas.lagace@humanware.com

Guide Dogs for the Blind and HumanWare launch new education initiative with Victor Reader Stream

Longueuil, Quebec (June 25, 2008) -- Guide Dogs for the Blind and HumanWare are pleased to announce the Victor Reader Stream will become an integral part of the curriculum at Guide Dogs for the Blind in the early fall of 2008. The Victor Reader Stream players will allow students attending Guide Dogs for the Blind to read and navigate through class materials, providing them with unprecedented access to materials on campus and beyond.

"All information will be in the DAISY format (digital accessible information system) which can be read by the Victor Reader Stream," says Michael Hingson, president of The Michael Hingson Group, technical consultant for the new program. "When played on the Victor Reader Stream, the recorded data can be navigated much like a print book, allowing the reader to move from chapter to chapter, section to section or jump directly to any page."

Over the past three years Guide Dogs for the Blind has been conducting a total make over of their training program, especially concerning how information is presented to their students. Now with the addition of the Victor Reader Stream students will have all needed documentation available at their finger tips at any time.

"The Victor Reader Stream offers blind people an enhanced reading experience and we are excited to see it used in a true educational way at Guide Dogs for the Blind," says Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager at HumanWare. "This is the first time we have seen the Stream be fully integrated into any educational environment."

The Victor Reader Stream which normally sells to blind users for approximately $330 will be available to Guide Dogs students for $150 to take home following class. All general take home materials from GDB, including all state access legislation concerning guide dogs, information about traveling internationally with guide dogs such as access rules and regulations from many countries will be contained on the Victor Reader Stream.

About Guide Dogs for the Blind
Established in 1942, Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility and quality of life to people who are blind through lifetime partnerships with Guide Dogs. This non-profit organization, headquartered in San Rafael, Calif., is the largest school of its kind and has produced more than 11,000 partnerships across the United States and Canada. Services are provided free-of-charge to those it serves, and relies entirely on private donations. Please visit www.guidedogs.com

or call toll free 800.295.4050 for additional information.

About HumanWare
HumanWare www.humanware.com is the global leader in assistive technologies for vision, including products for the blind and visually impaired. HumanWare's products include BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for blind people in education, in business and in their personal lives; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital talking book players; and myReader2, the new version of HumanWare's unique "auto-reader" for people with low vision.

# # #

Contacts:

HumanWare Canada
Nicolas Lagace
(450) 463-1717
nicolas.lagace@humanware.com

Guide Dogs for the Blind
Denise St. Jean
(415) 492-5544
dstjean@guidedogs.com

Using Blogger With Window-Eyes 7 Beta 1

As I type this, I am using beta 1 of Window-Eyes 7.0. I found it impossible to navigate the text of entries I typed while using Window-Eyes 6.1 with Blogger and was forced to use another screen reader. As I type this, I am able to move around successfully with beta 1 of Window-Eyes 7 and hear what I have typed. The new navigation commands on the Internet make Window-Eyes 7 as pleasant to use on the Net as the competition. There are still a few pages where other screen readers work better on the Net, and GW Micro is well aware of the work that needs to be done in this area. It is a pleasure to use Winamp and Skype with this new version of the product, and I haven't even begun to play with the other sixty-some scripts on
Scripts Central. Stay tuned.

Update: Coming up on Main Menu for the week of June 25 - Window-Eyes 7.0 Fully Disclosed

Hello Everyone,

Coming up on this week's Main Menu Live, we dedicate the two hour episode to
talk all about Window-Eyes 7.0. Doug and Aaron from GW Micro will be with
us as well as many beta testers from the Window-Eyes private beta team. We
will discuss the product and the many scripts that will be available on GW
Micro's Scripting Central web site found at:

http://www.gwmicro.com/Script_Central/

We had Doug and Aaron on Main Menu in the past and it is time to bring them
back to discuss the product and to get feedback from private beta users and
scripters on the new version. Jamal Mazrui has written a significant amount
of scripts for the 7.0 product and he will be here to talk about the many
things he has developed. I will discuss the newest refinements to the
Winamp scripts that will be available including features that could replace
the ACB Radio Tuner for Winamp users that use Window-Eyes as well as much
improved access to the Auto-Tagging capabilities of Winamp. Aaron and Doug
will talk all about the GW Toolkit scripting library, the AutoComplete
script, the progress indicator script, the VirtualView script, the Weather
or Not script, and much much more.

As of this writing, we are happy to report that Window-Eyes 7.0 Public Beta
1 is available at the following link:

http://www.gwmicro.com/beta

Here is how to participate in the show:

The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org You may also interact
with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add
is: mainmenu@acbradio.org

Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the
topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the
Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is:
main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com

Come join an already lively group of users.

Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu
Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:

Main Menu - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenu
Main Menu Live - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenulive

For this next week, only the Main Menu Live podcast feed will be updated.

Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific,
and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream
channel.

Follow this link to listen to the show:

http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_p
age&PAGE_id=8

Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Main Menu Friends" group.
To post to this group, send email to main-menu@googlegroups.com To
unsubscribe from this group, send email to
main-menu-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/main-menu?hl=en
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Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 Is Now Available!

 

---

From: aaron@gwmicro.com [mailto:aaron@gwmicro.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 12:33 PM
To: gw-info@gwmicro.com
Subject: Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 Is Now Available!

After much anticipation, Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 is now available.  Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 offers the latest advancements in screen reading technology, including full Unicode support, new scripting functionality, web browsing enhancements, a new synthesizer, and much more.

Full Unicode support means the ability to work with more international languages. Web browsing enhancements mean easier navigation between controls, and the ability to add placemarkers that can remember places on a webpage even when the webpage changes. ECI Eloquence 6.1 is now available as yet another speech option. Other enhancements like speed increases for list views, the system tray, and error reporting, being able to increase and decrease the speech rate during read to end, new options for keyboard voice interruptability, and numerous bug fixes make Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 a welcome update.

The most notable enhancement in Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1, however, is scripting. Window-Eyes scripting is unparalleled in its design and implementation.  Rather than require a scripter to learn a proprietary language, Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 allows a scripter to choose from a number of standard computer languages for writing scripts.  This means that more people will be able to take advantage of Window-Eyes scripting, and ultimately more accessibility to more software applications. Access all Window-Eyes features and settings, all operating system windows and properties, create custom accessible dialogs for user interaction with power and ease, and more.

To make scripts easily accessible and encourage script development, GW Micro has created a centralized script repository called Script Central (www.gwmicro.com/sc). Script Central provides script developers with the tools to distribute their scripts, and provides scripts users the tools to download, comment, rate and track favorite scripts.  The GW Micro forums (www.gwmicro.com/forum) have also been enhanced for general script discussions, script requests, script announcements, and much more. While we encourage everyone to take advantage of Script Central, Window-Eyes scripts can be hosted anywhere and distributed by anyone.

Read more about all of the features Window-Eyes 7.0 Beta 1 has to offer, and download your copy, at www.gwmicro.com/beta.


__________

Stream Newswire - Tech Talk Online Presentation of Version 2.0

Dear Victor Reader Stream Customer:

HumanWare will soon release software version 2.0 for the Stream. We are pleased to introduce version 2.0 on the Accessible World Tech Talk online webinar June 23. Our thanks to Accessible World for hosting this event. Details follow.

HumanWare Unveils What's New In Victor Reader Stream 2.0 on Tek Talk Monday, June 23, 2008

The Accessible World News Wire, Indianapolis, Indiana USA

Attention Victor Reader Stream users.

Tech Talk is pleased to welcome back Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Product Manager from HumanWare to update us on the latest news for the Stream. Gerry will focus on the exciting new features and improvements in software version 2.0 the most comprehensive software upgrade yet released for the Stream. Past Tech Talk presentations on the Stream have been very popular and an excellent way to learn first hand from HumanWare about the advances to this versatile DAISY, NISO, and MP3 player and voice recorder. If you are a Stream user you won't want to miss this Tech Talk session. There will be time for open discussion and questions after Gerry's presentation.

For More Info on the Stream visit HumanWare at:

http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/products/dtb_players/compact_models/_details/id_81/victorreader_stream.html

Date: Monday, June 23, 2008

Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT.

Where: TekTalk Conference Room at: http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

or

http://www.accessibleworld.org. Select the TekTalk room, enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

All Tech Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tech Talk archives on our website at http://www.accessibleworld.org.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.

Sign up information for all Accessible World News Wires and discussion lists are also available at our website: http://www.accessibleworld.org.

Media Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair, Planning Committee
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta@pacbell.net
Web:

http://www.helpinghands4theblind.com

Pat Price, Founder and Events Coordinator
The Accessible World Symposiums
Vision Worldwide, Inc.
317-254-1185
Skype: patprice1
Email: pat@patprice.org
Web:

http://www.accessibleworld.org

HumanWare Contact Info:

Australia: au.sales@humanware.com
Tel: +61 2 9686 2600

Canada: ca.info@humanware.com
Tel: 1-888-723-7273

UK and Europe: eu.info@humanware.com
Tel:+44 1933 415 800

USA: us.info@humanware.com
Tel: 1-800-722-3393

Review For VIP MUD Version 1.0

Reviews For VIP MUD version 1.0
Average Rating: 5 Based On 1 Reviews


Date: June 16, 2008, 12:21:02pm

user: JamiePauls
computer: 2.66GHz Pentium 4 512MB RAM
operating system: Windows XP Home
screen reader: Jaws 9.0, Window-Eyes 6.1
rating: 5
comments: I have recently been playing with VIP Mud from GMA Games. MUD stands for multiuser dungeon. MUDs are similar to text adventure games except that they are played on the Internet and often involve game play with other people. Although many muds involve magic and other Dungeons and Dragons elements, not all do and the VIP MUD documentation gives some resources for finding muds. It goes without saying that VIP mud is designed for visually impaired users as are all GMA games. Visit magames.com for a 30-day demo of this $30 game. Incidentally, the game can be played indefinitely for free albeit with some options missing. A screen reader is not required, but you can use your screen reader of choice while working in VIP Mud.

Review added for VIP MUD version 1.0

This is an alert to let you know that JamiePauls has just added a review for VIP MUD version 1.0. You may read it by using the following link:
http://www.accesswatch.info/reviewdisplay.php?pid=214

Tutorial Bundle Now Available On AccessWatch

Greetings list members:

In addition to being able to purchase The Rhapsody Tutorial and The Nero 8
Tutorial on AccessWatch for $9.95 each, you can now receive both tutorials
for a donation of $15 or more. Unlike single-tutorial purchases, you will
need to wait for an e-mail with instructions to download the tutorials. This
should come within 24 to 48 hours in most instances.

Visit http://www.accesswatch.info and click on the Pay Pal button toward the
top of the page.

If you have any problems or questions, e-mail me at the following address:
jamiepauls@gmail.com

Please forward this to anyone you feel would be interested. Thanks.

Review added for Nod 32 version 3.0

This is an alert to let you know that emerson has just added a review for Nod 32 version 3.0. You may read it by using the following link:
http://www.accesswatch.info/reviewdisplay.php?pid=0000000193