================================================ 4. Text enhancement software for DOS and WINDOWS ================================================ 4.0. Survey =========== a) Survey of the programs In the field of Public Domain and Shareware at present there are the following text enhancement facilities: - the text enhancements of Windows itself (see ch. 2.1.) and those word processors for Windows offer (see ch. 2.3.) - the cursor programs LENS and ZOOMIN (see ch. 2.2.) for Windows - the programs BPOP/BEDIT and BIGTEXT (see following text: 4.1. and 4.2.) Moreover there are about six "professional" software text enhancing programs and other (more expensive) text enhancements available as hardware variants. Although those programs are not the original subject of the SATIS project we yet want to give an impression of these programs for your orientation. For this, besides the shareware programs we have also assembled demonstrative versions of all "expensive" text enhancement software on diskette 5: Ch. Name/Version for Supply Company Price -------------------------------------------------------------- 4.1 BPOP/BEDIT DOS ShareWare ? 4.2 BIGTEXT DOS ShareWare ? 4.3 AV TEXT 1.0 DOS+Win SynPhon Approx. DM 600 4.4 LP-DOS 5.2a DOS+Win Papenmeier Approx. DM 2,000 4.5 Lunar SVGA DOS+Win Becker Approx. DM 1,250 4.6 Magic Deluxe DOS+Win Dr. Lang Approx. DM 1,650 4.7 Magnus Windows Etech Approx. DM 400 4.8 Zoomtext 5.1 DOS+Win Tiemann Approx. DM 1,800 In this "Manual" the way these programs function are basically demonstrated by illustrations; on diskette 5 in the respective sub-directories you will partly find explanatory files with an .RP extension referring to their origin (author). In the diskette version see diskette 1 for the illustrations. Internal note: Further text enhancement software (partially): "GTX-II Soft"(B&M): seems to run out; hardware version: "GTX-IV" "Paraview"(Frank):only in combination with TASO slide (hardware) For some of these software text enhancing programs there also are hardware variants, e.g. for "Zoomtext" = "Macroplus H" (DOS only)(Tiemann, approx. DM 8,000) "GTX IV" (B&M, approx. DM 5,700) The following text enhancing programs are only available as hardware versions (they partly contain additional software): "Vista" (Baum, approx. DM 8,000), "Argus 3000" (Reinecker, approx. DM 9,000) and "Visulex LP-D"(Papenmeier, approx. DM 16,000). Note: In 1995/96 a general and detailed comparison of all text enhancements by a standardized "Ceck List" was made by Ulrich Zeun (Dortmund); the comparison is not yet complete. For reasons of limited space we didn't put it into the Manual but stored it on SATIS-diskette 7 in the ZEUN directory. b) Specific problems with text enhancements in Windows (graphic mode) In DOS the computer can identify the location of every single character, because the screen consists of a fixed raster of 25 lines with 80 characters each. Hence the computer can fit together lines to a "consecutive line" or set off certain lines or characters, represent characters differently (rounded), etc. With the graphic user interface Windows this is not possible; the computer internally represents the screenful as a picture which can only be mgnified "pixel by pixel": Each character is a composition of very small points, like with a matrix printer, and these points turn to square blocks when enlarged. The letter shapes therefore get angular with increasing character size. As the computer in the course of pixel enlargement doesn't identify the end of a word, lines etc. it is impossible to "roll scroll" automatically. Furthermore, a speech output cannot be synchronized, etc. It is true that the development of complex programs is in progress, programs which primarily are designed to make Windows screen contents accessible for a Braille line ("Windows for Blind Users"), and which would certainly allow a better text enhancement for Windows. But this would mean to break a butterfly on the wheel: The programs cost about DM 5,000 and without exeption aren't fully developped. Hence the Tip: As low vision Windows user you should check whether the original Windows features (see above: 2.1., 2.3.) aren't sufficient or in some respect maybe even better (remember: the automatic line-wrapping, the accurate (ungraded) representation of very large letters etc.). Real difficulties arise only with graphics. 4.1. BPOP/BEDIT =============== Author/Supply: address unknown Price: ??? Internal note: The following description is still incomplete. BPOP displays DOS-text or screen contents in enlarged type. The program is launched "into the background", i.e. you can activate it at any time with the key combination + + . With BEDIT you can launch and manipulate ASCII-text in enlarged type. Printing is also possible. But you cannot adjust fonts or type sizes via software. You will find both programs on SATIS-diskette "5_GROSS" in the directories "BPOP" and "BEDIT"; these directories each contain a file ("BPOP.RP", "BEDIT.RP") with additional information on the program. 4.2. BIGTEXT ============ Author/Supply: Alexander Ihlow, Ballenstedt/Harz Price: Free BIGTEXT is a free text editor for DOS. It can be copied and distributed freely. It allows reading and writing DOS-text only. The magnification ranges from 2 to 8x in the character width and from 4 to 16x in the altitude of the characters; own fonts are employed. The user guidance is quite scarce. You operate BIGTEXT with shortcuts, i.e. either via function keys or via key combinations with (e.g. -P prints the text). There is no menu and no usable operating instruction. The user guidance is very scarce (too scarce!) And sometimes misleading, because often you don't know what kind of answer is expected. Entering a path when launching or saving is only possible by hand. For further information see file "BIGTEXT.RP" accompanying the program; you will find it on SATIS-diskette "5_GROSS" in the file "BIGTEXT", together with the compressed program "BIGTEXT.EXE". 4.3. "AV TEXT" ============== Producer: SynPhon GbR, Wisserwand 30, 79183 Waldkirch, Tel. 07681 / 43 77 Price: DM 595.- The text enhancement "AV TEXT" by SynPhon offers two peculiarities: 1. "AV TEXT" originally only' is a word processor, yet it includes a text enhancement function. From within "AV tEXT" any DOS-text can be launched and manipulated if need be. 2. Furhtermore, "AV TEXT" is the only text enhancing program that contains an integrated speech output, which is synchronized with the text output. For this a separate DOS Screen Reader is installed. For sound production several synthetic languages can be employed, e.g. "SynPhon 263", "SynPhon seriell", "Infovox-Voxbox", "Talking Blaster Plus". (Internal note: Still uncomplete) Internal note: We received a demonstrative version on April 4, 1995, but this version cannot be copied to the diskette carrying the other text enhancement demos, as this demo is copy-protected. --> Please request for demo at the producer's! 4.4. "LP-DOS" ============= Producer/Distribution: F.H. Papenmeier GmbH & Co. KG, Postfach 1620, 58211 Schwerte, Tel. 02304 / 946-0 (also by other companies) Price: DM 2,013.- Some brief information on the way LP-DOS works (still incomplete; on diskette "5_GROSS" there is no detailed instruction either): 1. Starting the program in DOS: "LPDEMO" simultaneously starts the LPDOS demonstrationand the "Picasso" demonstration 2. Information features - Hotkey: <*> on the numeric keypad activates the zoom function --> cursor blinks activates the readout mode --> no cursor visible - menu guidance: In readout mode press for menu 3. Basic structure/Modes All the setups are located on the keys of the numeric keypad respectively on the separate keys , , etc. Most of the settings can be performed in the readout mode. 4. Variety: - each magnification level has its own adapted font size - readout mode adjustable individually - mouse- and cursor tracking variable in many ways - readout speed and scroll speed adjustable individually 5. Comfort - keypad occupation/ hotkeys selected logically and intuitively - very fast - very stable - very smooth scrolling - in each magnification line spacing and height of the line (=magnification) are adjustable individually The following illustration shows the menu of the Windows version; we didn't manage to reproduce a screen section of the DOS version yet. !---------------------------------------------! ! Illustration to LP-DOS: file "LPDOS.BMP" ! !---------------------------------------------! Illustration: Menu of LP-DOS (Windows): The individual settings for LP-DOS for Windows are fixed in the above menu bar in an otherwise useless window. 4.5. "LUNAR II / SVGA" (lacking) ================================ 4.6. "Magic Deluxe" =================== Distribution: Dr. Lang Technologie, Fr.-Ebert-Str. 7-9, 35457 Lollar, Tel. 06406 / 9 00 00 Price: DM 1,645.- (DOS+Windows) Internal note: We didn't achieve a hard copy of the menu for DOS. Hence the illustration only shows the Windows-menu. A further description is still lacking, too. !-----------------------------------------------------! ! Illustration to Magic Deluxe: file "MAGICWIN.BMP" ! !-----------------------------------------------------! Illustration: Menu of "Magic Deluxe" (Windows): In this concise menu you can adjust the desired magnification, the cursor- trail and other options. 4.7. "Magnus" ============= Producer/Distribution: EteX, Zum Jungen Str. 17, 60320 Frankfurt, Tel. 069 / 110 460 Price: DM 400 (raised to DM 500?); For schools: DM 1,200 for all computers of the institution "Magnus" only enlarges in Windows, but not under DOS, up to 10x. It just allows pixel enlargement, i.e. it doesn't have own (rounded) soft-fonts. For further description of installation and use of the program see file "MAGNUS.RP" on diskette "5_GROSS" in the directory MAGNUS, together with the program itself. This demo version also contains an instruction in English (as Help system under Windows). The following menu gives an impression of the mode of operation. The demo version on floppy disk is written in German, not in English as shown in the illustration. !---------------------------------------------! ! Illustration to Magnus: file "MAGNUS.BMP" ! !---------------------------------------------! Illustration: Menu of "Magnus": In this menu you adjust enlargement, cursor-trail and pre-settings for "scrolling", i.e. for moving the enhanced section. 4.8. "Zoomtext plus" ==================== Distribution: Tiemann GmbH (u.a.), Fritzlarer Str. 25, 34613 Schwalmstadt, Tel. 06691 / 96170 (also by other companies) Price: DM 2185,- Some brief information on the way "ZOOMTEXT" works (still incomplete; on diskette "5_GROSS" there is no detailed instruction "ZOOMTEXT.RP" either): 1. Starting the program in DOS: "ZOOMTEXT" (Start with immediate magnification) "ZOOMTEXT /ZO-" (Start without immediate magnification) in Windows: "ZTWIN" 2. Information features - Hotkey: + (Either calls menu or zoom function, see below) - Menu guidance: After pressing the Hotkey the Zommtext menu overlaps the screenful. You can select the menu items via cursor keys. If at the right side of a menu item you see a small triangle pointing to the right, you can find another hidden menu here (e.g. in "Magnf."). 3. Basic structure/Modes - Shift between Zoom and standard mode: If Zoomtext is in the magnification mode, pressing the hotkey calls the menu in which the magnification can be switched off. If the magnification is not activated, the hotkey activates the magnification mode. Pressing the hotkey a second times calls up the Zoomtext menu. - Altering the magnification level: With the keys + <+> on the numeric keypad you can increase the level of magnification, respectively + <-> for reducing it. WARNING: In some programs you need the -key. In these cases alter the level of magnification with the help of the menu. - Scrolling the screen: + on the numeric keypad scrolls right, + scrolls left, + scrolls up + scrolls down. !-----------------------------------------------! ! Illustration to Zoomtext: file "ZTWIN.BMP" ! !-----------------------------------------------! Illustration: Menu of "Zoomtext" (Windows): In this menu you adjust all options that "Zoomtext" allows for Windows with the mouse. Note the setting features for the automatic "readout" (Review). - Readout Mode: - Start via menu - Scroll keys remain active (see above) - Speed adjustable with + <+> and + <-> on the numeric keypad 4. Variety: - Each magnification level has its own adapted font size - readout mode adjustable individually - mouse- and cursor-trail variable in many ways 5. Comfort - Keypad occupation/ Hotkeys selected logical and intuitive - very fast - very stable Internal note: We didn't achieve a hard copy of the menu for DOS. Hence the illustration only shows the Windows-menu. 4.9 Additional remarks on the comparison of text enhancing programs (U. Zeun) ============================================================================= The following text is excerpt from the "check list" and the separate comparisons of text enhancing programs on diskette 7 in the ZEUN directory. Aspects of compatibility ------------------------ All screen enlargement systems are compatible to Windows 3.1; whether there will be trouble with the new Windows 95 is something that will have to be tested. Important with Windows mainly is the question of which resolution can be used. And here it turns out that practically always the standard resolution of 640 x 480 is necessary. Moreover, the graphics adapter either has to use the standard VGA driver or the enlargement software installs a separate VGA driver, except with Zoomtext. With super VGA adapters and the like in any case a prior test is necessary, as the efficiency of the SVGA adapter probably is reduced by the screen enlargement system. Plug-in adapter (i.e. graphics adapter) systems avoid this from the beginning, but they, too, offer only standard VGA mode. For the user it can also be of importance that the Windows enhancement works without prior start of the DOS enhancement (Zoomtext, Magnus; independent of software load: GTX, Argus [Winmag, Vista ??]), so that Windows at first can be started without enhancement. Sections of the enlarged screen and orientation on the screen ------------------------------------------------------------- Even with a 2x enlargement the orientation in a graphic user interface becomes difficult. Therefore three criteria are vital for your work: a) type of the window displaying the section of the enlarged screen b) locator and c) cursor tracking a) Besides the general window there should be a magnifying window of variable size (also changeable to line shape) above the original 1:1 screen (Zoomtext, Magic, Argus, Vista) or a divided screen arrangement with a fixed magnifying window (the position should possibly be selectable top or bottom) and a compressed window with the original screen (Argus; without compression of the original: Zoomtext, WinMag, Vista). Both variants allow magnification with approximately simultaneous overall view of the entire screen. b) A locator serves for the identification of the momentary position of the enlarged screen in the original 1:1. It is important that this locator is easy to see (e.g. through striking, individual coloring of the mostly box-shaped locator; alteration of the frame size as far as frame variant existent) [Argus, Zoomtext]. By now all systems provide a locator when you shift/change to the 1:1 original screen. c) In order that the user is always at the point where an entry is expected or an important message is shown it is imperative that all shapes and types of cursors are tracked automatically (i.e. the enlarged display snaps to the actual cursor). By now this is usually provided by all systems. Nevertheless you should always test whether the system also runs with your Windows program in this respect. You may have trouble with the I-bar tracking in word processing programs (e.g. Magnus), the display does not always snap to any dialog box or indication window. When snapping to inverse menu bars it is possible that the type isn't represented properly in the enlarged display any more. In this case sometimes the feature for alignment of the enlarged display window can take remedial action, i.e. the enlarged display window shows the cursor (the mouse having priority) either always centred in the window or the cursor can move up to a certain end or a defined area until the enlarged screen section changes. Moving the enlarged screen section ---------------------------------- All systems allow free moving around on the entire screen - partly the enlarged display can be uncoupled of the cursor tracking, i.e. the cursor tracking is switched off. It is important here that the enlarged section scrolls smoothly. Especially with magnifications more than 2x it is possible that the enlarged display window jumps to the new section instead of scrolling there fluidly (e.g. LP-DOS, Argus). Cursor routing -------------- A feature that by now is accepted as necessary for the Braille line, for reading and working on text more effectively somewhere else than the actual writing position (in word processing software), is hardly found in enlargement systems. The so-called cursor routing, i.e. the snapping-to of the cursor to the actual resding porition of the user is offered by Argus 3000 and (probably) Virgo. The new WinMag system provides this function only in DOS applications. Mostly ignored are the design of manuals and on-line help texts. Partly those enlarged prints aren't arranged clearly enough (Magic, Argus and others) and helpful illustrations that I have found in the English original manuals were skipped. You can find illustrated manuals e.g. in Lunar. Magnus and Zoomtext offer screen help text. It is not very user-friendly (for foreign users, translator's note) when - as in Vista - the setting menu is still presented in English, i.e. has not been translated. Experiences with systems ------------------------ My favourite system would be the one which united all advantages of every single system and which is flexibly adjustable for the most possible users. But of course this system doesn't exist. Difficulties ------------ I have already mentioned that most of the screen enlargement softwares work with a separate VGA driver, which disables the possible functions and resolution improvements of a SVGA driver. Contrary to all statements of the salesman, e.g. all the graphics adapters available to me had trouble with the originally excellent (see above) magnification window of MagicDeluxe, i.e. the window didn't stay secure but collapsed and coulndn't be used any more. Certainly this is caused by problems the own VGA driver has with the built-in graphics adapters. LP-DOS (LP-Audio) only provides a general screen window in Windows. This is particularly uncomfortable with running text as the reading line cannot be found any more after the line wrapping and you're searching for the new beginning of the following line. Unfortunately Magnus and Lunar, too, only have a general screen window for Windows. Advantages ---------- In single items there are also some good qualities that are worth mentioning. Lunar provides definable cursor colouring, if desired with different colours for different program windows; a feature that doesn't only improves the visibility of the mouse pointer but also serves for finding out in which window you are. WinMag offers the handy cursor routing only in DOS mode. Argus 2000 also provides cursor routing on DOS level; the graphics- and Windows-orientated Argus 3000 at last offers cursor routing for Windows - which leaves a combination of both Argus variants to be desired (shall be solved generally via an OCR scanner). Magnus as a Windows solution comes up with the lowest price and may be sufficient with its functions. Lunar (Windows module) is a little more expensive but offers more, too. Zoomtext plus for Windows already was functionally good. In the 5.0 version remarkable extensions and improvements of the function were added. Zoomtext works without a separate VGA driver and therefore is much better compatible to graphic adapters. Magnification- and line-windows of variable size can be moved along with the cursor tracking or can be fixed at a screen position. It also offers a vertical creen division, e.g. suitable for spreadsheet programs. With Zoomtext you can switch on a second enlarged screen window and by cursor decoupling if need be fix it at a position for permanent indication window.