Important! Press the downarrow (the centre bottom key in a triangular group of keys to the bottom right of the main group) to read the file line by line and to do later practice.
The file is on a disc to autostart when the disc is inserted. On my computer it opens as an internet file, but instead of having an address http://www. etc its address is "file:///D:/index.htm" This file is designed for the visually impaired and blind user whose computer is running screenreader software with audio output.
It should be capable of use without a display monitor or a mouse.
Reference: Diskynet 10 February 2009, for listening to the February VIP magazine, and practicing some of the Webbie commands. This can also be used in some mp3 players.
The content will be followed by operating instructions and practice exercises.
Important (repeat)! Press the downarrow (the centre bottom key in a triangular group of keys to the bottom right of the main group) to read the file line by line and to do later practice.
The programme starts when the disc is inserted, it can be exited by pressing Alt and then F keys and then X. You must not remove the disc while this Webbie programme is running.
Most programmes can also be closed down using Alt and F4.
You can also then run another disc after ejecting this disc.
Shut the computer down by pressing the Windows key, then U and then U again before switching the power off.
The next line is to choose mp3 speech items from the magazine.
Press the return key now to choose mp3 items from the magazine.
Other diskynets (TM) will be designed to give easy access to other computer and internet programmes.
If your computer is connected to the internet you can use the following hyperlink to access the Andover VIP's website.
To return to this page you use the Back control (Alt-Leftarrow)
Press the return key now to access the Andover VIP's website
Another useful webpage is the Webbie one. Read the instructions on this file for using the Control-L so that you can use the hyperlinks. (Experienced users, or those with a sighted helper.)
Press the control key now to access the Webbie page
This is the end of this copy of the contents. Please contact me peter.spurgeon@mebooks.co.uk if you would like further hyperlinks added to future diskynets.
This is the start of the instructions, and practice part of this file in order of importance.
Lesson 1: Webbie is in its default Text reading mode. How to stop it reading everything.
When this file is being read to you the Return or Enter key is used to take you to the link destination being read at that time.
If you find the speech too quick for you to keep up then it is best to stop the automatic speaking and take manual control.
You can press the down arrow to stop the reading, then as you use the up arrow you can read the previous line.
Similarly, the down arrow reads the next line.
The 'cursor' is then on the line that is being read, or has just been read, and the return key can be pressed anytime.
Sometimes the links do not work when the reading is continuous, you may need to use Alt_S to stop the reading and then to use the uparrow and downarrow keys to move to the link you require.
Stopping auto reading may start the webpage again and you need to arrow down and then arrow up to listen to the top line.
Lesson 2: How to go to another Hyperlink.
Hyperlinks, that is the active lines, can be listed by pressing the Control key and then, keeping that key down, press the L key.
A list of the available hyperlinks can then be read, by pressing the up and down arrows. Pressing the Return key switches to that hyperlink.
If you do not wish to use any of the hyperlinks then press the Escape key to remove the list.
To be sure where you are, you need to arrow down and then arrow up to listen to the hyperlink text.
Lesson 3: Listening to one Character at a Time.
I have tried to start each new sentence on a new line; in order that it should be read out in its entirety.
The size of text however, means that sentences often overflow the line.
If you need to review a word, you can use the rightarrow or leftarrow keys, to listen to one character at a time.
Lesson 4: The Positions of the Control Keys.
Downarrow: the middle lower key in a triangular group of keys to the bottom right of the main group. No speak.
Uparrow: the uppermost (apex) key in a triangular group of keys to the bottom right of the main group. No speak.
Rightarrow: the rightmost key in a triangular group of keys to the bottom right of the main group. No speak.
Leftarrow: the leftmost key in a triangular group of keys to the bottom right of the main group. No speak.
Practice 41 Press the uparrow (the uppermost key in a triangular group of keys to the bottom right of the main group) 4 times then press the downarrow 4 times to return here.
Practice 42 Press the leftarrow and rightarrow keys to see how it reads out one character at a time (not that endline and startline are not spoken).
Return key: this is near the right end of the main group, larger than the other keys it is two rows high, often L shaped. Used as a Click to access a hyperlink.
Practice 43 You may practice using this key here and it will not affect the programme.
Practice 44 Since return does not speak either you may press the key above (it speaks 'backspace right etc') or the upper left is 'Right squarebracket'.
Shift key: a wide key immediately above the control key, duplicated below the Return key. They speak when you are in a typing programme.
Practice 45 Shift key does not speak at this point but you may highlight a portion of text and listen to the highlit portion (listen to parts of word and words).
Practice 46 Press leftarrow ten times then press shift rightarrow unshift listen ten times. It will speak 'highlight' whenever pronounecable letters are highlit.
Practice 47 Press rightarrow on its own to release the highlight.
Escape key: this is usually the top left key on the keyboard, often on its own. No speak.
Function key 1: the first key to the right of the escape key.
Practice 48 Press F, it will speak some Help tips.
Practice 49 Press the Escape key, listen for a few seconds and then press rightarrow.
The Escape key has closed a window on the screen and started reading from the top of the page, the rightarrow has brought you back here in the text.
Spacebar: (does a pagedown when running Webbie) this is the very wide key at central bottom of the main group.
Alt key: immediately to the left of the spacebar. On its own goes to dropdown menu tab, second time returns cursor.
Practice 4 10: Press the Alt key, listen to 'file, menu item'
Practice 4 11: Press the rightarrow, listen to 'edit, menu item, with sub-menu'
Practice 4 12: Press the Alt key, hear reading from the top of the page for a few seconds then press rightarrow to return back here in the text.
Control key: the bottom leftmost key. It speaks during a writing programme. Has no effect on its own but can cause problems if pressed inadvertently with other keys.
Practice 4 13 Find the L key (three to the left of the bottom of the return key)
Press Control-L, listen to the hyperlinks available using the uparrow and downarrow keys.
Use the Escape key (top left) to remove the list and return to reading this file.
Windows key: to the left of the Alt key, not to be used by mistake. A second press or Escape, then rightarrow should restart this text position.
Caps lock key: a wide key immediately above the Control key, do not use by mistake.
Tab key: a wide key immediately above the caps lock key. It speaks.
Practice 4 14: Press the tab key, it should speak this file address and name 'file://D:/index.htm' press tab and rightarrow to return to this text.
Function keys: 12 keys to the right of the Escape key, often in three groups of four, do not use by mistake.
Practice 4 15: Press the F1 key, listen to the help message, press Escape and rightarrow to return to this position.
Backspace (Delete to left of cursor): a wide key above the return key. It sometimes does not speak as it deletes.
Lesson 5. The positions of the Character keys.
These are the characters on my laptop keyboard, you may check them by listening as you click.
A lesson will be provided in future using touch-typing methods.
A. the line of keys above the tab key starting from the left, unshifted: ` 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 - =
B. the line of keysabove the tab key starting from the left, shifted: ¬ ! " £ $ % ^ & * ( ) _ +
C. the line of keys to the right of the tab key starting at the left, unshifted: q w e r t y u i o p [ ]
D. the line of keys to the right of the tab key starting at the left, shifted: Q W E R T Y U I O P { } (capitals)
E. the line of keys to the right of the caps shift starting at the left, unshifted: a s d f g h j k l ; ' (maybe then #)
F. the line of keys to the right of the caps shift starting at the left, shifted: A S D F G H J K L : @ (then maybe ~)
G. the line of keys to the right of the shift key starting at the left, unshifted: \ z x c v b n m , . /
H. the line of keys to the right of the shift key starting at the left, shifted: | Z X C V B N M < > ?
Lesson 6: Using the Webbie Help.
A short help can be obtained by pressing the function key F1, press Return to go back to where you were.
For another Webbie Help use the keys Alt H, then downarrow and uparrow to read out the options, return to select.
Most help pages are closed by pressing return.
Pages can also be closed using the Escape key, see below.
Lesson 7: The Drop Down Menus.
Nearly every application contains the File dropdown menu in the leftmost position.
To open the File dropdown menu press Alt and F.
You can now use the downarrow and uparrow keys to listen to the options, press return to select the option.
If you are 'just looking' then the Escape key closes the option list but keeps the cursor on the dropdown tab.
Now you can use the rightarrow and leftarrow to listen to the titles of the other tabs.
In order to open a dropdown menu of another tab use the downarrow at that point.
In this way you can listen to the titles of all the tabs and to their contents.
To return to the preivous cursor (reading) position press Escape key again.
Check your position in the file using leftarrow and rightarrow.
This is the end of the Lessons part of this file.
This is a part intended to limit my liability to the obligation to the extent of returning any purchase money in the case of a fault being proven in this software within the shorter period of 30 days of purchase or of the allowable minimum, the product being subject to normal use and wear and tear and being operated in the recommended equipment.
The file has not been exhaustively tested. It has been designed for Thunder screenreader and Webbie internet browser and developed using a Windows XP operating system. It is intended that it should be on a CD that will autostart. Copyright (c) 2009 Peter Spurgeon, UK SP11 6LY 22a. All rights reserved. The price for disabled users will be less than that for educational, commercial or private use in order to provide royalties to the developers. Criticisms, suggestions, praise, sponsorship, donations etc should be addressed as above, or emailed to peter.spurgeon@mebooks.co.uk, including the title of this file.
Please enquire if you would like further instructions, or a different media or format.
This is the end of this file. To start again hold the Alt key down and press Tab twice.