ARLA/CLUSTER: Echolink para Amadores de Radio com deficiencias visuais. Programa ElseeMore de Tony Wakefield-VK3ZTR.

[João Gonçalves Costa]

Recomendo um teste deste novo Software gratuito (Beta release Free no time lockout) e posterior informação ao seu autor Tony Wakefield-VK3ZTR (ver em: http://www.qrz.com/p/email.pl?callsign=VK3ZTR;from=callsign ou http://www.tonywakefield.com.au/component/option,com_contact/task,view/contact_id,1/Itemid,3/ )

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Written by Tony VK3ZTR     

Monday, 02 April 2007  

Tony Wakefield (Software) by VK3ZTR 

If you are a Radio Amateur (Ham) then register now, download and take a look at this new ElseeMore client addition to enhance Echolink © Amateur Radio application used by more than 170,000 registered users in 158 nations worldwide to combine voice over the Internet and Radio Links!  The current version is freeware/donateware.  Latest Update 2nd April 2007.

Supporting variable dynamic font sizes and Speech announcement of connecting stations, Messages & Button Navigation.  Designed to assist all, including the visual impaired, white stick, white cane operators.  With added optional speech output of message text, Callsigns of connecting stations & Button identification.

Operators who have recently lost vision quality and find it difficult to navigate or learn the keyboard, will find this program easy to use allowing them to make calls, The remote commands will allow a 'buddy' to set up favorite call buttons.

Sit back away from the screen with a large font.
White Stick Cane operator, the latest version includes support for you with TAB & Enter Key to Navigate and Action. Space Bar to toggle TX/RX.
 
Good eyesight then use the Mouse to Navigate.

Poor eyesight then maybe a larger Font. Dynamic Font Size. Settings saved in INI file.

Selectable speech features on / off. Settings saved in a INI file.

10 User editable favorite Callsign Buttons. Edit the INI file or use the inbuilt commands.

Remote 'Buddy' commands to change options and button call signs by remote control.
 
Command input using Chat text box to edit Callsign Buttons.

Voice announcments of Alarm List changes. Call signs announced in Phonetics.
 
Away from computer then hear who is connecting. Call sign announced in Phonetics.

Leave an auto send message. When a station connects this message will be sent. The message can ask the connecting station to please call back and indicate that the operator may have some impairment that makes it difficult to place calls. Apart from the 10 preset call buttons.

Connected to a conference then Talking station is Highlighted at bottom of list.

Type in Node number, or Callsign, in Message / Chat Text box then press 'Enter' to connect.

ReConnect Button will connect. Also re-connect to last connected station. Just missed a call then one click or Enter Key to re-connect.

Starts Echolink © if not running. Button to Re-start Echolink © if it terminates.

Background color Red for Transmit Green for receive. Easy to see.

Large Digital Clock. ALT T will speak the time.

New - Screen Layout suitable for 640 X 480 upwards.

The new remote commands will allow a remote operator to Edit the options, providing both ends are using ElseeMore. This will help avoid the visually impaired from having to edit the INI file. The F9 function key on the remote station will enable/disable the access, with a 10 minute security time out to disable access.

Repeat speak the current connected call sign. [User Request]

Repeat speak the last text message received. [User Request]

PC Shutdown/Power Off. F12 will Shutdown the PC and Power off if supported(you have 15 seconds to cancel by pressing F12). This function makes it easy to set the PC up to Power up auto Startup ElseeMore/Echolink and at end of session Shutdown and Power Off. [User Request]

Download today as a registered user. (Beta release Free no time lockout) Go to Download Menu after registering.
Have your say, pass on ideas to enhance this program [User Request]. If you are visually impaired and this does not provide all you require then Please provide feedback via "Contact Us" Menu or via the webmaster @ the same address as site URL.

Program tested with Supernova/HAL computer access from DolphinUK http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/ Works fine. Tested by Colin 2E0RIG white stick operator.
 
If you are using HAL or JAWS then you may need to play with the sound options to give you the best interface. Testing and enhancments in progress to give the best match. I am looking for more feedback on how you find this program integrates with these and other visual programs.  This website is a bit complex for some screen readers and users may find it difficult to find the download. Please check out the Menu for Low Vision Webpages with a direct link to the downloads. However please register so that your download can be counted. http://tonywakefield.com.au/downloads          
73's Tony VK3ZTR

The Author, Tony Wakefield, VK3ZTR would like to give recognition to Colin 2E0RIG for being chief of test for the Blind Usability features of 'ElseeMore'. Colin has provided many ideas to refine the product. Colin has been totally blind since birth. Thanks Colin. Messages to Colin can be sent via the 'Contacts' Menu on this website.
                                      
About the author: Tony has worked in the IT industry for 39 years retired now (well I was, now back working part time) and very busy playing ham radio and cutting the grass & chopping the wood on his rural property. Had a friend who was losing his eyesight.  Been programming in Borland DELPHI for 10 years so decided to see what he could do to help. This program is the result. He admits that he has never been employed as a programmer, but has been writing & debugging code since 1977. His main skills are in technical trouble shooting across all aspects of IT (Optical Character Recognition, Machine control, EFTPOS, Banknote & document processing, General Electronics & design). Having originally entered IT in 1967 as a computer hardware designer. Travelled the world doing post design and technical trouble shooting. Specializing in taking the prototype to production (making it work!).  

(vide em http://www.tonywakefield.com.au )