The MultiWeb Options.
MultiWeb is an Internet browser that you can customise to suit your
needs.
MultiWeb includes interfaces designed for input devices
including mouse, keyboard, switch device and touch screen. Refer to
the page MultiWeb Interfaces for more
details.
Additionally, each interface can be set-up with a number of
different options including large print, highlight text, small
buttons, speech synthesis, talking buttons, a variety of colours,
fonts, and button placement.
The MultiWeb Options are listed below and you can select your
options using the MultiWeb User Options program provided with
MultiWeb.
Large Print.
The large option provides large fonts for on screen text and text
on buttons. Large Print also provides large cursors. In addition to
specifying large print at start-up, a user can use zoom to view a
document in large fonts.
Top of page.
Highlight Text.
The highlight text option allows a line of text to be highlighted
in inverse video to assist with reading. It can be used in
conjunction with all interfaces and is particularly useful when
combined with large print or speech for people who have difficulty
with maintaining their place in a document.
Top of page.
Small Buttons.
The small buttons option provides buttons which are smaller than
normal on-screen buttons for the default, mouse/keyboard or switch
device interfaces thus increasing the available viewing area. When
the Small Button option is chosen, buttons will be displayed with
abbreviated captions.
Top of page.
Speech.
MultiWeb has its own built in speech synthesis software which
operates in conjunction with any standard PC sound card, providing
a low cost alternative to commercial screen readers. Speech is
available with all interface options. Movement through documents
occurs in conjunction with speech.
- The document can be read:
-
- line by line by using the up and down arrows on the keyboard or
by using the corresponding interface buttons;
- 10 lines at a time by using page up and page down on the
keyboard or oby using the corresponding interface buttons.
- in its entirety from the current line. Users can interrupt
reading at any time if required.
- To assist understanding, the last spoken line or word can be
repeated, and if required, words can be spelt one letter at a
time.
- Links on the page are read to the user to facilitate selection.
If necessary the actual URL address can be read or spelt.
- When a document is first load the first line is read
automatically. As the first line is usually a title or heading,
this provides the user with some indication of what is in the
document.
- All error messages are spoken.
- The contents of the status bar can be read giving the users
audible feedback on such information as size of the document and
the current line number within the document.
- MultiWeb will read the text and controls on Internet
Forms.
- All information from open file and save file dialogue boxes is
spoken to the user.
- In the case of the Find facility, the entire line in which the
word is read giving the user contextual information.
- When downloading files the percentage saved is read on a
regular basis to keep the user informed of progress.
- The speed, pitch and volume of the synthesiser can be varied to
suit individual requirements.
- Capitalised words can be spelt out instead of read if
desired.
- Punctuation marks can be read out if required to give the user
explicit information on punctuation.
Top of page.
Talking Buttons.
This option provides for audio feedback as to which on-screen
button is currently ready for activation. If using a switch device
the button caption is read automatically as the button is scanned.
For other interfaces that use on-screen buttons, using the TAB key
to shift focus from button to button causes the caption of the
button receiving focus to be spoken. Note that shifting the focus
from one control to the next with the TAB key is a standard Windows
function. The button that currently has focus has two visual
indications: the caption is shown in bold letters and there is a
dotted border just within the perimeter of the control. Pressing
the ENTER key will activate the control that currently has focus.
Top of page.
Colours and Fonts.
MultiWeb allows you to select the colours and font that best suited
to your visual needs. The background of the Browser, text, colour
of hotlinks, background to buttons and text on buttons are all
modifiable. Further, several default colour schemes devised in full
consultation with users have been prepared to assist in
configuration.
Top of page.
Button placement.
Buttons can be placed at the top, left, right or bottom of the
screen to ensure easy access.
Top of page.
Return to More About MultiWeb.
Return to Home Page.
To return to the last page viewed use the BACK button on your
browser.
Page maintained by
Susan Keller. Last modified 1 July 2005.