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AT Freeware - 2012 Adirondack AT Expo
AT Freeware - 2012 Adirondack AT Expo
A review of freeware assistive technology aids for Windows computers. This presentation will be given at the October 29th-30th 2012 Adirondack AT Expo at the Wild Center Museum, Tupper Lake, NY
The starred items shown below will be included in the presentations:
Freeware Tools for Struggling Readers & Writers
Freeware Tools for Computer Access & AAC
(The original XMind project file represented in the picture below is available on the Downloads Page.)
AT Freeware - 2012 Adirondack AT Expo
AT Freeware - 2012 Adirondack AT Expo
A review of freeware assistive technology aids for Windows computers. This presentation will be given at the October 29th-30th 2012 Adirondack AT Expo at the Wild Center Museum, Tupper Lake, NY
Reading Supports
Reading Supports
A free add-on for Microsoft Word (Office versions '97 through 2010,) WordTalk provides text-to-speech reading services. It offers word-by-word highlighting, but no keystroke feedback. It has keyboard commands for reading words, sentences, paragraphs, etc…
Although I have used this add-on successfully in the past, I had some problems getting it to work with Office 2003 installed on Vista or Windows 7 computers. It is still worth trying it. I think WordTalk would work better if I had Word 2007 or newer.
10/21/2012 Update- I just ran the 64 bit installer for my Windows 7 notebook and it works! I did copy the WordTalk.dot file into the Word 2003 startup folder as outlined in a Youtube video: http://youtu.be/XI_tNYnEdUA
Manual installation instructions for Word 2007 are found here: http://youtu.be/soEddyUvFbk
Get it here:
http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Download/
PowerTalk adds text-to-speech to any Powerpoint slideshow. First, you launch PowerTalk. Then direct PowerTalk to a PowerPoint slideshow and PowerTalk will automatically read the text that appears on each slide using the default voice (which you can set in the text-to-speech control panel.) Use PowerTalk to add a voice to your favorite PowerPoint based ebooks. I use it for reading Tar Heel Reader books. Here is a tip -> You can set PowerTalk to be the default file opener for *.pps filetypes and it will open PowerPoint shows ready to go. Be sure your PowerPoint doesn't already have sounds though. There are more tips and links to TTS voices on the website shown below.
Get it here:
http://fullmeasure.co.uk/powertalk/
Balabolka is a text-to-speech supported reading tool and text processor with optional spell checking that highlights words as it speaks. It can be set to speak letters, words, sentences and paragraphs as they are typed. Balabolka opens CHM, DjVu (DjVu+OCR), DOC, DOCX, EPUB, FB2, HTML, ODT, PDF and RTF filetypes! This is an amazing array of filetypes for a freeware application.
You can resize and select font color, background color and highlight color. It supports both SAPI 4 (Mary, Mike) and better quality SAPI 5 (Anna) voices. You can adjust the reading rate. You can save text files as wav, MP3, MP4, Ogg and other (sound) file formats for listening on a media player. Balabolka supports multiple languages. Balabolka can use the native spell check library already on your computer (although I'm not sure how,) or you can install one. Directions for installing an open source spell check library is on the Balabolka website.
Get it here:
http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm
AMIS is a ebook reader that renders DAISY formated books and has support for embedded audio, pictures, and highlighted text-to-speech. It also offers keyboard navigation with text-to-speech support for low vision users, and has a bookmarking feature as well. AMIS is really a DAISY format reader only and does not support reading plain text, web pages, or epub formatted books.
Find out more about AMIS here:
http://www.daisy.org/amis?q=project/amis
Orato is a small text-to-speech reader that can read text from any source that allows you to copy text to the clipboard. You simply highlight text you want read, press Ctrl-C and Orato opens a window an begins reading the copied text outloud. It also has word highlighting, and allows you to adjust font, font color, background color, highlight color, voice selection and reading rate. It works in word processors, browsers, PDF readers, and many other programs.
Orato is just another great freeware tool available from the FX Software website:
http://www.fx-software.co.uk/assistive.htm
To make it easier for some to do the highlight and copy operation with just one key press see DragKeysPlus under Miscellany.
Blio is a free reader from Kurzweil and the National Federation of the Blind. Blio has the look of a professional, commercial ebook reader. Although it is free, it is intended as a tool to read commercial ebooks. Blio will read epub formatted books. Although Blio claims to be able too read files in the XPS format files it no longer does. This is unfortunate because you can easily convert any printable text based file (like .txt, .doc, .html, ppt., and others) into XPS format in Vista or Win 7.
Blio offers the full ebook reader experience including cool page turning effects, zoom magnifier, bookmarking, text highlighting and speech controls. Blio offers access to free books from the Google collection right from the reader itself - as long as you have Internet access. Project Gutenburg ( http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page) has all of its freely downloadable books in epub format, as well as in other popular ebook formats. So, classic books get first class treatment in Blio including its word-by-word highlighting during test-to-speech.
More recently I experimented with using a program called Calibre to convert PDF files to epub format with mixed success. Just like the process to create XPS files you can easily create PDF files using a PDF printer like PDFCreator. Although PDFCreator works fine and is a good program, be aware that many "freeware" and download sites are now fraught with misleading download buttons that download installers other than the what you were hoping for. And then you have to be very careful installing programs like PDFCreator to not inadvertently install some unwanted search toolbar or worse. Keep a sharp eye out and uncheck or skip those add-on features. PDFCreator works just like the XPS printer described above. Once you have a PDF file you can convert it to epub format with Calibre and open it Blio. It works, but frequently the results are not pretty.
Get Blio here: http://www.meetblio.com/about_knfb
I've added a reference to the Emerson Reader because it is free and it supports both Epub and DAISY formats, but only those with embedded mp3 audio (no text-to-speech support.)
For more info about Emerson Reader link to:
http://code.google.com/p/emerson-reader/wiki/UserFAQ
You can get the Emerson Reader here:
http://code.google.com/p/emerson-reader/
Screenreaders
Screenreaders
Screenreaders are programs intended to render text and tags associated with graphical user interfaces into speech. They are intended as aids for users who have vision issues, but also may benefit users who have difficulty reading. Experienced and accomplished screenreader users can navigate Windows with astonishing speed and alacrity.
Details about how to use screenreaders are beyond the scope of this presentation. The links to two fine freeware screenreaders are offered for your convenience.
Get Thunder here:
http://www.screenreader.net/index.php?pageid=2
It is also part of the MyStudyBar collection, and can run as a portable app.
NVDA is another free screenreader that you can find out more about here:
http://www.nvda-project.org/
and download here:
http://www.nvda-project.org/wiki/Download
NVDA will run as a portable app:
http://www.nvda-project.org/wiki/Download
If your computer only came with Microsoft Sam, or you need/want SAPI 4 voices, you can get free voices conveniently at the ByteCool website here:
http://www.bytecool.com/voices.htm
ByteCool also has links to payware voices as well.
Also the Deskbot site has a nice link to this site for more SAPI 4 voices: http://www.msagentring.org/msagentring/setup.aspx
Here is another link to get SAPI 4 voices, many of which are free:
http://www.msagentring.org/msagentring/setup.aspx
Foxit has a Read Out Loud feature under its "View" menu to read text (it must be highlight-able text, not just an image of text.) Find the read out loud feature under the "View" menu. Reading rate and reading voice can be set from the "Preferences" item under the "Edit" menu. Foxit also permits highlighting, useful for as study aid, or for copy and paste note taking. It loads much faster than the Adobe Reader. Get Foxit here:
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/
Evernote's Clearly add-on for the Chrome and Firefox browsers help to de-clutter text based web sites. Clearly adds a nice highlighter and has the Evernote Web Clipper. Clearly offers three font sizes and a few themes that users may prefer over the default. It works great with Orato, and dragKeysPlus. Get it here:
http://evernote.com/clearly/
From an article on the WebMD site:
" Spreading the letters of words a bit farther apart helps dyslexic kids read more quickly and make fewer mistakes as they read, a new study shows."
Read more about it here: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20120604/spacing-letters-apart-helps-dyslexia
Here is how:
In Microsoft Word :
1. From the menu bar choose Format--->Font---->Character Spacing
2. Select "Expanded" from the Spacing menu, and then increase the spacing to 2.5pts.
In Kingsoft Writer:
1. From the menu bar choose Format--->Font---->Character Spacing
2. Select "Expanded" from the Spacing menu, and then increase the spacing to 1.5mm.
In OpenOffice Writer:
1. From the menu bar choose Format--->Character---->Position
2. Select "Expanded" from the Spacing menu, and then increase the spacing to 2.5pt.
If a student has a documented, qualifying disability that makes it difficult or impossible for them to read printed materials they are entitled (in the United States) to obtain a free Bookshare.org account allowing them to access a vast library that should contain current books and textbooks in DAISY compliant format. If you are a US School or an individual with disabilities you can find out more about qualifying for a free Bookshare account here:
https://www.bookshare.org/_/membership/qualifications
Account holders would also be allowed to download the free Bookshare edition of Don Johnston's ReadOutloud.
They also have a link to the AMIS reader. Find out more about free reading tools here:
https://www.bookshare.org/readingTools
Writing Supports
Writing Supports
eType is a word completion program that also helps with spelling. Once installed eType to provides typing assistance for many common programs, and you can choose to activate or deactivate eType for any given program. eType can be distracting at times, so it is a good thing to be able to turn it on and off.
It does work well in Open Office Writer and in WordPad. In fact, it is probably the best freeware word completion program available. eType presents a list of potential word outcomes as you type. The topmost word on the prediction list often is accompanied with a brief definition. By just pressing Enter you can send the highlighted word into your document. The arrow keys move the highlight down or up the list.
eType has some quirks that have to do with the publisher's desire to monitize eType and to keep the basic version free. Consequently, there are popups that inform you of your "score" and encouragement for you to talk up eType to your Facebook friends. If you click on the taskbar icon instead of right clicking on it, it will open some annoying windows including a webage. Recently, etype tries to get you to install toolbars and other spyware onto your computer during installation. This is not a welcome development. I can't fault them for wanting to make a living. I will evaluate the installation to see if etype can be installed without the add-on stuff, or if the stuff can be easily removed.
eType has a new version that I could not get working on my Win 7 notebook computer (AMD processor?) Anyway, The new download has a tricky installer that coaxes you to add some dubious annoyance-ware (or maybe worse.) I managed to uncheck all the suggested add-ons and skip the coupon crap. Next, the installer appears to work and then just disappears without a trace. The prior version was very helpful. Well, there is always TurboType.
Get eType here:
http://www.etype.com/download/
LetMeType is a simple, and useful word completion program. It monitors your typing and presents a list of predicted outcome as you type. Words are ordered on the list based on the frequency with which you use them. So, the more you use a word, the more likely it will appear at the top of the list. LetMeType does not come with a weighted word list. However, you can use your own writing samples to prime its dictionary. You can just copy any text to the clipboard and select "read clipboard" from the Edit menu to import the clipboard contents into LetMeType's dictionary. You can also import text using "import text" from the File menu. This feature makes it easy to include or focus only on new vocabulary.
When you use LetMeType you select an item on the prediction list to be sent to your document by typing the line number that appears next to the predicted word or phrase.
LetMeType is part of the MyStudyBar collection, or available as a download here:
http://www.clasohm.com/lmt/en/
LetMeType behaves weirdly in Office 2003, under Vista on my laptop, but otherwise works well in every other application I have tried.
QuickInput is another freeware word completion program that presents a list of prdicted outcomes as you type. You select a word from the prediction list by highlighting the word using the arrow keys if necessary and then by pressing enter.
QuickInput allows you to choose for which programs it is enabled. You can also adjust the appearance of the prediction list and change background and highlighting colors, font, and word list transparency.
You need to prime QuickInput and can do so using the dragKeysPlus method described elsewhere in this document.
Get QuickInput here:
http://www.qinput.com/
tinySpell is a free spell checker that works anywhere you type, and in any program. It flags any word you just typed as being misspelled if it does not recognize it. If you do misspell a word, tinySpell provides an instant visual cue in the form of a red tool tip message appearing near the insertion cursor. You can set tinySpell's preferences so the down arrow will open the spelling list. Pressing the number associated with a word on the list will correct the misspelled word in the documnet into which you were typing. (tinySpell correctly identifies misspelling in XMind, but does not work when you attempt to correct the misspelling.)
tinySpell lets you choose application in which it is either enabled or disabled.
tinySpell is great when filling out forms in Microsoft Office which for some strange reason suspends spell checking in locked fill-in forms.
Get tinySpell with MyStudyBar, or here:
http://tinyspell.numerit.com/
Voice Email Pilot is an easy to use voice recorder that organizes you voice notes into folders, sub-folders and voice files. This could be used to help students who have difficulty with handwriting and typing by allowing them to record voice notes instead. The ability to create folders and sub-folders that contain voice notes can assist student with the overall organization of their voice notes in an outline format that can later be used to create a written report. Teachers could create folders and voice notes with recorded questions for students to answer.
Voice Email Pilot can be used as a portable application by copying the entire installed folder in the Programs folder on the C: drive to your flash drive.
Voice Email Pilot can be downloaded here:
http://www.colorpilot.com/voicepilot.html
The Sage is simply a great freeware dictionary. It provides definitions, examples and has a read out loud feature as well.
If you misspell a word you want to look up, The Sage will suggest words that may be what you wanted (like Google does.)
Point at a word in a definition and right-click. A menu appears asking if you want to look up the word at which you were pointing.
Click on the speech bubble icon on the right side tool bar to turn on a screen reader tool.
The Sage is probably not too helpful for really young or significantly challenged students, but I think it would be helpful for most students grade 5 and up, and should be on every school computer.
The Sage comes with MyStudyBar, or is downloadable here:
http://www.sequencepublishing.com/thesage.html
Lingoes is another excellent dictionary tool like the Sage. Type a word into its search box and you will see definitions from several online dictionary resources. It offers suggestions for misspelled words submitted. It provides text-to-speech renderings for the searched for word, or for any text the user highlights. If you don't understand a word in the definition? Right-click on the word and select "Search". It provides word (phrase or sentence) translations for 80 languages.
The Sage has a cleaner, less cluttered interface and a better "screen reader" feature, but Lingoes seems more straightforward to use.
Get it here: http://www.lingoes.net/
Ginger is an online spelling and grammar checker utility that can help struggling writers who use Microsoft Office products including Office 2003 or newer, Internet Explorer, or Firefox. I've tried it in Word and found that it works fairly well for phonetic or creative spellers. It works by reviewing a sentence at a time. The user presses F2 to start the checking process which requires an active Internet connection. The original sentence appears in one window and a suggested, corrected version appears in another. If the suggested sentence appears correct the user can click the "Approved" button to replace the original text in the Word document. The freeware version includes the correction service, but not the text-to-speech feature found in the Premium service ($89.)
As an example I typed these two sentences:
I thnk my riting sux.
But now wt Gngr I cn rite like a prfessnal.
And Ginger offered:
I think my writing sucks.
But now with Gngr I can write like a prfessnal.
Interestingly Microsoft Word was able to offer a correct suggestion for Gngr (Ginger). Both Word and Ginger failed to suggest professional for prfessnal.
If you don't want to install Ginger you can still use it online by pointing your browser to http://www.gingersoftware.com/ You can find the download link on the same page.
A similar, really good, online spelling a grammar checker that you can try online for free is Ghotit. The free checker that is limited to 500 characters can be found here: http://www.ghotit.com/
Ghotit will highlight questionable words in various colors depending on the suspected errors. The user right-clicks on the words in question to see and selects suggested corrections. In the following example I chose only the topmost suggestions.
Here is how Ghotit handled the above mangled sentences:
I thnk my riting sux.
But now wt gotit I cn rite like a prfessnal.
After running through Ghotit's suggestions it gave me:
I think my writing sux.
But now wt gotit I can write like a professional.
Mind Mappers
Mind Mappers
Mind Mappers are great tools for organizing ideas about anything. For the struggling writer they can help with the organizing process. A premade map without notes could offer cues for a student on how they might put together a paragraph or book report. Each topic would offer a suggestion for which the student would elaborate in an attached note. The mind map also allows for breaking the writing process into more manageable chunks so students won't feel so overwhelmed by large assignments. Teachers can review maps in progress to gain insight into a student's thinking process. They are also great tools for brainstorming, for organizing events, for modeling processes, and whatever else you can think of.
A great online, browser based Mind Mapper that looks a lot like XMind. You can work on your project in the cloud, share a link to it and allow collaborators to edit it. For the most part Mind42 is easy to learn and use. I did find that editing a typo in a topic label is a bit touchy, but other than that I like it a lot. You can export the project to RTF, FreeMind, and other formats. Clicking on hyper links opens the hyper link in a new tab in the Chrome browser. I hope to recreate this Mindmap with Mind42 so I can maintain it easily, and online all in one step. (But you need to be online, so maybe not.)
Sign up here: http://www.mind42.com/signin
Freemind is yet another great free mind mapping tool, and is probably the original free mind mapper. A new version just came out as of 4/20/2012 that I have not had the time to evaluate. I did try to export a Mind42 map and imported it into Freemind, but it did not show the notes attached to a node. (I was able to import the map with notes intact into Xmind.) I will eventually review Freemind in greater depth.
Get it here (you may also need required Java downloads as explained on the Download page): http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download
Xmind is the fantastic tool I used to generate this presentation. It helped me organize my thoughts, add notes to topics, and add hyper links to topics. It also lets you insert pictures into the topic box as well as text. After adding my notes and hyper links to all the nodes I cared to, I was able to export the result as a web page that reflects the visual map of topics in a hierarchical outline format that included notes and hyper links.
Most operations can be accomplished with a simple key press, like using the Tab key to add a new subtopic to the currently active node. The keyboard shortcuts make creating a map very efficient.
Clicking on an added hyper link opens a browser pane taking you directly to the linked web site.
Altogether, XMind is easy, even fun to use. The premium pay subscription product has more Export options. However the freeware version comes with enough export capability to satisfy many user's needs.
Xmind is available as part of MyStudybar, or available here:
http://www.xmind.net/downloads/
Evernote lets you create notes and organize them in folders called notebooks. Notes can have pictures, text, links to web pages, media elements, add more. The web clipper feature (which you can add on to Google Chrome, Safari or Firefox) lets you grab a whole web page and stick it in one of your Evernote notebooks. It makes an excellent Internet research companion. It also saves your work in the Cloud so that you can access it from anywhere using just about any kind of computer, phone or mobile device imaginable. It is way better than simple bookmarking. And, the basic version lets you do all this for free.
Get it here: http://www.evernote.com
Turbo Type has a free version of its word completion program that will work for 2 hours without requiring restarting. Turbo Type word prediction works in any program you type into. It can also help fix spelling errors as you type by suggestion correctly spelled words. It presents a list as you type from which you can pick a word either by selecting a number from the list or by pressing space bar to select the item at the top of the list. If you do not want to select any item suggested, press escape prior to pressing the space bar. You can control the size of the suggestion list, after how many characters the list appears, and which keystrokes will select the item at the top of the list.
Get Turbo` Type here: http://www.easytousetools.com/turbo_type/download.php
Communications Aids
Communications Aids
pVoice is a nice picture and text based communicator. It supports single and two switch scanning, but not auditory scanning. It allows for sentence construction and can support a complex set of pages to suit the needs of many symbol-supported communicators. It is fairly easy to edit and expand upon.
Get it here:
http://pvoice.org/
Launcher6 is not strictly a communication program, but it could serve as such for beginners. It offers 6 large choice buttons with pictures. It supports auditory scanning and text-to-speech via a clipboard text-to-speech agent like Deskbot or SpeakEasy. It can link to more Launcher6 screens, or it can launch programs and registered file types. It has a built-in editor that saves as you edit so you don't have to remember, and it has keyboard shortcuts for facilitators working with learners to quickly navigate to the main page. Because it only displays six choices it supports a linear scan only. It can accommodate single and two switch scanners, and has a random selection method, useful as a spinner for games.
It works well in conjunction with another oldie I wrote called My Media Player which is useful for constructing cause and effect activities. MMP can be found on the same download page as Launcher6 and is also described in the Fun for Switch Users topic of this document.
It is a bit quirky, a little old, but I still use it every day. It is a major feature on all 6 of our interactive whiteboard carts, and is on all our classroom computers.
Learn more about Launcher6 here:
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/launcher6
Tico Editor and Tico Interpreter are complimentary programs that work together to make and view communications grids. Tico Editor is the grid building tool that allows you to construct grids of cells with pictures and text. Optionally, you can assign sound files (MP3 only?), play videos, and links to other grids to cells for building a communications system. You can just print the grids as well, or save them as PDF files so they can be printed anywhere without Tico. The Tico manual is in Spanish only, but I was able to muddle through and make a sample grid by trial and error.
The Tico Interpeter opens and plays Tico projects. The interpreter supports direct selection and scanning access.
I had to try a couple of times to install the huge graphics library also available from the Tico website. They do have instructions for doing this on the website. There are oddly lots of language elements missing from the symbol set that seems mostly focussed on nouns.
Find out more about Tico here:
http://www.proyectotico.com/wiki-en/index.php/Home
Downloads here:
http://www.proyectotico.com/wiki-en/index.php/Downloads
Symbols download here:
http://www.proyectotico.com/wiki-en/index.php/Pictogram_Gallery
Picto Selector is a grid making tool, and a symbol librarian. Currently, Picto Selector has the best collected set of freeware symbols anywhere including the Sclera Symbols, The Mulberry Symbol Set and the ARASAAC set. There are many thousands of pictures to pick from.
To use Picto Selector to as a symbol finding resource you have to open in and Create a new Picto Sheet. Then click the Show Pictos button. Now you can search for images and add them to your Picto sheet. Once the symbol is in the sheet you can copy and paste it wherever you want.
Find out more about Picto-Selector (and other free symbol based products) here:
http://www.pictoselector.eu/index.php
Web Page Communicator is based on the idea that web pages can behave like the dynamic display communications devices do, and do so in almost any browser, or on any device that can run a modern browser. WPC is a work in progress that consists of an editing tool, FormEdit, and a series of templates that FormEdit modifies to produce communications web pages.
The pages produced by the WPC system support multiple access methods including direct selection (point and click), single switch scanning (auto scan,) two switch scanning (step scanning), and row-column scans. There is also a random selection method useful as a spinner for games. It supports auditory scanning as well. Sound files are used for messages and cues.
Web pages made using the WPC system will work in most popular browsers and on an iPad. Because of the way sound files behave in different browsers, you need to publish WPC pages with the correct sound file types your user's preferred browser and platform.
WPC web pages can be setup on a website like this iPad frendly sample here: http://jamjolu.host56.com/wpc/snack_3X5newARefinedIF.htm
Or, WPC pages can be stored on a local memory device if the device supports offline browsing, like most computers do.
Find out more about Web Page Communicator and FormEdit Program here:
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/web-page-communicator
QuickPics is a grid building tool for making basic printable grids. You select a format that has pre-sized cells. Then you populate the cells with pictures and edit the labels. It unfortunately does not support copy and paste, or drag and drop.
That is about it.
Get it here:
http://www.patrickecker.org/quickpics.htm
Speakeasy is not so much a communication aid as it is a text-to-speech utility that reads the contents of the clipboard. My Launcher6 and wedge series of programs use this feature to generate audio cues for scanners who require auditory support.
Any text copied to the clipboard will be spoken out loud by the default text-to-speech voice. You can choose another voice by right clicking the Speakeasy icon and selecting the Options choice.
This little utility can also be handy for proofreading and other uses.
Speakeasy is another useful utility from FXSoftware:
http://www.fx-software.co.uk/assistive.htm
DeskBot is another text-to-speech utility that reads the contents of the clipboard and an old favorite. My Launcher6 and wedge series of programs use this feature to generate audio cues for scanners who require auditory support. Deskbot uses the Microsoft Agent technology with cartoon characters to do the reading. This limits Deskbot to SAPI 4 voices, but I still think it is useful and certainly charming. I turn off extraneous animations so it is not too distracting. You can control font size, voice, reading rate, character position and size, and best of all what character you want. There are dozens to choose from. This little utility can also be handy for proofreading and other uses.
Get it here: http://www.bellcraft.com/deskbot/
Make sure to check out the links to additional characters: http://www.msagentring.org/msagentring/setup.aspx
Access/Input Aids
Access/Input Aids
Onscreen Keyboards
Onscreen Keyboards
Windows OSKs
Windows OSKs
Windows XP through Vista:
Windows since before Windows XP came with on screen keyboards as part of its accessibility suite. Mostly, they have been only just adequate, and not re-sizable. For Windows XP, Charlie Danger attempted to remedy the inadequacy of the Windows on screen keyboard with his dock-able, re-sizable version that can be found here:
http://www.bltt.org/software/xposk/osk_xp.htm
It does not work in Windows Vista (and may not in Windows 7 either.)
I tried using Windows on screen keyboard for Vista in tandem with eType word completion utility and it does not work - too bad.
Windows 7:
Hooray, The Windows 7 on screen keyboard is great. It is re-sizable and has a very good word completion feature. This could prove more that adequate for many users. It also works even when the User Access Control Windows open which often interrupt assistive technology, rendering them useless while the UAC windows are open. Find the on screen keyboard in the Ease of Access control panel. You can also make a shortcut to the the Windows OSK by following these steps:
1. Right click on desktop and select Create --> New Shortcut
2. copy and paste the following line into the location of item fill-in box:
%windir%\System32\osk.exe
3. Click Next then click Finish
You now have a shortcut to the OnScreenKeyboard
Click-n-Type used to be favorite on screen keyboard (other than the one that come with Windows 7.) It has a not too useful word completion feature, offers various layouts, is re-sizable, has an dwell selection method for pressing keys, and offers switch scanning support. These last two features are a bit curious though. I think that a user who wants to use dwell selection should do so using a dwell selection utility that adapts the mouse, not the keyboard. Likewise, although switch scanning users are frequently overlooked, having the keyboard scan through keys may not make much sense in the larger context of Windows and all the complexities it presents.
Click-n-Type can run as a portable app and can be found here:
http://cnt.lakefolks.com/#Download
This is a nice on screen keyboard that is re-sizable, has various layouts, has various color schemes, controllable transparency, supports auto repeat, and a decent basic layout. It can be run as a portable app, and it comes in 10 languages. You can find it here:
http://freevirtualkeyboard.com/
Touch-It virtual keyboard is a nice looking on screen keyboard intended for (but not exclusive to) touch screen devices. The freeware version is not re-sizable, but looks good on my screen (1280 X 800) and is a reasonable size for use with a "head mouse", touch screen, white board, or other alternate mousing device.
The Touch-It freeware is available here:
http://www.chessware.ch/virtual-keyboard/download.php
They also make a nice thumb typing keyboard that is supposed to work on Windows tablet style computers (UMPC). This on screen keyboard splits the keyboard into two halves that cover the lower left and right corners of the screen. The thumb board is custom template that is part of the pay-for "Pro" package ($20) that allows users to define their own keyboards, and has features like word completion.
VirtualKeyboard is my new favorite on screen keyboard from the Grupo de Robotica of the University of Lleida. It is re-sizable. It has word intelligent completion. It has a transparency feature that lets you see through the keyboard. It will auto resize the window into which you were typing. It has the numeric keypad. It has a delete word button. It has an Undo and Redo buttons. You can assign abbreviations (macros) to the F keys. The feature list is extensive. Try it by getting it here:
http://robotica.udl.cat/
Mouse Enhancers
Mouse Enhancers
DwellClick (from Sensory) provides dwell selection for those who may have trouble clicking mouse buttons. You just hover the cursor over a target for a user definable amount of time and DwellClick sends the desired mouse event to the target. It supports left, right, double clicks and dragging operations. It also has a 'sleep' mode that temporarily turns off clicking so you don't have to be vigilant. You resume dwell clicking by just hovering over a small green button. You can adjust the target size, dwell time and the dwell tool bar itself all with dwell clicking. DwellClick requires the VB runtime dll.
There is now a new slicker looking version called DwellClicker2 - it is nice, but it is 30 day trial ware. After 30 days it will only offer the "basic features". The basic features include left, right, double, and drag, but no click lock, no target snap, nor the nifty dwell indicator. It also sports a quick link button to the nice Win 7 on-screen keyboard.
Get DwellClick2 here:
http://www.sensorysoftware.com/dwellclicker.html
The old version of DwellClick.exe is still available. Get the older freeware version (which might have the same features as the basic features of Dwellclick2) here:
http://en.kioskea.net/download/start/download-695-dwell-clicker
Point-N-Click is undoubtedly the most full featured freeware dwell selection program on the planet. As a result it takes the longest to learn all its features that include Shift-clicks, Control-clicks various repeating click modes and more. You can build your own mouse function tool bar that has as many, or as few tools as you want. The dwell user has complete control over all features. I found other dwell clickers easier to use. I also found that it doesn't work on my Win 7 notebook.
Get Point-n-Click here:
http://polital.com/pnc/
ClickAid is by the same authors of Point-N-Click, is a virtual mouse aid designed for anyone who has difficulty switching between mouse buttons or double clicking on a physical computer mouse. It is far less daunting for most users than Point-n-Click. It can increase the functionality of a program like CameraMouse which has an dwell click feature, but no accommodation for right-click, double-click, shift-click etc...
I found that it does not work on my Win 7 notebook computer - too bad - I used to recommend it all the time. It is still a good choice for all you XP users.
Find it here: http://www.polital.com/ca/
Need a really huge cursor? This is it. Right-click on the EnorMouse icon in the system tray to select a different color arrow.
Get EnorMouse from FX Software here:
http://www.fx-software.co.uk/assistive.htm
Another visual aid for finding the mouse cursor, a circle surrounds the cursor making it easier to track. You can choose a color to your liking.
Get sonar from FX Software here:
http://www.fx-software.co.uk/assistive.htm
This visual aid allows you to choose a cartoon character to accompany the mouse cursor making it easier to find. There are several characters to choose from.
Get it from FX Software here:
http://www.fx-software.co.uk/assistive.htm
This set of chunky cursors from (who else) FX Software are much bigger than the large cursors that Windows provides. Un-zip the download into the Windws\Cursors folder. Then use the Pointers tab in the Mouse control panel to select one of these cursors to replace the normal cursor.
Get Chunky Cursors here:
http://www.fx-software.co.uk/assistive.htm
This cursor set is like the Chunky Cursors from FX Software, but it comes with a more convenient installer which means less work for you. To select one of these larger cursors, after installing the package, use the Pointers tab in the Mouse control panel to choose the cursor you like to replace the normal cursor.
Get the Ace Centre large Pointers here:
http://www.ace-centre.org.uk/index.cfm?pageid=F5F26649-3048-7290-FEA80B8B637BF760
SteadyMouse is a great tool for decreasing excess mouse movement or jitter due to tremors, or other fine motor disability. SteadyMouse has controls that allow you to decrease the sensitivity of the mouse (or trackpad) to small jittery motions, dampening these jittery motions down. There is also a control for adjusting the mouse speed. By adjusting the two you can achieve an effect that makes a trackpad feel a bit like a weighty trackball. This may make a mousing device useful for those who who have trouble overshooting their target, or for those who can only produce small strokes across a small area of a trackpad.
Get it here: http://www.steadymouse.com/
This is another dwell click program from Elephantsoft. It includes all the basic features, but I found that the dwell time, even at the slowest setting, may be too fast for some users. I also found that the drag function was a little quirky. Once you get the hang of it, it works well though. The click option window is pinned to the left side of the screen and only appears when you hover over it. Some may like this un-cluttering of their screen.
Get Clikka Mouse here:
http://elefantsoftware-en.weebly.com/clikka-mouse.html
When you install it it will open in Italian. Click the "Idioma" button and choose English (or other language) if needed.
Camera based mice
Camera based mice
Camera Mice use a webcam to track image movements and convert them into mouse movements. All of the programs here worked but require a good quality web cam and good lighting to succeeed. The key here is to have sufficient lighting to assure a frame rate (how frequently the camera picture is taken) of at least 15 frames a second. This minimal frame rate assures the smoothest response, and smoother mouse motion.
Many laptops and netbooks come with built in web cams which, if the computer was purchased in the last couple years, should perform well in good, bright, lighting.
CameraMouse is a free mouse alternative program that uses a web cam to track a target (like your nose) that you identify in a web cam window, and converts the target movement into mouse cursor movement.
CameraMouse requires that you select a camera and then click on some feature in the web cam window. Because of this it is better suited as an evaluation tool and not as a means for a user who is hoping for independence.
CameraMouse has plenty of controls so that you can make sure that the cursor will cover the whole screen and not exhibit too much jitter. These two aspects of mouse control are somewhat in conflict resulting in a compromise. However, If you user can demonstrate some control with this or any of the other camera mice, then they are a good candidate for better performing commercial products.
For the best performance on my laptop I set the "gain" (cursor responsiveness) in the CamerMouse settings to medium and the smoothing (jitter filtering) to medium high. These settings allowed me to be able to traverse the entire screen, and be able to steady the mouse cursor over a small target.
CameraMouse comes with an auto click feature that I didn't much like. I would use DwellClick or some other similar utility instead.
Download here:
http://cameramouse.org/downloads.html
This program, like CameraMouse, uses a web cam to track the user’s head movements and convert them to mouse cursor movement. Unlike CameraMouse, Enable Viacam identifies and tracks facial orientation. There is no single point to click on for tracking. There is, however, a button to click once the user has aimed the camera or positioned themselves into to the web cam's view field. After this, Enable Viacam does a good job tracking. It behaved smoothly and accurately without fiddling with settings. In fact, you can leave the web cam's view field and then return, and enable Viacam will resume working. It also comes with an easy to use dwell click feature. Because of how well it works, the dwell click feature, and the support for more independent use, Enable Viacam is my favorite.
I did have one problem. When I clicked on the on screen keyboard button I got an error message. Because there are plenty of other ways to open an on screen keyboard this is a minor issue.
Get it here:
http://eviacam.sourceforge.net/eviacam.php
Joystick and Switch alternatives
Joystick and Switch alternatives
JoyToKey is a small utility that allows you to "remap" the functions of a USB joystick or gamepad to provide keyboard or mouse actions. In other words, your gamepad buttons can send keystrokes or mouse clicks to your computer. You can also use the thumb joysticks on a typical gamepad to move the mouse cursor around. So, you can use your gamepad or joystick as a mouse alternative for free.
Get JoyToKey here:
http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm
Here is a great tutorial on how to use this program:
http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/2/I/JoyToKey/JoyToKey.htm
The Wedge series are utilities that convert input from keyboard, mouse, or joystick devices into mouse or keyboard actions. Use these utilities to enhance your switch interface to perform many things it currently can't do like:
1. Re-map any switch input to produce any keystroke, a mouse click, or a sequence of keys and clicks.
2. Mask out unwanted extra switch clicks.
3. Click on a spot on the screen, or scan through a sequence of spots with a switch.
4. Control the mouse cursor with a switch.
JoystickWedge for Windows converts joystick button inputs into keyboard and/or mouse actions. It works best with a switch adapted joystick which then becomes a programmable switch interface capable of things not currently possible with a standard switch interface: like generating a sequence of clicks, generating a sequence of key presses, or single switch control of the mouse cursor.
Find out more details here:
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/joystickwedge
Get Joystickwedge here (scroll down to the bottom of the page):
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/downloads
ClickWedge turns your switch adapted mouse into a low cost enhanced switch interface. Once launched, ClickWedge can be set to intercept left or right mouse clicks and then convert them to click sequences, keystroke sequences, or complete mouse control. Take ClickWedge with you as a portable accessibility application on your flash drive. ClickWedge now has a spot scan mode that lets switch users have access to YouTube and other applications.
Find out more here:
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/clickwedge
Get clickwedge here (scroll down to the bottom of the page):
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/downloads
KeyboardWedge for Windows turns your Don Johnston Switch Interface (or similar device) into an enhanced switch interface capable of things like: generating a sequence of clicks, generating a sequence of key presses, masking unwanted switch activations, or single switch control of the mouse cursor.
Find out more here:
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/keyboardwedge
Get KeyboardWedge here (scroll down to the bottom of the page):
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/downloads
SwitchHopper is a switch interface product from RJ Cooper that includes a program (that you can download for free) that allows you to redefine mouse buttons to do many things including send keystrokes or mouse/keyboard combinations, launch programs and more. If you have a switch-adapted mouse this could be a very helpful program. It does (as does ClickWedge,) however, impose its redefinitions of your mouse buttons across all mouse devices connected to the computer.
Get it here:
http://www.rjcooper.com/switchhopper/index.html
A simple joystick to mouse utility lets you use the joystick to control the cursor and the to map buttons to left, right, or middle mouse buttons. This program is much easier to setup than the popular JoyToKey and offers smooth control over the mouse cursor. After launching JoystickMouseTool right-click the JoystickMouseTool icon in the system tray, and then set which buttons you want for left and right clicks.
Get it here:
http://www.deinmeister.de/jmt_e.htm
Joy to Mouse Free
Joy to Mouse Free
Joy to Mouse Free is another free joystick mouse controller. I could not evaluate it because it could not find my game controller under Windows 7 on my notebook computer. It might work for you, and you can get it here from the same generous folks who make the Clikka Mouse software:
http://elefantsoftware-en.weebly.com/joy-to-mouse.html
Voice Input
Voice Input
There are a number of voice input add-ons and extensions for the excellent Chrome browser. They basically allow you to use your voice to enter text into search or other fields.
Get them here, but you have to be using Google Chrome for this to make sense:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/ext/15-by-google?utm_campaign=en&utm_source=ha-en-na-us-extensions-categories-google&utm_medium=ha
There are lots of useful add-ons for Chrome including TTS readers, dictionaries, magnifiers and more. Google also maintains a Web Store that has many free apps for students of all ages. It is a whole other presentation.
Microsoft Speech Recognition
Microsoft Speech Recognition
The speech recognition program that comes with Vista and Windows 7 really does rival any commercial offering for many users. It is worth taking the tour/tutorial that can be found in the Ease of Access control panel under speech recognition.
You will need a good microphone. Don't use the built-in mic on your laptop. They are generally too noisy. The best bet for high quality audio is to use a USB headset that has a mic and headphones, or a USB audio adapter that accepts a microphone.
Expect to spend a half hour or more on the tutorial and then give it a try. You may not want to give up typing, but you should be impressed by what you can do. Try dictation in WordPad or Microsoft Word.
Here is an online article about using SR under Windows 7:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-can-I-do-with-Speech-Recognition
And here is another article on the setup procedure:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Set-up-Speech-Recognition
Unfortunately, not every program is speech enabled for dictation (sorry OpenOffice you don't qualify.)
So if you need to dictate speech into almost any program, and then that you would be better off with Dragon Naturally Speaking.
Speech Recognition is also supported under Windows XP, but not as well as it is under Vistan and Windows 7. Here is an online article regarding SR and WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306901
NeatMouse is a MouseKeys ( the built-in Windows Ease of Access feature that uses the number pad to control the mouse) alternative that lets you map mouse functions to keyboard buttons. It gives you a high degree of control over mouse speed. Because you can remap the keys to mouse functions, you could turn your Don Johnston Switch Interface and some JellyBean switches into a large button controlled mouse. NeatMouse supports multiple languages.
Get NeatMouse here:
http://neatdecisions.com/products/neatmouse/
Miscellany
Miscellany
DragKeysPlus is a simple utility to assist users with copying text to the “clipboard.”Users press one key to copy text. It also has a 2 second delay between highlighting and copying the text that allows for a small transition period before reading starts in a text-to-speech utility like Orato. This may make it easier to use for some folks.
In addition, DragKeysPlus has a send option that sends the clipboard contents to the active application when you press F9.
Get DragKeysPlus here:
https://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/dragkey
Here is how to use DragKeysPlus with text-to-speech reading:
1. Launch your clipboard text-to-speech program like Orato. Set your text-to-speech program to read when the clipboard changes.
2. Launch DragKeysPlus.
3. Place the cursor at the beginning (or the end) of some text they want read. This text can be in any window, or in any program that lets you highlight the text by dragging the mouse cursor over the text.
4. Hold the F12 key and the text will be slowly highlighted downward (upward if the user holds the F6 key.) When the key is released the text is copied to the clipboard and then automatically read out loud.
I've inluded the completely free Zac Browser because it is popular with many teachers I work with. It is a visually based web browser that links to student appropriate materials (although one could debate that assertion.) It acts as a "sandbox" containing students within It works well with a touch screen. Zac Browser until the Ctrl-L combo is pressed. Zac Browser is promising a new version that purports Mac and tablet versions.
Zac Browser has a portable version and a method for running it on a Mac as well.
Get it here:
http://www.zacbrowser.com/
There other similar products online like KidZui and Zoodles which may have premium (not free) features.
Portable AT Toolbox Collections
Portable AT Toolbox Collections
These toolbox collections have been assembled by a team from JISC Regional Support Centre Scotland North & East offering students with all manner of software to help learners who may have special needs to read, write and study.
MyStudyBar is an excellent collection of freeware tools to assist students with may tasks and help them overcome some of the obstacles that they may face as learners with reading, and writing on Windows computers. The collection is assembled in one convenient, but large, download and presents itself as a simple floating tool bar. I did find that you have to check to see if newer versions of its components are available. I had an issue with "TheSage" dictionary last time I tried it.
Here is a link to an excellent overview of many of the constituents of MyStudyBar:
http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/dsa/osguide_lp.doc
Here is a link to the tutorials for the tools included in MyStudyBar:
http://eduapps.org/?page_id=7#MyStudyBar+step-by-step+guides
AccessApps is the huge collection of freeware offered at the EduApps website and consists of over 60 apps that include not only assistive technology tools, but also tools like a complete office suite, media tools for playing video, and editing pictures and audio, presentation tools, tools for authoring websites and educational media, games, modeling and simulation tools, storage and back-up tools and more. Plenty for nearly every need that teachers and students face.
http://eduapps.org/?page_id=52#AccessApps
MyVisBar is a floating tool bar with aids to assist students with vision impairments.
http://eduapps.org/?page_id=29
Create&Convert is a set of freeware tools for converting common document types into accessible formats like audio or DAISY compliant ebook formats. I did try my hand at creating a DAISY document, and as I recall the process was not too difficult, but not quite as easy as the documentation makes out. I'm sure that if a spent more time learning how to construct a well formed document designed for accessibility, I would be more enthusiastic about it. It is, however, the only fairly straightforward way for mere mortals to create DAISY compliant material. Create&Convert versions support Microsoft Word and Open Office formats and can also output to braille printers.
http://eduapps.org/?page_id=10
Fun for Switch Users
Fun for Switch Users
HelpKidzLearn is a great online resource with dozens of switch accessible activities (that also work great with interactive whiteboards.) Activities range from cause and effect animations to stories, games, card making, and more. The activities are well made, colorful and fun. HelpKidzLearn now requires users to provide a login so that they can market their payware products. I think it is a small concession to make to access such a nice collection of activities.
http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/index.html
The Priory Woods School and Arts College in the UK has maintained this collection of popular cause and effect activities for many years. These activities are a favorite with many of our students. There are activities for all tastes (or lack thereof) and for a broad range of ages and interests. They often offer the option for switch (an adapted mouse works fine) or targeted touch access, and can be found here:
http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Switch+%2F+Touch+Screen+Videos&pid=74
Onswitch.org is a great resource with links to single switch activities, do-it-yourself guides, and other kinds of switch based fun. The scope of this site goes way beyond gaming to include switch access to art, music, an extensive set of links, and more.
Many of the activities referenced here are freeware. And there is excellent information on how to adapt all kinds of things from toys, to appliances, and to game gear. There is a very good tutorial on how to use joyToKey.
http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/index.htm
myMediaPlayer (MMP) is a simple adapted digital media player that allows you to combine music and/or video (or animated Gif picture) to provide a cause-and-effect activity for single switch users, or a simplified direct access activity for mouse, touch screen, or Intellikeys keyboard users. The "delay-to-pause" timer stops the player after a defined interval to encourage repeated user interactions. It works well in concert with Launcher6 as a rewarding outcome.
http://sites.google.com/site/jamjolu/Home/mymediaplayer
Favorite Blogs
Favorite Blogs
Maybe the best blog for all kinds of resources for students with high needs by Kate Ahern. This site is simply huge and is a good place to search for links to freeware, pay resources, and great ideas for lesson development to address the needs of students with multiple disabilities.
For example, here is terrific blog entry on symbol sets:
http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/2009/06/picture-and-photograph-symbols-sets.html
Paul Hamilton's great blog about free learning tools and resources online. He has reviewed tons of useful stuff for both teachers and students. I frequently find new stuff to add to my AT Freeware list on this site.
Paul's site: http://paulhami.edublogs.org/
OatSoft is a Wiki site that allows freeware and Open Source producers of Assistive Technology and computer access materials to post their offerings and projects. Many of the titles in this mind map are represented on the OatSoft site, and it is worth frequenting it to see what is new. It has a couple of different ways to view its offerings including a simple search, or you can browse by the need that the software meets, or by the type of software, and by the software title.
www.oatsoft.org
Screen Magnifiers
Screen Magnifiers
A simple utility that turns the cursor into a magnifying glass. Once loaded you can make the magnified area larger or smaller using the arrow keys. The + key makes it magnify more, the minus key makes it magnify less. the Esc key, or clicking with the mouse turns it off and you can define a hot key sequence like Ctrl-Alt-m to turn it back on.
Because clicking turns the magnifier off, it is really only useful for reading, or visually inspecting. It has a nice feature that may be helpful for designers that turns on/off detailed information about the mouse position and the RGB value under a cross hair that appears in the magnification window.
The download is here: http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/
Desktop Zoom has more operating modes, and features than Virtual Magnifying Glass, and the magnifier window does not disappear on a simple mouse click. There are 3 basic magnifying views that Desktop Zoom provides:
1. Around the mouse - it magnifies in a window the region around the mouse cursor. There are 3 options for the magnification window as well: a) You can have a resize-able window move with the cursor. b) Have a fixed magnification window. c) Have the magnification window move to avoid the cursor. In all three cases you can control the size of the magnification window.
2. Fixed Window mode. In this mode you define a window that magnifies a fixed part or all of the screen. You use the zoom controls (which are also user definable) to zoom in and out.
3. Entire Desktop - I do understand how to make this mode useful.
I did from time to time experience some weird behaviors under Vista, and the most useful mode in my opinion is the "Around Mouse" mode. I like the fact that in the Around Mouse combined with the follow cursor mode that I could also control the transparency of the magnification window. Sometimes if I had Desktop Zoom minimized, it would not restore to full size. I set the Zoom to the arrow keys, that way I could zoom in for magnification, and zoom out until the magnification factor was 1:1. At 1:1 the magnification window disappears.
Desktop Zoom works without installation making it portable. You can save your settings, and have it open automatically on restart.
Magnifier 2.4 is an installed program that opens a separate standard looking Windows window inside which is the magnified image of what the cursor is over. You can resize the magnifier window by dragging the edges. You can increase or decrease magnification using slider in the menu bar. It has a magnification capture feature so you can snap and save the magnification window (using keyboard shortcuts). It gives you the choice of whether the magnification follows the cursor, or whether the window will act like a magnifying glass that you can drag around. It has a huge magnification range - up to 36 times. In "follow mouse" mode as soon as the cursor leaves the Magnifier screen the window looses its frame which can be visually a little disorienting because the frameless magnifying window can disappear into the background if the cursor is over the background.
MagniGlass is an installed utility that offers a window that shows what is under the cursor. To adjust MagniGlass you have to right-click the magnifying glass icon in the system tray. From the setup screen with the "Basic" options you can resize the window, set the magnification, and set how tranparent the magnifier window is. Under the advanced options you can choose to have the contents of the magnifier window to show in a high contrast format. You can also set whether the magnifier window follows the mouse cursor, avoids the cursor, or remains in a fixed screen position. You can define a hotkey combo to show or hide the magnifier.
Zoomplus is magnifier that opens a separate standard looking Windows window inside which is the magnified image of what the cursor is over. You can resize the magnifier window by dragging the edges. You can increase or decrease magnification using sliders in the menu bar. It has a magnification capture feature so you can snap and save the magnification window (using keyboard shortcuts) and it provides mouse pointer position and RGB data. It produces a weird infinite regression when the cursor passes over the magnification window especially at lower magnifications. Zoomplus does not require installation, so it will run as a portable app.
MouseZoom is magnifier that opens a separate standard looking Windows window inside which is the magnified image of what the cursor is over. You can resize the magnifier window by dragging the edges. You can increase or decrease magnification using the Zoom drop-down on the menu bar. It provides mouse pointer position and RGB data. It produces a weird infinite regression when the cursor passes over the magnification window especially at lower magnifications. MouseZoom remembers its settings, and does not require installation, so it can run as a portable app.
Magnify (the Windows magnifier)
Magnify (the Windows magnifier)
Magnifier come with the Windows operating system and can be accessed through the Control Panel inside of the "Ease of Access" control. It is a pretty good magnifier that you can set to move with the mouse cursor, the keyboard focus and text editing (Which means it follows the editing cursor.) You can adjust the magnification, and where and how big the magnification window is. Just click on the Magnify button in the system tray to adjust Magnify. Drag on its borders to adjust its size. I could not get the keyboard commands Ctrl+ and Ctrl- to adjust the magnification factor under Windows Vista.
To create a shortcut for your desktop for convenient quick access you can find Magnify on most Windows computers here:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Magnify.exe
Locate the Magnify.exe file, right-click it and choose "Send to Desktop" to make the shortcut.
Or, right-click on the desktop and choose "New" then "Shortcut". Then when the create shortcut window opens, paste the above path to Magnify in the location slot.
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