Lynx version 2.8 was released last week.  Below is a summary of changes
followed by those most useful to blind users.  Contact your local
Internet service provider about upgrading to this new version.

kelly


                        Summary of changes in Lynx v2.8

     NOTE: This list only summarizes some changes, for a detailed
     history of changes see the CHANGES file.

     * Ports to Win32 (95/NT) and DOS (DJGPP)
     * Auto-configure script for Unix platforms simplifies building with
       curses, ncurses or slang libraries.
     * Better support for color, including experimental color-style code.
     * Implementation of popup windows for the 'options menu.
     * Many changes to better deal with what currently passes for HTML on
       the web. Most of these changes deal with invalidly nested tags, to
       achieve better recovery and, in some cases, prevent crashes. With
       particular attention to forms and form field elements. (This
       differs from 2.7.2; however we plan to reexamine the error
       handling in 2.7.2 versus the 2.8 version in our subsequent
       development for 2.9).
     * Enhanced support for non-English text. This includes support for
       many more display character sets, recognition of UTF-8 encoding
       and charset parameters, recognition of Unicode character
       references and proposed HTML 4.0 entities.
     * Features to ease navigation in long documents and documents with
       forms:
          + Enhanced navigation commands: type 12g to "go to" (but not
            follow) the 12th link, 24p for page (screen) number 24.
          + Form fields can be numbered.
          + New key (by default Ctrl-V) to "escape" from text input
            fields.
     * Support for cookies according to the revised IETF drafts through
       November 1997. (Cookies are still not persistent across sessions.)
     * HTTP proxy authentication, NNTP authentication.
     * Changes to address security concerns, including those in two CERT
       advisories.
     * Numerous bug fixes.
     * Updates to keep track with evolving protocol specifications (HTTP
       1.1, URI, ...)


    http://www.slcc.edu/lynx/release2-8/features.html



From: Laura Eaves   <[log in to unmask]>

Lynx version 2.8 is now available!
The following is a list of features added since 2.7.1
that are of particular interest to visually impaired users.
(Note: this isn't meant to be a comprehensive list of new features,
just a summary of some features tha are of interest to blind or
visually impaired users.)

The new release can be downloaded from http://www.slcc.edu/lynx/release/

* New commands: (123g and 123p): typing a number followed by a g in
  links-are-numbered mode
  will reposition the current link on that link number without activating
  the link.  (Typing just the number will behave as before, activating the
  link without repositioning the current link.
  In addition, typing a number followed by a p will reposition you on that
  page.
  Finally, you can now use these commands in numbers-as-arrows mode bye
  typing 0 followed by the number.  Example: 055p will
  take you to page 55.

* Form field numbering: There is now a new keypad mode --
  links-and-form-fields-are-numbered which actls link links-are-numbered
  mode except that form fields (text entry, checkboxes and buttons) are numbered
  in addition to links.  Note that this can be used in conjunction with the 123g
  feature to reposition the current link on an input field or button
  by typing the number.
  Also in this mode, options in popup menus are numbered and an option can be
  selected by typing its number rather than cursoring down to the option.
  To turn this mode on, type O to get to the options menu, then K to select
  the keypad mode.

* In popup menus, the cursor is now placed to the left of the currently
  selected option, instead of at the right.
  Also the 123g and 123p commands can be used inside a popup menu to navigate
  the menu.
  Finally, the search command "/" can be used inside a popup menu to find an
  option.

* The search command "/" now positions the screen so that the matched item
  is 4 lines from the top of the screen.  This provides more context for
  the matched string.

* The search command "/" now matches strings in text entry fields and
  popup menus.  If a search matches an option in a popup menu, lynx will
  position the current link on the popup entry.  The user can then hit ENTER
  to activate the popup menu then hit n to search for the same string and
  position the current option at that option.

* Escape from text entry field: When the current link is positioned
  on a text entry field, the user can now type Control-V to "escape"
  text entry mode.  Lynx will then prompt for a lynx keystroke command.
  This is handy to navigate on a page full of text entry fields
  without having to type up and down arrows to get off the text entry fields.

* Color: The 2.8 release of lynx supports style sheets which lets a user
  specify colors for various constructs.
  The older color specs using COLOR settings for different attributes
  are also still supported.  The latter requires that lynx
  be compiled with the slang library.
  Also, color can be turned on or off via the options menu.
  Type O followed by & to turn color on or off.

* There is no an entry in the options page for turning
  show_cursor on or off.  When ON the cursor is positioned at the
  current link.  Otherwise it is put in the lower right corner of
  the screen.  The default depends how lynx is compiled.
  (You can also toggle this option on the command line using the -show_cursor
  option.)
  To set this via the options menu, type O followed by @.

Please send any questions/comments to [log in to unmask]
Happy surfing!
--le