Hi,

I have used IBM HomePage Reader with two different screen readers.  I like
the easy reading keys on the number pad for moving from link to link, and
the use of a female voice to read the link itself, as opposed to a male
voice to read text.  However, because all key commands are issued on the
number pad, it has a bunch of quirky key combinations to perform actions,
such as going to a new internet site or jumping around on the web page, and
I can't seem to remember what they are, so it's a pain.

You have to go into the normal screen reader program when you are in your
internet browser to configure it to be in "sleep mode" when IBM HomePage is
running, and to "wake up" when you need to read something in your internet
rowser itself.  Or, if you do not have that option, you have to disable or
close your normal screen reader program, and make yourself a "hot key" to
reopen it as needed.  It depends on whicxh screen reader you use: JAWS for
Windows has a "sleep mode," whereas some other screen readers do not.

I have not tried the newest version of HPR, and I would like to.  If you do
try it, let us know how it works.

- Jackie McCraw


-----Original Message-----
From: Patsy Wakefield [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 10:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Using IBM Home Page Reader


Hi List Members

Sorry if this has been posted twice.

  I would like some input from users of screen readers on whether they have
ever used IBM's Home Page Reader
  and whether there is any advantage to using this product with their normal
screen reader for Internet
  browsing.

  I would also like to find out some really bad and really good sites for
accessibility by screen readers.

  Thanks Patsy

  Patsy Wakefield
  Masters Student
  Information Science Department
  University of Otago
  P O Box 56
  Dunedin
  NEW ZEALAND