What kind of computer do I need for the Talking Browser?

You need a Windows computer running one of these operating systems: Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Your computer also has to have a sound card for the computer to make synthesized speech.

Do I need any special programs already installed on my Windows computer for the Talking Browser to work?

You need to have Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher already installed on your computer. If you have an older version of Internet Explorer, you can download a newer version for free from Microsoft's website.

What if I like another browser such as Netscape, Mozilla, Foxfire, or Opera? Do I still need to use Internet Explorer?

The Talking Browser uses certain programs or libraries included as part of Internet Explorer, so the Talking Browser will not work unless a newer Internet Explorer is installed on your computer. However, you do not have to make Internet Explorer the default browser, and when you are not using the Talking Browser you can still use any other browser you wish.

Will the Talking Browser work on a MacIntosh Computer?

The Talking Browser has not been designed for Apple Computer's MacIntosh operating systems. But there are two ways that the Talking Browser may work on a Mac.

If you have one of the newer Macs built with an Intel chip, you can install the Boot Camp program from Apple. (Other software developers make similar programs.) This allows you to have both the Mac operating system and the Windows XP operating system on the same Apple computer. While Boot Camp has been free, you would still have to buy Windows XP and install it. Make sure that you install Internet Explorer along with Windows XP. You would have to be running Windows XP when you install or operate the Talking Browser.

If you have a Mac built on an IBM chip, you would need to have a "Windows emulator" program installed on your Mac. You would need a version which emulates Windows 98, Me, 2000 or XP. You would also have to have installed Internet Explorer for Windows, version 5.5 or higher. We have seen the Talking Browser work with this configuration, but we cannot guarantee it.

Where can I get a Windows emulator program? Is it free?

Microsoft sells a Windows emulator program for the MacIntosh. It is not free. There may also be other software developers who make similar programs.

Why don't you have a Talking Browser just for the Mac?

We are still developing the Talking Browser, adding basic features, and seeing if people find them helpful. It is much easier to do this on one operating system at a time. We started with Windows because that is what our programmers know best. We hope to create a version for the MacIntosh after we have completed work on the basic features.

I can't hold a computer mouse at all. Can the Talking Browser still help me?

First, the "point-and-read" features of the Talking Browser are easy to learn and operate with a pointing device - any pointing device.

A mouse is only one kind of pointing device, but the Talking Browser will work with other pointing devices too. Other pointing devices include a track ball, a touch pad, a head wand, and a switch-based mouse-mover. The number keypad on your computer can also be programmed to control the computer pointer. This is called the MouseKeys function and you can activate this function easily from the Preferences Panel of the Talking Browser. (You can also activate MouseKeys from the Windows Control panel.) If you don't have a number keypad on your computer, you can get one that plugs into your computer from many office supply stores (such as Staples) or computer stores. Specialty stores sell hardware and software for controlling the pointer using switches and large buttons.

Second, the Talking Browser can read pages without a pointing device, by using keystrokes or switches. There are two different ways to do this: first, switch-based reading as part of the standard point-and-read method, and second, the switch-based method.

Switch-Based Reading in the Standard Method. You can use the Tab key combined with a few other keys on the computer keyboard. These keys will work many of the most important features of the Talking Browser.

If the Tab key is too small or inconvenient, you can purchase many programmable switches that can act like the Tab key.

Pressing the Tab key will highlight the next sentence. (Pressing both the Shift and Tab keys at the same time will highlight the previous sentence. If this is difficult, you can use the StickyKeys function built into Windows to help you.) You can set preferences so that if you do not press the Tab again quickly, the computer will read that sentence. After reading a sentence, pressing the Tab key will highlight any links in the sentence the computer just read before moving on to the next sentence. It will highlight one link at a time. You can set preferences so that after reading a link, if you do not press the Tab button, the computer will activate the link. (For more information see the help files that come with the Talking Browser; look under "Switch-Based Reading in Standard Method".)

Switch-based Method. This is a separate way to use the Talking Browser. All features of the Talking Browser can be controlled with one, two, or five keys (or switches). (See the help files that come with the Talking Browser; look under "Switched-based Method".)

My eyesight is not good enough to see the computer pointer. Can the Talking Browser still help me?

You do not have to see the computer pointer if you can see high contrast highlighting. As you move the mouse or other pointing device, the high contrast highlighting gives many people a good enough idea of where the computer pointer is for them to use the Talking Browser.

Suppose I am blind, or my eyesight is not good enough to see the high contrast highlighting. Can the Talking Browser still help me?

You can still use the computer keyboard or programmable switches to control the Talking Browser. See the discussion above about "Switch-Based Reading in Standard Method" and "Switch-based Method". These topics are more fully explored in the help files that come with the Talking Browser.

However, if you are blind with no other disabilities, you might find that screen readers specifically designed for people who are blind may better meet your needs.

The computer voice sounds like a robot, it is hard for me to understand. Are there other computer voices?

Point-and-Read does not make any computer voices. The voice you are hearing may be the one which comes free with your Windows computer. Some voices may come with other programs you have installed. Sometimes Microsoft offers other more life-like voices for free at the download part of their website. You can use the Windows Control panel to choose among the voices already on your computer.

Other software developers such as AT&T sell their own more lifelike voices or "speech engines". The Point-and-Read Talking Browser will work with any speech engine that works with Microsoft's Windows SAPI interface.

Can the Talking Browser read any other language besides English?

Right now, the Talking Browser can only read English. But we hope to add other languages in the future.

Is the Talking Browser safe to use?

We believe the Talking Browser is reasonably safe, but there are two specific warnings.

First, the Talking Browser relies to a large extent upon Microsoft's Internet Explorer, so the Talking Browser is only as safe as Internet Explorer. When Microsoft finds a problem and issues a patch, you should install that patch even if your other browser is Netscape or Opera.

Second, the Talking Browser is not yet a finished product. It is still being developed and what you download is considered to be in a beta release. It has not been fully tested. You must accept it "as is" and use it at your own risk.

What about pop-up windows?

The Talking Browser is not designed primarily to block advertisements or pop-up windows. However, some of the software used in the Talking Browser will tend to block some pop-up windows. In addition, the preference settings allow you some control over whether and how pop-up windows are displayed. For this reason, some websites that rely upon pop-up windows will not work properly in the Talking Browser.

What does the Talking Browser cost?

The basic consumer version of the Talking Browser is FREE. You do not have pay or register or sign up or anything to try it out.

If you like the Talking Browser, you can get two extra features for FREE by registering with us. Just start the Talking Browser and activate the "Help menu" at the top. A list will drop down. Activate the "Upgrade this Browser" line. You will be given instructions on registering and getting the additional features.

More features are available when you use the Talking Browsers on special websites that have partnered with us. Again this is FREE and costs you nothing. In the future, premium features may be offered to the general public for a fee, but we do not yet know when or what it will cost.

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