Introduction and getting started with SpeakOn:
The following describes important considerations in operating SpeakOn. It explains the keyboard options and keys' notation which are essential to the understanding of the rest of this manual. It also highlights keyboard issues when a screen reader or magnifier are kept running while using SpeakOn.
SpeakOn is a program running under Microsoft Windows and as such appears in its own window. The SpeakOn window is plain and there are no visible widgets or menus to navigate. If you want SpeakOn to operate correctly, you need to keep the SpeakOn window in focus. This may only become a problem if you decide to switch to some other Microsoft Windows program when the SpeakOn program is running. SpeakOn will tell you when it gains and loses the Windows focus.
SpeakOn is designed to work with either the standard computer keyboard or a numerical keypad. A numerical keypad is present on all desktop keyboards on the right hand side (but not on laptop keyboards).
Slimline numerical keypads are available as a separate item in many computer retailers and are relatively cheap. Such a numerical keypad with a USB connector is particularly suitable as the user can sit comfortably away from the computer and operate SpeakOn with one hand.
It is recommended that you start to learn SpeakOn using the standard keyboard first to avoid potential conflict with your screen reader or magnifier as explained below. When you feel comfortable with the use of the standard keyboard, you can learn how to use the numerical keypad which provides the same functionality with a more natural interaction with SpeakOn.
The keys required to operate SpeakOn can be divided into two groups: Main keys which are keys with the same functionality regardless of where the user is in the system; and Context keys which are used by controls and menus and the function of which may differ between control types. You will come across these keys in the Tutorial section where their operation is described. The keys and functionality for both groups are also summerized in the pages 'Standard keyboard reference' and 'Numerical keypad reference' in the section 'Reference - Operating SpeakOn'.
Notation - important
Every key is given a name which is easy to remember and relates to its functionality. This key or functionality is translated to physical keys on the standard keyboard and the numerical keypad. For notation, the main keyboard keys are enclosed in square brackets '[ ]' and numerical keypad keys are enclosed in round brackets '( )'.
For example, the following notation: 'Main' [Alt] (9) means the Main key which is the Alt key on the standard keyboard and the 9 key on the numerical keypad.
Keys may have additional functionalities which are represented by the symbols '*' or '#' before the key name.
Operation of a key with the '*' prefix
On the standard keyboard, this functionality is achieved by holding down the Ctrl key. On the numerical keypad, this functionality is achieved by holding down the '0' key. The operation of a key with the '*' prefix is illustrated by the following example:
* 'Select' [Ctrl + Enter] (0 + 5)
This means that to use the * 'Select' key, on the standard keyboard hold down the Ctrl key and press the Enter key and on the numerical keypad, hold down the '0' key and press the '5' key.
Note - the 'Long' keys on the numerical keypad are also used to represent keys not found on the numerical keypad when the numlock key is active. For example, the notation: 'Home' [Home] (8 long) key
This means that you can either press the Home key on the standard keyboard or hold the 8 key on the numerical keypad for one second.
Operation of a key with the '#' prefix
On the standard keyboard, this functionality is achieved by the use of the Shift key. On the numerical keypad, this functionality is achieved by a 'long' keystroke meaning that a key is held down for more than one second. The operation of a key with the prefix '#' symbol is illustrated by the following example:
# 'Select' [Shift + Enter] (5 long)
This means that to use the additional # 'Select' key, on the standard keyboard hold down the Shift key and press the Enter key. On the numerical keypad, hold down the 5 key for more than one second.
Note - only a few '#' keys are used on the numerical keypad and these are marked clearly in this manual.
Note on the use of screen readers and magnifiers
There is no problem for SpeakOn and a screen reader or magnifier to reside altogether on your computer.
SpeakOn is 'self-voicing' and therefore does not depend on a screen reader. Because there is nothing to see on the plain SpeakOn window, there is no need to use a magnifier either. However, when you start to use the system you may want to keep your screen reader or magnifier running so that you can browse this documentation at the same time as you operate SpeakOn. Screen readers (such as JAWS) and magnifiers sometimes use the numerical keypad as part of their own operation and therefore the use of the standard keyboard is recommended in such a situation. After you learn to use SpeakOn using the standard keyboard, the numerical keypad presents a much more natural interface but to avoid conflict with your screen reader or magnifier you will need to either switch the screen reader or magnifier off (exit the screen reader program) or configure your screenreader to stop speaking and release the numerical keypad automatically.
The topic of working with SpeakOn alongside your screen reader is discussed in detail together with instruction on how to configure popular screen readers in the Tutorial:
Tutorial > General Operations > Operating SpeakOn alongside your screen reader.