Category: Geeks r Us
So today, I finally loaded the autoexec.bat file from my KeyNote Gold laptop into my XP desktop, edited it with Wordpad to delete the lines about starting VocalEyes and then put it back in the laptop. Then, I installed ASAP from the disk that I had. I'm not sure if it's the latest version but I'll say one thing. I was completely amazed by a program called Port. This is the first time that I was able to install one DOS screenreader without the help of another. It found the Echo on com 1 and started talking! But once I got it installed, I couldn't find a manual. I think they left it out since the version that I have is a demo. Could anyone please either help me find a manual or at least give me some basic tips on how to control the program? I know how to do it in VocalEyes, but of course, that won't help here. Regardless, the plan for next week is to jump into batch programming, though it will be a pain without a proper text editor in that machine... No, Edit was not included cause Humanware stripped everything down and WordPerfect Edit doesn't read properly with VocalEyes or ASAP. Must try JAWS for DOS.
So now, ASAP is acting strangely. I tried loading it tonight, so that I could finally experiment with it and a bunch of set files I got for it to work with various programs, and all I got was a beep. So I loaded it while VocalEyes was running, just to see what the problem was, and it said that it couldn't find my synthesizer and that ASAP wasn't installed. Um, I used port and the Echo when installing and it found the synth right away. So I unattached it from the serial port, reattached it, rebooted and tried again, with just ASAP and I got the same result. I did a del *.* in the directory, removed it and am now going to install from the download that I found on the net instead of from the actual program floppy. I hope this solves my problem. Does anyone have a clue as to what's going on here?
No clue. It's been way too many years, But if you still want an ASAP manual, I probably have one. Could take me a few days, but harvesting data off about a thousand old floppies is a project I'm currently working on. Drop me email if you're still interested.
Just curious why you're dumping vocaleyes for ASAP. Having used ust about every dos screen reader, I felt vocaleyes in it's last version was about the best thing I've ever worked with. Except maybe the IBM screen reader, but that's not relevant as it was software that was tied to it's own external control pad.
Opa! Very much interested and would love to know what other cool software you come across, if you're willing to share it. I'm definitely not dumping VocalEyes. I just want to have a back-up incase VE can't handle certain programs. I also want to see just how automatic ASAP really is, i.e. how well it deals with newer programs thrown at it. Of course, I'll be putting VE through the same tests. *smile*
Have you ever written set files for either reader? If so, how difficult was it?
The slow part of this project is copying the disks that have data I want to keep, as the external 3.5 drive I got for the purpose is very slow. I'm trying to keep software separate from personal data so when I'm done I can just zip up all the software and share it. I'll let you know.
writing set files using vocaleyes was extremely easy. It's been so long I don't remember how, at all, but it's just a matter of reading the manual and doing what it says. You can customize things much more easily and efficiently than anything possible in windows with much less know-how.
Oh beautiful! I love that! I was afraid I'd have to learn a whole scripting language, not that I wouldn't be willing to, but it does take time and can be frustrating if I really want to learn to use a program that may not be that accessible with the default files. I know, of course, how to change things from within the VocalEyes control panel and how to save them as a set file but I'm not sure if this is the same thing. My VocalEyes disk is a bit corrupt, so while it installs correctly, I can't install or read the manuals. But GW Micro actually said they'd sell me a copy of the program for $100 or so (I think that was the price but don't quote me). I think I'll take them up on it before the software disappears. Of course, I understand that it will take time to get those files and I'm in no rush. I really appreciate the offer and hope to gain some valuable, fun or even interesting programs from you. If there's anything that you need that I may have, just ask and I'll see what I can do.