Version 0.0.15 of my drawing program for blind students is now posted at: http://www.austincc.edu/baldwin/SWT-SVG/SVGDraw01.zip and is available for immediate download.

Leaner and meaner

Numerous changes were made in this version to reduce the verbosity of the audio screen reader. By this, I mean that prompts were reduced to the bare minimum necessary to tell you what you need to do next. All of the long in-line explanations were removed. In doing this, I am assuming that you will be willing to press the F1 key and consult the Help document when you encounter a prompt that you don't understand.

In addition, many information message boxes that previously required you to press the OK button to continue were replaced by an audible beep. In those cases, the information that was previously displayed in the message box was routed to the standard output device (typically the command-line window) in case you need to see that information.

User feedback has identified a number of superfluous keystroke requirements in earlier versions. Those keystroke requirements have been eliminated.

Reviewing, marking, and unmarking shapes

The procedure for reviewing, marking, and unmarking shapes was completely redesigned for this version as described in the section of the attached document titled "Reviewing, marking, and unmarking shapes."

Perform the following two steps to run the program

1. Extract all of the material from the zip file into an empty folder being careful to preserve the directory tree structure.

2. Execute the file named RunSVGDraw01.bat.

It is not necessary for you to have Java or any other special software installed on your computer to run the program. In fact, you should be able to extract the contents of the zip file onto a USB flash drive and run the program on any Windows system, Version XP or later, with 32-bit or 64-bit hardware. Of course, you don't have to use a USB flash drive, I mention that simply to emphasize the flexibility that you have with this program.

When the program starts, you will land on Home Base from which you can press F1 for Help, or select any of the actions provided by the menus.

Alternatively, you can simply open the file named Instructions.htm in your browser and read the instructions without running the program. A copy of those instructions is attached to this message.