This article describes the latest additions to the JAWS for Windows version 3.2 product. It has been taken from the JAWS version 3.2 documentation.

Eloquence for JFW Software Speech Synthesizer. JAWS for Windows can also install its very own software speech synthesizer that will work with your Microsoft Windows 95 or NT sound card. Right from the start, without any additional hardware or software, you add the power of JAWS for Windows to your computer at home, on your laptop, at school, or in the office without the need to purchase additional synthesizers or move one from system to system.

Support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01. Everyone has been searching for a screen reader with comprehensive Internet capabilities. Now, the search has ended. The newest version of JAWS for Windows has the ability to read almost every page found on the Internet using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01. With a simple keystroke, pages with graphics, complex columns, and even frames are reformatted into an easy to read single column. In addition, with a single keystroke, you will have access to all the frames or links on the page in a simple list box. Once in the list box, just type the first letter of the link you want to view and JFW jumps through the list to the link you chose to let you press ENTER to select it.

This new version of JAWS for Windows also gives you access to the tool bar in IE 4.01 with a list box too. With a single keystroke, you are in a list box of all the icons on the tool bar. Type the first letter of the item to locate and select the icon and when you press ENTER you simulate the point and click maneuvers without having to navigate the mouse pointer or label graphics.

The Talking CD Install allows for more detailed troubleshooting during the install process. As a result, JFW is now able to speak through the duration of the installation. Just insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive and JAWS for Windows will start speaking. The installation is interactive, giving you the information you need, immediately and verbally.

During the installation, JAWS for Windows runs a diagnostic tool, called Dr. JAWS, that reviews your current system and recommends the best setup for running JAWS for Windows. It will check the number of colors and the video card in your system and if you indicate in the installation, will even make the appropriate adjustments to your system.

JAWS for Windows Merge, a new utility that runs during the installation of JFW 3.2, will upgrade the previous versions installed on your computer. Now, you won't have to manually merge the changes from the previous configuration file to the new version. With this utility, the changes and additions to the new version are automatically merged into your dictionary, graphic, and configuration files.

You can now change the punctuation settings and make those changes application and synthesizer specific. The Configuration Manager's synthesizer dialog can be used to change the punctuation settings. Changes made using the Configuration Manager will cause all contexts for the current synthesizer to be changed and recorded in the open configuration file. Changes made using the JAWS window voice dialog are stored in the default configuration file but are context specific.

Many Braille enhancements now make refreshable Braille displays work better than ever. At the heart of the changes is the all new structured mode. Henter-Joyce has placed heavy emphasis on this display mode, which lets modifiable Scripts pick relevant information from the screen and display it in a single Braille line with the ability to pan through it. An example of this can be seen in dialog boxes where structured mode displays the window type and title. If the dialog is a multi-page dialog, the page tab with focus will be displayed. Also on the display you will find the group box name, the control with focus along with its condition. All of this on one line and you have the ability to customize it as well via scripts.

The original structured mode that has been in JAWS for Windows is now going to be known as Speech Box mode and will still let you review the most recent spoken information sent to the synthesizer. Another Braille feature that is now available lets you select text without ever taking your hands off the Braille display. Other Braille options found in the Configuration Manager include Braille marking, Braille Sleep mode, Braille Dot Patterns, Braille Cursor. You can even use abbreviations now.

JAWS for Windows is now compatible with music programs. Most specifically, you can use the music program, Cakewalk Pro Audio version 6.1, with JFW 3.2 to quickly record, edit, process, and mix complete multi-track MIDI and audio projects. For more information see the Cakewalk help topic.

Henter-Joyce is continuously improving the scripts in an attempt to keep up with the numerous application releases. Included in the 3.2 release of JAWS for Windows, we have included new scripts for Corel WordPerfect versions 7 and 8, the E-mail package, Eudora, versions 3 and 4, Quicken 98, Outlook, Outlook Express, and Netscape version 4.04.

Improvements have also been made for Microsoft Word 8 to properly identify the font characteristics including accurate point size even when the tool bars are turned off. JFW also recognizes when tables are present within a document and lets you read and move logically around in the table. The JAWS Script Language provides access to Microsoft Word's object model. Using the information provided in this model, JFW is able to get more detailed and accurate information in an extremely efficient manor. Object models are also exposed in Excel, Access, Outlook, and several other Office applications. Excel scripts have also been improved using this model.

All of JFW's verbosity settings can now be easily changed using the new Select Dialog capabilities. Change Verbosity (INSERT+V) now brings up a dialog containing the following options: User verbosity, Graphics verbosity, ANSI character verbosity, Braille verbosity, Screen Echo, Typing Echo, and Mute Synthesizer. To toggle through the options available for each item, select the item in the list box and press the space bar. Each time the space bar is pressed, the setting will advance one level. To close the dialog, press the ENTER key.

The Select Dialog feature is also used to help you more comfortably start JFW's utility programs. Press INSERT+F2 to open the Run JAWS Manager dialog. You can then select from the list of managers. When a manager is started, it will automatically open the file corresponding to the application you are running. This keystroke will replace INSERT+NUM PAD 6-0.

JAWS for Windows version 3.2 supports multilingual synthesizers and lets you switch between synthesizer languages on the fly. Also, JFW will now tell you when you unselect text as well as when you select it.