[gui-talk] Fwd: KeySoft 8.0 released

[Steve Pattison]

 From:    Scott Erichsen pianoman at scotterichsen.com
 To:      vip list'" <vip-l at softspeak.com.au

HumanWare is pleased to announce the release of KeySoft 8.0.

The HumanWare web page
http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/support/braillenote/software/keysoft_8.0_upg
rade  provides details on the release and links to the required download
files.

Please read all instructions carefully before downloading and installing the
new software.  Do not attempt to upgrade to KeySoft 8.0 before installing
the KeySoft 8.0 Product key that matches the serial number of your
BrailleNote mPower or BrailleNote PK.


If you have trouble obtaining the 8.0 product key, and you consider you are
eligible to have access to KeySoft 8.0, please email sma at humanware.com,
stating the serial number of your unit.

KeySoft 8.0 requires one count of a Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA).

New BrailleNote mPower and PK units purchased after 1 January 2009 are
eligible to receive a free upgrade to KeySoft 8.0.

We hope you enjoy KeySoft 8.0.

The following is an extract from the KeySoft 8 web page.

Version 8.0 is packed with a wide range of features to enhance the way you
work and learn. This document includes useful information about the version.


KeyChat (mPower and PK)

KeyChat allows you to communicate through Google Talk, iChat and other XMPP
chatting services.  

With KeyChat you can:
* Read and write messages in your preferred grade of Braille 
* Send, receive and manage conversations 
* Follow chat history with familiar KeySoft commands  
* Receive Audio or Braille prompts when a message arrives
* Add new friends or select from existing IM contacts
* Set up IM services options

Audible.com Book Library Access (mPower and PK)

To obtain Audible books, you have to be a member of the Audible service and
use the Audible manager PC software to authorize your BrailleNote to play
the protected Audible books. For information, please visit:
http://www.audible.com/humanware

Fully integrated into KeyBook, you can listen to Audible books and customize
various settings such as narration speed and audio tone. When reading
Audible books, a user can:

* Navigate by heading or time jump 
* List headings
* Use place markers
* Insert or view a Text note 
* Obtain book information (book title, the number of pages, total time) 
* Obtain details about the current position (section heading, page) 

Bookshare Access (mPower and PK)

The existing support for unpacking electronic books from Bookshare.org is
enhanced to include the new .zip or bks2 format adopted by Bookshare. 
If books are downloaded with the default .zip extension, it is necessary to
change the BookReader filter to all files. Alternatively, use the KeySoft
File Manager to unpack the books as they will not appear when browsing via
the Book Reader application. 

NIMAS book support (mPower and PK)

NIMAS books are text files and they are structured like DAISY books.  Move
through DAISY elements, or use the familiar KeySoft sentence and paragraph
navigation commands in text DAISY books if you prefer.  NIMAS (National
Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard) is the format used for
educational text books in the United States. For more information, please
visit: http://nimas.cast.org/.

Trial Sendero GPS Version 6 (mPower and PK)

KeySoft version 8.0 offers a great opportunity to get familiar with GPS. The
version includes the latest Sendero GPS version 6.0. Users can browse their
preferred map and navigate outdoors during a 90 days free trial.  After this
trial period, users can continue enjoying their system at a preferential
price. Users are required to download the desired maps from the Sendero
site. For real time navigation, you will need a GPS receiver.

mPower platforms: Users downloading version 8.0 will have Sendero V 6.0
installed by default. From the Main menu, go to the "Navigation" option. You
will be prompted to press T to run the trial version or register your copy
of Sendero GPS (R).  After pressing T, information will be provided on how
to get the Sendero application up and running. 

Note that if you were already running a Sendero GPS under KeySoft 7.5, the
first time you run the GPS after installing KeySoft 8, the GPS program will
automatically detect your version. You will hear the message: "An older
version of GPS has been detected".  Please reset while holding down J K L
(QT models) or dots 4 5 6 (BT models).  After resetting, an additional reset
will be required. Afterwards, upon resetting a second time, you will be able
to use your GPS version without issue.

PK platforms: PK users will find the navigation option in the Main menu,
however, they will need to copy the GPS_6_0.exe file onto the CF Card. Users
will find the GPS_6_0.exe file on our BrailleNote download page.

PK GPS Installation procedure: 
1. Install KeySoft 8.0
2. Copy GPS_6_0.exe to the root of /, or /windows, or /flash disk, or
/Compact Flash.
3. Then type N for Navigation option from the main menu.

For more information, please refer to the KeySoft 8.0 FAQ document on our
Web site.

Some components of Sendero GPS are now included within the KeySoft suite and
cannot be removed or uninstalled by the user.  The "Navigation" option will
remain in the KeySoft Main Menu after the expiration of the Sendero GPS
trial period.

More Hewlett Packard printer models supported (mPower only)

Students and teachers can now select from a wide range of Hewlett Packard
printers. Printers supported via the KeySoft generic printing engine must
have a USB port and be part of the list given in the KeySoft 8.0 FAQ's. 

To print through the generic driver select "hp generic USB printer" from the
"printer type" list in KeyWord print menu.

To save a JPEG file select "Generic JPEG printer" from the printer type
list, then select a folder destination. 

WiFi now supports the WPA PSK encryption (mPower)

KeySoft 8 supports WPA PSK (Pre Shared Key) when using a wireless G card
such as the Ambicom 54G. 
Two options are available when creating a connection configuration. When
prompted "Use WPAPSK?", if one is using either the Ambicom WL54G or the US
Robotics Wireless MAXg USB Adapter USR5421, and the wireless signal is
encrypted using WPA personal, set this option to yes and press enter.   

The next option prompts the user for the WPA Pre Shared Key.  This is a
passphrase that is between 8 and 64 characters and must match the passphrase
that was originally entered in the wireless router. It is important to note
that the passphrase is case sensitive. 

Once this information has been entered, exit the connection configuration
list with a space with E, or escape key on a QT and type a Y to save
changes.  Connect to the internet as you would normally and the mPower will
successfully connect to a wireless G signal that is encrypted using WPA. 

Other enhancements and changes:
* Eloquence speech is now supported in the PK.
* Eloquence speech in Spanish has been added to both the mPower and the PK.
* In KeyBook, the text-to speech used is Eloquence even if Keynote Gold is
selected as the main TTS. After exiting KeyBook, the TTS will return to the
user selected setting.
* In order to synchronize KeySoft Planner and Address list with Outlook on a
PC and version KeySoft 8, it is necessary to install KeySync 4, an updated
version of KeySync. Download KeySyncSetup.exe from our KeySoft 8.0 web page
and install on your PC according to the built-in installation procedures.
* On BT models, the ink print inclusion command Backspace with Enter with C
in KeyWord has been changed to Backspace with Enter with J. Backspace with
Enter with C is now the global command to access the KeyChat menu. 
* On QT models, Function with C has changed from Unicode macro to the global
key to access KeyChat menu.The command for Unicode macro is now Shift with
Function with C.
* In Daisy books the "Where am I" information (Space with 1-5-6 or Read with
Q) now gives a list of information. Previously the information would all be
spoken at once.
* The Virtual Memory (VM) is now monitored. When the virtual memory falls
below 3%, the user receives a warning message. 3% free is 1MB of the 32MB
total available. Best practices for usage with low VM: 
1. Eloquence uses substantially more VM than KeyNote Gold. If something
cannot be achieved because of the VM limitations, switching to KGM is likely
to improve that dramatically.

2. Once you have entered KeyWeb, and even if you exit, the virtual memory
will have taken a "big hit" as a part of the IE system stays loaded.
Therefore, if possible, it could help to do a reset after finishing a web
browsing session before doing anything that is memory intensive. For
example, download all your books from Bookshare, reset, then read your
books.
* A double chime is now heard after performing a Reset (Reset + 123 on
mPower BT and PK and Reset + sdf on mPower QT). This is used to distinguish
from the beeps heard after a hard reset (Reset + 456 or jkl).

Near the bottom of the KeySoft 8.0 Web page you will find headings and links
for

Release Note KeySoft 8.0

KeySoft 8.0 Frequently Asked Questions 

Product Key Download

BrailNote mPower Upgrade
KeySoft 8.0 mPower Upgrade Instructions
KeySoft 8.0 mPower Download
mPower Bootloader Download
Zip files for KeySoft 8.0 mPower

BrailleNote PK Upgrade
KeySoft 8.0 PK Upgrade Instructions
KeySoft 8.0 BrailleNote PK Download
BrailleNote PK Upgrader
BrailleNote PK GPS
Zip files for KeySoft 8.0 BrailleNote PK

KeySync 4

Regards Steve
Email:  srp at internode.on.net
MSN Messenger:  internetuser383 at hotmail.com
Skype:  steve1963