Ta Ian
I have clicked on the Update button and I can confirm that your Web
site is now talking to me.
I hadn't realised that the clever server-side processing is being
done by a third party. This has a number of implications:
o Can't access Intranet resources (unless you trust the company with
your id and password - which may well infringe AUPs and best security
practices).
o Reliance on server available and network connectivity to remote
site.
O Reliance on continued availability of the company (e.g. company
doesn't go bust, company doesn't increase its charges, change its
conditions, etc.)
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks
Brian
> Just to add to Brian's comments about Browsealoud:
> The system does not entail any work by webmasters at all. All
> the work is done by the browsealoud people. Users have to
> regularly update their list of enabled sites.
>
> We have negotiated a one month trial of browsealoud to try to
> find out if it is useful to our staff and students. Anyone
> wanting to see the system working on our pages should visit:
> http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk If you cannot get the plug-in to
> work on OUCS, open browsealoud from the task bar and update
> its list of enabled sites.
>
> Regards
> Ian
>
> Ian Senior
> Web Editor
> Oxford University Computing Services
> Tel: 01865 283344
> Web Sites:
> http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk
> http://e-science.ox.ac.uk
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Managing an institutional web site
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brian Kelly
> Sent: 13 May 2003 11:21
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Is Browsealoud of interest as an accessibility aid?
>
>
> I have recently installed the Browsealoud plugin. This
> software works with IE. When you visit a Web site which has
> the Browsealoud server installed it will speak the text of
> the Web page.
>
> The software is available at
> http://www.browsealoud.com/
>
> The plugin is free - the server costs (of the order of £1000
> for the first year and about half this for following years).
>
> I wondered if this might be of interest. For example it
> might be easier to go down this route rather than having
> dedicated PCs with accessibility aids.
>
> I guess that in order for it to be effective, the server
> software would have to be deployed widely. Possibly there
> could be a role for CHEST to negotiate a deal, if it was felt
> to be useful.
>
> I guess the alternatives are tools such as PWWebspeak, IBM
> Home Page Reader, etc.
>
> 1 pwWebSpeak <http://www.soundlinks.com/pwgen.htm>
> If you are a visually impaired individual, or are using the
> software to evaluate sites for accessibility, you may use the
> software freely, but will not be entitled to support.
> If you require the software for use with visually impaired
> clients and need training or support, then you should
> register it by purchasing the user
> licence(s) you need.
> The price per user-licence, for personal or educational use,
> is 95.00 pounds, plus VAT where applicable. Ask us about
> reductions for multiple licences.
>
> 2 IBM Home Page Reader <http://www-3.ibm.com/able/hpr.html>
> Costs $149
>
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Brian
>
>
> ---------------------------------------
> Brian Kelly
> UK Web Focus
> UKOLN
> University of Bath
> BATH
> BA2 7AY
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Web: http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/
> Phone: 01225 38 3943
>
>
>
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