Network Bulletin No: 03-32
Date: August 22, 2003
Subject: Web Braille
Index term: WB-View
During fiscal year 2002, NLS sponsored the development of a software package called
WB-View. This program was designed to assist users of the NLS Web-Braille service by
providing numerous features to enhance the viewing braille files. These include bookmarks,
multiple file viewing, autoscrolling, and much more. The software, which has undergone
extensive testing, is now being distributed by a company called Computers and Assistive
Technologies, Inc. of Hobe Sound, Florida.
Attached is a press release that provides details on program features and availability. It can be
used by libraries in patron newsletters and for any other appropriate purpose.
For additional information on Web-Braille, please see Network Bulletins 99-43, 99-54, and
00-44 as well as the 2003 revision of the factsheet on Web-Braille at
www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/webbraille2003.html.
For additional information, contact:
Judith M. Dixon
Consumer Relations Officer
[log in to unmask]
___________________________________________________________________________
__Announcing WB-View:
The First-Ever Braille E-Book Reading Program__
WB-View, a software program designed specifically to read electronic braille books, is now available.
For several years, people have enjoyed electronic books using software that simulates the experience
of reading traditional books. Until now, readers of electronic braille books have had to rely on ASCII
text programs, such as notepad, that are not suitable for braille formatting. By contrast, WB-View--
designed specifically for use with braille--will increase the facility and flexibility of reading electronic
braille books.
The program affords many benefits to readers. It allows the user to flip through the pages of a book
by braille page, which is often shorter than a print page. Additional features of the WB-View
program include:
__automatic return to the last line read when a volume is reopened;
__ support for up to ten bookmarks to be saved when a volume is closed;
__the ability to open all volumes of a book by opening any one of its volumes;
__ a unique auto-read function that allows the user to set the speed at which the braille display will
advance, depending on the length of the line;
__ the ability to select from fifteen possible line lengths so that the lines of braille and text files will be
__ wrapped to fit any size braille display;
__ automatic launch of WB-View in association with .brf and .brl Windows files;
__ support for find and find again commands, which will leave the braille display ready for reading at
the found position.
Not restricted only to braille files, WB-View also provides a similar reading experience with plain
text files.
WB-View's development was funded by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped to facilitate access to its own electronic braille book collection, known as Web-Braille.
WB-View is designed to work with all popular screen readers and refreshable braille displays.
WB-View sells for $69.00 and is being distributed by:
Computers and Assistive Technologies, Inc.
9413 S.E. Federal Highway
Hobe Sound, FL 33455
Phone: (772) 546-8950
Fax: (772) 546-8951
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.computerassistivetech.com
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