From:	mharris AT blackwidow DOT saultc DOT on DOT ca
Date:	Tue, 4 Feb 1997 15:08:26 -0500 (EST)
Reply-To:	mharris AT blackwidow DOT saultc DOT on DOT ca
To:	Jason White <whiteja AT rvib2 DOT rvib DOT org DOT au>
cc:	jdashiel AT eagle1 DOT eaglenet DOT com, opendos AT mail DOT tacoma DOT net
Subject:	Re: [opendos] Accessibility of OpenDOS with braille and speech output devices
In-Reply-To:	<Pine.SCO.3.95.970203131550.27684A-100000@rvib2.rvib.org.au>
Message-ID:	<Pine.LNX.3.95.970204150129.166j-100000@capslock.com>
Organization:	Total disorganization.
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Sender:	owner-opendos AT mail DOT tacoma DOT net

On Mon, 3 Feb 1997, Jason White wrote:

> I think an environmental variable that could be set in config.sys or
> autoexec.bat for either BIOS calls or direct screen writing would be a
> suitable solution.

Since it would only effect programs that read that environment
variable (and only if they chose to listen to it) I think it
would just waste environment space.  Also, since the operating
system really doesn't have any control over such a thing (nor
should) a better place would be either as a command line switch
to COMMAND.COM ie (COMMAND.COM /P /DV (direct video)) or as an
option in an INI file for COMMAND.COM.  This is the *proper*
place for such a thing IMO.  4DOS does it like this and it works
just fine.

[snip]
> screen reading programme in order to read text that has been written
> directly to video memory. Indeed, the more advanced of these programmes
> use sophisticated monitoring techniques in an attempt to detect changes on
> the screen that are not due to BIOS calls. I think they intercept the
> computer's timer and examine the video memory on a regular basis, but I am

There you go!  Perhaps a simple reconfigure of the software and
it will monitor video memory.  Another possible option is to buy
better software.  I'm sure that the government probably pays for
it anyway.  That is what I would personally do in such a
situation anyways (ie: in order to be able to use software that
unfortunately ONLY writes to the screen).  There's always more
than one way to skin a cat.


Mike A. Harris        |             http://blackwidow.saultc.on.ca/~mharris
Computer Consultant   |    My webpage has moved and my address has changed.
My dynamic address: http://blackwidow.saultc.on.ca/~mharris/ip-address.html
mailto:mharris AT blackwidow DOT saultc DOT on DOT ca

LINUX: Lost your video after running a game or DOSemu, email me for fix.

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