The way I understand it, if you install fresh from the latest version on
the Skype website the extras manager is not installed. However, if you
install a previous version and then update, Skype does not remove the
extras manager if it is already there. This is what I inferred from
what I read about the problem, though I suppose Skype could always
remove the extras manager in a future update. Thus far however this has
not happened and probably will not happen given that it is not just us
who rely on the extras manager, but anyone who uses any call recorder or
any other add-on for Skype. Of course, this could always change, let us
hope that it doesn't.
Cory
On 27/07/2011 6:06 PM, Steve Zielinski wrote:
Cory,
I just read your informative message to Pat about skype. I downloaded
the version 5.3 on your dropbox.
Ive used skype before but had a computer crash and haven't reinstalled
it. I was using version 4.2 something in the past. I have a question
though.
You wrote regarding version 5.3:
Please note that although this is not the latest version, it is the
last version to contain the extras manager. Skype will update itself
on its own to the latest version.
So my question is, if skype updates to the latest version, won't the
extra manager benefit be lost and the person will be in the same spot
as if they installed the latest version in the first place?
Thanks for any help you can offer on this.
Steve
----- Original Message ----- From: "Cory Martin"
<[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: Window-Eyes not reading things in Skype
Hello Pat.
Ok, I believe this should solve your problems.
The Window Eyes scripts use a plugin which passes information
about skype to Window Eyes itself, such as the name of the person
calling you, or when a call ends, when people sign on or off, Etc.
However Skype recently removed their extras manager from their
installer so now you cannot use this plugin with a freshly installed
copy of Skype.
Thus I suggest the following:
1. Uninstall Skype, either through add/remove programs under XP or
Uninstall a program under Windows Vista/Seven control panel.
2. Download the Skype 5.3 Installer which was the last to include
the extras manager from here:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3105504/Skype5-3Setup.exe
And install that. This link is off my Drop Box for now, though I
may host this file on my Web Site soon. Please note that although
this is not the latest version, it is the last version to contain the
extras manager. Skype will update itself on its own to the latest
version.
2. Once You've installed that, log in to Skype and at the top of the
window (you'll need the mouse cursor for this) you may see that the
plugin from GW-Micro wants to use Skype. You need to click the allow
button. If this does not appear, you may access it by doing the
following:
Go to the tools menu in Skype with an alt-t or by navigating to it
through the menu bar, then down to options. Then scroll down to
advanced and tab over to the link that says "Manage other programs
access to Skype", go in this. You may find it helpful to use the
mouse cursor again in here to locate and click the GW-Micro Plugin,
then go to the change button, and set it to allowed. Click OK a
couple of times and you should suddenly notice Window Eyes becomming
more verbose about announcing things to you.
3. Set file error. If you hear WE say something like "not a valid
set file" when Skype opens or you alt-tab to it, you need to update
those set files. Open your WE config window with the
control-backslash, and go to the menu bar, in the file menu go down
to update outdated settings. This should locate any old set files
and update them for you.
4. Invalid control types. If you find that some of the areas in
Skype don't navigate properly, you need to reclass them. I noticed
this in the options screen in the list where you arrow up and down
through things like general, audio settings, etc. When you're on
this list and if you find that it's not reading right, press insert-r
and press space on focused which it should automatically be on
already. For the list of options categories I found that list box
worked best for that. For the audio settings for your speakers and
microphone boxes I found reclassing those to combo box seemed to work
for me. The last control I reclassed was the edit-box where you type
for instant messages and sms messages. Reclassing that to edit box
works well, otherwise if you don't WE won't read when you erase
messages and such. The WE scripts include an accessible interface to
Skype itself so you don't have to use the Skype window itself,
however I find it just as easy just to use the Skype window. For
example, if you want to IM someone, do an applications key on their
name and go down to send IM. It should drop you in their edit box
for typing a message. You can just press enter when done to send the
message. To review previous messages just press shift-tab to get to
the message history. You'll have to shift-tab roughly 3-4 times. It
may sound daunting but it's really not bad once you get used to it.
Lastly on your menu bar in Skype under Extras, you should see a
pull-down menu called Accessibility. You may find it useful to check
both the screen reader mode and extended keyboard navigation.
I hope this helps you get going with Skype. Some people use
Skype Talking as well, which again is a plugin that is separate of
Skype and Window Eyes and needs to be authorized to work with Skype.
Again you'll need this slightly earlier version for that.
Personally, although Skype Talking does have a nice interface which
works something like Qwitter's if you know about that, I find it just
as well not to use it. The WE scripts for Skype provide the same
amount of information and functionality once you get them working.
Additionally, if you have both Skype Talking and the WE Skype Scripts
installed, you'll find that contacts signing on or off are announced
twice, unless you disable this in one or another of the scripts or
Skype Talking. Also personally I found there were some instability
issues with Skype Talking (WE freezing with screen savers with Skype
Talking running), though this may not be the case with everyone.
Given that Skype Talking needs to be authorized with Skype to work
just as WE Scripts do, I think it best and easier just to stick to WE
Scripts.
Hope this helps.
Cory
On 27/07/2011 12:09 PM, Pat Ferguson wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I wish someone would let me call them. I mean someone that really
knows Skype.
I'm so mad! I some how got another language selected, just because
Window-Eyes wouldn't read the combo boxes to me. It's not reading
half this stuff at all, and when I go to check boxes, it reads them
as unchecked. I'm so frustrated.
I need someone to let me call them please.
Any help is much appreciated, please.
Thanks.
Frustrated Pat
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If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original
sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your
message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your
message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it.
GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You
can manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only.
If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to
GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so
the entire list will receive it.
GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage
your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
