Hi Jerry, I can't give a good technical explanation of a script, but in my own computer lingo idiot terms a script is a file that allows Jaws to work with a given application. Read below from more computer savvy people:
Original Message From: Kurt Miller Hi all, Having just read the guidelines again, this seems to be okay. What are scripts exactly? I have heard of them and you guys talking about them for different things and reasons but I guess I didn't want to seem stupid by asking this but I feel that I should know since JAWS 17 has new stuff about them put into it. Can someone give me a brief explanation? Thanks and have a great day, Kurt From: David Ferrin You are quite correct that scripts most certainly right on topic. Also if I might say it does my heart some good to hear that somebody has not only read the guidelines once you reviewed them for a second time. Scripts are small programs that assist in making things like your email client more screen reader friendly. They might almost be compared to a macro if you have ever heard of such a thing in either your word processor of choice or a spreadsheet like Excel. For example I have written scripts that by simply hitting a single keystroke I bring up a menu that gives me choices of going to MSConfig or my master volume control. In short they are for the purpose of making our lives easier when they work correctly of course. I have always wanted the chance and of course the ability to become a better script writer and who knows maybe some fine day that will happen. Another example might be when you hit the key command to change your voice profiles in JAWS, you are actually running a script that FS has provided for us by default. Since I trained years ago as a COBOL programmer I have always liked that kind of thing. Browse the web site for some offerings I have up there for folks to download. I also have a few audio tutorials available on the subject. David Ferrin A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked perfectly. From: Pablo Morales Scripts are code, that is going to tell jaws how to read, or work on specific situations. Situations like when you press a keystroke, or when a program start. The scripts are going to do something that is going to perform a result. For example, when you press insert F12, this keystroke activate a script, and it just tell jaws to read the time. Pablo Hi folks Since someone asked"what exactly is scripts," I'll try my best to explain this in simple language: Introduction "Scripts are little programs." - Jim Snowbarger, 2002 Scripts, by definition in Computer Science, is a little piece of program that is meant to augment the functionality of a host program. In terms of JAWS for Windows, which is known of vast amount of scripts availible, this means that a script is his a little piece of code that allows JAWS to access many applications that it didn't have access before." There might be several reasons why scripts are used, such as allowing a program with no accessibility in mind to "come alive" i.e. to allow JAWS users to use it, as well as ablowing a JAWS user to access some rich functions that he or she didn't have access before, such as audio controls in a media player, hidden Microsoft Word features such as inserting hyperlinks and so forth. What is scripts in general? A script is a code that allows a host program to take advantage of it and use the code to its own benefit. In the world of Internet, Javascript is used to create dynamic HTML content. For example, a website builder can use Javascript to create interactive forms on a webpage. Also, scripts are used to help a host program access information that it cannot access. For example, suppose Internet Explorer needs to handle a page that IE natively does not support, and let us pretend that the webpage uses Java. When IE opens, it calls Javascript to display webpage on behalf of IE and return the results to IE. Thus, scripts are meant to augment the functionality of a host program by allowing a program to access information and to display things that it cannot access. What is scripting under JAWS for Windows like, and how come it is popular?? The ability to script JAWS for Windows existed with earlier versions of JAWS such as 3.7. Freedom Scentific, formerly HenterJoyce valued emphasis on JAWS scripting. For example, to help scripters learn more about JAWS scripting, FS published a tutorial called "Basics in Scripting." Also, experienced script writers demonstrated the power of JAWS scripting, notably Jim Snowbarger. For instance, Jim Snowbarger, also known as The Snowman, published a number of segments on Main Menu, a technology radio show from ACB Radio. This demonstrations proved to be popular and allowed many people, including beginners and advanced users of JAWS to understand the real power of scripts--that of allowing an application without accessibility in mind to truly come alive with JAWS. Thus, JAWS scripts are popular due to promotion from Freedom Scientific and from other script writers. What are components of JAWS script files There are numerous components to JAWS scripting. Items and their explanations are as follows: * jcf (JAWS Config file): this type of file is used to store configuration files foraparticular application. * jgf (Graphics file): this is used to store graphics information for a specific program so that JAWS can work with graphics. * jkm (Key Map): a key map file is a file that stores JAWS commands that are used in an application. * jss (Script Source): the source file of scripts. Used to create and modify scripts. * jsb (Script Binary): the compiled binary version of Script Source. A binny file is a file with binary instructions in 0's and 1's that is used to tell a computer processor what to do. Uses of JAWS scripts JAWS scripts are used in variety of situation. A notable use of scripting functionality is to allow an application to be user-friendly with JAWS. For instance, a popular audio editing program, Sound Forge from Sony (formerly Sonic Foundry) was inaccessible with JAWS. But thanks to Jim Snowbarger and his scripts, Sound Forge has become accessible with JAWS. Also, scripts are used to augment functionality in existing applications that are user-friendly. For example, a script can be used to find out how many links are on a page in Internet Explorer, or it can be used to read the calculation result in an Excel formula. Additionally, scripts are useful for navigating to a certain section of a program window that JAWITHS cannot access, such as viewing toolbar list under Internet Explorer. Therefore, JAWS scripts are useful for enhancing usability and accessibility of mainstream applications with JAWS. Conclusion An application uses scripts to carry out its functions. From accessing inaccessible software to enhancing usability of a program, JAWS scripts are used to allow JAWS users to use a software efficiently and effectively. Scripts are popular thanks to endorsement from Freedom Scientific and scripters themselves. Many mainstream companies recognized values of JAWS scripts and were able to create products that works well with JAWS. "The overall aim of JAWS scripts," says Eric Damery, product manager for JAWS for Freedom Scientific, "is to make mainstream applications accessible with JAWS." For more information about JAWS scripts, refer to JAWS Scripts mailing list, as well as Blind Programming site's resources on JAWS scripts. For information about writing scripts, refer to tutorials designed for script writers (Basics in Scripting) from Freedom Scentific and other script writers. Take care. Mike. Go Dodgers! Sent from my iBarstool. Arguing with a woman is like reading a software license agreement. In the end you have to ignore everything, & click I agree. ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, August 04, 2017 4:11 PM Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] a walk through in downloading and installing jaws scripts Mike: Please forgive the ignorance, but exactly what are the JAWS scripts, and what do they do? Or should I go to the FS site for specific information regarding this inquiry? Thanks. Jerry -----Original Message----- From: Mike B. Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2017 6:50 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] a walk through in downloading and installing jaws scripts Hi Sue, Click on the link below for helpful keystrokes & other tips about using Jaws with Thunderbird. Navigate by heading for quicker navigation. Pressing the letter, H, is the keystroke to navigate by heading. http://tinyurl.com/ybwla45c There are scripts out there for Jaws & Thunderbird, but I don't know how up to date they are. Take care. Mike. Go Dodgers! Sent from my iBarstool. Arguing with a woman is like reading a software license agreement. In the end you have to ignore everything, & click I agree. ----- Original Message ----- From: David Ferrin To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2017 3:09 PM Subject: Re: [JAWS-Users] a walk through in downloading and installing jaws scripts There are a couple of general tutorials up there on installing such animals. I'll review what is up there as it has been a while since I have done that. Most recently I have been considering a tutorial on drive letter view which is a program for remapping drive letters in the event that such a thing is required for some reason or another. I'll admit these things don't occur with as much frequency here lately, but life does tend to get in the way once in a while. -----Original Message----- From: Sue J. Ward Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 11:40 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [JAWS-Users] a walk through in downloading and installing jaws scripts Hello. I did take notice on the jaws-users you have some demos in installing jaws scripts and am a new jaws user would like to see a tutorial in finding a jaws script online, then installing the jaws scripts. I am using jaws 18 and an updated tutorial would be nice to listen to since would like to make thunderbird work better with jaws. I forget where I saw the thunderbird script, a walk through would be nice. I would like to hear the demo of finding the thunderbird script along with where to installing it and making it work with the current version of jaws. I did see some stuff about scripts, but a lot of the stuff I saw they want money, would love to get the training course from hartgen.org but I have no idea where to start plus don't have the money as of right now am still getting used to jaws since am coming from Window Eyes and still using it so please if some one could post something on the website think that would help us out in the long run. ____________________________________________________________ Police Urge Americans to Carry This With Them at All Times The Observer http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/597c0414a35174142f2dst04vuc For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/ For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit: http://www.jaws-users.com/help/
