>From my investigations today, it seems that it does what most screen-readers >do with columns. It puts everything vertically underneath everything. Thus, >there are no columns. There are no differentiations between columns or cells, >but you seem to need to remember which heading you want and work out which bit >you want as a result. What I mean by this, is say, your table has 4 columns. >It will always start with the four headings (underneath each other of course) >and then you need to work through in your head, as you read and associate each >item to its given heading and thus column. Although this is not the best way >of doing it, it's better than reading half a line and half another line on one >line, which is often what I've found happen when pages are split into >undetectible columns. This causes issues because you have to try to make sense >of two different sets of words which are not likely to be linked and remember >them as you navigate line by line in order to read coherently. So, although this does not seem to be happening, and that is an improvement, I'm sorry to say there has been no amazing advancement. Tables in HTML are much more navigable as they have titles and a clear structure, and obvious breaks between columns. But when you turn a PDF into a safari-opened document, it doesn't have the HTML functionality and thus just reads the table as text rather than a separately navigable part of the page. I still have to invest in Fine Reader for Mac, but probably that will solve problems, in the mean-time, long-winded as it is, you either need to use your memory, or do what Rafael does and rescan a printed document. I wonder what it is about Kerzweil and Fine Reader that make tables possible, whilst VO and Jaws can't read PDF docs properly ... Kirsten. On 11 Apr 2012, at 17:51, Bejarano, Rafael P. wrote:
> The only solution I've found is to print out the document, and then to read > it with my Kurzweil, since it is able to read by columns. > > Good luck with your efforts, and please keep the list apprised of any > successes. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to be able to read > multiple-column, pdf documents on my Mac. > > Cordially, > Rafael > On Apr 10, 2012, at 5:51 PM, Kirsten Edmondson wrote: > >> I haven't, but you raise a good point, I have never found it possible to >> read PDF columns properly with Jaws and used to have to use fine reader to >> translate into an MS Doc. The PDFs I am currently putting into Safari are >> mainly journal articles-they have some tables and I don't think those read >> properly, but I will try to remember to take a look at some PDFs in columns >> and see. I think we're likely to have little success however, as it's about >> translating graphical representation into words and a logical order to >> people-many of whom don't have a great concept of layout and formatting. >> >> On 9 Apr 2012, at 16:21, Bejarano, Rafael P. wrote: >> >>> Those are very helpful suggestions. I wonder, though: Have you ever tried >>> reading pdf documents formatted in multiple columns? I can do so using an >>> old PowerPC iBook running Tiger, but I can't seem to do so with newer Macs >>> and OSs. >>> >>> Cordially, >>> Rafael Bejarano >>> On Apr 8, 2012, at 4:47 PM, Kirsten Edmondson wrote: >>> >>>> Hi all, >>>> A few weeks ago, someone asked what was the best way of reading PDFs. I >>>> gave some vague response, and though I can't remember who asked, I know it >>>> comes up quite often, so, below I list more specific steps. I hope they >>>> help whoever wanted to know. >>>> 1. Find your document in your folder system. >>>> 2. Press VO-M and navigate to the File menu. >>>> 3. Go down to the Open With menu. >>>> 4. Arrow right and then down to Safari. >>>> 5. Leave the document to open-this might take some time if it is large for >>>> example-when it starts reading, arrow until you are in the window (rather >>>> than in the other web functions such as add to reading list etc). >>>> 6. Interact with the window with the VO-Down Arrow-Shift command. >>>> 7. If you want to read line by line, try to get your reading setting to >>>> 'navigation', otherwise when you use the down arrow, you will be reading >>>> via character or word. >>>> 8. Use the arrows to read up and down each line. >>>> 9. Close or quit when you are finished. >>>> N.B.: the default setting for PDFs is Preview, which I personally find >>>> hard to access. >>>> This has worked for me so far most often. >>>> I think I said to use Google Chrome last time I emailed, but I think I >>>> should really have said Safari, as Chrome seems not to open the document >>>> in the same way-often saying 'empty HTML' which Safari does not. >>>> Kind regards >>>> Kirsten. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> [email protected]. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> [email protected]. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en.
