Echo Toolbar

The Echo Toolbar gives you quick access to the key features of Aurora Echo at any time. Each of the toolbar buttons are discussed below. The Echo Toolbar is completely customizable, you can control which buttons appear, whether it is vertical or horizontal, and whether the small or large icons are used. For information on customizing the toolbar, click here. Many of the features included on the toolbar are also available from the Echo Menu.

Read Marked Block (Not available on Windows 3.1)

Mark a block of text in your word processor, then click on this button. The block will be read. Note that this button will not work with applications that do not support the standard windows shortcut key for copying to the clipboard (Ctrl-Ins.)

Read Button or Window (Limited functionality without Active Accessibility)

When this button is clicked Aurora Echo will read most buttons or windows that you move the mouse cursor over and then stop for a second. Be warned that if you put the mouse over a word processor window, it may take quite a while to read everything in the window. Once you are done reading items, click the Read Button or Window button again to turn reading off. If you have Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0 and have Microsoft's Active Accessibility installed you will find that this feature works much better and can then read icons, menu items, and more. If you do not have Active Accessibility installed, you will receive a warning message the first time you use this button after you start Aurora Echo.

Read Word So Far

This is a convenience button that lets you read back the word that you have typed so far. If you prefer you can have the word read back to you after each keypress with Echo Partial Words.

Read Sentence So Far

This is a convenience button that lets you read back the sentence that you have typed so far. If you prefer you can have the sentence read back to you at the end of the sentence with Echo Sentences.

Read Paragraph So Far

This is a convenience button that lets you read back the paragraph that you have typed so far. If you prefer you can have the paragraph read back to you at the end of the paragraph (when you press Enter) with Echo Paragraphs.

Read Clipboard

This button lets you read back the contents of the clipboard. This is useful if your application doesn't work with Read Marked Block above. To use this feature, mark the section you want read with the mouse or keyboard, then use the program's menus or keyboard shortcuts to copy the text to the clipboard, then click this button. If you prefer you can have the contents of the clipboard read automatically each time it changes with Echo Clipboard.

Turn Echo Off

This button changes as you use it and indicates whether Aurora Echo's voice feedback is on or off. Click it to turn Aurora Echo off. Also available on the Echo Menu.

Turn Echo On

This button changes as you use it and indicates whether Aurora Echo's voice feedback is on or off. Click it to turn Aurora Echo on. Also available on the Echo Menu.

Echo Options

This provides access to the options dialog for Aurora Echo. For information on the options, see Echo Options. Also available on the Echo Menu.

Voice Options

This provides access to the Voice Options dialog that allows you to choose and set up your speech synthesizer. Also available on the Echo Menu.

Echo Help

This provides access to the Aurora Echo online help. Also available on the Echo Menu.

About Aurora Echo

This displays the version information for Aurora Echo. Also available on the Echo Menu.

Close Aurora Echo

This button closes Aurora Echo. This is one button you may wish to remove from the toolbar in Toolbar Options if you are likely to hit it accidentally. Also available on the Echo Menu.