Archive: 2020

  1. NVDA 2019.3 Released

    This post has been updated for 2019.3.1, which includes updated translations.

    NV Access is pleased to announce that version 2019.3 of NVDA, the free screen reader for Microsoft Windows, is now available for download. We encourage all users to upgrade to this version.

    NVDA 2019.3 is a very significant release containing many under-the-hood changes including the upgrade of Python 2 to Python 3, and a major re-write of NVDA’s speech subsystem. Although these changes do break compatibility with older NVDA add-ons, the upgrade to Python 3 is necessary for security, and the changes to speech allow for some exciting innovations in the near future.

    Other highlights in this release include 64 bit support for Java VMs, Screen Curtain and Focus Highlight functionality, support for more braille displays and a new Braille viewer, and many many other bug fixes.

    Please note, after updating any software, it is a good idea to restart the computer. Restart by going to the Shutdown dialog, selecting “restart” and pressing ENTER. Updating software can change files which are in use. This can lead to instability and strange behaviour which is resolved by rebooting. This is the first thing to try if you do notice anything odd after updating.

    While downloading NVDA, please consider becoming a monthly donor. Contributions like yours help NV Access continue our important work.

    We also have a range of training material in the NV Access Shop to help you increase your skills with NVDA. Start with the popular Basic Training for NVDA in electronic text, audio and braille. Save with the NVDA Productivity Bundle. This includes Basic Training, all our Microsoft Office training, and telephone support.

    Download NVDA 2019.3.1

    To find out what’s new in this release, please visit What’s new in NVDA 2019.3.1

    Close-up photograph of NVDA logo in notification area.

    Close-up photograph of NVDA logo in notification area.

  2. In-Process 6th February 2020

    The big news this week is that we are very close to the stable 2019.3 release! NVDA 2019.3 RC 3 is now out, so let’s start there:

    NVDA 2019.3 RC3

    We encourage all users to download this Release Candidate (RC) and provide feedback. This is a release candidate for NVDA 2019.3. Unless any critical bugs are found, this will be identical to the final 2019.3 release.

    Read the Release Announcement and Download the RC.

    If you are using NVDA 2019.2.1, and want to try the release candidate, you will need to Download NVDA 2019.3rc3 manually. If you are using one of the 2019.3 beta or RC releases, they will prompt to update to the current release candidate shortly. From the beta, you can also find the RC build by choosing “Check for updates” from the help menu.

    NVDA 2019.3 is a very significant release containing many under-the-hood changes including the upgrade of Python 2 to Python 3, and a major re-write of NVDA’s speech subsystem. Although these changes do break compatibility with older NVDA add-ons, the upgrade to Python 3 is necessary for security, and the changes to speech allow for some exciting innovations in the near future. Other highlights in this release include 64 bit support for Java VMs, Screen Curtain and Focus Highlight functionality, support for more braille displays and a new Braille viewer, and many many other bug fixes.

    If you’re wondering how we jumped from a beta to RC3 so quickly, it was through being alerted to a couple of issues that we were able to fix in relatively short time. This highlights the importance of as many people as possible testing the RC release. If these issues had not been picked up until the “stable” 2019.3 release, it would have been more work to update.

    So, do please Download the 2019.3 RC Release and let us know any issues you encounter. You can report issues on GitHub, in the NVDA User Email Group, or via Email.

    Add-ons and 2019.3

    Most NVDA Add-ons have required an update to be compatible with NVDA 2019.3. That is part of the reason we have waited so long before releasing the final version. We didn’t want anyone to be inconvenienced when they updated.

    Most add-ons have now been updated. Some need a “beta” version of the add-on to be downloaded specifically. You can check the status of add-ons you use on the NVDA Add-ons and Python 3 page.

    The list of updated add-ons was last updated on the 30th January. If your favourite add-on hasn’t been updated, be sure to write to the add-on developer to encourage them to update. Given that NVDA 2019.3 will be out very shortly. It can also be worth asking for alternate options in the NVDA User Email Group.

    Add-on highlight: Clipspeak

    We often talk about add-ons, but what are they? Add-ons serve various functions. Some add extra features to NVDA. Some change existing features. Others provide access to functions in programs that don’t work quite so well out of the box.

    We often get asked how to make NVDA report editing operations such as when you copy text with control+c. Clipspeak is an add-on which does exactly that. From its description: “Clipspeak is an addon that allows NVDA to automatically announce clipboard operations (such as cut, copy and paste), along with other common editing operations such as select all, undo and redo”. ClipSpeak installs like any other NVDA addon. You can get the Clipspeak add-on from the NVDA Add-ons Site.

    When you run the downloaded file, NVDA will install it, then restart. From then, clipspeak will report editing actions. Clipspeak announces actions when the default keystrokes for English are pressed. For instance, control+a for select all, control+x for copy and control+v for paste. These can be updated from NVDA’s Input Gestures dialog if needed.

    Find the author’s full description of the add-on and instructions on The ClipSpeak Add-on page. I’m also happy to confirm that like most add-ons, ClipSpeak has been updated and works with NVDA 2019.3.

    NVDACon Recordings

    NVDACon was a couple of months ago in November 2019. I realised I never followed up to let you know that the Recordings from the 2019 Conference were online. For those not familiar, NVDACon is a yearly online conference all about NVDA. One of the most exciting things about the conference is that it’s not even organised by NV Access! NV Access definitely support and promote the conference. It is passionate volunteers from the NVDA community though, who run the conference. We are very grateful for all their hard work. For anyone who didn’t get to join the conference in November, all the recordings are online. The recordings are on the NVDACon Site, in “Past Conferences”.

    That’s all for this week. Stay tuned for NVDA 2019.3 final which should come out by the next In-Process. In the meantime, do please download the NVDA 2019.3 Release Candidate and Let Us Know any issues you encounter!

  3. NVDA 2019.3rc3 now available for testing

    The Release Candidate (RC) of NVDA 2019.3 is now available for download and testing. We encourage all users to download this RC and provide feedback. This is a release candidate for NVDA 2019.3. Unless any critical bugs are found, this will be identical to the final 2019.3 release.

    Changes from RC 2:

    • Updated translations for many languages

    NVDA 2019.3 is a very significant release containing many under-the-hood changes including the upgrade of Python 2 to Python 3, and a major re-write of NVDA’s speech subsystem. Although these changes do break compatibility with older NVDA add-ons, the upgrade to Python 3 is necessary for security, and the changes to speech allow for some exciting innovations in the near future. Other highlights in this release include 64 bit support for Java VMs, Screen Curtain and Focus Highlight functionality, support for more braille displays and a new Braille viewer, and many many other bug fixes.

  4. NVDA 2019.3RC2 now available for testing

    The Release Candidate (RC) of NVDA 2019.3 is now available for download and testing. We encourage all users to download this RC and provide feedback. This is a release candidate for NVDA 2019.3. Unless any critical bugs are found, this will be identical to the final 2019.3 release.

    Changes from Beta 3:

    • Say all with OneCore and SAPI5 no longer stops. (PR #10730)
    • Elements list dialog now shows all controls on low resolution screens. (PR #10738)
    • Fix set row and column header script for Microsoft Word. (PR #10735)

    NVDA 2019.3 is a very significant release containing many under-the-hood changes including the upgrade of Python 2 to Python 3, and a major re-write of NVDA’s speech subsystem. Although these changes do break compatibility with older NVDA add-ons, the upgrade to Python 3 is necessary for security, and the changes to speech allow for some exciting innovations in the near future. Other highlights in this release include 64 bit support for Java VMs, Screen Curtain and Focus Highlight functionality, support for more braille displays and a new Braille viewer, and many many other bug fixes.

  5. NVDA 2019.3Beta3 now available for testing

    Beta3 of NVDA 2019.3 is now available for download and testing. For anyone who is interested in trying out what NVDA 2019.3 has to offer before it is officially released, we welcome you to download the beta and provide feedback.

    Changes since Beta2:

    • Stop using MS Edge specific code for Internet Explorer edit fields. (PR #10652)
    • Fix vision settings panel, after applying changes to Highlighter, pressing cancel no longer causes an error.
    • Fix error when navigation landmark is encountered in EdgeHTML content (#10710)
    • Several fixes to Screen curtain (Can now be enabled permanently via gesture when warning dialog is shown, Can be enabled after previously failing due to magnifier being active)
    • Add blurb to What’s new.
    • Updated description for -s commandline parameter and solved some minor spelling errors (#10678)
    NVDA 2019.3 is a very significant release containing many under-the-hood changes including the upgrade of Python 2 to Python 3, and a major re-write of NVDA’s speech subsystem. Although these changes do break compatibility with older NVDA add-ons, the upgrade to Python 3 is necessary for security, and the changes to speech allow for some exciting innovations in the near future. Other highlights in this release include 64 bit support for Java VMs, Screen Curtain and Focus Highlight functionality, support for more braille displays and a new Braille viewer, and many many other bug fixes.

  6. In-Process 16th January

    Welcome to a new year! We hope you had a great Christmas and New Year and are busy getting into everything 2020 has to offer. As we all get into the new year, this week’s In-Process provides an update on where things are at currently.

    NVDA 2019.3

    First of all, yes things are still moving on 2019.3, in fact, we’ve just released a New Beta! Yes, we’re also well aware of the new year, but we’re sticking with the “2019.3” version number anyway. Partly it’s stubbornness, mostly it’s because the 2019.3 name has already been communicated in a lot of places. While it wouldn’t affect add-on compatibility, it would likely cause confusion and concern. Add-on authors have been hard at work updating their amazing offerings to work with NVDA 2019.3. So we’ll stick with that name and put forward that the moniker is “retro” but the software is cutting edge!

    So, that’s the name sorted, where’s the software? Good question. We’ve all been getting back to work, and catching up on correspondence and GitHub issues from over the break. Before Christmas, we released NVDA 2019.3 beta1, and this week we’ve followed up with NVDA 2019.3 beta2. Head over to the announcement page to find out what’s new and download the new beta.

    We’re watching for any issues anyone has encountered with NVDA 2019.3 beta2 to see how everyone finds it. If you do find anything amiss with the beta, lease do Report Issues on GitHub. If there are issues with the beta, then we’ll work on addressing them and put out a new beta shortly. If everything looks to be running smoothly, then we’ll move to a “release candidate”, or RC build. The RC build is the last step before the final stable version. If anyone finds any issues with an RC build, then we’ll go to another RC build before the final version comes out.

    Basically the timeline from here is:

    1) Release beta version (done) 2) Any issues, return to step 1. 3) After allowing several weeks to test, release RC build. 4) Any issues, return to step 3. 5) After a week or so with no more issues, release NVDA 2019.3.

    If you haven’t yet tested the beta, now is a great time to do so. You don’t need to install it, you can “Continue” from the license screen for a quick look. You can also setup a portable version so you can run it to test things without affecting your installed 2019.2.1.

    If you do test it and find issues, please, report them as soon as possible! Please also check against 2019.2.1 as well. This will confirm whether the reported issue is new, or an existing problem. That will help us know where to look for the problem.

    Should I download the beta?

    Someone asked on the user group recently whether they should try the beta. Here’s my answer:

    The main purpose of alpha and beta releases, is to test new features and bugs. (I mean bug fixes, we never introduce new bugs! wink)

    These builds are mostly used by developers and more technically-minded types. End users are welcome to download these pre-release versions with a couple of caveats:

    • Alpha and Beta versions play an error sound whenever NVDA writes an error to the log. This may or may not coincide with a problem experienced by the user. Often, an error occurs, but NVDA then tries something else which works. In this case, an end user would otherwise not notice anything amiss.
    • If reporting an issue, make sure it IS an issue, and not just an error beep. Errors in the log should be fixed, but aren’t as high priority as something which impacts users. Also, if reporting a bug in a prerelease build, please test against the last stable build as well. Knowing that a bug is new since then (or that it was always present) helps with knowing where in the code to look to fix it.
    • Of course we aim for alpha and beta builds to be stable and fully working. Newer code may produce unintended consequences on some systems that weren’t anticipated. We recommend anyone testing prerelease builds be comfortable using portable or temporary versions. Always keep your stable build handy, just in case.

      • When we get to a “Release candidate” build, that is the last step before releasing a stable version. At that stage we DO want as many people as possible to test it and install it. If we don’t have any issues reported with this build, it will basically be identical to the final release. It is much easier to fix a problem found in an RC build, than one reported two weeks later in the final release.

      One of the big changes in 2019.3 is the move of our source to Python 3. Followers of In-Process will be aware that this has meant that add-ons need to be updated also. The majority of add-ons have now been updated. There are still some in progress, and some which we are not aware of work on.

      For those asking, I am happy to provide an update on NVDA Remote. NV Access submitted pull requests for updates to NVDA Remote yesterday. These should resolve most of the issues to make NVDA Remote compatible with 2019.3. Thanks Reef for your hard work on that! It is also worth testing the beta now to determine which other add-ons you use, if any, have not yet been updated. If you find any, you can encourage the developers of those add-ons to update them before 2019.3 is released.

      Correspondence

      Speaking of correspondence, thank you everyone for your emails over the new year. We came back to lots of messages, wishing us well over the break, reporting issues or asking questions. We are almost caught up with emails which have come in to [email protected]. I’ve also caught up on the NVDA Email List and our Twitter and Facebook mentions and messages. If you haven’t got a reply, feel free to reach out again just in case it’s fallen through the cracks.

      That’s all for this week. Next In-Process we should be at or very close to, the release of NVDA 2019.3. We look forward to joining you then! In the meantime, do please test NVDA 2019.3 beta 2, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook to be the first to know when the Release candidate build comes out!

  7. NVDA 2019.3beta2 now available for testing

    Beta2 of NVDA 2019.3 is now available for download and testing. For anyone who is interested in trying out what NVDA 2019.3 has to offer before it is officially released, we welcome you to download the beta and provide feedback.

    Changes from beta1:

    • The new Windows console support using UI Automation is no longer used by default as it is not yet ready for production use. However, it is still available from NVDA’s advance settings panel. (#10684)
    • NVDA no longer freezes in the new version of Microsoft Edge that is based on Chromium. (#10675)
    • A short sound is now optionally played when screen curtain is turned on or off. (#10611)
    • Fixed an issue when upgrading configuration from recent alpha builds. (#10598)
    • Fixed an issue when navigating lists with table navigation commands. (#10623)

    NVDA 2019.3 is a very significant release as there are a great deal of under-the-hood changes which improve security and allow for some pretty cool innovations in the future. The most significant changes are the upgrade of Python 2 to Python 3, and a major re-write of NVDA’s speech subsystem.

    As these changes require add-ons and custom synthesizer drivers to be re-written, we plan to make the 2019.3 beta cycle much longer than normal, so that we can ensure that add-on developers have plenty of time to upgrade and test their add-ons with NVDA 2019.3 betas before 2019.3 stable is officially released. the current plan is to release several more betas over this month, and hopefully make the official release very early in the new year.

    Other than the move to Python 3 and the speech subsystem rewrite, there are many other new features and bug fixes. We recommend you read the what’s new document to find out all of them. However, some highlights are: Java Access Bridge is now included (providing access to 64 bit Java VMs), New Screen Curtain and Focus Highlight features are now included in NVDA, support for more braille displays and a new Braille Viewer, improvements on the web, and much more.