Review of Microsoft Magnifier for Win98
By Daniel Puskard, CNIB Technical Aids, Toronto


I have been using the MS Magnifier for the last 2 months (downloaded from the
Microsoft Web site). I have been reassured that the version accompanying the
Win98 package will be significantly improved. My biggest complaint has been
it's inability to track text editing, it seems to have a strange affinity for
tracking mouse movements. Here's some more info about what accessibility
options we can expect from Win98.  

Set accessibility options

If you need to set accessibility options to use the numeric keypad for
mouse control, for example - you can open the Control Panel and choose
Accessibility Options, if that's what you're used to. But Windows 98 offers
a better choice: the Accessibility Wizard, which will guide you through these
options. 

The Accessibility Wizard doesn't install by default. To see if it's installed
(or to launch it), choose Start | Programs | Accessories | Accessibility |
Accessibility Wizard. If you don't see an Accessibility choice on the
Accessories menu, you can install it by choosing Start | Settings | Control
Panel and selecting Add/Remove Programs and then the Windows Setup tab.
Select Accessibility, choose the Details button, and add a check to the
Enhanced Accessibility option. (The Accessibility Options choice installs by
default, but you should add a check to it if it does not have one.) Click OK
then OK again. Windows will ask you to put the Win 98 CD-ROM in your disk
drive and will install the enhanced accessibility feature.  

Look at the Microsoft Magnifier

Checking the Enhanced Accessibility option also adds the Microsoft Magnifier.
This tool works like a magnifying glass: It zooms in on an area you select
with your mouse, keyboard, or a text entry.  

When you start the program-by choosing Start | Programs | Accessories |
Accessibility | Microsoft Magnifier-Windows claims part of the screen for the
Magnifier window. Another window appears that lets you set options such as
the magnification level (at up to nine times) and whether to follow the mouse
cursor, keyboard focus, or text editing. The Magnifier doesn't always follow
the keyboard focus if you use the arrow keys to move through a menu, but
otherwise, it does a good job of keeping up with keyboard and mouse input.  

You can adjust the Magnifier window's size by clicking the edge and dragging
it. To alter its position, move the mouse over the Magnifier area. When the
pointer changes to a hand, click the left mouse button and drag.  

The Magnifier as a zoom feature

The Magnifier is most useful for reading small text on screen, but it can be
valuable even if you have terrific eyesight. If you've ever tried to analyze
results in a complex line graph, especially areas in which the lines are
close, you'll appreciate the Magnifier. Without it, you'd have to keep
changing the zoom level to switch between a small area and the entire graph.  

Setting up the Magnifier in one part of the screen lets you easily magnify
the segment in which you're interested: Simply point to it with the mouse. 
Even better, you'll still see the entire graph onscreen. The same technique
works well in graphics and desktop publishing apps.  


This review was submitted by Linda Petty.

