formerly

Open Book
Ruby Edition

Software that reads
the printed page to you

		Computers that Talk and Listen

Open Book Features:

General

If you are blind or have low vision, Open Book can help you read books, magazines, memos, bills, and other printed documents. Open Book turns a computer, a sound card, and a scanner into a complete reading machine! Just place your printed text on the scanner. The scanner takes a picture of the page. The Open Book software translates that picture back into words, then reads those words aloud. It's that easy. Want to get fancy? You can edit your documents, using our built-in editor. Want to scan a book while you do something else? You can use one of Open Book's many scanning modes. Don't like the way the voice sounds? Change it. Want to see the text on a monitor in large print? You can customize Open Book's visual settings, designed especially for people with low vision.

What's most important to you in a reading program? Accuracy? Speed? Page layout?

We think all three are equally important. That's why we've developed a new approach to scanning and reading. We've combined the best components in the two leading OCR packages, one for speed and accuracy, the other for page layout analysis. This provides true excellence in scanning and reading.

We've spent the last 10 years building reading systems for people who are blind or have low vision. Open Book: Ruby Edition continues our commitment to enriching people's lives.

• Superior speed and accuracy, plus outstanding page layout analysis, presents documents the way you want them
• Includes both the Classic Open Book menu interface and a standard Windows interface
• New scanning modes, including color, 2-page book mode, and special "Scan for Speed" and "Scan for Accuracy" suites
• Special low-vision settings allow you to customize the screen display
• Includes IBM's ViaVoice Outloud speech software to make your PC speak

• Built-in Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Spell Checker so you can fine-tune your work
• Page insertion, deletion, and replacement (with new scanned page)
• Bookmarks let you specify important places in your text

• Ability to change synthesizers on the fly
• Built-in recognition support for 13 languages
• Buckscan currency recognition program identifies your currency

I've heard about Ruby, Open Book, and Version 4.0. How are they different?

The product name is Open Book: Ruby Edition. The version number is 4.0. Ruby was originally the code name for the project. We decided to include it in the product name to emphasize the fact that this version is a complete rewrite of the underlying code.

Is Open Book: Ruby Edition easy to install?

Yes! Open Book includes a talking installation that guides you through the entire process. Of course, you can always use your screen reader if you prefer.

Does Open Book use a standard Windows interface?

Yes. Open Book: Ruby Edition is a true 32-bit Windows application with typical Windows menus, dialogs, and commands.

I like using the traditional Open Book keys on the numeric keypad. Can I still do this?

Yes. We are continuing to support what we call the "Classic Open Book" menu interface and the numeric keypad functions.

What kind of low-vision features does Open Book have?

Open Book has many features designed specifically for low vision computer users. You can change the font size, the text and background colors, and the cursor color. In addition, you can increase the spacing between letters, words, lines, and sentences. These are only a few of Open Book's low-vision features.

Do I need a special synthesizer to run Open Book?

You can use your synthesizer, but if you don't have one, all you need is a sound card, because Open Book comes with IBM's ViaVoice Outloud software.

• Caere OCR and FineReader decolumnization
• IBM's ViaVoice (TM) Outloud speech software
• Talking installation program
• Media CD-ROM
• Supports SSIL speech synthesizers
• Supports Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 6250, 6200, 6100, 5200, 5100, and 11, 3, 4, and 5 series; and supported TWAIN-compatible scanners, including most Microtek and some Umax
• Built-in Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Spell Checker
• Built-in Buckscan currency identification
• Supports hundreds of input filters, including the latest versions of Word, Word Perfect and Word Pro, as well as HTML documents
• Documentation in print, audio cassette, Braille, and on disk
• Braille Getting Started document
• 30-day money-back guarantee; 1 -year warranty

• Pentium (tm) class or more powerful computer
• Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0
• 32 MB RAM
• 85 MB free hard disk space (100 MB recommended)
• CD-ROM drive
• Sound card or SSIL-supported synthesizer
• Supported HIP or TWAIN-compatible scanner