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WYNN Scan and Read Literacy Software
 

Data Sheet
 

FAQs
 

Features & Benefits
 

New Features
 

Updater
 

User Interface
 

WYNN Tip Sheets
 

TestTalker Scan and Read Test Taking Software
 

Data Sheet
 

FAQs
 

System Requirements
 

TestTalker Tip Sheets
 

Special Projects, Partnerships, Research
 

Product Demos
 

Pricing
 

     

Co-op
 

 

Professional Development Program
 

 

WYNN™ Frequently Asked Questions

We have developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions about WYNN for our customers. For more specific questions, please e-mail us: WYNN at freedomscientific.com.

Click on a question to go to the complete text:

What's New in WYNN 5.1

New Features in WYNN 5.0

WYNN Overview

Educational and Productivity Features

Document and File Support

Scanners and Speech Engine Questions

  • What are the enhancements to WYNN's Web-browsing feature?
    There are several new features in WYNN's Web module. Users can now read hyperlinks without activating them, by hovering over a hyperlink on a Web site. WYNN will read the link after a short pause. The new auto-complete feature means WYNN keeps track of which Web sites you visit, and automatically completes those addresses when you begin typing in the Web Address Bar. WYNN’s patented WebMasking feature is now configurable to mask by line, sentence, or paragraph. And the Find feature on Web pages now uses WYNN's customized Find functionality, which gives users more control over how to treat the text they are looking for.

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  • What speech engines are included with WYNN 5.1?
    Nuance's RealSpeak™ Solo and ETI-Eloquence speech synthesizers are included with WYNN 5.1. RealSpeak Solo provides more human-sounding voices. ETI-Eloquence provides synthesized speech that is crisp, clear, and consistent. Users may switch between the synthesizers while in WYNN, in order to choose the synthesizer that best meets their preferences.

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  • How does WYNN support DAISY and NIMAS files?
    Using WYNN 5.1, students can read DAISY and NIMAS formatted books. Textbooks can be spoken aloud, and can be visually customized for each student's needs. The files appear in Text View, where you can then use all of WYNN's visual tailoring and study features, such as highlighting, bookmarks, and dictionaries. WYNN integrates all these tools into one unique solution. NIMAS is a national standard for the format of electronic textbooks for use in K-12 schools. This standard is based on the DAISY format, an internationally accepted e-book format that has been in use since 1999. Publishers are increasingly being asked to provide their materials in this format for use by qualified students. With WYNN, this format is even more valuable to students.

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  • What enhancements are available for the homophones feature?
    WYNN's homophones feature has been expanded in response to customer requests. Homophones are words that sound the same, but have different spellings and meanings, for example, flower and flour. WYNN's homophones solution now includes a new Read Sentence button to hear the flagged homophone within the context of the sentence it appears in. We have also added the ability to skip all instances of a given homophone in a document.

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    New Features in WYNN 5.0

  • What features are in WYNN 5.0's redesigned Web module?
    WYNN 5.0 introduced a completely redesigned Web-browsing module to support the latest innovations in Web pages. The new features are detailed below. They include the ability to highlight directly on a live Web page, the ability to extract the highlighted text into a WYNN document, a new left sidebar for Favorites and History, easy, one-click PDF reading, a built-in pop-up blocker, WebCT compatibility, and much more.

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  • How do I extract highlighted material from a Web page?
    Students can use WYNN's several highlight colors to color-code important information on a Web page. They can then extract the highlighted text and transfer it to a separate WYNN document, with one click of the mouse. The information is then in one easy-to-access document. In addition to extracting highlighted text, users can extract any text selected with the mouse, or can select all text on a Web page. WYNN grabs all the text the user has selected on an Internet page, opens a WYNN document, and pastes the text into the WYNN document. The highlighter pens and extraction button are all on WYNN's newly-redesigned Web toolbar, so they are always readily available.

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  • How does WYNN's new NavBar work for document navigation?
    WYNN 5 uses an innovative left side navigation bar for navigating among open files. This “NavBar” makes switching from one document to another exceptionally easy. The NavBar shows all open documents, and users can simply click on a document to switch to it. No menus are needed. Document types are grouped together for easier reference. Users can also right-click to have WYNN speak the document name aloud, or to close the document.

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  • Does WYNN 5 work with WebCT and other educational courseware systems and portals?
    Yes! WYNN is compatible with WebCT and other courseware systems. The ability to integrate with WebCT-enabled school sites allows students and teachers to utilize WYNN's many features with their Web site courses. What a benefit – better teaching, better learning.

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  • Can I fill in forms using WYNN 5?
    There are two parts to filling in forms: reading and writing. You can read the contents of online forms the same way you read the contents of e-mail messages. You will probably need to use the right-click “Speak Field” function to read the contents of the field. You should be able to type in online forms without special commands. If the form doesn’t allow you to enter certain keystrokes, such as SPACEBAR or BACKSPACE, you can use WYNN’s new Form-filling Mode. This passes all keystrokes directly to the Web page, and not to WYNN. Right-click to enter Form-filling mode. When you are done typing in the form, right-click again and uncheck Form-filling Mode. This will return you to normal Web-reading behavior with WYNN.

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  • Can I read my e-mail with WYNN?
    WYNN 5 reads the contents of most Internet e-mail messages. Some e-mail messages will read automatically by pressing the Read button. If this doesn’t work, try right-clicking and choose “Speak Field.” You can use the Speak Field command for any text in an editable field. Note that this command does not work with drop-down menus.

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  • How does WYNN's Web browser handle pop-ups?
    WYNN will block annoying pop-up advertisements while the user is viewing Web pages. This allows an individual to focus on the information they want to read without distractions.

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  • Can WYNN read PDF files from the Web?
    Yes! There are two ways to handle PDF forms on the Web. You can right-click on any link to a PDF form, and choose “Send Link Document to WYNN.” This will send the PDF (or other type of) document directly through WYNN’s Freedom Import Printer and create a WYNN document with it. If you are already on a PDF file, you can right-click and choose “Send Page to WYNN.”

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  • Can I convert documents in WYNN to WAV or MP3 files, to use with my Apple iPod™?
    Yes, it is possible for WYNN users to save and convert any document into an MP3 or WAV file. This allows users to listen to a file later at their convenience using any MP3 compatible device, including portable devices like iPods™.
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    WYNN Overview

  • How will WYNN help me (or my student, my child)?
    WYNN helps people who have trouble reading or writing due to dyslexia, ADD, or other conditions that affect visual or auditory processing. WYNN provides bi-modal access (highlighting text while it is spoken) to print, electronic, and Internet documents; the ability to customize text for easier reading; study tools to aid with comprehension and retention of the reading material; and tools to help with writing.
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  • What age is WYNN designed for?
    WYNN is a "reading accommodation" that is highly customizable and not curriculum specific, therefore it is adaptable to the needs of the user, regardless of their age. This may include students as young as third grade and adults using WYNN as a work productivity tool.
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  • How do adults use WYNN?
    Adults use WYNN in their daily activities of writing and reading, as well as searching the Internet. WYNN is also used in the workplace. College students use WYNN for studying, reading and completing assignments.
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  • What is the difference between WYNN Wizard and WYNN Reader?
    WYNN Wizard provides optical character recognition (OCR), the ability to scan printed pages and convert them into electronic text, plus the ability to read electronic files and the Internet. WYNN Reader includes all the features available in WYNN Wizard with the exception of OCR (or scanning) capability.
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  • What is the difference between Exact View and Text View?
    Exact View mode displays a document in its original form, which can be a scanned image, Microsoft Word document, PDF, or any other supported file format. In this mode, you can highlight text, and add voice and text notes; however, you cannot cut, copy, and paste text or images in Exact View mode. Text View mode displays just the text of the document without formatting or graphics. This mode allows for complete editing of the document.

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  • Does WYNN work on a network?
    Yes. The network version of WYNN works just like the regular version but it is connected via a LAN or WAN. There is no limitation to how many computers it can be installed on, but there is a limitation to how many simultaneous users can be logged in.
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  • How does WYNN compare with Product X, Y, or Z?
    Educators and users tell us that our easy-to-use, color-coded, point-and-click interface, and our approach to addressing visual processing difficulties and study strategies, are unsurpassed. We recommend that you see for yourself. You can download a 30 day or 30 hour trial version (your choice at installation) or request a demo CD by e-mail.
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  • Do you have any information on scanning copyright laws for use with students?
    Information concerning copyright law can be found at the following web sites:
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  • I'm doing training on assistive technology for people with reading difficulties. Can I receive materials on WYNN to include in my training?
    Yes. We'd be happy to provide timed evaluation CDs, educational benefits packages, and other support materials, including Microsoft PowerPoint slides tailored to your needs. Contact us for more information.
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    Educational and Productivity Features

  • How does WYNN address visual processing difficulties? What about scotopic sensitivity?
    WYNN provides bi-modal feedback for scanned print, electronic, or Internet text, using synthesized speech while highlighting the spoken text in a contrasting color. Additionally, WYNN offers a variety of tools on the green toolbar for easy modification of text with adjustable size, line and word spacing, and masking to focus attention on the text being read. A color button provides foreground and background color options proven to assist people with scotopic sensitivity.
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  • How does WYNN address auditory processing difficulties?
    Seeing the text while listening to it being spoken permits the reader to use his/her strengths to compensate for areas of weakness. The rate of speech can be modified, and pauses between sentences can be lengthened. The reader can specify text to be read by three words, line, sentence, or paragraph.
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  • How can I customize WYNN for an individual's reading needs?
    The speech and visual settings can be modified to address visual or auditory processing difficulties. The settings can then be saved as the default for each individual user so that each time they log in their preferred settings will automatically be loaded. Please see our WYNN Tip Sheet on Saving Settings.
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  • How can WYNN help with studying?

    WYNN provides a variety of tools on pink toolbar that aid studying. These include a talking dictionary and thesaurus, highlighting, bookmarks, text notes, and voice notes. The Lists button provides an easy way to create separate documents from highlighted or bookmarked text. These tools can be used to create vocabulary lists, create study guides, summarize key points, respond orally to questions, and more. By using these tools while reading and studying, WYNN provides an active reading environment, making the information easier to comprehend and retain. Now in WYNN, you can use some of WYNN’s most valuable study tools, Highlighting, Text Notes, and Voice Notes, in Exact View as well as in Text View.
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  • What tools are available in WYNN to help with writing?
    WYNN provides a variety of tools on the yellow toolbar that aid with editing documents or creating new documents. These include auditory feedback while writing or editing, outlines, and word prediction. Outlines are used to help students visually organize ideas, concepts, and topics. Using the Outline feature in WYNN can be particularly beneficial as students work on the early stages of the composing process. Microsoft Word prediction predicts the word you are typing and the next word, based on word frequency and context. Microsoft Word prediction may be helpful to people who have trouble writing due to difficulties with spelling, or when their ability to generate text cannot keep pace with the flow of their ideas. The Yellow Toolbar provides Homophone support to help users verify the correct word usage in documents. Additionally, the new “Spell Check As I Type” feature alerts the user to misspelled words by displaying them in blue. A right-click shows options for replacement words.
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  • Can I customize WYNN’s toolbars?
    Yes, WYNN provides the ability to create a Custom toolbar with just the buttons needed for a specific student or task. Additionally, we have included some ready-made Custom toolbars that can be retrieved as needed. These include toolbars to facilitate Studying, Spelling, Reading for Fluency, and Public Access.
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  • What tools are available to support clean-up of scanned documents?
    At times it is necessary to correct errors in recognition or formatting that may occur during the scanning process. WYNN includes Dynamic Zoning to define the reading order of text on a page. WYNN's new Dynamic Zoning toolbar guides you through this process. Additionally, WYNN includes a Document clean-up function that shows the original document and the scanned text in a split screen mode. WYNN's new clean-up button on the blue toolbar makes it even easier to access this powerful feature.
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  • How does WYNN help with reading the Internet?
    The Internet can be launched directly from within WYNN. WYNN's Read button reads Web pages just as it does other documents, with simultaneous speech and highlighted text. WYNN’s exclusive WebMasking™ feature masks distracting visual clutter and helps the reader focus on important information.
     
    Web pages can be spoken and read in their original format. WYNN's dictionary and other study features are also available live on the Web. When using WYNN’s web access, a Custom Web toolbar automatically replaces WYNN’s four, color-coded toolbars. The Custom Web toolbar provides all the functions on a single toolbar that are needed while accessing the web. This toolbar streamlines the process of browsing the web, copying selected text, and pasting it onto a WYNN document.
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    Document and File Support

  • Can I have more than one document open at the same time in WYNN?
    WYNN allows two documents to be open at the same time by default. You can choose to change the limit to allow anywhere from 1 to 7 documents to be open simultaneously, or you can set no limit on the number of documents that can be open.
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  • What file format does WYNN support? Does WYNN support PDF files?
    WYNN Wizard and WYNN Reader can open: .DOC, .TXT, .RTF, and HTML files. WYNN Wizard can also convert PDF (Adobe® Portable Document Format) files and other file formats to WYNN documents. The color of the original files is maintained when you import them into WYNN Wizard.
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  • Can I transfer WYNN files to another application (like Microsoft Word)?
    Yes. When WYNN is installed, it automatically looks for word processing applications that are on the computer and sets those up as "launchables" in WYNN. They can be found on WYNN's Advanced menu. Simply select the application you want from the Advanced menu and the WYNN document will automatically be converted to that application's format, the application will run, and the document will appear on the screen. Please see our WYNN Tip Sheet on WYNN To Microsoft Word.
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  • What is the Freedom Import Printer?
    The Freedom Import Printer is a printer driver that is installed when you install WYNN Wizard. You can open a document in any application and choose to "print" it using the Freedom Import Printer as your "printer." The document will be converted to a WYNN document and sent to WYNN Wizard as if you had scanned it in, providing both an exact image of the original document (Exact View) and a text-only view of the document (Text View.)

    Note: The Freedom Import Printer is only included with WYNN Wizard. It is not available in WYNN Reader
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  • If I open a PDF file in WYNN Wizard, can it be opened and used with WYNN Reader?
    Yes. You simply open the PDF file using WYNN Wizard and save it as a WYNN (*.wyn) file. Once you have saved the file in the WYNN format, it can be opened in WYNN Reader.
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  • Can I take WYNN Wizard files and read them using WYNN Reader?
    Yes. WYNN Reader is able to access the Exact View and Text View of any file that was created in WYNN Wizard.
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    Scanners and Speech Engine Questions

  • What speech engines are included with WYNN?
    Nuance's RealSpeak Solo and ETI-Eloquence™ speech synthesizers are included with WYNN 5.1. RealSpeak Solo provides more human-sounding voices. ETI-Eloquence provides synthesized speech that is crisp, clear, and consistent. Users may switch between the synthesizers while in WYNN, in order to choose the synthesizer that best meets their preferences.
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  • What scanning engine does WYNN use?
    WYNN Wizard uses the 7.0 version of FineReader OCR Engine (provided by ABBYY Software). This provides the ability to scan a printed page and convert it into electronic text.
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  • What scanners work with WYNN? Does WYNN work with high-speed scanners?
    Please see our link to scanners on the Support page to learn which scanners we know will work, as well as those we do not recommend. If you currently own a scanner, we suggest you test it with a demo version of WYNN. You can download the demo or e-mail us and we'll be happy to send you a demo CD. WYNN now has high-speed scanner support, such as Canon DR-5020 and DR- 5080. This enables WYNN to take advantage of these scanners’ speed.
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  • I already have a scanner and the OCR software that came with it. Can I just use that with WYNN Reader?
    You can not scan directly into WYNN Reader. If you are using a scanner and an off-the-shelf OCR software, you can save the file in a “text file format” and open the document in WYNN Reader. Please note that a text file does not retain any pictures, graphic images or page layout from the original document.
     
    If you are using a computer that has a scanner, we recommend that you use WYNN Wizard. With a single click, documents are scanner directly into WYNN Wizard. More importantly, through the specialized WYNN Wizard OCR technology, you retain both the “exact image” of the print page (which may include charts, graphs and pictures), and a “text view.” A click of a button switches between the views for easy access to visually modified print or the original print page. Note that WYNN Reader can be used to work with files that were scanned with WYNN Wizard, thereby gaining access to the “Exact View” as well as the “Text View” feature.
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  • Can WYNN scan color documents?
    Yes. WYNN scans color or black and white documents with ease. When scanning in color, all graphic images and text show up in the color of the original document.
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  • How does WYNN handle graphic images?
    WYNN allows you to see the graphic images from a WYNN Wizard scanned page using the "Exact View" feature. WYNN Reader must be using a file that was scanned using WYNN Wizard in order to access Exact View.
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  • Can I change the reading order in a document after I’ve scanned it?
    Yes, you can change the reading order on any WYNN file using our new Dynamic Zoning feature. This allows you to define your own zones (reading areas) on the page, in the unusual case where WYNN doesn’t recognize the reading order correctly the first time. Using Dynamic Zoning, you can define any area you want WYNN to read, in the order you want it spoken. WYNN can ignore text you don’t want spoken, and graphics that you don’t want recognized, for example, the page numbers at the bottom of each page.
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  • Can I scan and read in languages other than English?
    Yes, you can. There are two parts to this, since scanning and reading aloud are two separate processes. The scanning, available through the Scanning Settings, enables WYNN to recognize written characters in other languages, such as the ñ in Spanish or the è in French. The speech languages, available from the Speech Settings, enable WYNN to speak words using the proper pronunciation for each language.

    The installation program automatically installs a number of scanning (OCR) languages. For speech languages, it installs RealSpeak Solo in American and British English, Canadian French, and Spanish, and ETI-Eloquence in 8 Western European languages. The included RealSpeak Solo Additional Voices CD includes more British English, Canadian French, and Spanish voices, plus Australian English, German, and Italian. This will allow users to read and study in the language of their choice. The voice speed can also be adjusted to accommodate an individual’s preference. You can install additional scanning languages by choosing “Custom install” during the WYNN installation, or by re-running the installation program later and selecting “Modify” in the Maintenance install.

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1-800-444-4443 or e-mail wynn at freedomscientific.com.

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