	March, 2000

A Conversation with Michael Brewer-Software Engineer

By Gregg J. Donaldson

Henter Joyce, Inc.-Developer of JAWS Screen Reader Software/MAGic 6.1 Screen Magnification Software for Microsoft Windows(R) for blind/low-vision people.

MAGic (Magnification in Color) is screen magnification software that enlarges a PC, laptop, or notebook screen from 2 to 20X. It is for low-vision computer users or anyone who spends long periods of time in front of a computer screen. MAGic maintains type through access in both text and graphics mode and allows the user to set preferences for all magnification attributes.

Tapping Technology recently spoke with Mr. Michael Brewer, a software engineer for Henter-Joyce, Inc., and currently working on the MAGic products. He describes his job this way, "I assist in the development of the dialogs, menus, and other graphical user interface features that one may use to access MAGic functionality."

D.

Brewer who moved to Florida six months ago, originally hails from the Washington D.C./Maryland area, graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. He then worked as a Programmer/Analyst with Computer Sciences Corporation, working with NASA satellites at Goddard Space Center. He then got his Masters in Computer Science in 1996 from John Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland. Michael then worked as an Applications Developer for ICARUS Corporation, in Rockville, Maryland and developed CAD interfaces to be used as front-ends to assorted chemical plant design and cost modeling packages.

Tapping Technology asked Brewer, "What was the most challenging aspect of his job now with Henter-Joyce?"

He answered without hesitation, "As a software designer, going into uncharted territory and designing features that no else has thought of yet. Working with visually impaired colleagues at my job has made me much more aware of the accessibility issues that they have to deal with in their daily lives," Brewer added.

MAGic 6.1 features:

Comprehensive compatibility with JAWS(R) for Windows NT(R), 98/95(R)
New, redesigned graphic interface for low-vision users.
Pop-up help for all active items on the user interface.
Improved video card compatibility in Windows 98/95(R).
Seven different magnification modes, including horizontal and vertical split-screens, a lens that tracks the mouse pointer, a lens that tracks the focused item, a magnification overlay, full screen magnification, and no magnification.
User-customized smoothing of on-screen items including fonts and graphics.
Choice of cursor colors and shapes.
Independent mouse magnification settings.
User-customized screen color settings to screen out unwanted colors.
Custom border width and color settings.
Choice of screen locators to show relation of magnification to full screen.
Automatic tracking and stop/start controls.

For more information or to download a free demo, go to www.hj.com:

Call or write to:

Henter-Joyce, Inc.
11800 31st Court North
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1805
Telephone: 1-800-336-5658 or 727-803-8000
Fax: 727-803-8001
E-mail: info@hj.com

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