Getting Started on the Internet (OLD VERSION)

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Chapter 2: Virtual Focus Mode

An application's focus, such as a flashing beam cursor in an edit area, a highlight in a menu or a dotted box in a dialog box, are all intelligently and automatically tracked by Dolphin's software. This is referred to as tracking the live focus.

On the other hand, virtual focus mode lets you navigate windows or parts of the screen where an application's focus cannot go. This is a special sort of focus created and controlled by the screen reader, so does not really exist as far as an application is concerned. This is why it is referred to as virtual!

The most practical example in using virtual focus mode is in the navigating and reviewing of HTML content. Such windows don't contain a cursor meaning it isn't possible to simply move line by line through the information displayed. At least not in live mode! But, using virtual focus mode it is possible to move through the page logically and at your leisure. Just like in a word processor. You can read each line, use your screen reader's speak keys and, going further, you can jump through to various objects and even perform searches. Virtual focus mode is powerful and without doubt the best way to navigate web pages.

The term automatic or auto virtual focus simply means that the virtual focus will be switched on automatically when the keyboard focus moves to certain parts of your application. For instance, when the HTML window holds the focus you will be in auto virtual focus mode and able to navigate through this window. If the focus is in the address bar or menus you will be automatically returned to live mode.

This tutorial will lead you through some practical exercises in using this mode but, in reality, only offers a flavour of what can be accomplished in this very powerful state. Therefore, we would recommend, on completing this tutorial, returning to the Dolphin's support documentation to look again at the section devoted to the virtual focus.

But, here is a reminder of some hot keys that help you get around in virtual focus mode:

Virtual Focus Hot Keys

Action	Key Press
Toggle Auto VF Mode	Left Control + 4
Left a character	Cursor Left
Right a character	Cursor Right
Left a word	Left Control + Cursor Left
Right a word	Left Control + Cursor Right
Previous line	Cursor Up
Next line	Cursor Down
Start of line	Home
End of line	End
Skip back	Left Control + Cursor Up
Skip ahead	Left Control + Cursor Down
Go to top of page	Left Control + Home
Go to end of page	Left Control + End
Next object (e.g. link)	Tab
Previous object (e.g. link)	Left Shift + Tab
Previous heading	Dolphin Key + Insert
Next heading	Dolphin Key + Del
Previous table	Dolphin Key + Home
Next table (e.g.: link)	Dolphin Key + End

By default the Dolphin Key is the Caps Lock key. However, this can be re-assigned to a number of alternative keys through the "Hot Key" dialog box reached through the "Configuration" menu.

As the table above shows, many of the hot keys used in virtual focus mode to navigate are the same keys that are used when navigating in live mode. This helps to bring about a seamless transition from one mode to another.

And, to help follow visually the position of the virtual focus it is possible to control how the virtual focus is highlighted. This is set in the "Virtual Focus" property sheet of the "Focus Highlighting" dialog box.

In this property sheet, reached through the "Visual" menu in the control panel, you can set how the character is highlighted and how the line is highlighted as you navigate in virtual focus mode. The character highlighting relates to the position of the virtual focus as you navigate across a line while, the line highlighting corresponds to the position as you navigate line by line. Highlighting options include a variety of colours in a variety of shades and in a number of alternate shapes, for example, underline, box and box with cross. Have a play as we are sure you will find these settings a great help!

Now, with an understanding of virtual focus mode, the next step is to learn more about web page content. Select the Next Page button to learn all about text, columns and tables. Otherwise, select a topic from the Chapter List below.

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