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Set screen layout mode off by default
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
For an in-depth discussion, see: #11187
Essentially, screen layout can cause important information to be missed by users, the need for an understanding of screen layout is more specialized.
Describe the solution you'd like
Make screen layout off by default in new config.
Describe alternatives you've considered
Additional context
I think this makes sense. However, if we device to do this, we need to consider that the screen layout toggle is not supported in MS Word and Edge Legacy browse mode. Though Edge Legacy is legacy, we somehow will have to rely on UIA for Edge again in case we need to support Edge in WDAG, for example. Would it be possible to implement screen layout off for these situations manually?
@pauliyobo do you work on this issue? I'm new in programming and want to try to solve this issue4a
@erdemyigitoglu @pauliyobo either or both of you can work on this issue.
Sorry for the late response @pauliyobo.
Over the years, I have received reports of confusion in regards to screen layout from numerous newbies to NVDA, particularly those transitioning from other screen readers. I hope this issue is prioritized and this change gets incorporated soon.
I strongly believe that the default should be changed to screen layout off. One reason has already been mentioned by one member, confusion caused to some or perhaps a good many people switching to NVDA from another screen-reader. But there is another important reason. It is empirically more difficult to use web pages if screen layout is being used except in certain specific instances. Internet Forums is one such instance but that hardly represents the vast majority of peoples' use. Seeing two links on a line when moving is empirically not the easiest way to work with web pages in general.
When teaching, it is less confusing to teach when one link is shown per line.
Having this setting on by default may assume two things: First, that it is somehow better for the majority of users and second, that the majority of users know about the setting, what it does, and how to change it. Considering that most users learn in various ways, from others, from lists, from the user manual, and various training materials, it cannot be assumed what they know. It can also not be assumed, as years of being on various e-mail lists attest, that a lot of users spend the kind of time with the user guide or training material to learn about such esoteric but important settings.
There may be an ideological reason that the setting is as it is now. That is the belief that NVDA shouldn't do any more than is necessary in any way to alter anything so the user will have as close to the original experience as possible. First, this is completely contradicted by NVDA including a links list. That introduces a completely artificial interface and diminishes the users interest, in a lot of cases, in learning how to interact with the actual interface. It encourages misuse of the links list, which should not, I emphasize, not, be used on unfamiliar pages.
If something as nonconforming as a links list is available, then why is the screen-layout mode not set to provide the best and least confusing experience for the vast majority of users. Or, if you wish to keep the setting as it is, to be consistent, the links list should be done away with.
Do you still want to disable the default screen layout mode ? I can work on it if you want
Hello! I know this is closed but it will be great thing if this thing gets implemented. cause NVDA is only the screen reader which does not have by default screen layout off. and even for newbie users while navigating on the web listening bunch of links in 1 key stroke feels anoying. hope this will get in to consideration.
