Please note: Some links will open a new window.
skip navigation | home | downloads | about | help | contact HiSoftware
www.nysforum.org www.hisoftware.com The NYS Forum Validation Tool Header Logo

Desktop Validation Tool Frequently Asked Questions

General:

Q: What does the product do?
A: AccRepair checks web pages to make sure they are accessible. It bases its checking on several different standards. Many checkpoints are programmatic, but some are visual checkpoints. AccRepair creates comprehensive HTML reports providing pass/fail information pertaining to each compliance checkpoint.

Q: What is the purpose of the Recorder database and when should it be used?
A: The accessibility recorder database is the database that collects information about Web files and Web elements during the verification process. You can export the contents to the history database so that you can track the phases of your accessibility efforts. Reports can be published utilizing the data collected in the database and you can also purge the recorder database to remove existing testing data from the database.

Q: What is the purpose of the History database and when should it be used?
A: You can export the contents of the recorder database to the history database. The history database contains the information you have exported to it and is designed to track the progress of your accessibility efforts, to allow you to generate reports for specific points in time and to manage your accessibility project more effectively. When working in Project Off mode, exporting to history exports the general recorder database. When working in project view, the export feature exports the recorder database for that specific project.

Q: Does AccRepair allow for team collaboration?
A: Teams can collaborate by setting their recorder settings and repair settings to share databases on a network.

Q: Do I have to know HTML programming to use the product?
A: Extensive HTML knowledge is not required to use the software. There are detailed help documents that will cover the subject matter related to accessibility testing. Online resources are also included to provide additional information.

Q: After completing the installation, my system settings are set to provide tests specific to NYS Standards. Do I have the ability to conduct testing specific to Section 508 and W3C Priorities? If so, how?
A:Yes, The initial installation will set the default settings to be the NYS specific standards. In order to test for section 508 and W3C Priorities, the user will create a new project, which will allow for customization of the report settings as well as other project specific settings.

To create a new project

  1. From the File menu, select Project, and then select New.
  2. Type a name for the project and then select the project type.
  3. Click Save to continue. Or click Cancel to exit the screen without saving the project.
  4. Select the settings for the project.
  5. Click Save to save and close the project settings. Or click Cancel to close the new project without saving the project settings.

Reporting:

Q: Which reporting mode do I choose?
A: AccRepair provides you with the ability to select from 508, W3C Priority 1 , 2 and 3 compliance as well as NYS MTS reporting. After successfully following the instruction document that steps you through the process of adding the NYS MTS report to the tool, this report will become the default. In order to perform testing with 508 or W3C guidelines it will require the creation of a project which will allow for the ability to set the report settings specific to that project. (this will not change your default settings).

Q: When I run a report are the reports saved and if so where?
A: Yes, reports are automatically saved in HTML format by default. They are saved in the following location: C:\Program Files\HISC\AccVerify Pro\AccReports.

Q: How do I prevent a report from being over-written when testing the same content?
A: When running verification on the same content, it is recommended that you use the Verify All as Report Group functionality. The Report Group allows you to generate the verification reports for the list of selected files in a folder other than the default. This allows for individual reports to be saved from different verification runs separated for later review. To select the Report Group Functionality, from the Verify menu and select Verify All as Report Groups.

Q: Is there a setting to allow the report to ONLY contain failures?
A: Yes, this can be selected under the global settings or on a per project basis. From the Report Settings menu, select Report Detail. Under the Tab “Report Detail”, select the Show only checkpoints that have a failure or warning result. Selecting this option is highly recommended when performing testing utilizing the NYS MTS report, as it will eliminate all NV results from appearing on the NYS MTS report results.

Testing:

Q: What is the advantage of using a project?
A: Using a project allows the user to break web sites, or parts of a web site into a project, each with its own settings. AccRepair is limited to testing 1,000 pages per verification. There is no limit to the number of projects that can be created. The 1,000 page limit is applicable on a per project basis. Regardless of the size of your site, you may find it helpful to create individual projects based upon the individual areas of your site. For example www.yoururl.com/admin, www.yoururl.com/contactus, etc…

Q: Under the Tools menu of AccRepair there is a Hi-Caption menu option, should I use this instead of downloading Hi-Caption provided under additional Download Additional Testing Solutions found on the http://nysf.hisoftware.com/downloads section?
A: The Hi-Caption menu option within AccRepair is provided as a shortcut to the product. You will need to install Hi-Caption as specified in the installation documentation. Then once you have the product installed you can quickly access it through the Tools menu of AccRepair.

Repair:

Q: Can the product repair errors in my page?
A: Yes, AccRepair can repair errors in files stored locally, on a mapped network drive, or via a FTP server. The AccRepair wizard, Table Repair Wizard and Form Repair Wizard can be utilized to repair files when programmatic repair is applicable.

Q: Why can't I repair the actual files on the web server?
A: Web servers do not permit this type of interaction as they are designed to deliver pages in a read-only mode. Additionally, the page being viewed may be composed of several pages or may only exist in theory in a database.

Q: Does the product provide the ability to view and edit the source?
A: Yes, the ability to view and edit source is located in the view/edit file section of the software. This feature is only available when working with files that are stored locally. When working with local files, this area of the software is provided to allow users to make a quick examination of the source. Error message details are provided at the bottom of this screen and allow users to jump to the line in the source containing the issue. Also, a “tip” button is provided that will give users tips on how to correct errors that were identified. The source can be edited and saved, when the save file is selected the file is saved back to the local file path designated by the file view at the bottom of the view edit screen. The view/edit file functionality is not intended replace your primary source editor.

Q: How can the product help me locate and repair data tables?
A: The table verification settings allow the user to configure rules to allow the software to determine the difference between a layout table and a data table. By using rules in this feature, the product can programmatically determine which tables are used for layout and which are used for data. The Verify Data Table Site Quality report will list the location of all of the data tables on your site. The Table Repair wizard can then be utilized to repair the data table located on the page.

Q: Can the product assist with the repairing of online forms?
A: Yes, the Form Repair Utility can be used when working with files stored locally or on a mapped network drive. When a form exists on the file that you are working with you can access the Form Repair Utility in the Tools menu. This is an interactive wizard based interface that will guide users through the process of ensuring online forms are meet accessibility guidelines.

Q: Can this software assist with conducting usability testing in addition to accessibility testing?
A: Yes, an additional stand-alone component known as the Usability Visual Test Manager is available to users of AccRepair. The Usability Visual Test Manager will assist users in conducting usability testing when testing online content. The usability guidelines that are utilized by the software can be customized based on the standards and practices being tested.

Q: Can Hi-Caption assist me to achieve compliance with NYS 11.1, 11.2, and11.3?
A: Hi-Caption can assist with achieving compliance with NYS MTS 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3 depending on the type of files that are involved. Hi-Caption will allow users to create a SAMI files for Windows Media Player files, RealText files for Real Networks RealPlayer files, and also provide captioning for Flash content (Flash MX 2004 and Flash 8).