Using Gmag

Gmag is a screen magnification program for the Linux and Unix operating systems, and is used primarily by individuals with visual impairments. There are two versions of gmag, 'gmag' is the basic version and 'gmag-gnome' is the more robust version. Gmag-gnome allows the user to save his or her configuration. It is recommended that you use gmag-gnome when possible. Gmag works for Solaris / Unix, as well as Linux, so you can use it for magnification on either platform. Gmag is installed in an AFS locker and is therefore available from any NCSU Linux Realmkit (this includes all Linux machines installed in labs) and any NCSU Unix machine.

Gmag-gnome only runs on Linux and Solaris 8. However, typing 'gmag-gnome' on Solaris 7 or Solaris 2.6 will run the standard gmag application, so the commands discussed in the Starting gmag section below will work on any NCSU realm box.

Eos/Unity known issues
Gmag-gnome functions (eg, save configuration) are only currently supported on Redhat Linux and Solaris 8 realm systems. Typing gmag-gnome executes the reduced version, gmag, for Solaris 7 or Solaris 2.6 realm systems through this AFS locker. Request an upgrade to Solaris 8 from your department's system administrator when possible.

Gmag is only provided as an interim solution for screen magnification on Linux / Solaris systems. Color rendering in the "gmag-display" magnification window may not be optimal on Solaris realm workstations. At some point in the future, the Gnopernicus project will be available to improve access to Linux / Solaris systems.

Starting gmag
Gmag can be started from the terminal command prompt with the following two commands:

add gmag
gmag-gnome &

Alternatively, gmag can be launched automatically each time a particular user logs in. To set up automatic launch, the user must insert the following line into his/her .Xstartup file:

/afs/eos.ncsu.edu/contrib/gmag/bin/gmag-gnome &

The Assistive Technology staff are available to help customize your .Xstartup file or to help configure gmag for your use. Email disability@ncsu.edu for more information or for help.

Operating gmag
Gmag displays all magnification in a window. It magnifies based on the position of the mouse cursor (does not follow the keyboard pointer). It remembers your settings from session to session.

The gmag customization dialog includes the following options:

Magnification (1 through 10)
Update timeout (ms)
Contrast (256 - 512) - Higher is more contrast
Window width (% of screen)
Window height (% of screen)

Don't be tempted to set width and height to 100% of screen. You won't get anything resembling ZoomText's full screen scrollable zoom. Instead, you'll just have a mess. Also, if you change either the width or height, you can not change it back during the same session. If you do so, the display will not render properly. If this happens, you'll need to exit and restart gmag.