[NFB-Braille-Discussion] Announcing BrailleBlaster 3.0.0

[David Andrews]

>
>From: 
>aphbrailleblaster-announce-bounce at freelists.org 
><aphbrailleblaster-announce-bounce at freelists.org> On Behalf Of Michael Whapples
>
>
>
>I am pleased to announce the release of 
>BrailleBlaster 3.0.0. This major version bump is 
>to indicate BrailleBlaster reaching a new 
>milestone in its life as it becomes open-source 
>under the GNU Public License. With new packaging 
>bringing automatic updates and Linux AARCH64 
>support, as well as many improvements and bug 
>fixes we recommend all users to upgrade. As 
>usual you can get BrailleBlaster from the 
><https://www.brailleblaster.org/download.php>BrailleBlaster 
>website. For full details of what has changed 
>please see the below release notes.
>
>
>
>Unfortunately for Mac users, we do not currently 
>have a release for you, this will be coming soon.
>
>
>
>
>BrailleBlaster 3.0.0, March 26, 2025
>
>
>
>Welcome to BrailleBlaster 3.0.0. With this 
>release BrailleBlaster is open-source and is now 
>released under the GNU Public License (GPL). 
>This license change now means that users will 
>have the freedom to make modifications to the 
>software and they can contribute back to the 
>project to improve things for the whole 
>BrailleBlaster community. Whilst making the 
>license change, we also took the opportunity to 
>redo our build and packaging process. This 
>should make it easier for us to produce new 
>releases, will offer better user experience and 
>automatic updates as well as better 
>compatibility with some security software. 
>Unfortunately it does mean, if you have 
>BrailleBlaster.2.1 installed you should 
>uninstall that before installing BrailleBlaster 
>3.0.0. As usual there have been a number of 
>other improvements and bug fixes as well, so 
>review the below release notes for full details.
>
>
>License and packaging
>
>
>
>• BrailleBlaster now under the GNU Public License V3 (GPL3).
>• Users who use the installer options will now 
>get automatic updates happening in the background.
>• Fixed some issues when using BrailleBlaster 
>with some security software, such as quicker 
>start up when using certain VPN tools.
>• Packages available for Linux AARCH64 systems 
>such as the BTSpeak and RaspberryPi.
>
>
>Math enhancements
>
>
>
>• Now able to paste math equations from other 
>websites and sources. Do not have to highlight 
>the equation and click on Math Translation 
>Toggle. Now use Ctrl+Shift+M to paste Math from
>another source.
>• Nemeth Code Change Indicators are working when 
>the translation settings are set accordingly and 
>when Math translation toggle is used.
>• Fixed issue when typing a line of text on 
>first line of document then entering on a second 
>line using the ASCII Math Hub, the first line of 
>text stays on first line and second line is
>the inserted ASCII math.
>• Following UEB Guidelines for Technical 
>Materials The blank line is working in the 
>Spatial Math Editor for UEB Matrices.
>
>
>UI enhancements
>
>
>
>• Issue with Braille Preview not working when 
>using some .xml files has been fixed.
>• A Disable Status Bar Item is available in the Settings Menu tab.
>• Status bar cell information indicates which 
>view the cursor is in whether it is in the Print view (Text) or Braille View.
>• The ability to add Unicode Braille is now an 
>option. When you highlight the braille in the 
>braille view and right click, there is an option to Copy in Unicode.
>• Selecting all or Ctrl+A will highlight text in 
>the text fields now in both the Ascii Math Hub and Correct Translation dialogs.
>
>
>Translation enhancements
>
>
>
>• EBAE Profile has been added to the Translation settings profiles.
>• Uncontracted change translation is correct. No 
>grade 1 indicators when the translation is 
>changed to uncontracted. Single letter 
>contractions changing to whole uncontracted words do not
>show a grade 1 indicator.
>• The Contraction Relaxer in Tools has been added.
>
>
>Other improvements and bug fixes
>
>
>
>• When attempting to emboss a brf which does not 
>fit on the paper, an alert window appears that 
>is titled "Document larger than embosser paper." 
>The window either allows the user to
>continue with the process or to stop to avoid 
>any embossing issues or problems.
>• Nimas files opens without the presence of the Default style at the top
>• The backspace key causing an error when you 
>press on it and erase text or when you press on 
>it when Braillblaster is first loaded is functioning normally.
>• Other various bug fixes and performance improvements.