[JAWSLite] Re: aws and Laptops

I do have a bluetooth mouse, which would be easier, but I'd have to turn
it on (or the receiver for the usb wireless mouse you mentioned),
running down some battery to power it, to disable the touchpad that way.

What I did find is that some models of Dell laptops can have the
touchpad disabled with fn+f9, and some with fn+f7, so I'll go try both
of those to see how they work.

Also, for others who asked this before, I found that fn+f8 should cycle
the display through 3 modes, one of them being that the internal display
is turned off (and thus saving the maximum amount of battery power). =
 I
will also try that and see how it works, as I was able to do that kind
of thing with my thinkpad.

For those interested in long battery life for Dell laptops, they do sell
a 9-cell battery, and it does stick out slightly from the rear of the
laptop, it's not noticable to me, and it does give 4 hours or so of
battery operation.  It might give a little more if you're able to
disable the display.  If the fn+f8 does not work, you can always
diminish the brightness with fn+down arrow, which saves power.  Turning
off the built-in radios if you're not using them also extends battery
life, and there's a switch on the front of my inspiron to do that
easily, but there's also a fn key combination to do that (but I'd have
to google for it).

Chip






------------------------------

Chip Orange
Database Administrator
Florida Public Service Commission

Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(850) 413-6314

 (Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service Commission.)
=20

> -----Original Message-----
> From: jawslite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
> [mailto:jawslite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of inthaneelf
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 8:11 PM
> To: jawslite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [JAWSLite] Re: aws and Laptops
>=20
> ah yep, for your use I would see if you can find a micro=20
> wireless mouse with=20
> a dongle styled USB transceiver, it should turn the touchpad off=20
> automatically if the dongle is in it's socket, this way you=20
> can, if needed,=20
> just unplug it and va la, touch pad is ready to go again, smile.
>=20
> take care,
> inthane
> . For Blind Programming assistance, Information, Useful=20
> Programs, and Links=20
> to Jamal Mazrui's Text tutorial packages and Applications,=20
> visit me at:
> http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com
> . to be able to view a simple programming project in several=20
> programming=20
> languages, visit the Fruit basket demo site at:
> http://fruitbasketdemo.alacorncomputer.com
>=20
> ----- Original Message -----=20
> From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <jawslite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 6:57 AM
> Subject: [JAWSLite] Re: aws and Laptops
>=20
>=20
> > True; I knew about that, but because what I like most about=20
> laptops is
> > the ability to easily pickup and move about, I don't usually carry
> > around any extras (usb mice or anything else).  I should=20
> take your tip
> > though and disable the touchpad, and go get a usb mouse=20
> when a sighted
> > person needs to do something on the laptop.
> >
> > The dell keyboard is very nice, with a full set of modifier=20
> keys on each
> > side of the space bar, full function keys, full arrow and cursor
> > movement set; in short, as good as a standard keyboard.  It=20
> was only the
> > touchpad that was bothering me, and carrying around the=20
> laptop allows=3D
> > me
> > access to it's volume controls and it's speakers and cd drive, so=
 I
> > usually think it's worth it.  I do have a bluetooth keyboard and
> > headphones, but I don't bother with using them mostly.
> >
> > Everybody's preferences are different.
> >
> > Chip
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Chip Orange
> > Database Administrator
> > Florida Public Service Commission
> >
> > Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > (850) 413-6314
> >
> > (Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not
> > necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service Commission.)
> > =3D20
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: jawslite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D20
> >> [mailto:jawslite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of inthaneelf
> >> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 2:03 AM
> >> To: jawslite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> Subject: [JAWSLite] Re: aws and Laptops
> >>=3D20
> >> a note on your last comment, I have a USB port wireless=3D20
> >> mouse, when I plug=3D20
> >> it in the touchpad is automatically turned off until the=3D20
> >> mouse is removed.
> >>=3D20
> >> I can't stand laptop keyboards myself, and use my wireless=3D20
> >> units, keyboard=3D20
> >> for me, and mouse for my friends when they wish or need to=20
> look at=3D20
> >> something.
> >>=3D20
> >> take care,
> >> inthane
> >> . For Blind Programming assistance, Information, Useful=3D20
> >> Programs, and Links=3D20
> >> to Jamal Mazrui's Text tutorial packages and Applications,=3D20
> >> visit me at:
> >> http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com
> >> . to be able to view a simple programming project in several=3D20
> >> programming=3D20
> >> languages, visit the Fruit basket demo site at:
> >> http://fruitbasketdemo.alacorncomputer.com
> >>=3D20
> >> ----- Original Message -----=3D20
> >> From: "Don Moore" <donmoore48@xxxxxxxxx>
> >> To: <jawslite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 12:33 PM
> >> Subject: [JAWSLite] Re: aws and Laptops
> >>=3D20
> >>=3D20
> >> > I'm thinking about getting a desktop replacement from=20
> Dell.  My =3D3D
> >> > understanding is that you don't need to learn a new=3D20
> >> keyboard or worry =3D3D
> >> > about memory.  They do seem pretty upgradeable.
> >> > ----- Original Message -----=3D3D20
> >> > From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> > To: <jawslite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> > Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:46 PM
> >> > Subject: [JAWSLite] Re: aws and Laptops
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > While you've seen a lot of anicdotal stories like "I once=3D20
> >> owned a X and
> >> > it gave me trouble", I don't think those are very=20
> useful.  The more
> >> > general advice is better, and going to a news group such as
> >> > comp.sys.laptops and asking them about brands known for=3D20
> >> quality is even
> >> > better.
> >> >
> >> > I did and found that Thinkpads (aka Lenovo) were generally=3D20
> >> regarded by
> >> > those folks as the most well constructed, and often the=3D20
> >> most expensive.
> >> >
> >> > I've owned a thinkpad laptop for 5 years and am still=20
> using it, and
> >> > along with a new Dell.  The advice about laptops not being=3D20
> >> upgradable=3D3D3D
> >> > is
> >> > largely not correct (I've upgraded the wifi card and the=3D20
> >> memory on the
> >> > thinkpad, and am thinking of upgrading the hard drive). =3D20
> >> Any device you
> >> > forgot to buy can at least be purchased as a USB external,=3D20
> >> and if you
> >> > think ahead and buy a laptop with a card slot, then you=20
> can buy many
> >> > add-on devices in a pc-card form (I added a SD card reader to my
> >> > thinkpad that way).
> >> >
> >> > Someone suggested the keyboard is the most important issue,=3D20
> >> and other
> >> > than reliability, I have to agree with them; that's why=20
> I would not
> >> > recommend the ultra-light-weight laptops as someone else=3D20
> >> did.  The keys
> >> > are often small and crammed together on those, and many=3D20
> >> important keys
> >> > are missing, making you press multiple keys together to get the
> >> > functionality of the missing keys.  These laptops are=3D20
> >> usually in the 3
> >> > pound weight category, and command a price premium as well.
> >> >
> >> > The moderate weight laptops, say around 5 pounds, often=3D20
> >> have much better
> >> > keyboards.  One annoyance however is that many have a=3D20
> >> touchpad for mouse
> >> > control, and I find myself constantly brushing it and=3D20
> >> causing the mouse
> >> > to move to another place on the screen, without my=20
> knowledge, and=3D
> > my
> >> > typing then is lost or disturbs some other application. =3D20
> >> The reason I
> >> > mention it is that the thinkpads used to offer versions=3D20
> >> with only mouse
> >> > pointing sticks (no touchpads to worry about).  (Yes, I=3D20
> >> know before you
> >> > write it Inthane that you can disable the touchpad, but=3D20
> >> then a sighted
> >> > person cannot use the laptop and cannot help you out of a jam).
> >> >
> >> > hth,
> >> >
> >> > Chip
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > ------------------------------
> >> >
> >> > Chip Orange
> >> > Database Administrator
> >> > Florida Public Service Commission
> >> >
> >> > Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> > (850) 413-6314
> >> >
> >> > (Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not
> >> > necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service=20
> Commission.)
> >> > =3D3D3D20
> >> >
> >> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> >> From: jawslite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=3D3D3D20
> >> >> [mailto:jawslite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Portia
> >> >> Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 6:56 AM
> >> >> To: jawslite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> >> Subject: [JAWSLite] aws and Laptops
> >> >>=3D3D3D20
> >> >> Hi all,
> >> >>=3D3D3D20
> >> >> I am planning to get a laptop and use JAWS on it.  What=20
> laptop=3D3D3D=3D
> > 20
> >> >> would you recommend?
> >> >> =3D3D
> >> >=3D20
> >>=20
> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D=
3D=3D3D3D3
> D=3D3D3D3D=3D
> > =3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3
> >> D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D
> >> > 3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D3D
> >> >>=3D3D3D20
> >> >> Take your shshopping life back at http://tinyurl.com/32rsxz
> >> >>=3D3D3D20
> >> >> View the list's information at=3D3D3D20
> >> >> http://www.freelists.org/list/jawslite
> >> >>=3D3D3D20
> >> >>=3D3D3D20
> >> >=20
> =3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=
=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D=3D
> > 3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D=3D3D3D
> >> >
> >> > Take your shshopping life back at http://tinyurl.com/32rsxz
> >> >
> >> > View the list's information at=3D3D20
> >> > http://www.freelists.org/list/jawslite
> >> >
> >> > =3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D
> >> >
> >> > Take your shshopping life back at http://tinyurl.com/32rsxz
> >> >
> >> > View the list's information at
> >> > http://www.freelists.org/list/jawslite
> >> >
> >> >=3D20
> >>=3D20
> >>=3D20
> >> =3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=
=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D
> >>=3D20
> >> Take your shshopping life back at http://tinyurl.com/32rsxz
> >>=3D20
> >> View the list's information at=3D20
> >> http://www.freelists.org/list/jawslite
> >>=3D20
> >>=3D20
> > =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> >
> > Take your shshopping life back at http://tinyurl.com/32rsxz
> >
> > View the list's information at
> > http://www.freelists.org/list/jawslite
> >=20
>=20
>=20
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
>=20
> Take your shshopping life back at http://tinyurl.com/32rsxz
>=20
> View the list's information at=20
> http://www.freelists.org/list/jawslite
>=20
>=20
===================

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