[accesscomp] Re: notes on wireless keyboard
- From: "Reginald George" <adapt@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:22:38 -0500
Hi Robert,
Absolutely fantastic review and notes. Thanks so much for sharing them
here.
Reg
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Logue" <bobcat11@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 12:00 PM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: notes on wireless keyboard
I just got a new wireless keyboard. I wanted to write to you about this
keyboard as I am quite happy with it. I thought my notes written while
exploring this new keyboard might help other blind people interested in a
wireless keyboard.
Microsoft® Wireless Keyboard 3000 v2.0 NOTES
General notes:
First thing I had to do is read the bottom side of the keyboard to find out
exactly which model I got. No one around so I scanned it. Good thing I did
because I didn't know this was a v2 model of the Microsoft® Wireless
Keyboard 3000. It was needed to install the IntelliType Pro software
properly. I couldn't find a help file on the CD and the printed
documentation didn't tell me much so I had to install the software to get
the manual. Couldn't find it on line.
Function Keys:
At first, the function keys f1 to f12 were not working. I was worried
because I thought it may be a real problem or impossible to set them as
normal function keys. Was very happy to find out where the "F Lock" key
was. This switches between programmed keys and normal function keys. The f
lock is on the row of small buttons that take the place of normal function
keys. It is located to the left of f12, just above the right half of the
backspace key. . This f lock key can not be reassigned, only turned off.
We don't want to do that! The setting stays in place, even through a
reboot. It does default back to program keys when batteries are replaced so
you need to press it once to get function keys back after changing
batteries.
Pairing:
The keyboard paired up as soon as I inserted the two batteries (included).
No need to find pairing buttons. There are none on the keyboard or the usb
receiver. The receiver is small.
IntelliType Pro software:
This software is needed to unlock all of the potential of the keyboard. I'm
not sure if it was needed to turn on the regular function keys. I didn't
find that till after installing Intelipoint.
Intelipoint is quite accessible with Jaws.
Macro function:
I don't know how well this will work with Jaws. This keyboard may have a
macro record button but I have not found it yet. Hope I haven't turned it
on by accident.
I wonder if the macro function would let me turn this keyboard in to a Sonar
controller with direct functions to make running Sonar easier.
Lots of Keys:
Important: The mute button is the top right key, third in a group of 3
starting with volume down, volume up, then mute on/off.
Besides the regular 101 keyboard, there are a number of programmable keys
plus the standard multimedia keys.Most are pre-assigned but you can change
them easily. You can even have keys assigned to individual programs. And,
you can even have three groups of keys assigned for each program. Not sure
if this keyboard has the "group" switch key.
Four of these extra keys are arranged vertically along the left edge of the
keyboard in line with left shift, caps lock, tab, and grauv. I think they
will be very handy. I've already programmed one to go to My Music folder
instead of the default My Pictures.
Typing:
Typing feels good. The keys are fairly quite and smooth. Not much shock
when hitting bottom. Good for my arthritic finger joints. Movement is
slightly shallow but better than most laptops. I typed this whole document
without getting tired.
The standard keys are arranged in the normal North American fashion. No
rotated six pack.
The function keys are slightly smaller than normal and evenly spaced, not
grouped so this may need some adjustment. Haven't had much trouble with
them so far since I found the F Lock key. F1 through f10 line up well
enough with the number keys so they are actually easy to find. It is easy
to overshoot and press one of the top row of buttons instead of function
keys.
I felt a bit uncomfortable with the built in non-removable palm rest. I
don't like that it is sort of flush with the bottom keys and spacebar.
There is a slight slanted trench between the keys and the rest but my thumb
still hits the palm rest.
Size and weight:
It isn't the lightest board around but much lighter than my old Logitec
wireless and my Gyration full size wireless. It is a little thinner than
those keyboards. It is about standard width but deeper because of the palm
rest.
Range:
Appears to live up to the 9 metre (27ft) claim. No skipping or
random repeating so far.
Other notes:
No power button. I miss that. I like to program a power button for sleep
mode. Maybe it can be done with a programmable key.
My rating:
4 out of 5.
Pros: Good wireless range. Comfortable quiet keys. Accessible software.
Programmable.
Cons:
Nothing signifigant. I could wish for the f lock to be easier to find. I
may discover a few more cons as I get to know this key board better.
keyboard layout:
Entries with descriptions are programmable an the default is shown. Entries
in brackets are my notes and comments.
Function keys: Smaller than regular keys evenly spaced above the number
keys.
Key Name Description
f1=Help Starts active program's Help
f2=Undo Cancels previous action
f3=Redo Cancels previous undo action
f4=New Creates new item
f5=Open Opens item
f6=Close Closes active file or window
f7=Reply Replies to e-mail in the active window
f8=Forward (e-mail) Forwards e-mail in the active window
f9=Send Sends e-mail in the active window
f10=Spell Checks spelling for the active document
f11=Save Saves the active file
f12=Print Prints from the active program
f13=F LOCK Switches between F key functions (I wish Jaws could read the
status)
f14=Print screen (above del in six pack) (not programmable?)
f15=unknown (does not speak) (above home in six pack) (My be scroll lock?)
f16=Pause (Above page up in six pack) (in XP seems to bring up a tray popup
dialog. Pressing again returns to the application that was in focus when
first pressed. says "Tool status, scan paused. Tool status." May be
activating something in the system tray. I removed the item from the tray,
now the key just says "Pause".)
f17=Calculator Starts Calculator (Last key on right)
Flip 3D Instant Viewer displays all open windows (which key is this?) Not
able to find it.
Buttons on left edge of standard keys:
key left of `=My Documents Opens the My Documents folder
key left of tab=Pictures Opens the Music folder
key left of caps lock=unknown (Does nothing on my XP system. Can I assign
it?)
key left of shift=unknown (Does nothing on my XP system. Can I assign it?)
Buttons on top from left to right:
first group of 4 keys:
1Mail Starts Outlook Express
2Web / Home Starts Web browser
3Messenger Starts Windows Messenger
4Media Starts media player
Next group of 6 about centre of main keyboard.
My Favorites 1 Not assigned
My Favorites 2 Not assigned
My Favorites 3 Not assigned
My Favorites 4 Not assigned
My Favorites 5 Not assigned
Show Favorites Shows an on-screen legend of My Favorites
Next four are media controls. Runs from above the dash key to backspace.
Play / Pause Plays and pauses media track
Prev. Track Skips to previous media track
Next Track Skips to next media track
Stop (media) Stops media track
Last 3 keys on right, above 6 pack.
1Volume down (Not programmable)
2Volume up (Not programmable)
3Volume +/-/Mute Controls sound on your computer
The following four keys only toggle on screen display of their status:
Left Windows Opens the Windows Start menu
Application Opens the shortcut menu
CAPS LOCK Lets you type all capital letters
NUM LOCK Gives you access to the numeric keypad
This is not an endorsement or recommendation of this product. These notes
are only comments on my findings with the
Microsoft® Wireless Keyboard 3000 v2.0. These notes do not necessarily
apply to any other model.
Bob
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