[duxuser] Re: Keyboard help
- From: "Brunhilde Merk-Adam" <bkmabma@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 01:26:56 -0400
Hope this helps-it is from the pokadot site.
b
KEYBOARDS FOR BRAILLE
Only certain keyboards will work for ANY six-key input braille computer
program. They must be capable of producing the six-dot character yet MANY
KEYBOARDS WILL NOT PRODUCE ANY MORE THAN FOUR DOTS WHEN ALL SIX KEYS ARE
PRESSED AS NEEDED FOR BRAILLE. Keyboards that will store six keys at once
are said to have "six-key rollover". The fact that many manufacturers have
dropped this feature in recent years is producing a real problem for
braillists.
Do not confuse this problem with the spreading of dots for a single braille
character to more than one cell. SPREADING OF DOTS IS NOT DUE TO THE
KEYBOARD. It is due to misadjustment of timing within the braille computer
program. For most programs this can be readjusted by the braillist. For
Pokadot see section A6 of PD-INTRO.DOC.
Here is the information that I have been able to accumulate with help from
users as of 4-3-2002 on suppliers of current computers and/or keyboards with
six-key rollover.
--------------------------KEYBOARD MODEL NUMBERS
--------------------------WITH SIX-KEY ROLLOVER
SOLD WITH DESKTOP COMPUTERS
Compaq--------------------SK2800C, SK2800M, KB-9965, SDM4540UL
Hewlett-Packard-----------SK2506, SK2560
e-Machines----------------SK9908
SOLD SEPARATELY
Belkin Classic Keyboard---KB-6868 (sold by Office Depot)
Belkin ErgoBoard----------F8E817-PS/2 (sold by Office Depot)
Compaq--------------------KB-9965 (sold by Radio Shack)
IBM-----------------------KB-8923, KB-9910 (sold by CompUSA)
Quiet Key-----------------SK-8000 (sold by Dell)
DON'T KNOW WHETHER STILL SOLD
PC Accessories------------KB-7903
Mitsumi-------------------KFK-EA4XA
Micro Innovations---------KB-2961
Zeos----------------------KB-6251/2
NEC-----------------------KB-6923
Toshiba-------------------KB-2971
The model number of the keyboard can be found on its underside except for
laptops. If any reader has found other currently sold national brand
computers or separate keyboards with six-key rollover I would appreciate
getting notification of it at the email address below and will include it in
later versions of this file. The real problem is that there is no guarantee
that even the above keyboard models will continue to be available on the
open market.
Before you replace your keyboard make sure that your problem is inability to
make six dots at all and not misadjusted timing by testing your current
keyboard as follows. In a Windows computer click Start then Run. In the
space provided to type a file name press the six keys SDFJKL SIMULTANEOUSLY
at least seven times. Then press Backspace to clear the box and then press
the six keys once more. All six letters must show but the order does not
matter. If you do not have Windows you can run the same test at the DOS
command prompt. If you cannot get all to show then you will not be able to
braille multi-dot characters reliably with that keyboard in ANY six-key
input braille program.
If you must replace your keyboard make sure that you get one with a
compatible connector. The most popular one at present is a PS/2 connector.
However, the trend is to go to a USB connector. USB types usually have a U
in the model number. Some keyboards with USB connectors will work but it is
essential that you test these for six-key input as described above before
buying a computer with a USB keyboard because it will be very difficult to
find a replacement USB keyboard with six-key rollover. Radio Shack sells an
adapter for about $10 (part 26-241) that will permit a keyboard with a PS/2
connector to plug into the computer's USB port. It will work for regular
one-key-at-a-time input but it will NOT work reliably for six-key input, so
do not count on that as a solution.
If you are planning to buy a new computer for braille you should look at
those on the above list but still test the keyboard as above for any
computer. Another important thing to do is to save your old keyboard if it
has six-key rollover to use with any new computer that does not come with a
six-key rollover keyboard. If your old keyboard has the large AT style
connector and the new computer has a small PS2 connector you can buy an
AT/PS2 adapter at your local computer store.
Len Dozier
Email: lend@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tel: 360-574-6167 (After 9 AM Pacific Time USA)
My dear teacher friend needs a little help. She was moved to another VI
classroom this summer, and her keyboard quit working. Can anybody advise or
recommend to us current keyboards that support Duxbury 6 key entry. THanks
so much
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