Hello Ann, Here's a list of keyboards that have the capability of 6 key entry. I hope this will help others on the list as well. Regards, Fina Currey f.currey@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 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-2971Before 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----- Original Message ----- From: "Foxworth, Ann" <Ann.Foxworth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 8:12 AM Subject: [duxuser] Keyboards and six key entry
My agency is about to roll out new computers. Does anyone have a list of keyboards that are able to accept sixkey entry? ANN FOXWORTH, BRAILLE CONSULTANT DARS DIVISION FOR BLIND SERVICES CRISS COLE REHABILITATION CENTER 4800 N LAMAR BLVD AUSTIN, TX 78757 PH: 512-377-0471 -----Original Message----- From: duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Catherine Thomas Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 10:42 PM To: duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [duxuser] Re: new braille symbols That's right Steve. I should have made clear that I am speaking of the times when we use the keys of the standard U.S. keyboard to enter braille symbols directly, no translation involved. Sorry for not clarifying this. Catherine ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ -Catherine Thomas braille@xxxxxxxxx / ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------- * * * * This message is via list duxuser at freelists.org. * To unsubscribe, send a blank message with * unsubscribe * as the subject to <duxuser-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>. You may also * subscribe, unsubscribe, and set vacation mode and other subscription * options by visiting //www.freelists.org. The list archive * is also located there. * Duxbury Systems' web site is http://www.duxburysystems.com * * * * * * * This message is via list duxuser at freelists.org. * To unsubscribe, send a blank message with * unsubscribe * as the subject to <duxuser-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>. You may also * subscribe, unsubscribe, and set vacation mode and other subscription * options by visiting //www.freelists.org. The list archive * is also located there. * Duxbury Systems' web site is http://www.duxburysystems.com* * *
* * * * This message is via list duxuser at freelists.org. * To unsubscribe, send a blank message with * unsubscribe * as the subject to <duxuser-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>. You may also * subscribe, unsubscribe, and set vacation mode and other subscription * options by visiting //www.freelists.org. The list archive * is also located there. * Duxbury Systems' web site is http://www.duxburysystems.com * * *