(An e-mail would be welcome; it would stimulate me to continue to work on it; see under Author for the e-mail address.)
What is it?
It is a floating on-screen keyboard that allows the user to type using the mouse instead of the keyboard.
What do I need to use the extension?
This program uses the Text Services Manager to put the floating keyboards on screen; it is available on computers with System 7.1 or later.
(You can download System 7.1 and newer for free from Apple’s ftp server.)
The extension is in 68k code and thus runs on both 68k and PPC macs.
When running "VisualKeyboard 1.1" you may notice that some mouse clicks seem to pass through the floaters. This is a known bug in all versions of System 7. If it is the case, you should install Matt Slot's "TSM Fix" extension that comes with this software package.
How to install it?
Simply drag the file onto the System Folder and the Finder will place it into the Extensions folder. Then restart your computer.
How to use it?
To make VisualKeyboard 1.1 appear, click with the cursor in the UPPER LEFT CORNER of the screen. Another click in that corner (or the close box of the floating window) will make it disappear.
A click will set a modifier.
A double click will lock a modifier.
The keys with a strong border are dead keys.
A click on a dead key will not generate a character, but will change the layout of the keys. For example a click in the bottom-left character ` will generate the following layout:
Version history:
v.1.1 (July 2000) :
- made the window sizable
- created (on a user’s demand) a version with a quasi qwerty-layout
- added a routine to show the icon at boot time
- removed a few bugs
v. 1.0 (May 2000) :
- implemented dead keys
- created the file “Read Me Visualkeyboard”
- released it as freeware to the public in May 2000.
n.a.(1997) :
- wrote a floating on-screen keyboard for my personal use in 1997.
Credits:
To Matt Slot for the event-filter routines, that I found in his "Appe Windows" shell.
Author:
Francesco Fumanti
75, Cité Kirchberg
L-3733 Rumelange
G. D. of Luxembourg (Europe)
E-mail: visualkeyboard@yahoo.com
License:
VisualKeyboard 1.1 is freeware. The user may use it at no cost.
It may be distributed freely without the prior consent of the author; it is not allowed to make any profit from it.
The user expressly acknowleges and agrees that the use of VisualKeyboard 1.1 is at his exclusive risk. VisualKeyboard 1.1 and any related file are provided “AS IS” and without any warranty of any kind.
Security:
Virex using definition 01/03/2000 found no virus in these files.