home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Datafile PD-CD 5
/
DATAFILE_PDCD5.iso
/
utilities
/
k
/
keyfix
/
!KeyFix
/
!Help
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1996-06-19
|
6KB
|
149 lines
KeyFix
======
Introduction
============
Users of older Acorn computers (Master, etc.) will be familiar with a
keyboard Shift Lock key as well as Caps Lock; this key is not available on
the Archimedes range. A Shift Lock key provides access to upper case
characters, as Caps Lock, and those normally obtained by holding down Shift.
It's operation is identical to Caps Lock - ie., once toggled on, remains
active until toggled off. KeyFix provides this missing Shift Lock and, in
addition, a Ctrl Lock and Alt Lock.
Although it only performs a seemingly minor function, KeyFix can be big help
to some users with special needs. Many people can only use the keyboard with
one hand or, indeed, with a mouth-stick or other such adaptation. Holding
down one key whilst pressing another can prove awkward, if not impossible.
Likewise, using the mouse and keyboard together - eg., Shift drag.
KeyFix can 'hold down' the shifting keys (Shift/Ctrl/Alt) for keyboard and
mouse operations. The various options are described in detail below.
Whilst KeyFix cannot claim to enable anyone to use the computer's keyboard,
it can go a long way to making it easier some.
Getting started
===============
KeyFix is run in the usual way, by double-clicking on the !KeyFix icon in
the directory viewer. It will install an icon on the right of the icon bar.
Once installed, KeyFix is ready to use, according to the settings in it's
Config file.
The icon bar menu
=================
Pressing the middle or Menu button over the icon bar icon will display the
icon bar menu. The items on this behave as follows:
Info
----
Leads to an 'About this program' info box. This will show which version of
KeyFix you have.
Config...
---------
Choosing this opens the KeyFix configuration dialogue box. It can also be
opened by clicking on the icon bar icon with Adjust.
The first two options in the configuration dialogue, 'Key shifts' and 'Shift
drags' determine whether or not the shifting keys will be 'held down' for
keyboard and mouse operations. They can be selected individually, together
or not at all. If, for example, you just want KeyFix to act on keystrokes,
then select 'Key shifts' but leave 'Shift drags' unselected. If either are
unselected, any subsequent locks applied will not operate on that option.
The next group of icons determine the use of 'hot keys'. These are the keys
KeyFix assigns to perform the lock function.
'Active' if on enables the use of hot keys. There is another way to use
KeyFix, see below.
The next six icons select which of the Shift/Ctrl/Alt keys will be assigned
as lock keys. The choices are 'Either', 'Left' or 'Right' for each shift.
'Either' assigns both Shift/Ctrl/Alt keys for use as locks.
'Left' assigns the left Shift/Ctrl/Alt key as the lock.
'Right' assigns the right Shift/Ctrl/Alt key as the lock.
N.B. You can, if you wish, choose not to use a particular lock. For example,
if you wanted Shift Lock and Ctrl Lock but not Alt Lock, deselect the Alt
hot key by clicking on it with Adjust.
'Audio feedback' if on sounds a beep each time a hot key is pressed.
The final row of four buttons act on your choices. When clicked on with
Select, the action is performed and the configuration dialogue box closed.
When clicked on with Adjust, the action is performed but the dialogue box
stays open.
'Default' will restore KeyFix to the settings in it's Config file.
'Set' will apply the current settings.
'Cancel' will ignore any changes made.
'Save' will apply the current settings and save them in the file
!KeyFix.Resources.Config for use as the program's defaults.
Quit
----
Choosing this removes the KeyFix program from memory.
In use
======
If you have not used Keyfix before, you should first configure it for your
preferred default settings. Choose 'Config...' from the KeyFix menu or click
Adjust on the icon bar icon and set the appropriate options. Finally, click
on 'Save'.
There are two ways to use KeyFix, from the KeyFix window or with hot keys.
Clicking on the icon bar icon with Select will open the KeyFix window. This
will provide a simulation of the lock keys which can be toggled on or off by
clicking on them with the mouse. The simulated keys, like real ones, will
jog down and an indicator will 'illuminate' when on. The icon bar icon will
also reflect the status of the various locks by turning an indicator on or
off above each of the letters, S, C or A - representing Shift, Ctrl and Alt.
Likewise, when using hot keys, the status of the locks is shown on the icon
bar icon and in the KeyFix window, if open.
The locks can be used individually or together. So, for example to press
Shift+Ctrl+F1 to cause Edit to expand tabs:
1. Ensure 'Key shifts' are enabled and hot keys 'Active',
2. give Edit the caret and press the Shift Lock and Ctrl Lock hot keys
(it doesn't matter in which order),
4. Press F1,
5. if required, release the locks by pressing the hot keys again.
The KeyFix window could have been used instead of hot keys, but is probably
more convenient when using the mouse. For example, to open an application
directory, first click on the Shift button, then double-click on an
application icon in a directory viewer. The application directory will have
been opened without using the keyboard.
The position of the KeyFix window opens at on screen is also saved in the
Config file.
Distribution
============
KeyFix may be freely distributed. We encourage you to pass it on to
anyone who may find it useful. We discourage you from making any
charge for this service.
Comments, Suggestions, Bugs
===========================
To.
#330, Fargo (John Ferguson)
#134, David Pilling
at Arcade BBS Fido Node 2:254/27.0,
or Internet
john@fergusn.demon.co.uk
david@pilling.demon.co.uk
Author! Author!
===============
KeyFix was designed and documented by John Ferguson, and coded
by David Pilling.