Word

[witch]

I know this isn't exactly educational software but I don't know where else to put it

We are running Word 2000. We have a little boy with some physical difficulty which makes it hard for him to lift his fingers off the keys. I have slowed down the repeat rate as far as I can, and it is better, but he still gets half a row of each letter he types!

Does anyone know if there is anything I can do to make one press equal one letter?

[Geoff]

What about StickyKeys?

[OutToLunch]

Control Panel -> Accessibility Options -> Set "Use Filterkeys"

 

Edit Filterkeys settings to disable "Use Shortcut" (prevents it being turned off by accident) and change filter options to "Ignore Repeated Keystrokes" - the default is ignore keystrokes within 0.5 sec of each other which should do the trick. You can use the test area for confirmation...

 

Hope this helps.

[witch]

Tried that - it doesn't stop the keys repeating if you hold them down (not in Windows 98, anyway)

[ChrisC]

So you have delay on long, and repeat on short?

 

Hold down right shift for about 8 seconds, the machine should scream at you, click on settings on the window that opens, enable filter keys, settings, ignore repeated keystrokes, settings, set to 2 secs, and try that out

 

Chris

[ChrisC]

i was 1/2 way through writing that, and then I got distracted, then by the time I send, 3 other messages saying exactly the same thing, and also not xp, bah!

 

Chris

[Norphy]

It may be worth considering dictation software. Viavoice sucks but the various editions of Dragon Naturally Speaking are pretty good.

[witch]

Thanks - I knew it was all in there somewhere!

[OutToLunch]

Tried that - it doesn't stop the keys repeating if you hold them down (not in Windows 98, anyway)

 

Sorry - tested in XP before posting, will have to dig up a 98 machine and check later. Did you definitely set filterkeys, not stickykeys (two different options) ?

[Geoff]

What are you still doing with 98 machines anyway?

[witch]

Tried that - it doesn't stop the keys repeating if you hold them down (not in Windows 98, anyway)

 

Yes, I did, and the keys still repeat if you hold them down.

And as for Win 98, all my machines at this school (45) and most at my other school (70 odd out of 100) are Win 98!

 

The age of the machines is more of a concern for me, because Win 98 does all that I need at the moment.

 

Many of my machines are between 4 and 7 years old, and there is no plan in place for any replacement.

[NetworkGeezer]

I agree with Geoff. You should make a case to SMT to upgrade. 2003/XP would probably be easier to manage, particularly as you oversee a number of schools.

 

What happened to all the goverment ICT funds?

[OutToLunch]

ITWITCH - looks like it's all named/laid out slightly differently in 98...

 

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windows98/FilterKeys.aspx

 

 

Have you tried the "No Keyboard Repeat" option as shown in the second picture down?

[Geoff]

What happened to all the goverment ICT funds?

 

It all gets mushed into the School Development Fund now so Manglement can spend it on other things. Given the destruction of the IT budgets in the Schools I work at they usually do.

[witch]

Yes I have tried the no keyboard repeat and it still does!! Albeit very slowly. Still, it is better now so thanks

 

As for the computers - as I have said before - I don't get any options to 'make a case' about anything. Both my ICT coordinators are aware that computers need to be replaced, and lobby SMT, but nothing gets done. I have just quietly emailed the IT governor to apprise him of the exact situation as I know that he didn't know things were quite as bad as they are. Maybe this will have some results, but I doubt it

What upsets me is that there is no sort of plan - even planning to buy 8 computers a year would be a start.

Sometimes I think I would like to sabotage the oldest ones (something untraceable that could have happened spontaneously - any ideas?) just to force the issue.

[ChrisC]

spike the power, make it go pop (but not in a dangerous way)!

 

Could play with the bios, no one could trace it if it goes pop.

 

These are silly ideas though, stick a virus on them that makes the hardware go pop for you?

 

Chris

[Geoff]

1. open case

2. turn on

3. empty box of paper clips in case

4. shake well

[john]

1. open case

2. turn on

3. empty box of paper clips in case

4. shake well

 

I like that one, never thought of that, can always blame the ikkle children as well

[witch]

Thanks - I think

 

But the paper clips idea won't work as this is a first school and the children are really little (up to 9) and are closely supervised.

 

I am only joking about sabotage, but I do begin to wonder what will happen when the next one goes mobo up and I have no more working spares.

[deerwood]

Without seeing the pupil, it is difficult to make recommendations but have you considered a keyguard? this device will keep a child's fingers off the keys except when one is deliberately pressed. This means that kids with limited hand and finger movement can rest their hands over the keyboard.

Otherwise, some kind of alternative keyboard may be of benefit. Something like Intellikeys, maybe? You should be able to refer the pupil to an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or ACE centre, for advice.