Saitek Overlay Keyboard - Manual (Page 8)

Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards
- 80 -
Overlay Keyboard Overall
size cm
Overlay
size cm No. of
keys
Connects
to...
Keyguard
& price
Price
Guide
Supplier
MAC
Discover:Board
39 x 29
36 x 22
(US
legal)
128
(16x8)
ADB
keyboard
port 128, 64, 32
holes, £75
each
£395 Don Johnston
MAC
Key Largo
41 x 30
36 x 22
(US
legal)
128
(16x8) Ke:nx
interface
128, 64, 32
holes, £75
each
£215 +
£554 for
Ke:nx
interface
Don Johnston
Overlay Keyboard Software
Most of the overlay keyboards need software in the computer to make them work:
• Keyboard Drivers & Editors. The keyboard driver software recognises when a key on the
overlay keyboard is pressed and then inserts text, moves the mouse, or performs some other
operation on the computer. (IntelliKeys is an exception – it plugs straight into the computer and
can be used immediately.)
• Overlay File. The keyboard driver needs an overlay file (also called selection set or setup) which
defines what each key does when pressed. Different overlay files are used for different programs
and different purposes.
• Overlay Editor. Overlay files are created using an overlay editor program. Most overlay
designer programs can also print out a paper overlay to match the overlay file.
Accessing Curriculum Software
There are several categories of educational software which are accessible with an overlay keyboard:
• Specifically designed software with driver for an overlay keyboard built in. Overlay files and
matching paper overlays are supplied with the program. Everything is supplied ready to use so no
programming is required. However, you are usually stuck with the overlays and activities offered
by the program and the content is generally fixed. ClarisWorks templates, some My World support
packs, Discover Curriculum Overlays and the IntelliKeys Hands-on programs are examples of
programs designed for overlay keyboards. Space does not permit a full listing of all the programs
that have an option of overlay keyboard access – see the MicroScope Concept Keyboard Special
issue and catalogues from the suppliers listed at the back of the book for reviews and programs.
• Content free software with optional overlay keyboard access. Usually a ‘starter set’ of overlay
files and overlays are supplied with an overlay editor. The Full-Phase+2 word processor from
SEMERC is one example.
• Keyboard drivers/emulators let you use the keyboard with any program running on the
computer. Once a suitable overlay file is created the driver program operates the computer as
though the ordinary keyboard or mouse were being used. These programs have considerable
flexibility and they are particularly useful in integrated settings where the overlay keyboard user
can get access to the same software that is being used by the rest of class. Creating overlays files
and overlays for individual pupils and curriculum tasks is time-consuming, although most
programs come with a selection of ready-made files and overlays.
Overlay keyboard Software Features
Price and supplier details of overlay keyboards are listed in Table 5-2; Table 5-3 gives the features of
each program:
• Text. All the programs can insert text into an application on the computer.
• Control, Modifier and Cursor keys. All can generate control key combinations – for example,
pressing ‘
b-P’ to print a document.