The keys to the kingdom by Herb Drill (Keyboard help)
Jacksonville, FL - I have Charcot Marie Tooth Disease derivative of Muscular Dystrophy, with resultant neuromuscular difficulties with my legs and hands. Touch typing has always been out of the question.
Fortunately, when I went into the newspaper business (I think it was during the Civil War), I taught myself how to type like most good reporters and rewrite men of the time - with both index fingers. As I became a better writer (I hope), I became a faster typist.
As I already qualified under ADA, and then got an AARP card, I joined the rapidly growing senior computer-user segment and even more aware of how fantastic computers can be. With age, I had more difficulty typing and needed something to make working on a PC keyboard more amenable. I wanted something to ease my increasing vision difficulty.
Luck shined its ever-lovin' light on me!
If you're a typing whiz, now you can watch Chef Emeril go "Bam!" over another New Orleans-style delicacy. Those of you who are keyboard-impaired, consider trying the BigKeys LX keyboard made and distributed by Greystone Digital Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina. The large letters are well-suited for young children.
The keyboard is seven inches by 18 inches and has an extra-long, non-coiled cable. The LX model has a six-pin (PS/2) connector and a five-pin (AT) adapter, 60 oversized keys, and no special "function" keys as such.
Every key on the LX model is one-inch square, and BigKeys provides wear-resistant UV coated keycap printing. To access special function keys and to accommodate one-handed operations, through Assist Mode you hold down the "F" key and tap a number key from one to 10. Don't worry, you won't get a line filled with the letter "F". This "F" key works only when the key is released. The four arrow keys work normally, but holding the "F" down and using the arrow keys will get you "Home," "End," "Page Up," and "Page Down."
Missing in action is the numeric pad on a standard keyboard and seldom used commands such as "Print Screen," "Pause," "Break," "Scroll Lock," "NumLock," and left and right brackets. That's how the number of keys was reduced to 60. Visually-impaired computer users with the Jaws screen reader, Magic, Open Book, and Microsoft Word won't have a problem without the numeric pad. Of course, sans the numeric key pad my CPA wife would be yelling like Homer Simpson.
If getting acquainted with the letter layout on a normal keyboard ("Q-W-E-R-T-Y", etc.) is too difficult and you prefer an arrangement of "ABCD", no problem. A keyboard switch changes the layout; of course, you have to have someone change the key tops by snapping them on and off. The transfer letters cost $12.95, plus shipping, and are available from Caroline's (800-648-2266). The LX is for PC or Mac computers, and is compatible with 286, 386, 486, and Pentium processors with PS/2 or AT keyboard ports. Plus, the LX can be adapted to USB ports with an optional PS/2-to-USB adapter.
And if you have a significant other who uses the same computer, you can use the standard keyboard and BigKeys via a dual keyboard connector which allows using two keyboards at the same time.
The Plus model is for basic word-processing, spreadsheet work, and e-mail and has a simple layout of 48 large keys. The LX, with 60 keys, targets users who want a full keyboard. Depressing a single key causes only one character to be sent to the computer, no matter how long it's held down.
BigKeys is compatible with all major software packages. Just plug it into your computer. You might find the keyboard to be somewhat noisy, as it makes a "click" sound.
BigKeys LX is available with bright white keys (black lettering), multi-colored keys (black lettering), or black keys (white lettering). Some punctuation marks which aren't on the BigKeys Plus are on the LX - such as the colon and percentage symbol, and BigKeys comes with a one-year repair/replace warranty.
The BigKeys Plus is $169, the LX is $185. The dual adapter is $35.95. Both can be bought from Greystone Digital Inc. (800-249-5397, or detailed descriptions and pictures are at www.bigkeys.com). BigKeys allows credit-card customers to try the keyboard up to 10 days with no charges except shipping and handling.
Remember, some states have Assistive Technology provisions. Here in the wonderful Sunshine State the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) manages the Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center in Tampa and helps develop AT credential information and registration of vendors who provide AT services and products (1-800-322-7881, or www.faast.org). FAAST also has a low-interest loan program for residents with impairments who qualify. Your state may have a similar program, so check it out!
Jacksonville, FL resident Herb Drill, in his wheelchair, is a charter member of the now international in membership Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
Correction
The owners of Greystone Digital (BigKeys) called to make a clarification, as follows:
The BigKeys LX and Plus will not work on a MAC unless you use a PS/2-to-USB adaptor. The LX and Plus are both $159. The dual adaptor is $32.95.
They apologize for the confusion .
Herb