Use a Computer Without a Keyboard

Wednesday 19 May 2010 22:43

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If your keyboard stops working, it may seem that your computer is totally nonfunctional. However, you can operate a computer without one. The trick is to navigate with the mouse whenever possible and use an on-screen keyboard. Windows XP and Vista come with their own built-in on-screen keyboard, and there are many free keyboard software programs you can download from the web. This workaround can keep you going until you're able to find a new keyboard for your computer.

Instructions

Windows XP and Vista 

Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility > On-Screen Keyboard in Windows XP. Click Start > Control Panel > East of Access > Ease of Access Center in Windows Vista. Select "Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard," under "Explore All Settings." Then select "Use On-Screen Keyboard." This will cause the on-screen keyboard to open every time you start Windows Vista. Click on the blue bar at the top of the keyboard to move it to a desirable spot on the screen.

Select which mode you would like to use. Click mode allows you to click to select each key. Hover mode allows you to select a key when you hover over it with a joystick for a predetermined period of time. Scanning mode allows you to select keys by hovering over with the mouse.

Open the program you would like to type into with your mouse. Click on the field you'd like use, then select the characters in the on-screen keyboard. To type a single capital letter or alternate character, select the "SHIFT" key. After you depress "SHIFT," characters such as the asterisk, number, dollar and percentage sign will appear. To type in all capitals, select the "LOCK" key. To submit data that has been typed in a field, select the "END" key.

 

Windows 95, 98, Me and 2000

Download and install Click-N-Type from its website or from Download.com. Open the program from the All Programs menu.

Select Options > Program preferences to configure the program. You may use this menu to start the program at boot-up, place a shortcut on the desktop, drop and hide the program when it isn't being used and keep the keyboard on top at all times. Click Options > Keyboard preferences to show lower-case and capital letters on the keyboard, to identify keys on mouse over and hold down shift, alt and control until released. Click Macros to store commonly typed words in a buffer. Click Prediction to allow Click-N-Type to guess what word you want to type.

Open the program that you would like to type into, then use the mouse to place your cursor within the correct field. Click the up arrow button at the bottom left of the screen to make a capital letter or symbol. Release the key to type in lower-case. Click the Space key to put in a space and the Enter key to submit data into a field. Use the left-facing arrow on the right side of the screen to delete the characters you've just typed.

 

 

Keyboard Tricks

Saturday 1 May 2010 22:41

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There are a host of computer keyboard tricks that work with Macintosh and PCs and in various programs. Some shortcuts used in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint perform the same functions in email, Dreamweaver and the Internet. Keyboard shortcuts help you save time and cut down on aches and pains that result from over-using your mouse. Remember, when using keyboard shortcuts on a Macintosh versus a PC, the "Command" key acts like the "Control" (CTRL) key and the "Option" key works in place of the "Alternate" (ALT) key.

  1. Saving a Document

    • Save your document by holding down your "CTRL" and "S" keys, also referred to as "CTRL + S." There are two "CTRL" buttons on a Qwerty keyboard, which is the English standard keyboard: one on the bottom left and the other on the bottom right.

    Opening a Document

    • Access your open file menu by pressing "CTRL + O." You can also press "F12" at the top right to do the same thing. In Dreamweaver, "F12" will enable you to view your page on the local server.

    Toggling Between Programs

    • If you have multiple applications open, such as Microsoft Word, your Web browser and Adobe Photoshop, press your "ALT" key, which is next to your space bar, and hold down "Tab" just left of the "Q" key. When you press "Tab" once, a pop-up window will appear showing icons for each application. When you release, it will take you to that program. You can hold your "ALT" key down and keep pressing tab to get to the other open applications.

    The Insert Key

    • If "Insert" is activated, you can add words in the middle of a sentence. This works in Microsoft products. If the feature is not activated, and you try to insert words into a sentence, you'll end up typing over the letters to the right of it. Press the "Insert" key once and start typing in the middle of a sentence to see if it is activated or not. Press it again to get it to do the opposite.

    Undo

    • If you're typing in Word, Excel or Dreamweaver and you delete or add something by mistake, press "CTRL + Z" to undo. Keep doing this if you made the mistake a few commands back.

    Refresh or Find

    • To refresh your screen in the Internet, press the "F5" key at the top of your keyboard. In Microsoft Word, use the "F5" key to access the "Find" feature.

    Other Shortcuts

    • Cut: "CTRL + X." Paste: "CTRL + V." Copy: "CTRL + C." Print: "CTRL + P." Go to end of document: "CTRL + End." Go to beginning of document: "CTRL + Home."

    Access the Menus on Top

    • Press "ALT" plus the letter that is underlined on top to open a specific menu. To open the file menu, "ALT + F." Use the down arrow key to scroll down.

    Print Screen

    • At the top right of your keyboard, press "Print Screen" or "PRTSC" on the laptop to "take a picture" of what you see on your screen. Paste that image in Photoshop or Microsoft Word to include it in a document or print it out. This feature is not the same as printing a document.

    Numeric Keypad

    • If you're using a desktop keyboard, press the "Num Lock" at the top left of your numeric keypad to enter data into programs such as Excel. The "Enter" key in the same key pad will take you to the next cell below.

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