


BrailleNote QT
USER GUIDE
V6.1 D1.0
P/N NT284





PULSE DATA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
1 Expo Place
P.O. Box 3044, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Telephone	+64 3 3844555. Fax +64 3 3844933
Email:	enquiries@pulsedata.com
World Wide Web:	http://www.pulsedata.com



Head Office

Pulse Data International Limited
1 Expo Place, P.O. Box 3044
Christchurch, New Zealand


Phone:
+64 3 384 4555


Fax:
+64 3 384 4933


Email:
enquiries@pulsedata.com


Web:
www.pulsedata.com



Pulse Data Humanware

175 Mason Circle
Concord, CA 94520, USA








Phone:
(800) 722 3393
(925) 680 7100




Fax:
(925) 681 4630


Email:
usa@pulsedata.com



Pulse Data Europe

3 Blotts Barn Business Centre
Brooks Road, Raunds
Northamptonshire NN9 6NS
United Kingdom


Phone:
01933 626000




Fax:
01933 626204


Email:
europe@pulsedata.com






Bredaseweg 108a
4914 NS Oosterhout
The Netherlands


Phone:
31 162 437 910




Fax:
31 162 437 904


Email:
holland@pulsedata.com






Sjouddev. 8, 35246 Växjö
Sweden


Phone:
46 470 764 490




Fax:
46 470 711 088


Email:
sweden@pulsedata.com



Pulse Data Australia
Pulse Data Asia

Suite 2, 711 Railway Street
P O Box 944, Baulkham Hills
NSW 2153, Australia


Phone:
(02) 9686 2600




Fax:
(02) 9686 2855


Email:
sales@pulsedata.com.au








Copyright © 2004 Pulse Data International Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand.
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express written permission of Pulse Data International Limited. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this user guide is correct at the time of issue. Neither Pulse Data International Limited nor its agents assume responsibility for errors or omissions in this information. No liability is assumed for damages resulting from the use of this information.
This product complies with the requirements of EMC Directive 89/336/EEC.
Braille translation copyright © 19752003 Duxbury Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
The patent for the touch cursor technology incorporated in the BrailleNote is owned by ALVA BV.


Authorised European Union Representative:
Pulse Data Europe
3 Blotts Barn Business Centre
Brooks Road, Raunds
Northamptonshire NN9 6NS
United Kingdom
phone:	+44 (0) 1933 626 000
fax:	+44 (0)1933 626 204
email:	europe@pulsedata.com
web:	www.pulsedata.com



Susceptibility to Interference.
There may be temporary degradation of the image when the BrailleNote QT is subjected to a strong radiofrequency field, electrostatic discharge or transient electrical noise.
FCC Warning.
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device in accordance with Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules and Regulations, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient the receiving antenna.
2. Relocate the equipment with respect to the receiver.
3. Move the equipment away from the receiver.
4. Plug the equipment into a different outlet so that the equipment and receiver are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the booklet prepared by the Federal Communication Commission helpful: "How to Identify and Resolve RadioTV Interference Problems". This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Stock No. 004000003454.
Shielded cables and certified Class B peripherals must be used on this product. Using unshielded cables or uncertified peripherals may result in this unit not complying with FCC Rules Part 15. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

Notice for Canada.
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian InterferenceCausing Equipment regulations.



Modem Information (USA ONLY)
This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC rules. Located on the equipment is a label that contains, among other information, the FCC registration number and ringer equivalence number (REN). If requested, this information must be provided to the telephone company.
The REN is used to determine the quantity of devices which may be connected to the telephone line. Excessive REN's on the telephone line may result in the devices not ringing in response to an incoming call. In most, but not all areas, the sum of the REN's should not exceed five (5.0). To be certain of the number of devices that may be connected to the line, as determined by the total REN's contact the telephone company to determine the maximum REN for the calling area.
This equipment cannot be used on the telephone companyprovided coin service. Connection to Party Line Service is subject to State Tariffs.
If this equipment causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone company will notify you in advance that temporary discontinuance of service may be required. If advance notice isn't practical, the telephone company will notify the customer as soon as possible. Also, you will be advised of your right to file a complaint with the FCC if you believe it is necessary.
The telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment, operations, or procedures that could affect the operation of the equipment. If this happens, the telephone company will provide advance notice in order for you to make the necessary modifications in order to maintain uninterrupted service.
If trouble is experienced with this equipment, please contact:
Pulse Data HumanWare
175 Mason Circle
Concord CA 94520
Phone 8007223393
If the trouble is causing harm to the telephone network, the telephone company may request you to remove the equipment from the network until the problem is resolved.
This equipment uses the following USOC jacks: RJ11C
It is recommended that the customer install an AC surge arrester in the AC outlet to which this device is connected. This is to avoid damaging the equipment caused by local lightening strikes and other electrical surges.
This equipment is HearingAid Compatible (HAC).
The telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 makes it unlawful for any person to use a computer or other electronic device, including fax machines, to send any message unless such message clearly contains in a margin at the top or bottom of each transmitted page or on the first page of the transmission, the date and time it is sent and an identification of the business or other entity, or other individual sending the message and the telephone number of the sending machine or such business, other entity, or individual. (The telephone number provided may not be a 900 number or any other number for which charges exceed local or longdistance transmission charges.)


Table of Contents
1	Getting Started.	9
1.1	Equipment Checklist.	9
1.2	General Features.	10
1.3	Software Features.	11
1.4	Software Features.	13
1.5	Orientation.	14
1.6	Thumb Keys.	15
1.7	Braille Display.	15
1.8	Touch Cursor.	15
1.9	Keyboard.	16
1.10	Power Switch.	17
1.11	Speech.	18
1.12	Earphones.	19
1.13	KeySoft Concepts.	19
1.14	The KeySoft Menus.	22
1.15	A First Experience.	25
1.16	Switching Between Tasks.	33
1.17	Keyboard Assistance.	34
1.18	Saving before Switching off.	34
1.19	Setting Time and Date.	35
1.20	User Settings.	36
1.21	User Guide.	37
1.22	Where to Now.	41
2	BrailleNote QT Hardware.	43
2.1	Charging the Battery.	43
2.2	AC Adapter and Battery.	44
2.3	Checking Power Status.	45
2.4	Battery Care.	45
2.5	Calibrating the Battery Gauge.	46
2.6	Long Term Storage.	48
2.7	Ports.	49
2.8	Braille Display Care.	52
2.9	PC Cards.	53
2.10	Compact Flash Cards.	55
2.11	Using a Visual Display.	56
2.12	Braille Terminal for Screen Reader.	59
2.13	Remote Synthesizer.	60
2.14	General Care.	60
3	Word Processor.	61
3.1	What is a Word Processor.	61
3.2	Text and Braille.	62
3.3	The KeyWord Menu.	62
3.4	Documents Folders and Drives.	63
3.5	Opening a Document. Q	65
3.6	Naming a Document. Q	67
3.7	Creating a Document. BQ	68
3.8	Reading a Document.	68
3.9	Review Commands.	74
3.10	The Cursor.	75
3.11	Braille Display Modes.	78
3.12	Format Indicators.	80
3.13	Editing a Document.	85
3.14	Breaking your Document into Pages	88
3.15	Searching a Document.	89
3.16	Checking the Cursor Position.	92
3.17	Going to a Specified Position.	92
3.18	Marking Places for Quick Reference.	92
3.19	The Spelling Checker.	94
3.20	Opening ASCII and Plain Braille format Documents	99
3.21	Large Documents.	101
3.22	Switching Between Documents.	102
4	Book Reader.	103
4.1	Instant Braille Transcription.	103
4.2	Reading the Sample Book.	103
4.3	Braille Display thumb Key Commands.	104
4.4	The Review Cursor.	105
4.5	Additional Reading Commands.	106
4.6	Miscellaneous commands.	108
4.7	Review Book Opening Options.	109
4.8	Reading Books Stored on Other Drives.	111
4.9	Exiting KeyBook.	113
4.10	Bookshare.	113
5	General Functions.	117
5.1	Date.	118
5.2	Time Options.	118
5.3	Grade of Keyboard Braille Entry.	121
5.4	Braille Display Options.	121
5.5	Keyboard Settings.	126
5.6	Review Voice.	128
5.7	Visual Display.	131
5.8	Next Appointment.	131
5.9	Power and Battery Status.	132
5.10	User Guide.	132
5.11	Insertion.	132
5.12	Repeat and Spell.	134
5.13	Hear Punctuation.	134
5.14	Move to Another Task.	135
5.15	Front Thumb Keys On/Off.	136
5.16	Change Speech Volume Rate and Pitch.	136
5.17	Editing at a Prompt.	137
6	Embossing and Printing Documents.	139
6.1	Setting Up the Embosser or Printer.	139
6.2	Printing a Braille Document.	140
6.3	Embossing or Printing a Document.	141
6.4	Embossing Options.	142
6.5	Embossing a Group of Documents.	143
6.6	The Embosser Setup List.	143
6.7	Testing the Embosser.	147
6.8	The Printer SetUp List.	148
6.9	Testing the Printer.	148
7	Advanced Word Processing.	149
7.1	Overview.	150
7.2	Document Types.	151
7.3	Formatting a Text Document.	152
7.4	Formatting a Text Document for Embossing.	165
7.5	Block Commands.	172
7.6	Cursor Movement Modes.	180
7.7	Moving to the Start of the Next Line.	181
7.8	Moving to the Next Tab.	181
7.9	Inserting the Time, Date or Calculator Result.	182
7.10	Binding Spaces.	183
7.11	Pasting an Address.	183
7.12	Working with Documents on other Drives.	184
7.13	Saving a Document.	185
7.14	Quitting a Document.	186
7.15	Creating Other Document Types.	187
7.16	Braille Documents.	187
7.17	Formatting a Braille Document.	190
7.18	Extended Characters.	199
8	Scientific Calculator.	207
8.1	Entering KeyPlus.	207
8.2	Entering a Calculation.	208
8.3	Basic Operations.	210
8.4	Memory Operations.	212
8.5	Scientific Operations.	213
8.6	Inserting a Result or a Calculation.	217
9	Planner.	219
9.1	Entering the Planner.	219
9.2	The KeyPlan Menu.	219
9.3	Selecting a Date.	220
9.4	Scheduling Appointments.	224
9.5	Recurring Appointments.	226
9.6	Reviewing the Appointments.	232
9.7	Changing an Existing Appointment.	234
9.8	Selecting Another Date.	237
9.9	Alarms.	237
9.10	Embossing and Printing.	241
10	Address List.	243
10.1	Introduction.	244
10.2	Adding an Address.	245
10.3	Looking Up an Address.	247
10.4	Changing a Field or Adding More Information.	249
10.5	Deleting a Record.	250
10.6	Duplicating a Record.	251
10.7	Inserting an Address into a Document.	251
10.8	Embossing Addresses.	252
10.9	Printing Addresses.	254
10.10	Templates.	254
10.11	Copying Addresses.	258
10.12	Selecting an Address List.	260
10.13	Creating an Address List.	261
10.14	Using KeyList to Manipulate Databases	263
11	Email.	265
11.1	What Can KeyMail Do.	266
11.2	KeyMail Menu.	266
11.3	Before You Start.	269
11.4	Correcting Input Errors.	270
11.5	Writing an Email Message.	270
11.6	Attaching a file to an email.	272
11.7	Read Email.	273
11.8	Connect to Send and Receive Email.	286
11.9	Setup Options.	290
12	Web Browser.	295
12.1	Overview.	295
12.2	Connecting to the World Wide Web.	296
12.3	Changing to another Part of KeySoft.	296
12.4	Logging on.	297
12.5	Navigation.	298
12.6	Moving from Page to Page or Site to Site.	302
12.7	Page Management.	303
12.8	Application Management.	306
12.9	Favorites.	308
12.10	History.	310
12.11	Saving and Refreshing Web Pages.	312
12.12	Tables.	314
13	Connectivity	315
13.1	Understanding Connectivity Concepts.	316
13.2	Connection Configurations.	317
13.3	The Connectivity Menu.	317
13.4	Using a Wireless Connection.	318
13.5	Dial up and LAN Connections.	323
13.6	Active Connection Details.	327
13.7	Review an existing connection configuration.	328
13.8	Glossary of terms:	329
13.9	Troubleshooting.	330
13.10	Firewalls.	330
13.11	Accessing the Network through your BrailleNote QT.	331
13.12	ActiveSync.	336
13.13	KeySync.	342
14	File Manager.	359
14.1	Selecting Files Folders and Drives.	360
14.2	Checking the Spelling of Folder or File Names.	360
14.3	The Directory Option.	361
14.4	Folder Manager.	361
14.5	Document and File Types.	363
14.6	Copying a File.	365
14.7	Erasing a File.	366
14.8	Renaming a File.	366
14.9	Moving a File.	367
14.10	Protecting a File.	367
14.11	Groups of Files and Wild Cards.	368
14.12	What is a Directory.	370
14.13	Creating Renaming and Erasing SubDirectories.	373
14.14	File Translation.	376
14.15	Translation Menu.	377
14.16	Importing Files.	377
15	Utilities Menu.	393
15.1	Backup or Restore Files.	393
15.2	Pronunciation Dictionary.	397
15.3	Date and Time Set.	401
15.4	KeySoft Application Programs.	402
15.5	Miscellaneous Options.	403
15.6	Key Management.	404
16	Accessories.	405
16.1	Media Player.	405
17	Command Summary.	411
17.1	General Commands.	411
17.2	Wordprocessor.	416
17.3	Calculator.	425
17.4	Planner.	427
17.5	Address List.	432
17.6	Email.	433
17.7	Unicode Characters.	435
17.8	Web Browser.	436
17.9	Stopwatch.	439
17.10	Media Player.	440
18	Index	36
 

1 Getting Started.
Welcome to the BrailleNote QT, an innovative personal productivity system, from Pulse Data International. BrailleNote QT incorporates a computer style keyboard, a choice of 18 or 32 cell Braille display, high quality responsive speech, and a suite of powerful applications running under the Windows CE operating system, all packaged into a truly portable system. This user guide tells you all about the BrailleNote QT.


1.1 Equipment Checklist.
Carefully unpack your BrailleNote QT. Save the box and packing materials for future use. Your BrailleNote QT package comprises the following items:
BrailleNote QT;
AC adapter;
Slim line carrying case;
Earphones;
Modem data cable;
Serial communications cable;
9 to 25 pin cable adapter;
Audio tape containing a "Getting Started Tutorial;"
Command summary in embossed Braille;
Command summary in inkprint;
PC software for BrailleNote Family on CDROM.
Your BrailleNote QT may also include a modem cable adapter if you live in the UK, Australia or New Zealand.


1.1.1 Optional items include:
MicroDrive Storage Cards.
BrailleNote GPS.
Braille Manual.
Multilingual – add on languages including french, german and spanish.
Software Maintenance agreements.


1.2 General Features.
The BrailleNote is a compact portable Personal Organizer with a computer style keyboard, and a Braille display. The Braille display may be either 18 or 32 cells with each cell comprising 8 dots, allowing for both the display of 6 dot and 8 dot Braille. Each cell of the Braille display has an associated cursor routing button. Four thumb keys on the front of the BrailleNote supplement the Braille display and provide convenient navigation control.
The BrailleNote also has synthesized speech output that can be used in conjunction with the Braille display or on its own.
The BrailleNote QT runs under the Windows CE 4.2 operating system. It has standard serial and parallel ports as well as a highspeed infrared port. A Type 2 Compact Flash slot and a Type 2 PC card slot allow for additional storage and LAN and/or wireless Network options.
The BrailleNote QT uses flash memory technology to retain information indefinitely even if the batteries run flat, and its user memory can currently be expanded up to 48 Megabytes.


1.3 Software Features.
A multipurpose program, called KeySoft, running under the Windows CE operating system, is especially designed for people with a visual impairment. KeySoft provides the following functions:
A word processor called KeyWord that is powerful yet surprisingly simple to learn. KeyWord has most of the features of an office word processor, including unlimited text insertion, search and replace, indents, clipboard operations, spell check and so on. It can even directly import and export the popular Microsoft Word format documents.
An email program called KeyMail that lets you send and receive electronic mail. KeyMail works using a standard email connection. You can also send and receive attachments with your email.
An internet browser called KeyWeb, that allows you to search and use the world wide web and also read locally stored html documents.
A Media player that plays a range of audio format files. You can play files by themselves, or in the background of other tasks.
A calendar, scheduler and planner called KeyPlan. Your entries may include alarms that sound even if the BrailleNote QT is switched off.
An address list manager called KeyList that sorts your entries and allows flexible searching. Addresses can be copied into letters and email.
A synchronization Tool called KeySync that works in conjunction with KeyPlan and KeyList.
A 10 digit scientific calculator called KeyPlus. Support is provided for both Nemeth and British braille mathematics.
A book reader called KeyBook that enables you to read braille books, or books in any standard text format including Microsoft Word format. Books opened in KeyBook are protected from accidental editing.
A Keyboard Learn function that helps you to learn the keyboard layout and the available quick key functions.
A File Manager that allows folder management and files to be copied, renamed, protected, deleted or translated.
A program called ActiveSync that allows the BrailleNote QT disk structure to be viewed and managed on a PC running Microsoft Windows.
A Remote Synthesizer mode that allows the BrailleNote QT to act as a speech synthesizer for other computers.
You can switch easily between these KeySoft tasks, which are fully integrated so you can transfer information between them.
KeySoft has both forward and back translators, so a text document can be imported into the BrailleNote QT and translated automatically into an uncontracted (grade 1) or contracted (grade 2) braille document, and vice versa.
The BrailleNote QT can output its display to a separate visual display using the serial port. Sighted observers or teachers can use the visual display screen to view what you are doing on the BrailleNote QT. A remote screen viewer based on the Palm handheld computer is also available.
Information can be transferred to and from another computer such as a PC or Apple Macintosh, or specialized equipment such as a selfcontained scanning system.


1.3.1 The Windows CE Operating System.
The Windows CE operating system is a modern, powerful operating system designed for small handheld computers. It supports many technologies such as email, highspeed infrared communications, desktop PC synchronization, portable mass storage and more. Handheld computers have quite different processors from the Pentium type processors incorporated in PC's that run the standard Windows operating system. Standard Windows programs like Microsoft Word and Excel do not run under Windows CE. Furthermore, programs like Pocket Word and Pocket Excel that run on handheld computers under Windows CE generally require a builtin visual display. Consequently standard Windows CE programs are not suitable for the BrailleNote QT.


1.4 Software Features.
A multipurpose program, called KeySoft, running under the Windows CE operating system, is especially designed for people with a visual impairment. KeySoft provides the following functions:
A word processor called KeyWord that is powerful yet surprisingly simple to learn. KeyWord has most of the features of an office word processor, including unlimited text insertion, search and replace, indents, clipboard operations, spell check and so on. It can even directly import and export the popular Microsoft Word format documents.
An email program called KeyMail that lets you send and receive electronic mail. KeyMail works using a standard email connection. You can also send and receive attachments with your email.
An internet browser called KeyWeb, that allows you to search and use the world wide web and also read locally stored html documents.
A Media player that plays a range of audio format files. You can play files by themselves, or in the background of other tasks.
A calendar, scheduler and planner called KeyPlan. Your entries may include alarms that sound even if the BrailleNote QT is switched off.
An address list manager called KeyList that sorts your entries and allows flexible searching. Addresses can be copied into letters and email.
A synchronization Tool called KeySync that works in conjunction with KeyPlan and KeyList.
A 10 digit scientific calculator called KeyPlus. Support is provided for both Nemeth and British braille mathematics.
A book reader called KeyBook that enables you to read braille books, or books in any standard text format including Microsoft Word format. Books opened in KeyBook are protected from accidental editing.
A Keyboard Learn function that helps you to learn the keyboard layout and the available quick key functions.
A File Manager that allows folder management and files to be copied, renamed, protected, deleted or translated.
A program called ActiveSync that allows the BrailleNote QT disk structure to be viewed and managed on a PC running Microsoft Windows.
A Remote Synthesizer mode that allows the BrailleNote QT to act as a speech synthesizer for other computers.
BrailleNote QT has a onehanded Braille input keyboard mode, providing convenience for people restricted to the use of one hand.
You can switch easily between these KeySoft tasks, which are fully integrated so you can transfer information between them.
KeySoft has both forward and back translators, so a text document can be imported into the BrailleNote QT and translated automatically into an uncontracted (grade 1) or contracted (grade 2) braille document, and vice versa.
The BrailleNote QT can output its display to a separate visual display using the serial port. Sighted observers or teachers can use the visual display screen to view what you are doing on the BrailleNote QT. A remote screen viewer based on the Palm handheld computer is also available.
Information can be transferred to and from another computer such as a PC or Apple Macintosh, or specialized equipment such as a selfcontained scanning system.


1.5 Orientation.
BrailleNote QT is supplied in a slim line wrap around leather carry case. To open the case, lift the flap on the front edge. Fold back the case to allow operation of the BrailleNote QT. On the front edge of the BrailleNote QT you will find 4 buttons called thumb keys. Position the BrailleNote QT with these keys facing you. You can operate the BrailleNote QT while it is in its carry case.


1.6 Thumb Keys.
The four keys facing you are normally operated by your thumbs so we call them “Thumb keys” to differentiate them from the main keyboard keys. They are used in conjunction with the Braille display when reading and navigating menus and lists. They can be operated using your thumbs without moving your fingers from the Braille display discussed in the next section.
The thumb keys can be set up for lefthanded or righthanded operation. You can also create a custom thumb key set up to suit your personal preference as discussed in page 5.4.14 Thumb Key Set. The factory setting is righthanded.
The thumb keys are named as follows: PREVIOUS, BACK, ADVANCE and NEXT. In the righthanded configuration the key functions are assigned from left to right in that order with PREVIOUS on the left and NEXT on the right. For the lefthanded configuration the functions are assigned in the reverse order with PREVIOUS on the far right and NEXT on the far left.


1.7 Braille Display.
If you put your thumbs on the thumb keys and drop your fingers, they will be positioned on or about the Braille display. The electronic Braille display comprises either eighteen or thirtytwo identical eight dot cells that can display any Braille symbol. Each dot of the Braille display is, in fact, a pin that is controlled electronically. To display a dot the pin is raised and the pin is lowered when there is no dot. When the display is off all dots are raised slightly and are somewhat spongy to touch. The Braille display is able to be refreshed; it can be written and rewritten repeatedly.


1.8 Touch Cursor.
If you run your finger up past Braille cell, you will notice that there is a curved, springy strip above it with a raised vertical ridge through the middle. This is the touch cursor button for that Braille cell. It is especially useful when editing a document. In KeyWord, for example, when you press a touch cursor button, the cursor moves to that cell. You can then edit the character displaying on that cell, if any. This is discussed in chapter 3.
The touch cursor can also be used to select an item from a menu or list.


1.9 Keyboard.
The keyboard has a standard typewriter layout for letters and numbers. To position your hands correctly there are small raised dots on each of the "home" keys, F and J. There is also a raised dot on the I key.
As discussed later, the Keyboard Learn mode, accessible from the Main Menu, is an invaluable aid towards learning the placement of the various keys.
The bottom row of keys, from the left, consists of 11 keys as follows: CONTROL, HELP, MENU, FUNCTION, SPACE BAR, REPEAT, SINGLE QUOTE, DELETE, LEFT ARROW, DOWN ARROW, and RIGHT ARROW. The function key has a raised dot on it.
On the second row, SHIFT is at the lefthand end and SLASH is the rightmost key. The last five keys on the second row are: COMMA, PERIOD, SHIFT, UP ARROW, and SLASH.
On the third row, the leftmost key is READ and the rightmost key is ENTER. Between L and ENTER are the usual SEMICOLON and APOSTROPHE keys.
On the fourth row, TAB is at the lefthand end and the BACKSLASH key is at the righthand end.
The fifth or top row consists of ESCAPE, the numbers 1 through 9, then 0 followed by DASH, EQUALS, and BACKSPACE. To help you locate the number keys, the 3, 7, and 0 keys have raised dots on them.
In this User Guide, combination key presses are described in the following way. The instruction: Press READ with T, means that you should hold down the READ key, press the T key briefly, then release both keys. It is important that you fully depress the first key, in this case the READ key, before you press the second key, which is in this case the T key.


1.10 Power Switch.
From the front edge of your BrailleNote QT, move your hand along the left side of the case and towards the rear. You will first notice a raised circle that identifies the earphone socket. Continue to move your left hand towards the rear of your BrailleNote QT. You will come upon another raised feature surrounding the rocker type power switch. To switch the BrailleNote QT on, press the power switch near the front of the rocker. A power on message is displayed, the content of which will depend on where the BrailleNote QT was when you last switched off. To switch off, press the power switch near the rear of the rocker.
Every time you switch the BrailleNote QT on, its operation resumes in exactly the same place as it was when you switched it off. If you are not sure if the BrailleNote QT is on or off, feel the position of the power switch.
If you don’t use the BrailleNote QT for approximately 10 minutes it will enter hibernate mode, where the power drawn from the battery is the same as if the unit was switched off. Pressing any key will end the hibernate mode, but it is recommended that you momentarily press the ENTER and BACKSPACE keys together to end the hibernate mode. This will avoid the possibility of inserting unwanted characters if a document was open when the unit entered the hibernate mode.
If your BrailleNote QT displays "Battery low," or does not come to life, you should plug in the AC adapter. The power socket is located at the rear of the BrailleNote QT on the extreme left. Locate the socket then the small plug on the end of the AC adapter cable. Plug the small AC adapter plug into the socket. Plug the AC adapter into a wall socket. The message "AC adapter on" is displayed to confirm battery charging is in progress.
If the BrailleNote QT does not start, wait 30 seconds or so and try switching it off then on again. If this does not work then press the Reset button. The BrailleNote QT immediately beeps to confirm that it has been reset. After about 10 seconds, if the speech is on, KeySoft displays a sign on message and resumes from the Main Menu.


1.10.1 Resetting the BrailleNote QT.
The Reset button is located just behind the Power switch. The Reset button is recessed to avoid accidental operation, so you may need to use a pointed object to press it.
Details of when and how to reset the BrailleNote QT are mentioned in context throughout this user guide. There is also a detailed description of each type of reset in Appendix C Troubleshooting, as well as reference to each type under Reset Topics in the online index.


1.11 Speech.
You can listen to the BrailleNote QT using either the builtin loudspeaker at the center back of the BrailleNote QT or headphones. If headphones are plugged in, the loudspeaker is automatically disabled.
The headphone socket is on the back of the BrailleNote QT, directly to the right of the central "bump".
The speech volume, speed and pitch can all be controlled by keyboard commands. These commands are described fully in 1.15.4.6 Setting Speech Volume Speed and Pitch, but nevertheless it is important to know how to control the volume of the speech right now.
To increase the volume press FUNCTION with PERIOD To gradually increase the volume you can hold down the FUNCTION key and tap the PERIOD key repeatedly.
To decrease the volume press FUNCTION with COMMA.
The speech supplements the Braille display. You might prefer the Braille display when editing text, reading detailed material or accessing notes during meetings but prefer speech for reading longer documents such as novels when reading for pleasure. We will explain how to turn off the speech or the Braille display later.


1.12 Earphones.
BrailleNote QT comes with a set of earphones.
To use the earphones, adjust the volume to a comfortable level after fitting the earphones and while the BrailleNote QT is speaking. The BrailleNote QT will also work with a wide range of other popular ear and headphone styles.


1.13 KeySoft Concepts.
Learning to use the BrailleNote QT is easy because the User Interface is very consistent. Similar operations in different parts of KeySoft are carried out in similar ways. This section covers the concepts behind the way KeySoft operates.


1.13.1 Help Messages.
At any point in KeySoft you can get information about the options that are available. To do this, press HELP. KeySoft help is context sensitive, which means that you are only given help relevant to your current situation. Remember to press HELP for Help when you need it. It does not affect your work in any way, and after you have finished reading the Help message, you are returned to the point at which you selected Help.
When the help system is being used to review a list of available commands, pressing ENTER on the displayed command will cause that command to be executed.
To read a longer Help message on the Braille display, use the ADVANCE thumb key and to review the message use the BACK thumb key. 
The Braille grade used when displaying text can be selected. The factory setting is Grade 2 Braille. You can change the setting as described in 5.4.6 Preferred Reading Grade.


1.13.2 Prompts.
Whenever KeySoft requires input from you, a brief message called a prompt is displayed. The prompt indicates what input is required from you. If you are unsure how to respond, press HELP for help. Where possible, KeySoft offers reasonable suggested choices.
BrailleNote QT provides prompts in Braille, speech or both together. The factory set up turns on both the Braille display and speech and the following discussion assumes that both are on. You can read the Braille display or listen to the voice or do both. When this User Guide states that the BrailleNote QT "displays a message" it is referring to both the message appearing on the Braille display and being spoken. You will notice that the prompt that appears on the Braille display is often in shorter form than the announced version, which is the one quoted in this User Guide. For example, the BrailleNote QT will announce, "Folder name? Press ENTER for General" while it displays, "Folder name? General".
You can turn off one or other of the outputs; refer to 1.15.4.1 Turning the Braille Display On or Off and 1.15.4.2 Turning Speech On or Off.


1.13.3 Reading Prompts on the Braille Display.
Generally the prompts displayed in Braille are identical to what is spoken. Sometimes there are slight differences because what is appropriate in speech does not need to be displayed in Braille. Also, because the Braille display has a limited length, Braille output is limited to the number of whole words that fit on the display. If a prompt is longer than the Braille display or you are reading a long passage of Braille, you can scroll the Braille display to see the next group of words by pressing the ADVANCE thumb key. In the following discussion it is assumed that you will scroll to read the full prompt as necessary. Remember you can also scroll back to see the previous display by pressing the BACK thumb key.
To help reading longer messages and prompts you can press PREVIOUS together with BACK to move the Braille display one word to the left. Pressing PREVIOUS together with ADVANCE moves the Braille display one word to the right.
You can return to the previous prompt by pressing PREVIOUS at any time.


1.13.4 Repeating Spoken Prompts.
If you miss hearing a prompt when it is spoken the first time, don't worry. You can listen to it again by pressing REPEAT.


1.13.5 Menus.
KeySoft uses a series of menus to provide a quick and easy way of performing many complex functions. Each menu contains a list of options from which to choose. For example, the Main Menu allows you to select the Word Processor, Planner, Address List, and so on. The selection of items is described in 1.14.3 Reviewing the Main Menu.


1.13.6 Exiting the Current Activity.
Another concept used throughout KeySoft is that of exiting what you are doing and taking one step back to the previous option point.
You can do this by pressing ESCAPE particularly while using the keyboard, or the PREVIOUS thumb key particularly when you are using the Braille display.


1.13.7 Automatic Cutoff of Prompts.
KeySoft gives detailed spoken prompts and messages to help you learn the system. To prevent these messages slowing down an experienced user, speech is cut off automatically by the next keystroke.


1.13.8 Instant Access.
You can switch from one KeySoft task to another with a simple key sequence. For example, you can switch from the Word Processor to the Planner, and then return to the same point in your document. For information on how to do this, refer to 1.16 Switching Between Tasks.


1.14 The KeySoft Menus.
1.14.1 Structure.
The entry point to KeySoft is the Main Menu, which contains 14 items. You can display each of these items in turn, and select one.
When you have done this, you are generally presented with another menu. The system may extend to 3 or 4 levels of submenu. This structure is an important aspect of KeySoft. Items are grouped together for easy location, so a huge range of functions can be found from one starting point, the Main Menu.
For example, if you start at the Main Menu and choose the Word processor option, you are presented with the KeyWord menu. This contains the following items: Create a document, Open a document, Emboss a document, Print a document, and Setup options. These all relate to wordprocessing.
If you choose to Emboss a document, you are presented with a further choice of Embossing, or Setting up the embosser, and so on.
Now let's see how the Main Menu works.


1.14.2 Reading a List or Menu.
You can read through any menu or list using only the thumb keys and Braille display. Consequently, you can keep your hands on the Braille display avoiding the need to go back and forwards between the Braille display and keyboard.
The thumb keys perform the following functions:
To step forwards through a menu  press the ADVANCE thumb key. Menu items are displayed one at a time.
To step back through a menu  press the BACK thumb key. Menu items are displayed one at a time in reverse order.
To select a menu item  press the NEXT thumb key.
To exit a menu  press the PREVIOUS thumb key.


1.14.3 Reviewing the Main Menu.
To start with, go to the Main Menu by pressing MENU. KeySoft displays: "Main Menu."
To display the first item of the Main Menu, press SPACE or ADVANCE . KeySoft displays: "Word processor."
You could select the word processor at this point, but our present object is to review all the items in the Main Menu. So, press SPACE or ADVANCE repeatedly, pausing to read and listen to each of the 14 options in the menu, which are:
Planner;
Address List;
Email;
Internet;
Media Player;
Book Reader;
Scientific Calculator;
File Manager, which allows files to be copied, translated, etc;
Utilities, which is a group of general purpose functions;
Terminal for Screen Reader, which allows the BrailleNote QT to act as a Braille display for other computers;
Remote Synthesizer, which makes the BrailleNote QT act as a speech synthesizer for other computers;
Keyboard Learn, which helps you to learn the Braille keyboard functions;
For Information press READ with I, which provides information about the BrailleNote QT such as the serial number and software version.
For the Options Menu, press FUNCTION with O, anywhere, which is a reminder of how to access the Options Menu.
The last item is: "End of Menu." Having stepped forward along the menu by pressing SPACE or ADVANCE repeatedly, you can step back by pressing BACKSPACE or BACK repeatedly.
When using speech, if you don't want to hear a complete announcement, you can cut it off and move to the next item by pressing SPACE or BACKSPACE. This speech cutoff occurs at all points in KeySoft.


1.14.4 Selecting from the Main Menu.
When KeySoft displays the option you want, press the ENTER key. The exceptions are Information and Options Menu, where you need to press SPACE with the initial letter to access them. Don't worry about getting in over your head, because you can always back out of a selection by pressing ESCAPE for exit on the keyboard.
When you have selected an item from the Main Menu, you are generally presented with another menu, from which you can again select an item. To display a Help message describing your options at any point, press HELP. To return to the previous menu, press ESCAPE. To go directly to the Main Menu, press MENU.


1.14.5 Keyboard shortcuts.
As well as moving through the menus an item at a time as described in the previous section, you can take a keyboard shortcut directly to the menu item by typing its first letter. This automatically selects the item, so instead of having to press ENTER when the item is displayed, KeySoft takes you straight to the action selected when you would have pressed ENTER.
For example, if you were at the Main Menu and you wanted to go to the Word processor, you could press W. Instead of "Word processor", KeySoft will go straight to "KeyWord Menu". Press O and instead of "Open a Document", KeySoft will go straight to "Folder Name". This is a real time saver.


1.15 A First Experience.
Most people hate reading User Guides. They would much rather just have a go, on the presumption that if the product is any good, it should be obvious how it works.
If that's you, then this is your section. We'll go through two simple demonstrations: in the first we'll create a basic word processor document, and in the second we'll do an addition with the calculator. You should only need the simple commands that have been introduced so far.
If you are not keen on jumping in at the deep end, don't panic. It's not essential to follow these demonstrations, because after this part we'll revert to normal manual mode, and describe in detail all the wonderful things that the BrailleNote QT can do.

1.15.1 General.
ost people hate reading User Guides. They would much rather just have a go, on the presumption that if the product is any good, it should be obvious how it works.
If that's you, then this is your section. We'll go through two simple demonstrations: in the first we'll create a basic word processor document, and in the second we'll do an addition with the calculator. You should only need the simple commands that have been introduced so far.
If you are not keen on jumping in at the deep end, don't panic. It's not essential to follow these demonstrations, because after this part we'll revert to normal manual mode, and describe in detail all the wonderful things that the BrailleNote QT can do.


1.15.2 Writing a Simple Document.
The aim of this first exercise is to write a very simple document with the word processor.
To reach a common starting point, go to the Main Menu by pressing MENU. Your BrailleNote QT displays: "Main menu."
To get to the word processor, press W. Your BrailleNote QT displays: "KeyWord menu."
To Create a document, press C, for Create, and your BrailleNote QT displays: "Folder name? Press ENTER for General,"
KeySoft is asking which part of its filing system you want to use, and is offering the "General" folder. This is fine for now, so follow the prompt and press ENTER. KeySoft then displays: "Document to create?"
Notice that, a little after the question mark there is a cell which has dots 7 and 8 on. This is the cursor. It shows where the character that you type will be entered. Dot 7 is below dot 3 and dot 8 is below dot 6.
You are being asked to provide a name for the new document, so type a name such as: "test." When you have typed the name, press ENTER. Your BrailleNote QT displays:
"Top of document. Blank."
This means that you have created a new document named "Test," and the cursor is sitting at the top of it. The Braille display is completely blank.
You are now free to type whatever you like. For this demo we'll limit ourselves to: "This is a test of my new BrailleNote QT." The characters are displayed on the Braille display as you type. The cursor, dots 78 appears to the right of the last character brailled. As before this shows where the next character will be entered. Each word is spoken when you press the space bar..
That's all we'll write for now. To finish this little exercise, press ESCAPE. Your BrailleNote QT displays: "KeyWord menu." You are back at the Word processor menu, and your new document has been automatically saved. If you press ESCAPE again you arrive back where you started, at the Main Menu.


1.15.3 Trying Out the Calculator.
You might also like to try out the Calculator, which you can do without any extensive knowledge of the BrailleNote QT. From the Main Menu, go to the Scientific Calculator by pressing S. You hear: "KeyPlus. Zero."
Just 0, number sign followed by the letter J, is displayed on the Braille display. This means that the Calculator is ready. If someone has previously used the Calculator and the display is not zero, you can clear it by pressing CONTROL with I.
Let's try calculating 2 + 3. The plus function is obtained by pressing the EQUALS key, you don't need to press SHIFT to obtain the plus function. To calculate the result, press ENTER. Your BrailleNote QT should display the answer "5".
On the Braille display both the Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and the UK Braille Mathematics Notation are supported. The correct code for your country is automatically selected when you set up your Calculator Braille Language as described in 5.4.9 Calculator Braille Language.
You can review the calculation by pressing the PREVIOUS and NEXT thumb keys together. The Braille display will show 2 + 3 = 5, in either Nemeth or UK mathematics notation depending on the selected calculator language. Pressing the PREVIOUS and NEXT thumb keys again will return to just displaying the answer. If the speech is on, the speech will mirror the content on the Braille display.
To complete the exercise, press MENU, to return to the Main Menu.


1.15.4 General Functions.
Some useful general functions are available wherever you are in KeySoft. These functions may be accessed from the Options Menu, or often more conveniently via a Quick Command sequence.
The general functions allow display of Time, Date, Braille settings and so on. You could be using the Word processor, or using the Calculator, or reading a menu when you request one of these functions. After display of the requested function you are returned to the place from where you initiated the request.
The Quick Commands typically use the SPACE, BACKSPACE or ENTER key in combination with another letter. For example, FUNCTION with T displays the current time.
Not all items on the Options Menu have an associated Quick Command key combination.
Pressing FUNCTION with O anywhere in KeySoft will access the Options Menu. KeySoft displays: "Options menu." The Options Menu can then be reviewed by pressing the SPACE and BACKSPACE keys on the keyboard. The Options Menu comprises a long list of items. Only some of the items are relevant at this point but the complete list is provided so you know what to expect when you read the menu. Where applicable, the equivalent Quick Command is also given.
The Options Menu contains the following items:
Date;	FUNCTION with D
Time Options;	For Time press FUNCTION with T
	For Stopwatch press FUNCTION with W
Grade for Braille entry and Keyboard type;
Braille display options;
Keyboard settings;	FUNCTION with K
Review voice;	FUNCTION with R
Connectivity;
Visual display;
Next appointment;	FUNCTION with N
Power and battery status;
User Guide;	READ with HELP
Insertion;	FUNCTION with A
Spell. Repeat and spell;	FUNCTION with L
Hear punctuation. Repeat with maximum punctuation;	FUNCTION with P
Change task;	Function with S
Front thumb keys On/Off;
and finally the speech settings, a list of 6 items that tell you how to adjust the volume, speed and pitch of KeySoft's speech.
The "Insertion" item is displayed only when it is appropriate to insert such things as the date or time such as in KeyWord.
To select an item, move through the menu until the required item is displayed, and then press ENTER. Alternatively, from anywhere in the Options menu, press the initial letter of your choice. This does not apply to the speech settings, which are discussed in 1.15.4.6 Setting Speech Volume Speed and Pitch.
We will now deal with some of the more commonly used items in the Options menu. All the functions in the Options Menu are detailed in Chapter 5.


1.15.4.1 Turning the Braille Display On or Off.
To turn off the Braille display, hold down the NEXT thumb key, press SPACE, then release both keys. The same key combination turns the Braille display on.
Note that if the Braille display is turned off when speech is off, speech is forced on. This avoids having both Braille and speech off simultaneously.
The function to turn the Braille display off is also available from the Options Menu, under Braille Display Options.


1.15.4.2 Turning Speech On or Off.
There are three speech options: Speech On, Speech on Request and Speech Off. If speech is currently on, hold down PREVIOUS, press SPACE, then release both keys to select Speech on Request. KeySoft displays: "Speech on request."
To select the next option, Speech Off, press the same key combination again. KeySoft confirms that speech is off by displaying "Speech off" only on the Braille display. To turn Speech On again, press that key combination again. KeySoft displays: "Speech on."
You are returned to where you started with Speech On.
When the Speech on Request option is selected, KeySoft only speaks when you use a command that is a specific speech command. For example, in KeyWord, the word processor, when you move forward wordbyword using SPACE with dot 5, nothing is spoken. However if you use the dedicated "Speak Word under Cursor" command, READ with K, the word under the cursor is spoken.
Note that if speech is turned off when the Braille is off, the Braille display is forced on. This avoids having both Braille and speech off simultaneously.
The function to select Speech On, Speech on Request, or Speech Off is also available from the Options Menu, under Review Voice.


1.15.4.3 Startup Braille and Speech Mode.
The BrailleNote QT may be forced to start in one of three modes when it is switched on. You may choose to start with Braille only, speech only, or both Braille and speech.
This feature is very convenient if, for example, you have previously been using both Braille and speech, but you are now attending a meeting and for privacy you wish to start in the Braille only mode.
To start with speech only, hold down dot 2 while powering on.
To start with Braille only, hold down dot 3 while powering on.
To start with both Braille and speech, hold down dots 23 while powering on.


1.15.4.4 Setting the Keyboard Voice.
The first of these settings determines how KeySoft speaks what you type. Press FUNCTION with O, then K for Keyboard. KeySoft displays: "Keyboard voice? Words."
The options are as follows:
To turn off speech altogether, press F followed by ENTER;
To spell words as they are typed, press S followed by ENTER;
To speak whole words, press W followed by ENTER;
To both spell and speak words, press B followed by ENTER;
Or just press ENTER to leave the selection unchanged.
The suggested setting is "Words."
You can request help, using HELP for a reminder of these options.
Three further Keyboard settings are then presented relating to your preferred typing Braille grade, alerting of prompts requiring input of computer Braille and whether you wish to use 6 or 8 dot computer Braille. See.
To leave the Keyboard Settings, press ESCAPE.


1.15.4.5 Repeating an Announcement.
As we have already mentioned, you can get KeySoft to say a prompt again by pressing REPEAT if you didn't quite catch it. To repeat the prompt with variables such as file names or folder names spelled out, press FUNCTION with L.
To reveal the most detail, you can repeat the last prompt with full punctuation and spaces. To do this, press FUNCTION with P.
After either command you are returned to your original place in KeySoft.


1.15.4.6 Setting Speech Volume Speed and Pitch.
The characteristics of BrailleNote QT's voice can be changed anywhere in KeySoft, as follows:
For higher volume, press FUNCTION with PERIOD;
For lower volume, press FUNCTION with COMMA;
For faster speech, press FUNCTION with EQUALS;
For slower speech, press FUNCTION with DASH;
For higher pitch, press SHIFT with FUNCTION with EQUALS;
For lower pitch, press SHIFT with FUNCTION with DASH.
There are 32 volumes, 16 speeds and 16 pitches, and they change one step at each key press. A reminder of the commands is given in the Options Menu, at the end of the list.


1.15.4.7 Power and Battery Status.
The BrailleNote QT Power & Battery status can be obtained at any time. Press FUNCTION with O, then P.
KeySoft displays the battery charge level as a percentage of fully charged, and whether the AC Adapter is On or Off.


1.16 Switching Between Tasks.
KeySoft allows you to move directly from one KeySoft task to another without returning to the Main Menu. You can switch between the Word processor, Scientific Calculator, Planner, Address List, EMail, Book Reader, Browser, Media Player and Terminal for Screen Reader. For example, if you are writing a document and you need an address, you can switch directly to the Address List, look up the address, and then return to the Word processor. You are placed back at the same point in your document.
The following hot keys are available for switching tasks:
To select the Word processor press FUNCTION with 4;
To select the Scientific Calculator press FUNCTION with 5;
To select the Planner press FUNCTION with 6;
To select the Address List press FUNCTION with 7;
To select the Email system press FUNCTION with 8;
To select the Book Reader press FUNCTION with 9;
To select the Terminal for Screen Reader press FUNCTION with B;
To select the Internet browser, press FUNCTION with 0 (zero);
To select the Media Player, press FUNCTION with M.
There is also a Task menu available. To access this, either:
1. Press FUNCTION with O for the Options menu then M for Move to another task, or
2. Press Function with S.
KeySoft displays: "Task menu."
You can make a selection by either:
1. Review the menu items using SPACE or ADVANCE and select one by pressing NEXT or ENTER. or,
2. Press the initial letter of the task; for example, W for Word Processor.
Remember that, if necessary, you can always get back to the Main Menu by pressing MENU.


1.17 Keyboard Assistance.
There are two ways of getting help with keyboard input. The first is available from the Main Menu, and is called "Keyboard Learn." In Keyboard Learn, KeySoft displays the function of the key that you press and also speaks it, but no further action results. It also displays the function of the thumb keys and key commands that are always available. For example, pressing FUNCTION with T will give the response “display the time.”
Keyboard Learn is invaluable for familiarizing yourself with the keyboard layout and Quick Commands that are available at any point within KeySoft.
The second mode works in the Word processor, Web browser, Calculator, Planner and Book reader. It is called Announce Key mode, and can be entered by pressing READ with A. In addition to displaying letters and signs, the function of any key or key combination is displayed. For example, in the Word processor, READ with J displays: "Back one word," without causing any further action.
Announce Key mode is helpful for learning the commands available in the selected KeySoft application.
You can exit either mode by pressing ESCAPE.


1.18 Saving before Switching off.
Before you switch off your BrailleNote QT, it is good practice to return to the Main Menu first. This ensures your current work is saved. If you don't do this, and subsequently the battery becomes discharged, the current version of your work will be lost. That's fairly unlikely, but it's good insurance for the cost of one keystroke.
If you have a disk drive or electronic storage card, you should consider backing up your work regularly. It's a common thing to do with any computer. It minimizes the amount of data you could lose should a computer or software "crash" occur. You can back up all your working files by using the Back up function in the Utilities menu, as described in 15.1.1 Backing Up.


1.19 Setting Time and Date.
When you first get your BrailleNote QT you should check that the time, date and Time Zone settings are correctly set. By selecting your correct time zone, you can have the BrailleNote QT’s clock adjust automatically when you select whether you are in or out of daylight saving time.
If the BrailleNote QT’s battery goes completely flat, the system will advise that the time and date need to be set when the machine is restarted.
To display the current day and date, press FUNCTION with D.
To display the current time, press FUNCTION with T.
These commands are available from any place within KeySoft. If either the date or the time is incorrect you can set new values and have them displayed in your preferred format from the “Date and Time Set” option in the Utilities Menu.
To set the Date and time, follow this procedure. Remember that online help is available at any point by pressing HELP, and that if you wish to leave a displayed value unchanged, just press ENTER to move onto the next item in the list. You may exit the setup list at any point by pressing ESCAPE.
1. Return to the Main Menu by pressing MENU.
2. Press U to go to the Utilities Menu.
3. Press D to go to the Date and Time set option.
4. Choose your preferred date format. For USA format where the date is in the form month/day/year press S, or for UK format where the date is in the form day/month/year press K. To save your entry, press ENTER.
5. Choose your preferred time format, 12 or 24 hour. For a 12hour clock press A, for a 24hour clock press B then complete your entry by pressing ENTER.
6. Select your Time Zone. To cycle through the list of time zones, press CONTROL with SPACE. Alternatively press the initial letter. Complete your entry by pressing ENTER.
7. In daylight saving time: Press Y if you are in daylight saving time, or N if you are not, followed by ENTER.
8. Enter the current time. Press HELP to display instructions on how to enter the time in the format you have selected.
9. Enter the current date. Press HELP to display instructions on how to enter the date in the format you have selected.
After setting the time and date you will be returned to the Utilities Menu.


1.20 User Settings.
BrailleNote QT provides many user definable options. As you get to know more about how your BrailleNote QT works, you can change the way it behaves to better suit your personal preferences. Your BrailleNote QT supplier will most probably have set the User settings most appropriate to your needs. The following items will be of principal interest:
Speech; volume, rate, and pitch;
Time and date correctly set, and in preferred format;
Keyboard input voice setting; words, characters, or off;
Review or reading voice settings; punctuation settings, numbers or digits;
Preferred cursor shape on Braille display;
Preferred Braille reading grade;
Braille language; US, UK, or Australian;
Braille grade for keyboard input; grade 1, or 2;
Calculator language Nemeth or UK math;
Computer Braille language; US, or UK;
Computer Braille 6 dot or 8 dot;
thumb key layout;
Spelling checker dictionary language installed;
Address list database installed;
Email database installed.
Some of these items have already been covered in this chapter, but for convenience, Appendix A of the User Guide provides additional assistance and, if appropriate, a reference to the relevant section in the User Guide. The next section explains how to use the Electronic User Guide to read a particular section of the user guide. After reading this next section, you could use the Electronic User Guide to read Appendix A, User settings for the BrailleNote QT.


1.21 User Guide.
The User Guide is built into KeySoft, so that you can look it up any time you want. Using either the Table of Contents or the Index to locate a reference, the User Guide will take you directly to the topic you wish to read.
If you wish to read the User Guide like a book rather than look up specific references, simply open the chapter or appendix in the Book Reader like any other book file. You will find the files in the Manuals folder on your KeySoft System Disk.
Alternatively, the entire User Guide is available in several PC friendly formats on the CDRom that came with your BrailleNote QT. This gives you the option of working through a chapter trying things out on the BrailleNote QT while reading the user guide on a PC, printing or embossing a copy etc.
The rest of this section concentrates on the onboard User Guide, how to access it and how to use it.


1.21.1 Electronic User Guide
The text of this user guide is stored in your BrailleNote QT and is available for reference at any time. It is accessed through the Options Menu, or by the quick command READ with HELP. You can look up a topic in the Table of Contents or Index, and read that section of the user guide. When you are finished with that section, you can return to the Table of Contents or Index or exit the user guide. You are returned to your original place in KeySoft when you exit.
If you have edited your user guide KeyWord Text files in any way (a practice we do not recommend as it can interfere with the table of contents and index functions) it is important to note that the user guide files are loaded on every reset. This means that to save any edited copies, you should first change the file names so the newly loaded copies do not over write them.
To refer to the User Guide press FUNCTION with O for the Options menu, then U for the User Guide.
If this is the very first time you have accessed the Electronic User Guide your BrailleNote QT displays: "Look up Table of Contents or Index?"
Press T to select the Table of Contents or I to select the Index. KeySoft confirms your selection.
If you have accessed the User Guide before, your BrailleNote QT prompts: "Continue reading (reference)?"
where "reference" is the last topic accessed. If you press Y to continue you are returned to that topic. If you press N you go to the Table of Contents or Index.
Use the SPACE or BACKSPACE to move through the Table of Contents or Index listing, which is in alphabetical order. Press any letter to jump to the items starting with that letter.
Once the desired item has been found, press ENTER to select it. If the item has subindexes, repeat the selection procedure.
Once you have entered the User Guide at a particular place, the following review commands are available for reading the content:
To read from the start of the previous sentence, press READ with U;
To read from the start of the current sentence, press READ with I;
To read from the start of the next sentence, press READ with O;
To read from the start of the previous paragraph, press READ with 7;
To read from the start of the current paragraph, press READ with 8
To read from the start of the next paragraph, press READ with 9;
To skip back one section, press READ with T;
To advance one section, press READ with B;
To go back to the Table of Contents or Index press BACKSPACE;
To exit the User Guide and return to your original place in KeySoft press ESCAPE.
To continuously read a section of the User Guide using speech, select your starting point from the Table of Contents or Index as discussed above, then press READ with G. To pause reading, press READ with SPACE.
You can issue the review commands while reading is in progress or after it has stopped. If you give a command while reading is in progress, what is currently being read is cut off and reading begins immediately from the new position. This provides a very convenient method of quickly panning through a section of the User Guide. If you are reading continuously, you are able to jump forward or back through the text by sentence or paragraph without halting the continuous reading function.
To read the User Guide continuously from the Braille display, select your starting point and press MENU. To stop the Braille display advancing, press PREVIOUS and NEXT together. You can adjust the rate at which the Braille display advances. Press PREVIOUS to slow down and NEXT to speed up the refresh rate.


1.21.2 Location of User Guide Files.
As an alternative to accessing the Electronic User Guide through its Table of Contents or Index, you can also read the User Guide as a number of KeyWord documents. Each chapter and appendix is a separate KeyWord text document. As of version 5.0 of KeySoft, you may notice that each file name ends with a two letter code such as bb, bq, pk, vb or vq. This identifies the model type – the first letter is b for BrailleNote or v for VoiceNote, the second letter is b for BT, q for QT. The PK files have pk after them. If the code is not correct for your model, contact your distributor.
These files are all stored in a folder called "Manual" on your KeySoft System Disk drive.


1.21.2.1 User Guide Version Check.
There is a simple version check built into the User Guide. Simply access the Index, and select the "Version" entry in the usual way. When you press ENTER it will announce the heading "Version" after which it should say, "This manual is for the BrailleNote QT using version x.x of KeySoft." If the model name or version is not what you expected, contact your distributor.


1.21.2.2 Version
This manual is for the BrailleNote QT using version 6.1 of KeySoft.

1.22 Where to Now.
By now you should have a good basic knowledge of the BrailleNote QT and KeySoft. The entire User Guide is stored in the BrailleNote QT so you can read each chapter at your leisure.
The User Guide can be read using your BrailleNote QT as previously described. A good starting point is to browse through the Table of Contents, as this will provide you with an appreciation of the topics covered in the User Guide. The distributor who sold you your BrailleNote QT can supply this. There is also a folder on the BrailleNote Family CDRom provided with your BrailleNote QT that contains text versions of all the model's user guides, so that you can read it using a PC.
Please read the next chapter, which concerns practical hardware matters like the batteries, port connectors and card slots. To read chapter 2, follow the procedure discussed in the previous section. You will find chapter 2 in the Table of Contents so you can select it from there and start reading.
After Chapter 2, the remainder of the User Guide is all about KeySoft and you can pick and choose what to read. If you are new to KeySoft, you might want to work through Chapter 3, which introduces the basic Word processor functions. You might then want to read Chapter 5, which deals with the functions available via the Options Menu, or Chapter 7 for advanced word processing features. Alternatively, you can read Chapter 8 on the Calculator, Chapter 9 on the Planner, or Chapter 10 on the Address List.
If you are interested in using email or accessing the internet, and/or using the other connectivity options the BrailleNote QT offers, read Chapter 13 on Connectivity, then Chapter 11 on Email, or Chapter 12 on the Web Browser, depending on your interest and requirements.
Chapter 13 describes use of the File and Folder Manager, and the translation of files from Text to Braille and other formats. Chapter 14 covers the Utilities menu, where topics like backing up, restoring files and software upgrades are discussed.
Chapter 16 covers the Media Player.
Chapter 17 provides a convenient listing of all the keyboard commands for the BrailleNote QT. These are categorized under general commands as well as commands for each of the applications of KeySoft.
You might find it tedious to read a User Guide, but we have endeavored to make sure it is full of useful information, and it's surprising what sticks in your memory. When people say, "I didn't know you could do that!" it usually means that they haven’t read the User Guide.
And remember; please make frequent use of BrailleNote QT’s superb Help that you can access at any point by pressing HELP. It's a valuable source of information, whatever part of KeySoft you are using.



2 BrailleNote QT Hardware.
2.1 Charging the Battery.
To charge the battery, simply plug the AC adapter in and the BrailleNote QT looks after the battery charging itself.
If the BrailleNote QT battery is flat and the AC adapter is connected, the battery is fast charged in about 2 hours. Charging takes less time if the battery is only partially discharged. You can charge the battery and run the BrailleNote QT simultaneously although the battery may take longer to charge. You can leave the AC adapter connected indefinitely without any risk of damaging the battery. To connect the AC adapter, locate the power socket on the back of the BrailleNote QT, near the lefthand corner of the case. Insert the plug on the AC adapter cable into the socket, and plug the AC adapter into a wall socket. The BrailleNote QT displays: "AC adapter on.”
The message is displayed even if the BrailleNote QT is switched off. If this message is not displayed after a second or two, check that the AC supply is switched on, and that the plug on the end of the AC adapter cord is inserted securely into the BrailleNote QT's power socket.
When the battery is charging, if the AC supply is interrupted, or the AC adapter is disconnected the BrailleNote QT displays: "AC adapter off.”
This message, too, is displayed even if the BrailleNote QT is switched off.
The messages are both spoken and appear on the Braille display, assuming both speech and Braille are on. Of course, if speech is off, the message only appears on the Braille display. If the Braille display is off the message is only spoken.


2.2 AC Adapter and Battery.
The BrailleNote QT can operate from its internal rechargeable battery or from its AC adapter. The length of time you can run the BrailleNote QT from a fully charged battery is typically over 20 hours before it becomes flat. Activities like printing, emailing and communicating using the serial or infrared port increase the drain on the battery. Using the builtin modem also drains the battery more than editing documents. PC cards that draw their power from the BrailleNote QT's battery reduce the available battery life too.
The BrailleNote QT warns you if the battery is getting low. When the battery gauge indicates that the battery is down to 10% full or less the following warning is displayed periodically: "Battery is low."
If possible, connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery now. You typically have about 2 hours of battery life remaining. If the battery continues to run down and becomes nearly flat, KeySoft displays the following message: "Battery is critical."
If this message is displayed you should act within the next 30 seconds or your BrailleNote QT may switch itself off. The time available to switch off may be as little as 30 seconds but it is typically 15 to 20 minutes if you are not using high current accessories. You have two options. You can connect the AC adapter and carry on working indefinitely, or you can save your current work and switch off. To save your work, just return to the Main Menu. If the BrailleNote QT switches itself off, it cannot be switched on again until it is powered from the AC adapter.
Your BrailleNote QT automatically manages its power usage to give you the maximum life from the battery. The hibernate mode is entered after approximately 10 minutes of inactivity. Pressing any key will end the hibernate mode, but it is recommended that you momentarily press the CONTROL keys to end the hibernate mode. This will avoid the possibility of inserting unwanted characters if a document was open when the unit entered the hibernate mode. You can help by switching off your BrailleNote QT when you are not going to be using it for a while. Remember that you can switch your BrailleNote QT off and on without affecting your work in any way and your BrailleNote QT resumes from where you were when you switched off.


2.3 Checking Power Status.
You can check the stateofcharge of the battery and whether the AC adapter is connected from anywhere in KeySoft by pressing FUNCTION with O, then P.
First, the battery stateofcharge in percent is displayed: “Level c percent,”
where c is the battery's stateofcharge. Then the AC adapter status is displayed: "Adapter (status),"
where "status" is either "on" or "off." After these messages are displayed, you are returned to your original place in KeySoft. To clear the battery status message from the Braille display, press ADVANCE..


2.4 Battery Care.
Like all rechargeable batteries, as the BrailleNote QT battery ages its capacity reduces. If your BrailleNote QT is used every day we expect that the battery will last typically 18 months before the battery's capacity is noticeably lower than it was 18 months before. We recommend that you send the BrailleNote QT back to an authorized BrailleNote QT service center to replace the battery. Replacement batteries are expected to last typically 18 months before they too, need replacing.


2.5 Calibrating the Battery Gauge.
BrailleNote QT incorporates a battery gauge that is originally calibrated at the Factory. For best performance, the gauge needs to be calibrated periodically as the battery ages during its life. Remember that as the battery ages its capacity reduces. When the battery gauge is calibrated it measures the battery capacity. If the battery's capacity is reduced then the battery gauge over estimates the remaining charge in the battery. The most noticeable sign that the battery gauge needs to be calibrated again is if the "battery is low" warning is closely followed by the "battery is critical" warning. There should be a gap of from one to two hours of continuous operation between these warnings. The battery gauge should never need to be calibrated more than once every two months and usually much less frequently.
Note that if the battery goes completely flat, the battery gauge will no longer be accurate, and it will need to be recalibrated.
To calibrate the battery gauge, first fully charge the unit, and then run the BrailleNote QT without the AC adapter until the BrailleNote QT freezes. Next plug in the AC adapter and completely recharge the battery. To assist with this process, a special "battery drain" mode is included, as described in the following section,. As you discharge the battery you need to ignore the battery warnings and continue to run the battery down. It may be convenient to continue using the BrailleNote QT normally but make sure you have saved your work once the "battery is critical" warning is given.


2.5.1 Support Information Mode.
You can check the battery and battery gauge characteristics using the Support Information mode. Included is an option to "drain" the battery which assists with recalibration of the battery fuel gauge. To enter the support information mode from anywhere in KeySoft press FUNCTION with O, followed by SPACE with I. You can now select the following options:
1. To find out if the battery gauge has been calibrated and is accurate, press A. For example, if the battery gauge is calibrated KeySoft will prompt: "Gauge is accurate."
If the gauge is inaccurate, it means that the battery charge level may not be being reported correctly. Refer to item 6 below for instructions on how to recalibrate the battery gauge. After executing this command you are returned to the Support Information mode.
2. To determine the "Last charge" information for the battery, press B. The reported time indicates the time it took to fully charge the battery after plugging in the AC Adapter. The report is in the form:
Last charge:	234 minutes.
Completed:	Friday, February 9, at 2:47pm.
Started:	Friday, February 9, at 10:53am.
After executing this command you are returned to the Support Information mode.
1. To determine the charge available from the battery, press C. For example, a typical message is: "Nominal available charge 16,640."
The higher the value the greater the capacity. After executing this command you are returned to the Support Information mode.
2. To review the last measured discharge count of the battery, press D. The last measured discharge is the learned battery capacity. For example, a typical discharge message is: "Last measured discharge 26,136."
The higher the value the greater the capacity available from the battery when it is fully charged. The factory default value is 33,904, which indicates that the gauge is not calibrated. This could happen for example, if the BrailleNote had been in storage for several weeks and the battery had completely discharged. After executing this command you are returned to the Support Information mode.
3. To review the cell voltage critical warning value, press E. This value cannot be changed. After executing this command you are returned to the Support Information mode.
4. There are two types of battery "drain" mode. These modes are used for flattening the battery in order to recalibrate the battery capacity gauge. To have KeySoft continuously repeat the message, "I'm talking until my battery goes flat. This repetition is enough to drive me crazy. How about you?" press F. Alternatively, to drain the battery using the Braille display if your model has one, press X. This causes the rows of dots on the Braille display to pop up and down in turn. To prematurely stop the battery drain mode once it has begun, press ESCAPE.
Follow these steps:
a) Fully charge your BrailleNote QT by leaving the Adapter connected for at least 3 hours. Check by pressing FUNCTION with O, then P, that the capacity is showing 100%.
b) Disconnect the AC Adapter from the BrailleNote QT.
c) To start the "battery drain" mode, place the BrailleNote QT in a place where it won't indeed "drive you crazy", and allow it to continue until the unit completely freezes. During this process the BrailleNote QT will first report many times that the "battery is low", eventually followed by "battery is critical". Some time thereafter the unit will freeze. Pressing SPACE while the "battery drain" message is being spoken will announce the time at which the process started, and the elapsed time.
d) Reconnect the AC Adapter, and the BrailleNote QT should restart. The message "AC Adapter On" should be spoken, followed by the message that the "Battery test is completed". To hear details on the battery test, press SPACE. The time taken to Discharge the battery from its fully charged state is given.
5. To determine the charging status, press S. For example, if the AC adapter is connected, the BrailleNote QT displays: "Fast charging." If not, BrailleNote QT displays "Discharging."
After executing this command you are returned to the Support Information mode.
6. To display the cell voltage of the battery, press V. For example: "Cell voltage 1.5 Volts"
After executing this command you are returned to the Support Information mode.
To return to the place where you selected the Options menu, press ESCAPE.


2.6 Long Term Storage.
If you store a BrailleNote for more than two to three weeks, the battery will become completely flat. If the battery was less than fully charged prior to storing the BrailleNote, the time for the battery to become fully flat will be shorter. This is because BrailleNote's battery self discharges internally and because BrailleNote QT draws a very small amount of current even when it is switched off. The battery gauge will be inaccurate at that point, and if you use this feature, you will need to recalibrate the gauge as described in page 2.5 Calibrating the Battery Gauge.
If you intend to leave the BrailleNote switched off for more than a few days, fully charge the battery beforehand, or leave the AC adapter connected if this is convenient. If you intend to store a BrailleNote for more than two to three weeks without the AC adapter connected, ensure your work is saved by returning to the Main Menu, and fully charge the battery before putting the BrailleNote into storage.
When you take a BrailleNote out of longterm storage, first connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery. Try switching the BrailleNote on. If it does not resume normally, press the Reset switch with a pointed object. The BrailleNote beeps to confirm that it has been reset. Wait a few seconds while the BrailleNote initializes itself. If the battery has gone quite flat, you will be prompted to reset the time and date and so on. Press ENTER several times if you want to leave that for later or refer to Appendix C, which describes the procedure for initializing the BrailleNote.


2.7 Ports.
The BrailleNote QT has a range of ports available  Serial, Parallel, Infrared and modem.


2.7.1 Using the Serial Port.
Reach beyond the keyboard to the back of your BrailleNote QT and investigate the layout of the back panel. There is a recessed panel comprising from the right, a modem jack, female 25 pin parallel port, a card slot and a nine pin male port. This nine pin male port is the serial port.
The serial port can be used to provide a connection to a visual display, PC or other equipment. You can use the serial port to connect to a terminal, an embosser or printer that has a serial interface, a modem or to other computers to import and export documents and files. You can use the BrailleNote QT as a remote speech synthesizer by connecting the serial port to a suitable driver. You can also run ActiveSync on a PC and access your BrailleNote QT through the serial port like an extension of the PC.
Your BrailleNote QT is supplied with a serial cable that has two identical nine pin plugs on each end of the cable. You don't have to identify which is the right end of the cable, either end will do. The connectors can only be plugged in one way. To plug in the connector hold the plug horizontal and push it gently into the socket. If it does not engage turn it through 180 degrees and try again.
The cable supplied is called a "null modem cable." This cable works with most equipment except external modems. A different cable is needed to communicate with a modem and equipment that emulates a modem.
The 9 pin plugs on each end of the serial cable incorporate two locking screws designed to secure the plug when it is plugged in. Use of these screws is recommended to prevent the plug falling out in use. The screws can be tightened and undone by hand. In the usual way, turning them clockwise does them up and turning them anticlockwise undoes them. Do not over tighten the screws; a light force is sufficient to hold the connector.
Don't forget to disconnect the cable when you are done. As a precaution check for anything connected to your BrailleNote QT before transporting it.


2.7.2 Using the Parallel Port.
To the right of the rear panel is a 25 pin female connector. This is the parallel port. It can be used to connect to an embosser or a printer that has a parallel interface. A compatible cable is supplied with your printer. It is convenient to leave one end of the printer cable connected to the printer. The other end can be plugged into the BrailleNote QT when required.
The 25 pin plug is similar to the 9 pin plug but the plug is much longer. It too can only be plugged in one way. To plug in the connector, hold it horizontally and try pushing it gently into the socket. If it does not engage, turn it through 180 degrees and try again.
Use the locking screws to prevent the plug falling out in use. The screws can be tightened and undone by hand. In the usual way, turning them clockwise does them up and turning them anticlockwise undoes them. Do not over tighten the screws; a light force is sufficient to hold the connector.


2.7.3 Using the Infrared Port.
The infrared port is located at the rear of your BrailleNote QT on the right, directly behind the ENTER key. Run your hand across the back of the BrailleNote QT on the extreme right and you will feel a vertical channel. The infrared port communicates though a window that is located in the channel.
The BrailleNote QT's infrared port conforms to the Infrared Data Association specification for infrared communications. This standard is called "IrDA" for short. This is a new type of infrared communications that can work up to a high speed.
The BrailleNote QT's infrared port can be used for printing or for communicating with a remote visual display. You can also run ActiveSync on a PC and access your BrailleNote QT through the Infrared port like an extension of the PC.
Using the infrared port, you can print to a printer equipped with an infrared port. You can also print to a printer that is connected to an IrDA compatible accessory such as the JET EYE printer adapter. This adapter is normally connected between a PC and a printer without an infrared port. Embossing and printing using the infrared port is described in 6.6.6 Embosser Port.
To communicate with a remote visual display using the infrared connection, an IrDA compatible port is needed on the PC. The JET EYE PC is an accessory that provides such a port. It is designed for use in conjunction with a PC or a lap top computer, plugging into a serial port on the host computer. Terminal software running on the PC enables the PC's screen to display output from the infrared port of the BrailleNote QT. This provides a sighted teacher with a text display matching the BrailleNote QT display. Using BrailleNote QT's infrared port to communicate with a remote visual display is described in page 2.11 Using a Visual Display.
IrDA compatible infrared communications work over a distance of up to about three feet (1 meter) for standard power devices and up to at least eight inches (200 millimeters) for low power devices. The BrailleNote QT is a standard power device. The host's and BrailleNote QT's infrared ports must face each other but they do not have to be lined up exactly because the infrared beam is quite wide. After a little experimentation, you will be able to determine the most convenient arrangement of equipment that works reliably.


2.7.4 Using the Modem.
The internal modem can be used for sending and receiving email.
A modem jack is located on the right of the rear panel. Your BrailleNote QT is supplied with a modem cable for connecting BrailleNote QT's modem to a phone line.
If you live in UK, Australia or New Zealand, an adapter that plugs into a standard "BT" type phone jack is also supplied with your BrailleNote QT. The modem cable plugs into the adapter and the adapter plugs into a phone jack.
The modem cable has a phone type plug at either end the cable. Insert one plug into the BrailleNote QT modem jack and the other end into a phone jack. To do this, locate the locking clip on one side of the plug. Orient this side to the bottom of the modem jack, engage the plug in the socket and push the plug home. A latch holds the plug that should hold when the cable is lightly pulled. To unplug, squeeze the clip in towards the plug and pull the cable. The case bottom is scalloped under the modem jack so that you can easily get your fingertip under the clip. When the plug is unclipped it releases freely.
Don't forget to disconnect the cable when you are done. As a precaution check for anything connected to your BrailleNote QT before transporting it.


2.8 Braille Display Care.
Each cell of the Braille display has eight pins. For each pin there is a special crystal that lifts the pin to make a dot, and allows the pin to drop when there is no dot. The pins have to be able to move freely. In normal use dirt unavoidably accumulates on the display and around the touch cursor buttons. To prevent the pins from jamming, the display and touch cursor should be cleaned regularly. Cleaning the Braille display is not straightforward. We recommend that you send the BrailleNote QT back to an authorized BrailleNote QT service center every twelve months to clean the Braille display.
Making sure that your hands are always clean is a good start towards minimizing problems with your Braille display. We suggest that once per week you wipe the surface of the Braille display using a soft damp cloth. The cloth should be squeezed hard to ensure that all excess moisture has been removed. Use only warm water on the cloth.


2.9 PC Cards.
The BrailleNote QT has a slot for plugin PC cards, also known as PCMCIA cards. These cards are about the size of a credit card, only thicker. The PC card slot can be used for a microdrive or PC storage card, or an approved type of wireless card as discussed in 13.4.1 Creating a new Wireless Configuration. To find out what PC card accessories are available or will become available call your BrailleNote QT distributor.
Compact Flash cards can be used in the PC card slot as well as in the dedicated Compact Flash slot in the rear panel, as discussed in the next section. An adapter is available into which you slide the card before inserting it into the slot as described below.
Feel along the righthand edge of the BrailleNote QT and you will find a horizontal slot. The card eject button is located in a recess behind the slot.


2.9.1 General.
The BrailleNote QT has a slot for plugin PC cards, also known as PCMCIA cards. These cards are about the size of a credit card, only thicker. As well as allowing you to use PC cards for extra data storage, the card slot enables accessories compatible with the BrailleNote QT to be added. For example, the SuperDisk drive is a standard disk drive accessory. Instead of a plug, it has a card attached to a cable, and by inserting the card you are effectively plugging in the accessory. To find out what PC card accessories are available or will become available call your BrailleNote QT distributor.
Compact Flash cards can be used in the PC card slot as well as in the dedicated Compact Flash slot in the rear panel, as discussed in the next section. An adapter is available into which you slide the card before inserting it into the slot as described below.
Feel along the righthand edge of the BrailleNote QT and you will find a horizontal slot. The card eject button is located in a recess behind the slot. The PC card slot can be used for an external disk drive, IBM micro drive, ATA memory card or other accessory.


2.9.2 Installing and Uninstalling PC Cards.
PC or PCMCIA cards can be installed only one way. A polarizing key prevents a card from being fully plugged in if it is the wrong way up. A simple strategy for finding the correct orientation is to just try gently plugging it in. If it engages, gently push it home. If it stops with a "clunk" with the card protruding some 10 mm from the slot, take it out, invert it and try again.
You can also identify the correct orientation by touch. The front of the PC card is the short edge on which there are many indentations along its entire length. Hold the front edge away from you. Run your fingers along this edge and just around the corners, where you will find some polarizing ridges. If the card is facing upward, there will be two ridges on the righthand side. The groove between them can be detected with your fingernail. On the left, there will be one ridge. If necessary, turn the card over so that there are two ridges on the right and one on the left.
You could label the PC card once you have identified the correct orientation.
PC cards can be installed with the BrailleNote QT switched on. When you do so the BrailleNote QT displays: "Card inserted."
To remove a PC card, firmly push the PC card eject button. Remember it is located behind the PC card slot. This disengages the card from its connector and pushes the card out about a quarter of an inch. Always use the eject button even if the card has a cable with a grip. You can now pull the PC card completely out of the slot. If the card is unplugged with the power on, BrailleNote QT displays: "Card removed."


2.9.3 Accessing files on the PC Card.
The PC card slot is treated as a drive by KeySoft, where it is listed as Storage card. (Storage card also covers the external disk drive as it plugs into the same slot.) To access files on the PC Card, at any file prompt, go to the drive list and press S for Storage card. Proceed as normal.


2.10 Compact Flash Cards.
A Compact Flash card is 3.5cm by 4cm, about the size of a matchbook. It provides considerable extra data storage, and cards come in a large range of capacities running into several gigabytes.
The BrailleNote QT has a card slot for Compact Flash cards. This slot is located on the back of the unit. As well as allowing you to use Compact Flash cards for extra data storage, the Compact Flash card slot can be used for data storage using a CF memory card, or as a plug for Compact Flash card type accessories. 
Compact Flash cards can be used in the PC card slot as well. An adapter is available into which you slide the Compact Flash card before inserting it into the PC card slot as described in 2.9 PC Cards.


2.10.1 Inserting and Removing Compact Flash Cards.
The Compact Flash card is wider than it is long, so it is important to orient the card correctly, as attempting to plug the shorter side in may damage the pins in the back of the slot. Also, a polarizing key makes the card more difficult to plug in if it is the wrong way up. A simple strategy for finding the correct orientation is to just try gently plugging it in. If it engages, gently push it home. If it resists being inserted, take it out, invert it and try again.
You can also identify most Compact Flash cards' correct orientation by touch. The front of the Compact Flash card is the longer side that has two rows of pin sized indentations. The bottom side of most Compact Flash cards has a slight grip ridge along the opposite edge.
You could label the Compact Flash card once you have identified the correct orientation.
Compact cards can be installed with the BrailleNote QT switched on. When you do so the BrailleNote QT displays: "Card inserted."
To remove a Compact Flash card, hold the card firmly and pull it out. This is quite tricky if you have big fingers or no fingernails. Most Compact Flash cards have a grip ridge that makes them easier to grasp. If the card is unplugged with the power on, BrailleNote QT displays: "Card removed."


2.10.2 Accessing files on the Compact Flash Card.
The Compact Flash card slot is treated as a drive by KeySoft. To access files on the Compact Flash Card, at any file prompt, go to the drive list and press C for compactflash card. Proceed as normal.


2.11 Using a Visual Display.
BrailleNote QT can provide a text output via the serial or infrared ports to a visual display. Sighted observers or teachers can use the visual display screen to view KeySoft's prompts and help messages, and your text if you are typing a document. The visual display can be a terminal or a PC, laptop or handheld computer running terminal emulation software. The terminal or terminal emulation software must emulate a DEC VT100 or an ANSI terminal.
For PC's running Windows, "HyperTerminal" is provided as part of the communications accessories and can be used as the terminal software. To facilitate the use of HyperTerminal as the remote Visual Display for the BrailleNote QT, a program shortcut is provided on the "Software for BrailleNote Family CD" supplied as part of the BrailleNote QT package.


2.11.1 Connecting a Remote Visual Display to the Serial Port.
In the following discussion when we refer to a terminal, we mean either a dedicated terminal or a PC running terminal emulation software.
The following procedure might require the help of a technician if the terminal is unfamiliar to you. The procedure involves connecting the BrailleNote QT to the terminal using a cable and setting up the terminal to communicate at a certain speed and format. This can be done manually for some terminals. Or if the terminal is intelligent, done by the terminal itself as it automatically detects the serial speed and format. The necessary settings are:
bit rate: 38400 bps.
parity: none.
data bits: 8.
stop bits: 1.
1. To connect BrailleNote QT's serial port to a terminal, first plug one end of the serial communications cable into the serial port as described in 2.7.1 Using the Serial Port.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into a mating socket on the terminal. If the terminal has a 25 pin D type connector instead, use the 9 pin to 25 pin adapter. Ensure the terminal is switched on.
3. Finally, direct the BrailleNote QT to drive the serial port by selecting the remote visual display output as described in 2.11.3 Turning the Visual Display On and Off below. Now, when the BrailleNote QT displays something such as a prompt the terminal should also display the corresponding prompt. If the terminal responds when the connected BrailleNote QT displays something but the terminal's display is not intelligible then the speed and/or format are probably not right. Correct the settings and retry.


2.11.2 Connecting a Remote Visual Display using the Infrared Port.
A suitable remote visual display for use with the infrared port is either a portable computer or a PC equipped with an IrDA port. Although there are many IrDA devices available, they are not all compatible. Check first that the computer has an IrDA compatible port.
The following procedure might require the help of a technician if the equipment is unfamiliar to you. First set up the terminal software on the computer to receive its input from its infrared port. Next, position the computer so the infrared port on the BrailleNote QT is facing the infrared port on the remote display device. Finally, direct the BrailleNote QT to send display output to the infrared port as described in 2.11.3 Turning the Visual Display On and Off.


2.11.3 Turning the Visual Display On and Off.
The last step towards providing a visual display is to have your BrailleNote QT send text to the serial or infrared outputs. Press FUNCTION with O, then V for Visual display. KeySoft displays: "Visual display, Currently off."
The options are:
To turn the visual display ON press N then ENTER;
To send the visual display to the Serial port press S then ENTER;
To send the visual display to the Infrared port press I then ENTER;
Or just press ENTER to leave the selection unchanged.
To turn the visual display off again after use, press F for OFF then ENTER.
Use the serial port if you are using a standard computer terminal or a PC running a terminal emulator program. Use the infrared port if you are using a desktop or hand held PC with an infrared port and running a terminal emulator program.


2.12 Braille Terminal for Screen Reader.
BrailleNote can act like a remote Braille line or terminal. You can then run a screen reader, for example Window Eyes, JAWS, or HAL on a desktop PC, using the BrailleNote QT as its Braille display.
The serial communications or null modem cable provided with your BrailleNote QT should be used to connect the PC to your BrailleNote QT. If your PC's serial port has a 25 pin connector you will need to use the 9 pin to 25 pin adapter also provided. Plug the cable into the serial port on the rear of BrailleNote QT as described in 2.7.1 Using the Serial Port. Plug the other end into a serial port on your PC.
To access the Braille Terminal, either go to the Main Menu and press T, or from anywhere, press FUNCTION with B. KeySoft displays: "Braille Terminal."
The BrailleNote QT now acts as a Braille display connected to the serial port of the desktop PC. You are able to run a screen reader from the desktop keyboard, and BrailleNote QT displays text on its display. Refer to your screen reader documentation for details of how the screen reader interacts with the BrailleNote QT. The screen reader will have an associated driver, and maybe other configuration files, that determine the function of the BrailleNote QT keyboard when it is being used as a Braille display.
BrailleNote QT cannot be used for its normal functions while it is acting as a remote Braille display, however, you can use the "Change Task" option to temporarily leave the Braille Terminal. For example, during a screen reading session, you may wish to temporarily switch to the Planner to add an appointment, and then switch back to using the Braille Terminal mode. To exit the Terminal for Screen Reader mode, press ESCAPE and you are returned to the Main Menu.
You should plug in the AC adapter if you intend to use your BrailleNote QT as a remote display for an extended period.


2.13 Remote Synthesizer.
Your BrailleNote QT can act like a Keynote Gold Stand Alone speech synthesizer. You can then run a screen reader on a desktop PC, using your BrailleNote QT as its synthesizer.
You must connect your BrailleNote QT to your PC as described for the Braille Terminal in 2.12 Braille Terminal for Screen Reader.
On your BrailleNote QT, at the Main Menu, press R. KeySoft displays: "Remote synthesizer ready."
The BrailleNote QT now acts as a Keynote Stand Alone synthesizer.
On the Braille display, the message "Remote synthesizer ready" will remain while the BrailleNote QT is being used in this mode.
BrailleNote QT cannot be used for its normal functions while it is acting as a synthesizer. To exit the Remote Synthesizer mode, press ESCAPE and you are returned to the KeySoft Main Menu. You should plug in the AC adapter if you intend to use your BrailleNote QT as a remote synthesizer for an extended period.


2.14 General Care.
Apart from recalibrating the battery gauge and cleaning the case, the BrailleNote QT needs no special maintenance. The internal battery should last typically 18 months before needing replacement and this must be done by an authorized service agent. Keep beverages like tea and coffee away from the BrailleNote QT. Periodically wipe the case down with a warm damp cloth. Don't use any cleaning compounds.



3 Word Processor.
This chapter introduces the basics of KeyWord, the word processor part of KeySoft, and describes how to create, read and edit a document. Advanced aspects of KeyWord, including creating documents with more complex formats, and quickly making extensive changes to a document, are covered in Chapter 7.
In the following discussion, the general terms "announcements," "prompts" and "reading" apply to any of the outputs available in the BrailleNote family of products. If your model is a VoiceNote, they refer to audio output only. For BrailleNote models, they can refer to either the Braille display, the audio output, or both.


3.1 What is a Word Processor.
A word processor is like a sophisticated Braille writer or typewriter. The difference is that you do not have to get the document right first time. You can add, delete and change things to your heart's content, and all the time your work is stored in BrailleNote QT's memory. You only need emboss or print your document when you are entirely satisfied with it.
There are other advantages too. You can make changes at a later date, and you can keep all the various versions. It's easy to make copies of documents, and filing and retrieving is much simpler than with hard copy.
Besides writing documents, KeyWord is useful just for reading documents such as emailed documents that have originated elsewhere. These can be read directly without translating them to Braille.


3.2 Text and Braille.
When you start to compose a document, KeyWord assumes that you want to do it in text, so the layout and format are for a print page, suitable for printing directly. This doesn't mean that you are committed to a text document, however. You can send it to an embosser and KeySoft automatically translates it into a suitable format.
Alternatively, you have the option of creating a Braille document directly, with a layout and format for a Braille page. A Braille document requires the use of the FDS and JKL keys to input the Braille characters, which is discussed in 7.16.1 Creating a Braille Document. A Braille document may be embossed directly or printed using automatic BrailletoText translation.
Unlike some other word processors, KeyWord allows you to work with the layout of a document as it will be printed or embossed. This means that you are working with the actual layout while you are editing, and you do not have to make allowances for any effects of formatting commands.
KeyWord allows you to format a document for printing and independently format the same document for embossing. The two sets of formatting controls are independent. Consequently the layout of a document, either text or Braille, can be precisely controlled without making changes between printing and embossing. The document remains unchanged when you send it to a printer or embosser.


3.3 The KeyWord Menu.
To select the word processing functions, start from the Main Menu and press SPACE repeatedly until "Word processor" is displayed, and then press ENTER. Alternatively, just press W. If you have the Braille display on, you can also use the ADVANCE thumb key to step through the menu and the NEXT thumb key to select an item. KeySoft displays: "KeyWord Menu."
Press SPACE to display the first item in the KeyWord Menu, which is: "Create a document."
As the prompt suggests, you use this option when you want to create a new document. Press SPACE again, and KeySoft displays the second item, which is: "Open a document."
You use the "Open" option to read an existing document, or to make changes to one.


3.4 Documents Folders and Drives.
3.4.1 Documents.
Documents are the most common type of file you will use on the BrailleNote QT. You must give each document a unique name enabling KeySoft to distinguish one document from another. For example, when you use KeyWord to write a letter, that letter is stored as a document. Every document name should indicate what type of information it contains. A document name can be up to 250 characters long, including spaces. It cannot contain the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > |


3.4.2 Folders.
When you have been using your BrailleNote QT for a while you could very easily accumulate several hundred documents, and it could become tedious to find any particular one. To make life easier, documents can be organized into groups called "Folders." Initially, there are folders named "General," and "My Books," together with a number of others which KeySoft uses. Besides these, you can create as many new folders as you wish.
If you have a lot of files to organize and are comfortable with the concept, you might want to create a directory structure of folders, where there is more than one layer of folders. Details about how to do this and all other aspects of folder and file management are covered in Chapter 13.
Folders can contain both Braille and text documents. Folder names can be up to 250 characters long, and can consist of any Braille signs except those for the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > |


3.4.3 Drives.
Documents can be stored by different pieces of hardware in the BrailleNote QT, called disk drives, or just drives. BrailleNote QT incorporates a type of memory called flash memory. The associated drive is referred to as a Flash Disk. It provides fast, secure storage, retaining its contents even if the battery is flat. It is the memory you normally use to save your documents. You can copy, rename, erase or edit and resave documents to the Flash Disk.
Another drive is the KeySoft System Disk. This drive stores information installed in the factory. This includes the main operating software, User Guide, and a sample book. Information installed at the Factory is retained even if the battery goes flat, but user information stored in the KeySoft System Disk will be lost. It is therefore not recommended that you save documents in the KeySoft System Disk, but you can open documents like the sample book and the BrailleNote QT user guide that are stored in it. If you do save documents in the KeySoft System Disk, be aware that they will be lost if the battery goes flat or you do a Reset with JKL keys held down.
You can also add external drives to the BrailleNote QT.


3.4.4 Changing the Current Drive.
There is a way of selecting a drive in KeySoft generally, which is not restricted to the KeyWord. If you are at a prompt for a filename or folder name, and you have not had the opportunity to select a drive, then press BACKSPACE. KeySoft displays: "Drive? (Last drive used)."
To step through the list of available drives press SPACE. The list comprises the Flash Disk and KeySoft System Disk, and if in use, the Compact Flash card and/or Storage card and Network. To select a drive, either step through the list of available drives press SPACE or ADVANCE then press NEXT or ENTER, or just type the first letter of the drive name.


3.5 Opening a Document. Q
Several documents are provided with KeySoft. If you want to read one of them, how do you select it? From the KeyWord menu, select "Open a document." KeyWord displays:
"Press ENTER for Folder name? (name),"
where the word "name" between the brackets is really the name of the last folder used. 
To select a document you must first select the appropriate folder. There are three different methods of doing this:
1. To select the offered folder, just press ENTER. This is the folder that was last used. 
2. To look through the list of available folders, press SPACE or DOWN ARROW repeatedly. When the name of the folder you require is displayed, select it by pressing ENTER. You can move back along the list, by pressing BACKSPACE or UP ARROW repeatedly. 
While scanning the list you can quickly relocate to an alphabetical position in the list by pressing a letter. For example, pressing T puts you at the beginning of the list of folders starting with T. If you keep on pressing T, you cycle through all the names starting with that letter. 
3. Type the name of the folder you require, and press ENTER. With this method, remember that you have to type the name exactly or it will not work. 
You can change the current drive by pressing BACKSPACE or CONTROL with D at the "Folder name?" prompt. The Flash Disk is assumed here. If another drive was previously selected, a drive prompt is given as described in above. 
When you have selected a folder, KeyWord asks:
"Document to open? (name),"
where the word "name" between the brackets is really the name of the last document you accessed. 
Just like folder selection, the same three methods are available for selecting a document. Select the offered document by just pressing ENTER, or review the list of documents by pressing SPACE repeatedly and select a document by pressing ENTER, or type the document name and press ENTER. 
This selection procedure is significant because it is general throughout KeySoft, and is not restricted to just opening a document. 
Whether you use the SPACE or DOWN ARROW key to scan through a list of folders or documents is a matter of personal preference. 
Similarly, you may use either the BACKSPACE or UP ARROW key to move back through a list. 
If you are opening an ASCII text file, or a plain Braille document you will be prompted to review the options associated with the opening and subsequent saving of the document. Section discusses the options given when opening such documents. 

3.6 Naming a Document. Q
In the next section we talk about creating a document, but first we discuss names. Each document must have a unique, meaningful name so that it can be stored and later retrieved by specifying its name. You can use whatever name you like, with up to 250 characters and spaces. It cannot contain the following characters:
\ / : * ? " < > |
If you have several documents on a similar subject, you may find it helpful to put the common part of the name first. For example, you might have:
"Club minutes, January,"
"Club minutes, February,"
and so on. These document names would be grouped together alphabetically for easy location. If the months are put first, the documents are scattered through the list of documents.
Documents can be grouped into folders to make them easier to find. As an example, the documents just mentioned might all be put into a folder called "Club minutes 2001." The rules for naming a folder are the same as for naming a document.
Some characters are reserved and you may not use them in a document name. They are: \ / : " < > | * and ?


3.7 Creating a Document. BQ
We now create a trial document. From the Main Menu, select the Word Processor option. From the KeyWord menu select "Create a document." KeySoft displays: "Folder name? General."
The General folder is fine; so press ENTER to accept KeySoft's suggestion. You are then asked: "Document to create?"
Type in the name: "Sample," with or without a capital S as you wish, and press ENTER. KeySoft displays: "Top of Document. Blank."
You are now at the top lefthand corner of an empty text document.
Without worrying about mistakes, type half a dozen sentences. Each word is spoken only when you have pressed the space bar to complete the word. You can change the Keyboard Voice so that KeySoft speaks each letter as it is pressed, or both words and letters. How to change the Keyboard Voice was discussed in 1.15.4.4 Setting the Keyboard Voice.
You may also notice that you can type indefinitely without worrying about the right margin. This is because KeyWord automatically starts a new line if it cannot fit another word onto the current line. This process is known as word wrapping.
Start a new paragraph by pressing ENTER to start a new line, and type a few more sentences.
When you have finished typing, press ESCAPE. Your document is saved, and you are returned to the KeyWord menu.


3.8 Reading a Document.
We now discuss the various commands for reading a document. We recommend you open your "Sample" document, or the "Demonstration Document" that comes with KeySoft, so that you can practice using the reading commands. The "Demonstration Document" is found in the "General" folder. Open the document as explained in 3.5 Opening a Document. Q.
Reviewing the document by reading the Braille display is, of course, quite different from listening to the document so these two methods are discussed separately below. First we discuss reviewing using the Braille display.
Note: If you are ever unsure which document you are reading, press READ with CONTROL with I. This will display the name of the document.


3.8.1 Reading on the Braille Display.
You can read through the document up to eighteen or thirtytwo symbols at a time. This depends on the width of the Braille display of your BrailleNote QT and the number of whole words that fit on the display. KeySoft avoids breaking the last word by leaving the last few cells blank.
The Braille display provides a window into the document. You can step this window forwards or backwards through the document using the thumb keys. ADVANCE steps forward one window and BACK steps back a window. After reading across the display press ADVANCE to display the next window.
Repeat the procedure to read through the document. You can go back if necessary by pressing BACK. You can also move the display to the left or right a word at a time. To move the display back a word in the document, press PREVIOUS with BACK at the same time. To move the display forward a word, press PREVIOUS with ADVANCE.
The function of the PREVIOUS and NEXT thumb keys is defined in the Braille Display Options. For information on how to change the setting, refer to 5.4.4 Function of Previous and Next thumb Keys.
The default setting is Up and Down, and using this setting PREVIOUS steps directly up and NEXT steps directly down where the document has text organized in columns or tables. When text is arranged in sentences the cursor moves to the same place in the line directly above or below.
The function of PREVIOUS and NEXT can also be set to move back or forward by sentence or paragraph. By changing the cursor movement mode within the document, these thumb keys commands move by line rather than sentence, and section rather than paragraph. Cursor movement modes are discussed in 3.10.3 Cursor Movement Modes.
To return to the top of the document, press READ with T. KeySoft displays a window of text starting at the very first symbol in the document.
To jump directly to the end of the document, press READ with B. KeySoft displays a window of text ending with the last symbol in the document.
Experiment with the thumb to become familiar. Try reading your "sample" document or the "Demonstration Document" in this way.
You can set your BrailleNote QT to automatically advance the display without you having to press ADVANCE all the time. Each Braille window is displayed for a time before the next window is displayed. You can set the speed to suit your particular preference. To start the automatic advance press READ with SHIFT with G. Press NEXT to speed up and PREVIOUS to slow down the display rate. You can stop by pressing PREVIOUS and NEXT or READ with SPACE simultaneously. Restart by pressing READ with SHIFT with G again.


3.8.2 Listening to a Document.
When you are reading sentences or paragraphs, you may be simply listening to the text, or checking it in detail for errors. You can choose to hear the amount of detail you require by setting the punctuation level. You may also choose whether numbers are spoken as words or as digits.
You use the keyboard to enter commands when listening to BrailleNote QT's speech. To listen to a document without stopping, press READ with G, for "Go." KeySoft continues reading to the end of the document unless you stop by pressing READ with SPACE. You can start and stop as you wish with these two commands.
To return to the top of the document, press READ with T. KeySoft says: "Top of document." and announces the first word of the document.
To jump directly to the end of the document, press READ with B.
Experiment with the Go, Stop, Beginning and End commands until you are happy that you understand their effects.

There are several other important commands for moving around the text. These additional commands are arranged in groups of three on each row of the keyboard centered on the comma, K, I and 8 column of keys. These are all used in conjunction with the READ key.
For example, try the commands for reading characters:
To move back a character and read it,	press READ with M;
To read the current character, 	press READ with comma;
To move forward a character and read it, 	press READ with period.
This convention also applies to reading whole words, as follows:
To move back a word and read it, 	press READ with J;
To read the current word, 	press READ with K;
To move forward a word and read it, 	press READ with L.
You may be able to guess the next triplet of commands:
To move back a sentence and read it, 	press READ with U;
To read the current sentence, 	press READ with I;
To move forward a sentence and read it, 	press READ with O.
A similar convention applies for previous, current, and next paragraphs:
To move back a paragraph and read it, 	press READ with 7;
To read the current paragraph, 	press READ with 8;
To move forward a paragraph and read it, 	press READ with 9.
You can follow a sentence or paragraph read command with another sentence or paragraph read command to immediately change the prose being read.
Try reading your "Sample" document or the "Demonstration Document" with these commands. You can refresh your memory by pressing HELP, and opening the "Review Commands" list. Alternatively you can enter the Announce Key mode by pressing READ with A and practice the review keystrokes.
When using several review commands one after the other, you do not have to wait for speech to finish, nor do you have to release the READ key after each command. Here is an example where we move back several words and then move forward a character at a time. First press, and hold down, the READ key. Now, with the READ key held down, tap J several times, to move back several words. With the READ key still down, tap PERIOD several times to move forward several characters. Finally release the READ key. The CONTROL key operates in the same way when it is used for deleting and formatting text as described later. You will find this feature very convenient to use.


3.8.3 Review Voice.
The Review Voice settings determine when KeySoft speaks and how much detail KeySoft includes when reading. When you hold down the PREVIOUS thumb key, press SPACE and release both keys, KeySoft displays the current Review Voice. The options are; Speech On, Speech On Request, and Speech Off.
The Review Voice settings can also be accessed by pressing FUNCTION with O then R, anywhere in KeySoft. KeySoft might prompt: "Speech? Currently on."
The options are as follows:
To have speech and sounds on, press N for ON.
To have speech on Request, press R.
To turn off speech and all sounds except alarms, press F for OFF.
When the Speech on Request option is selected, KeySoft only speaks when you use a command that is a specific speech command. For example, in KeyWord, the word processor, when you move forward word by word using READ with L, nothing is spoken. However if you use the dedicated "Speak Word under Cursor" command, READ with K, the word under the cursor is spoken.
After selecting the speech setting above, or pressing ENTER to leave the current level unchanged, KeySoft displays: "Punctuation level? (number)."
where the word "number" shown in brackets is really an actual number from 1 to 5. At level 1, no punctuation is announced. At level 5, all characters are spelt out, along with all punctuation. The default setting is 2. The intermediate levels are described in 5.6.3 Punctuation level. This setting applies whenever you are editing or reviewing documents or text.
To leave the setting unchanged, press ENTER. To select a particular punctuation level, press a number from 1 to 5, then press ENTER.
KeySoft then prompts: "Number Format? (Words)."
where the word shown in brackets is really the currently selected option either "Words" or "Digits." The options are W, for numbers spoken as words, or D, for numbers spoken digit by digit. If you select the word format, the number 1942 is spoken as “nineteen forty two,” since it is assumed to be a date. The sequence $25.15 is spoken as “twenty five dollars and fifteen cents.”
If you select the digits option, the number 1942 is spoken digit by digit. The choice is a matter of personal preference.
To leave a setting unchanged, just press ENTER, or press W or D for the option you prefer, followed by ENTER. You are returned to the point at which you selected the Review Voice settings.


3.8.4 Identifying Indistinctly Spoken Characters.
When you read a character by pressing READ with COMMA, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between letters that sound similar. If you press READ with COMMA, twice, KeySoft expands the current character into its "military call sign", for example A  Alpha, B  Bravo, etc.


3.8.5 Spelling Out a Word.
If you press READ with COMMA, twice, KeySoft spells the current word.
In a Braille document three presses of READ with COMMA causes KeySoft to spell a translated version of the word. If the word in question contains one or more grade 2 contractions, those contractions are expanded to their equivalent characters and the expanded word is spelt out. For example, the word "time" is spelled as "dot 5 T" on the second press but "t i m e" on the third press.


3.9 Review Commands.
The following discussion is applicable when reading the Braille display and when listening to a document.


3.9.1 Moving to Either End of a Line.
You can position to the start of the current line by pressing READ with H. To move to one position past the last word in the line, press READ with Semicolon.


3.9.2 Selecting ReviewOnly Mode.
If you are reading a document that you don't wish to alter, you can avoid having to press READ with all the reading commands. To enter this ReviewOnly Mode, press READ with X.
You can then use all the reading commands without needing to press READ. For example, to read the current word, just press K. This mode continues until you press READ with X again or exit the word processor.


3.10 The Cursor.
The cursor is an important concept because many KeyWord commands use the cursor as a reference to determine where to apply the command. It is also very important to understand exactly where the cursor is in your document so that your changes occur as you intend. Otherwise you may find the changes you make are wrong.
The cursor is a pointer to a single character in a document. The cursor is normally indicated on the Braille display as two dots below the usual six dot Braille cell; dots 7 and 8, This is the factory setting form of the cursor. To find out how to change the form of the cursor, refer to page 5.4 Braille Display Options. When you are using speech you can tell which character the cursor is on by pressing READ with COMMA. You can use the read current word, sentence and paragraph commands to determine the context of the cursor.
Editing takes effect at the cursor position. Whether you are using the Braille display or listening to the voice, if you want to edit the document, you must position the cursor at the point you want the change to start. The cursor indicates the position in the document where the next character will appear when it is typed. The character is inserted at the cursor position and everything to the right, including the cursor, is shifted one character to the right to make room. Pressing BACKSPACE deletes the character immediately to the left of the cursor, and everything to the right of the cursor is moved one character to the left to fill the vacated space.


3.10.1 Using the Touch Cursor.
Remember that the buttons immediately behind each cell of the Braille display comprise the touch cursor. To position the cursor at a particular cell you only have to press the cursor button associated with that cell. This is convenient to start editing at that point. First find the Braille cell in the Braille display where you want to start editing. Now move your finger directly above that cell and away from yourself until you feel a vertical ridge that curves upwards slightly. Press this and you notice a tactile action that confirms your press. Read the cell again. You find that the cursor is now positioned at the cell because dots 7 and 8 are displayed, assuming that you are using the standard cursor form. It is as simple as that.


3.10.2 Displaying the Cursor.
Having the cursor always displayed on the Braille display can make reading awkward, but it is needed for editing. KeySoft provides several Braille display modes to suit the situation. When you first enter KeyWord, Automatic mode is the default. You will probably use this mode most of the time when you are typing and/or proofreading. Here the cursor is turned on automatically when you are editing and turned off when you are reading. Reading with the ADVANCE and BACK thumb keys leaves the cursor position unchanged so that you can read the context without losing your place.
You can always bring the cursor to a particular cell in any of the following ways:
Press the touch cursor directly behind the cell;
Press READ with COMMA to read the current character or READ with K to read the current word;
Bring the cursor to the first cell of the display by pressing BACK and ADVANCE together.
Some format indicators are displayed only if the cursor is on the indicator, others are displayed always. Format indicators are discussed later in 3.12 Format Indicators.


3.10.3 Cursor Movement Modes.
KeySoft has a range of specific moving commands designed to make moving around a document quick and accurate. These were listed in 3.8.2 Listening to a Document. When you are reading text organized in sentences and paragraphs, then commands to move the cursor by sentence or paragraph are very useful. For example:
READ with O moves the cursor to the beginning of the next sentence;
READ with 9 moves the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph.
However when working with poetry or lists, it would be more convenient to move by a line at a time than by sentence. To allow the most efficient cursor movement for the text you are working with, KeySoft provides 3 cursor movement modes; sentence and paragraph, line and sentence, and column. When you change the cursor movement mode, the moving commands themselves don't change, just the way in which they direct the cursor to move around the text.
To change the cursor movement mode while in a document, press READ with S repeatedly, until you get to the one you want. These affect the operation of the READ with U, READ with O, READ with 7 and READ with 9 reading commands. They also affect what is spoken by these commands and by the CONTROL with 8 and CONTROL with I commands.
The default cursor movement mode is Sentence and Paragraph. When in Line and Sentence Mode:
READ with O reads the next line; READ with 7 reads the next section. Likewise, READ with U reads the previous line and READ with 7 reads the previous section.
In Line Mode, the word "section" has a specific meaning. The Current Section starts at the last blank line before the cursor, and continues until the first blank line after the cursor. Similarly, the Next Section starts at the first blank line after the cursor, and continues until the following blank line. Line Mode is useful when you are concerned with the layout of the document. Among other purposes, it's a good way of checking for blank lines.
The third Reading Mode is called Column Mode, and acts as follows:
READ with O moves the cursor down a line but keeping it in t