I know it is off topic. But, is the 100000 words a challenge? Just curious! Rachel. On Dec 18, 2011, at 7:42 AM, David Griffith wrote:
> Dear Esther > > As always a very helpful post. > I can confirm that after experimentation the numpad accessory that I bought > does indeed have the limitations that you describe. There is also a problem > on my particular device that there is no insert key or equals key. This means > that you cannot use the equals keys to bring up menu bars and you would not > be able to use it in Fusion for windows screen readers. I'll ha have to see > how it goes.I may end up using one keyboard for serious typing and writing > and another for navigating and housekeeping tasks on the Mac. I have spent > the serious money on the ergonomic keyboard now and this will I hope be > justified as I need to type 100,000 words over the next year. > I am sorry I confused you by posting to 2 lists. I posted to the other list > first but after a day in which there was no response I tried my luck on here. > > Regards > > David Griffith > On 17 Dec 2011, at 12:53, Esther wrote: > >> Hi David, >> >> I've been meaning to reply to your post, but was getting a bit confused as >> to whether my reply should be on this list or on the mac-access list, where >> you also posted this question. I haven't had an opportunity to do extensive >> testing, but I'll try to summarize a few points that may be relevant to >> using external num pads. You are correct that when you set up the USB >> device it will not be recognized, but that you can close the keyboard >> assistant and just use Numpad Commander. The problem that appears to arise >> is that some USB number pads do not maintain the ability to use the modified >> Numpad Commander combinations where you press a key on the number pad along >> with a modifier key such as the Command key, Option key, or Shift key on >> your regular keyboard. What I found previously is that when I turned on >> keyboard help mode with VO+K, and pressed key combinations on the attached >> external numeric keypad, then exited this mode by pressing the "Escape" key >> on my regular laptop keyboard or paired Apple Wireless Keyboard, I lost the >> ability to execute the modified Numpad Commander key combinations, although >> the unmodified Numpad Commander key bindings would all still work (and could >> be re-assigned or customized). I can also use the combinations which use >> the NumPad 0 modifier. I think the problem is that the keyboard setup >> assistant works by identifying a few default types of keyboards, and you're >> prompted to press certain keys to match these identifications. When you >> press keys on a keyboard that doesn't have the numpad built in, the keyboard >> definition used for your external numpad doesn't use the correct definitions >> for the modifier keys. >> >> There is an iPhone number pad app that will correctly do the modifier key >> sequences when your iPhone (or iPod Touch or iPad) is on the same wireless >> network as your Mac. It's Edovia's Numpad -- Wireless Numeric Keypad app. >> However, it doesn't really work well as a substitute number pad for Numpad >> Commander functions because the touch screen interactions are too sensitive >> now. As of a few versions of iOS ago (maybe iOS 4.2), you are prone to >> getting repeated key strokes when you use this with Numpad Commander as >> though you were holding down a key where you here a stuttered repeat. (When >> I first tested this app out in Fall 2009, I could use this for Numpad >> Commander functions, although it was a little awkward.) >> >> I'm not sure there's a really good solution to this, but if you're satisfied >> with using Numpad Commander assignments with only the NumPad 0 modifier, you >> should be OK. You might give feedback to Apple's Accessibility team on >> this. I'm used to using a Mac laptop without Numpad Commander, so most of >> these tests were done earlier on as experiments. >> >> HTH. Cheers, >> >> Esther >> >> >> On Dec 16, 2011, at 04:06, David Griffith wrote: >> >>> This topic drifted away from the original subject but to bring it back I >>> spotted a USB numeric keypad on amazon for £7 so decided to take a punt on >>> it. >>> I have just plugged it in an although the Mac was very confused by it and >>> said it did not recognise it as a keyboard it nevertheless works >>> perfectly with Voiceover and the Num Pad commander. I just closed keyboard >>> assistant and all was fine. I can now go ahead and purchase a Mac >>> Ergonomic keyboard and hopefully the masses of typing I have to do inn the >>> next 12 months will be a more pleasurable experience. >>> >>> David griffith >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 12/12/2011, at 12:49 AM, David Griffith <daj.griff...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I have finally found a UK supplier who will provide a high quality >>>>>>>>> ergonomic keyboard for the Mac. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> It is very expensive compared to Windows versions but I would buy it >>>>>>>>> like a >>>>>>>>> shot because I am fairly desperate to have comfortable typing again. >>>>>>>>> However >>>>>>>>> there is one problem. The keyboard does not have a numeric keypad and >>>>>>>>> I am a >>>>>>>>> fan of num pad commander. >>>>>>>>> The suggestion that they have made to me is that I purchase a separate >>>>>>>>> numpad keyboard from them to go with the ergonomic keyboard . >>>>>>>>> The numpad keyboards they sell are standard PC USB devices but they >>>>>>>>> believe >>>>>>>>> that they will work on a Mac. Having found it impossible to connect a >>>>>>>>> windows ergonomic keyboard which is compatible with the Mac I am >>>>>>>>> suspicious >>>>>>>>> of claims that things should be compatible. >>>>>>>>> Does anybody have successful experience of using a separate numpad >>>>>>>>> keyboard >>>>>>>>> with the Mac? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Regards >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> David Griffith >>>>>>>>> >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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