Hi Alex, Thank you for the reminder. Just wrote my request and reminder to Apple. I try to ask for this every 6 months or so! I hope others who find this is a needed improvement will add their voices.
In the meantime Not only do you have a way to get the VO keys to work as the caps lock key but you can also get a Number pad making the num pad commander available on the standard keypoard. This is very helpfull for those who don't have a full size keyboard. This is something Apple removed a few years ago and the keyRemap4Macbook allows the user to put back. Eric Caron On Sep 2, 2012, at 7:48 AM, Alex Hall <mehg...@gmail.com> wrote: > I agree. However, if you think that choosing the modifier to use with vo is a > good idea, please email accessibil...@apple.com and tell them so. They won't > change anything if the interest isn't there, and using this amazing resource > to tell apple themselves what we want is a great way to effect change for the > better in VoiceOver. I emailed them a few days ago, explaining how making my > capslock key into the vo key has increased my productivity and ease of use on > the mac, and asking if they could add an option in the vo utility to let > users chosse which key(s) they want to use as the vo keys. If you agree with > me, please do the same. > On Sep 2, 2012, at 2:01 AM, Ricardo Walker <rwalker...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Right, >> >> I think Apple decided to go to do things the way they did because they >> didn't want voiceover hijacking your keyboard like screenreaders on windows >> do. So, they made the modifier 2 keys instead of one. >> >> Ricardo Walker >> rica...@appletothecore.info >> Twitter:@apple2thecore >> www.appletothecore.info >> >> On Sep 1, 2012, at 11:10 PM, Alex Hall <mehg...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> I don't think it's a legal thing at all. Rather, I suspect it's a standards >>> thing; apple started it that way, so rather than change an integral part of >>> their UI for a group of users, they kept it. Just my thoughts, and I could >>> be wrong. Still, if there were a legal issue, then NAVDA wouldn't use caps >>> lock, yet that is an option in that program. >>> On Sep 1, 2012, at 10:56 PM, Rodney Haynie <rodney.hay...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Eric, >>>> Finally got a chance to install and setup these two apps. Great find and I >>>> love it. >>>> Since I am still on a Windows box on my 9to5, I always used the CapsLock >>>> with the screen reader. I am so use to it, and it is so productive. >>>> I assumed there was some legal issue as to why Apple did not implement >>>> this. >>>> Thanks. >>>> Rodney >>>> >>>> On Aug 28, 2012, at 10:47 PM, Eric Caron <ecar...@comcast.net> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Mary, >>>>> >>>>> If you follow my podcast you will no longer have a caps lock key but >>>>> rather a very convenient Voice Over key. If you want your caps lock back >>>>> you can either go to the extras menu in Mountain Lion for >>>>> KeyRemaper4Macbook and press the preferences button and then you can >>>>> either temporarily turn off the key remap with a check box or uncheck it >>>>> permanently. >>>>> >>>>> For me this is a non issue as I almost never use the caps lock key and >>>>> can use the shift key when needed. The advantage of having the caps lock >>>>> act as the voice over modifier key is infinitely more important to me. I >>>>> keep finding ways why this works so well. for example opening a >>>>> disclosure triangle is now so much easier. I just holde the caps lock >>>>> key down with my left little finger and tap the \ key with my other >>>>> little finger. I never take my hands off the home keys. In the past my >>>>> left hand had to go all the way down to the Option Control keys on the >>>>> left side completely stopping my typing flow. >>>>> >>>>> I still have a lot of muscle memory that causes me to use the old VO Keys >>>>> but little by little I am increasing my speed by taking advantage of the >>>>> caps lock. It is great! another key I now use more often is vo w and VO >>>>> w twice. This is the word and the spelling of a word. with caps lock >>>>> and w it is fast and easy. with standard vo keys on the bottom left I >>>>> had to reach my right hand way over to the w key, and this was quite a >>>>> contortion just to hear what word I was on, I don't need to do this any >>>>> more. I do it all with my left hand never leaving the home row keys. >>>>> >>>>> Hope this info helps. >>>>> >>>>> Eric Caron >>>>> >>>>> On Aug 28, 2012, at 12:20 PM, Mary Scott <bluespru...@comcast.net> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> So what does happen when you need the caps lock? >>>>>> On Aug 27, 2012, at 7:01 PM, Eric Caron <ecar...@comcast.net> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hello listers, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I have long wanted the VO keys "Control Option" to be available as the >>>>>>> caps lock key. this would allow one finger to hold down the keys. >>>>>>> Also, the location of the Caps Lock key is ideal for reaching many keys >>>>>>> that need to be pressed with the Voice Over keys. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Using the caps lock key as the VO modifier would dramatically reduce >>>>>>> the times I find my fingers contorted trying to press multiple keys all >>>>>>> over the keyboard. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> For those of us who type with our fingers on the home row this allows >>>>>>> us to use the VO modifier while keeping our hands ready to continue >>>>>>> typing. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm pleased to let you know that this is now possible. Thanks to >>>>>>> Takayama Fumihiko, the developer of KeyRemap4Macbook. this application >>>>>>> in conjunction with another application by the same developer allows a >>>>>>> Mac user to remap the caps lock key as the "Control and Option" keys >>>>>>> pressed together. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The other application is called PCKeyboardHack. These two apps and a >>>>>>> file created for VO users makes this possible. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Although a write up of this process would probably be more efficient >>>>>>> for most of us, that is not my strength. Instead, I have provided a >>>>>>> link below to a podcast that walks through the set up. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> In addition below are links needed to obtain the applications and the >>>>>>> specially constructed xml file. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Finally, I have provided links to some additional help documentation >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The application developer responded to my request for this capability >>>>>>> within hours of my written request. I have also been asked to contact >>>>>>> again if there are any other ways the application can help blind users. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This was such a nice response. I'm still amazed as I have written to >>>>>>> Apple asking for this every few months or so, only getting back the >>>>>>> standard answer,"thank you for your suggestion." . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'm so grateful to now have this ability. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Also, please be aware that this application can also remap other keys. >>>>>>> For example you could make the command key on the right of your space >>>>>>> bar a Control key giving you another set of Voice Over Keys. >>>>>>> KeyRemap4Macbook also creates a num pad on your regular keyboard. this >>>>>>> makes it possible to use num pad commander on a standard keyboard. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This is covered in a excellent post by Ester on the Mac-Access.net >>>>>>> list. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> One gentle reminder. This is donation ware so if you use this as much >>>>>>> as I do please support this developer. and, as we come up with more >>>>>>> ways this application can help and as the OS changes we will want this >>>>>>> developer to support us. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This was the most challenging podcast I have created so far. >>>>>>> If you see a need for revision please let me know. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I will be submitting this podcast to applevis.com . In the meantime >>>>>>> here is a dropbox link >>>>>>> >>>>>>> https://dl.dropbox.com/u/5620907/KeyRemap4Macbook.mp3 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Below are the links I give in the podcast and also the XML text you >>>>>>> will need. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Link to KeyRemap4MacBook and PCKeyboardHack applications. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/pckeyboardhack-usage.html.en >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Link to instructions on changing the Caps Lock key to PC application >>>>>>>> key. the needed key code number is 110. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/pckeyboardhack-usage.html.en >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Link to private.xml, that changes PC Application Key to >>>>>>>> Control+Option. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> https://github.com/tekezo/Files/blob/master/KeyRemap4MacBook/private.pc_application_to_controloption/private.xml >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Link to instructions on how to use private.xml. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/document-private-xml.html >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The Following is the text of the Private xml >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <?xml version="1.0"?> >>>>>>>>> <root> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <item> >>>>>>>>> <name>Change PC Application Key to Control+Option.</name> >>>>>>>>> <identifier>private.pc_application_to_controloption</identifier> >>>>>>>>> <autogen>--KeyToKey-- KeyCode::PC_APPLICATION, KeyCode::OPTION_L, >>>>>>>>> ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L</autogen> >>>>>>>>> </item> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> </root> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> 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. >>>>> 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. >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Have a great day, >>> Alex (msg sent from Mac Mini) >>> mehg...@gmail.com >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> 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. >> > > > > Have a great day, > Alex (msg sent from Mac Mini) > mehg...@gmail.com > > > > -- > 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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