ProfitPress Mega CDROM2 …eeware (MSDOS)(1992)(Eng)/ProfitPress-MegaCDROM2.B6I/UTILITY/MISC/SHIFTKEY.ZIP/SHIFNSHO.DOC

Text File | 1990-06-27 | 8.2 KB | 212 lines

                         ** SHIFTKEY **
                          ** SHOWCAP **


          ** Keyboard Assistance for the Handicapped **

      **  This software conceived, written, and released **
             ** by the disabled for the disabled **

            ** For IBM-PC or compatible computers **


            Copyright (c), 1990 Eugene A. Zeak, Jr.


These programs are user supported software. If you find the
software useful, a contribution of $25.00 dollars will be
appreciated.

In any case, you are encouraged to copy these programs and share
them with others. I want to say that I know not everyone can
afford to send a contribution.  If you're one who can't, please
use the programs anyway. God knows, life is rough enough.  It's
especially difficult if there's a handicap in the way.  So, don't
let the lack of money keep anyone from using either or both of
these programs...please. I really hope they help you as much as
they've helped me.

Let me tell you a little story.  Several years ago my family and
I went to Haiti to do some missionary work.  Times got really
lean while we were there . . . in fact, there was a period of
about six weeks that we didn't have over seven cents the whole
time!  Boy, would we have welcomed anything!  The moral of the
story is that if you can't send $25, then send $10.  If you can't
send $10, send $5.  If you can't send $5, send $1.  If you can't
send $1 and the programs have helped, drop me a card saying so,
I'll appreciate that!

Both my spouse (Cindy) and I have Multiple Sclerosis. I'm a
computer nut and would stay in front of one for 47 hours a day if
she would let me.  She doesn't even like to be in the same room
with the darn thing!

As persons with MS know, symptoms come and go.  Some of the
symptoms that came (and stayed) relate to fine motor control in
my hands and fingers.  I wrote SHIFTKEY.COM for myself, but
thought that it might be of help to others . . . so here it is!

You'll also find a copy of another little utility named
SHOWCAP.COM.  MS has caused a hole in my vision and about 30% of
my visual field is missing.  I ALWAYS SEEM TO BE LEAVING THE CAPS
LOCK ON AND NOT NOTICING IT . . . oops, there it goes again!

SHOWCAP.COM is a TSR program (TSRs are explained later) that
simply changes the cursor from a normal line (-) to a square
block when the Caps Lock key is on.  It works inside word
processors and most any other kind of application program.


                            SUMMARY


SHIFTKEY.COM is a TSR program. That means that once it's
executed, the program runs (like any program), then stays in RAM
where (in effect) it attaches itself to DOS to extend operation

of the keyboard handler residing in the computer's ROM BIOS.
Keyboard operation is extended so that the four shift keys
("Alt", "Ctrl", "left-Shift", and "right-Shift") are toggled "on"
when pressed and "remembered" after their release so that the
next key pressed will appear as shifted.

After a character key is pressed, the shift key is automatically
toggled "off".

The sole purpose of SHIFTKEY "remembering" a shift key is to
assist someone with a handicap who has difficultly pressing
multiple keys at the same time. With SHIFTKEY a key sequence such
as "Ctrl-Alt--Del" (i.e., re-boot) is easy. "Ctrl" is pressed and
released . . . "Alt" is pressed and released . . . and finally,
"Del" is pressed.  The system re-boots. Actually, since all that
is supposed to matter is that both the "Ctrl" and "Alt" keys are
held down while "Del" is pressed, it won't matter whether you
press the "Ctrl" or "Alt" key first.

Although SHIFTKEY is a great aid for anyone who has a handicap,
it doesn't hinder those who normally touch-type.  It is also
beneficial to  those who hunt and peck their way around the
keyboard.

With SHIFTKEY, once the desired shift key is found, pressing and
 releasing it causing the next key "discovered" to be shifted.


                          INSTALLATION


SHIFTKEY is a silent partner working with a person entering
characters into the PC with the keyboard. They only clue that
SHIFTKEY is doing its job is the change in the behavior of the
four shift keys.  SHOWCAP works silently, too.  The only time
you'll know it's there is when the Caps Lock Key is depressed.

Place the floppy diskette containing SHIFTKEY or SHOWCAP into
disk-drive A: and type "SHIFTKEY" or "SHOWCAP". SHIFTKEY signals
a successful installation with a display on the screen. SHOWCAP
doesn't.

An even better way of installing either SHIFTKEY or SHOWCAP is to
make them part of your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and copy them to your
boot diskette. If you boot from a hard disk, copy them to a
directory in you PATH.  Then, every time your PC is powered on or
rebooted SHIFTKEY, SHOWCAP, or both are automatically installed.


                          LIMITATIONS


Other programs may interfere with SHIFTKEY's ability to control
the shift keys. Any program that takes control of the keyboard
operation, such as Lotus 1-2-3 will not work with SHIFTKEY.

A number of programs that modify the operation of the keyboard
have been tested with SHIFTKEY and work well with it.

For someone needing a really powerful keyboard extender should
find the shareware program, NEWKEY.  It's one of the best in my
opinion!




                      USING THE SHIFT KEYS


SHIFTKEY's job is to "remember" that a particular shift key has
been pressed and to cause the next key pressed to be shifted.
This means that if a capital-a ("A") is required as input to a
program, you would normally hold the shift key down and press the
"a" key. With SHIFTKEY  the sequence becomes:

     1.   Press "left-shift" key (or right . . . you choose!),
          release it, then press the "a" key and release it.
          Capital-a ("A") will appear as input to the program.

SHIFTKEY will affect the two other shift keys ("Alt" and "Ctrl")
in the same way.

To use the shift keys normally, just hold the shift key down and
press the key to be shifted. Then release both keys. Holding down
the key to be shifted results in the character/key being repeated
at about 2 characters per second (typeamatic).

The important thing to remember is that when you press a shift
key and release it, the next key pressed will appear as shifted.


                     CANCELLING A SHIFT KEY


If a shift key is pressed by mistake and you want to turn it off
and not have the next key shifted, just press the same shift key
again.  The second press will toggle it "off".


                           DISCLAIMER


In no event will Eugene A. Zeak ,Jr. be held liable for any
damages including any lost profits, lost savings or other
incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or
inability to use SHIFTKEY.COM, even if Eugene A. Zeak, Jr. has
been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim
by any other party. Such freedom from liability shall extend to
his heirs or assigns.

What this means is that if you use SHIFTKEY.COM, SHOWCAP.COM, or
both and your daughter leaves home with a biker, your wife runs
away with a siding salesman, your dog gets pregnant, your
computer blows up, or the bank president runs off with your life
savings . . . don't blame me!


                       PERMISSION TO COPY


Everbody is granted permission by Eugene A. Zeak, Jr. to copy
these programs and documentation and share them with anyone else
if the following rules are observed:


     1.   No price is charged for the software or documentation.
          However, a distribution cost may be charged for the
          cost of the diskette, so long as it is not more than $6
          total.


     2.   Club members are informed of the user-supported concept
          and encouraged to support it with their donations.

     3.   The program or documentation are not modified in any
          way and are distributed together.


                       Eugene A. Zeak, Jr.
                     2342 Spring Oaks Circle
                       Sarasota, FL  34234

The programs (SHIFTKEY.COM and SHOWCAP.COM) and this
documentation file are copyright (c), 1990 Eugene A. Zeak, Jr.
All rights reserved.