Hi, Folks,
I would have jumped in here long ago, but I'm a qwerty user. I downloaded
an "updated manual" from the GW Micro web site to learn the bt commands.
I'm not sure this manual is very recent, since it speaks of version 5.0.
But I've decided to tackle this thorny question and see if I can't lend
something to the discussion.
As I understand it, Ann pressed w and the word processor opened. There was
a blank document, ready for her to write in. She wrote some sentences in
contracted braille. The default document type for bt keyboards is supposed
to be .brl. Ann's unit was bought last September and used by someone else.
This person could have changed the default document type to .txt or .hbl.
Anyway, the default document shouldn't change the ability to save the file
as a different name.
OK. Now, Ann wants to save the file and name it something else. The
BrailleSense Plus, by default, names files created directly by the word
process as "noname.brl". Ann wants to change the name to, say, test.brl.
She presses the "save as" command, which is space-s on the bt model and
alt-s on the qwerty keyboard. The dialog box appears and the file
noname.brl appears. Ann must type the new name in computer braille code.
She writes t e s t and then she presses F3, the "tab" key. Instead of
moving to the next control, the unit crashes. That's what the drum sounds
mean.
But there is one little thing I've noticed about the way the BrailleSense
Plus shows a filename in computer braille code. Sometimes, dot 4 is
inserted before dots 4,6, the cbc symbol for period. Now, what would happen
if the filename was written test dot 4 dots 4,6 brl? Would the unit crash
when the tab key is pressed or would it go to the next control like a good
little BSP should? Would Ann receive an error message "unsupported format?"
I agree with all of you who said Ann should call GW Micro Tech support
tomorrow. At least she's on the east coast so the time difference shouldn't
be a problem. Perhaps they will suggest she send the unit in so the techs
can really give it a once-over.
I, personally, prefer to create new files from the file manager. I navigate
to the folder where I want the file to be in. Then, I press control-n
(enter-n for you bt users) The list will appear with my default format type.
(It should be braille (brl) for bt users and Text (txt) for QWERTY users.)
I usually press enter, but if I want to create a different file type, I can
use the upr or down arrow keys (space-1 or space-4) then I press enter. A
computer edit box appears with the default name of "New document" followed
by the extension of the file. I type the name I want to call it and press
enter. I get the message, "document name has been created." I Press enter
to open it. A blank screen appears.
This method for creating a document may seem like I'm going around Robin
Hood's barn, but it has two advantages: (1) You can place the file in any
folder or subfolder you want. (2) You can name it immediately. Now, you
can open and edit the document and when you exit and save the file, it will
be saved with the right filename.
If you create a document directly from the word processor, all files will
automatically be saved in one default folder and these documents will always
have one default file type.
I have used an mPower and I have noticed one more important thing: The
BrailleSense Plus doesn't like .doc or .rtf files created with the BN. They
will crash when you try to open them on the BSP. To get around this,
convert the files to .txt or .brf. (This might not be true for the 5.5
software. I haven't tried with this software.)
Another thing: I was surprised when I learned bt users can create .txt
files on the BSP and write with contracted braille. BT users of the
BrailleNotes must use computer braille for .txt files.
Well, that's all for now. I could say more, but this post is long enough!
(grin).
Terri Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA.
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