Hi group:
I don't post much here because I find your discussions more interesting than
anything I normally have to offer. But, recently, more as a chance than by
plan, I ended up buying a Logitech laser keyboard from my local Best Buys
store. I never expected any trouble but boy did I get it. I'll explain in
some detail but for the moment, know this. If you want to use one of these
wireless keyboards, you don't need the disk which accompanies the purchase in
spite of everything the manufacturer tells you. The keyboard works just fine
without it. But why do I need a laser keyboard, you might ask? My friends,
this keyboard can move anywhere within 30 feet of the computer and still
function just as if it was hard wired to the PC. You can literally sit across
the room and operate your computer. Last night, just for fun, I stretched out
on a lounge chair and rested the keyboard on my stomach. After some
experimentation as to exact location, I was able to use it quite easily. For
us, as blind computer operators, the advantages are in the fact that no
extensive wiring is required. Once the antenna has been installed, that's all
the wiring needed.
SETTING UP THE LOGITECH WIRELESS
KEYBOARD AND MOUSE:
CONTENTS OF SHIPPING CONTAINER:
Please check and note all of these items before you begin. If anything is
missing, return the unit immediately to the store. There are 2 tampering seals
on the front flap of the box. If either or both of those seals are broken, do
not purchase the unit. It should be completely sealed at time of purchase.
However, most stores will permit you to open the container to verify that all
of the contents are present. Nobody's perfect. In order to open the box, the
seals will have to be broken. Unless there is something wrong with the
contents of this container, please try to take that box as your purchase since
other customers will have the same concern as you do about missing items or
security.
The box should contain the following.
ONE WIRELESS KEYBOARD,
ONE WIRELESS MOUSE,
ONE ANTENNA ASSEMBLY,
ONE SOFTWARE CD,
2 SETS OF BATTERIES, DOUBLE AND TRIPLE-A,
INSTRUCTION SHEET:
INSTALLING THE ANTENNA:
This small device looks a lot like the antennas used in XM radio receivers. It
can rest comfortably on any flat surface although the designers recommend that
you avoid placing the antenna on a metal surface. That leaves the top of your
tower out. We used a small piece of Velcro and attached the flat side of the
antenna to a convenient shelf. There's a "Connection" button on the front
side of the antenna which you will need access to at times. So wherever you
install it, make it reachable. There are 2 ways to attach the antenna to your
PC. You can use the 2 PS2 connectors which are provided and place them in the
same positions as your keyboard and mouse. The keyboard connector is fitted
with an adapter and that makes it easy to determine which plug is which. The
second way to connect the antenna is with a USB port. The adapter should be
removed from the keyboard side of the cable, then the remaining USB jack should
be fitted into any convenient port designed for that purpose. In that case,
the second connecting cable hangs free because it isn't needed. If you use the
USB option, just fold the second lead back and tape it into place out of the
way. Make sure that the antenna isn't blocked by any metallic objects like the
rails on a shelf unit or the housing of your computer. The best place for the
antenna is higher than the computer itself. This allows for a wider range of
signal exchange between the antenna and the remote components.
POWERING THE REMOTE COMPONENTS:
Some components require batteries. There are 2 which operate independently
from the computer. The mouse takes 2 double-A batteries and the keyboard
takes 2 triple-A batteries. both sets of batteries are provided by the
manufacturer.
INSERTING THE MOUSE BATTERIES:
There's a tiny RECESSED push button located at the thicker end of the mouse on
the bottom. If you press that sliding switch in toward the center of the
mouse, a small door will pop open and that is where the two double-A batteries
are inserted. Examine the terminals or connectors inside the compartment
carefully. The batteries go in opposite directions so that they complete an
"in parallel" circuit. But the compartment is reasonably accessible. If you
hold the mouse with the Scrolling Wheel toward you, the left battery is
inserted with the "positive" pole going away from you. The right hand battery
is installed in exactly the opposite manner, with the "negative" pole facing
away from you. Once the batteries are seated firmly, the door can be replaced
and snapped down. Always insert the rear edge of the battery door first. Do
not use excessive pressure. The plastic is relatively thin.
INSERTING THE BATTERIES INTO THE KEYBOARD:
The battery compartment on the keyboard is much more noticeable. It is located
near the center of the unit on the bottom, but closer to the front edge. Turn
the keyboard over and rest it carefully on a flat surface. Make sure that the
front side of the keyboard is the one closest to you. The door is comparable
to many types of equipment which take batteries. You will find a finger sized
depression where the locking tab is mounted. If you press the small switch
away from you, a tiny section of the keyboard base opens to allow the insertion
of two triple-A batteries. In this case, the batteries are mounted end to end.
The "positive" pole should be facing toward the opening of the compartment in
each case. One battery slides in and under the plastic base, while the second
fits snugly and the "positive" pole locks into the connector provided. Once
both batteries are inserted, you will feel a resistance which is created by a
small spring mounted out of sight. That spring terminal maintains constant
good connection while the keyboard is being carried or moved around. The small
battery compartment door should be fitted with the rear edge in first. Then
the front edge can be pressed until it locks into place. Again, do not use
excessive force. The door is made of relatively thin plastic and would break
under extreme pressure.
IMPORTANT BATTERY NOTE:
The position of the batteries in each of these units is critical. Feel the
shape of the terminals and you'll know. In each case, the "Positive" end of
the battery is the part which is fitted with a raised terminal. Even on the
tiny triple-A battery, this feature is easily detected by the sensitive fingers
of a visually impaired user. The "negative" end or flat side of the battery
is flat and has no protruding terminal. In the case of the mouse, the
batteries are mounted parallel and that is why they are placed in opposite
directions. The keyboard, on the other hand, allows the batteries to be placed
end to end. Why is this? Primarily, because the manufacturer only had enough
room in the mouse for a parallel mounting.
LOGITECH SOFTWARE DISK:
This laser keyboard and mouse set comes with self installing software. But it
isn't necessary to the operation of the keyboard or the mouse. There are
several programs including Logitech's version of a music search program called
MUSICMATCH. A second program sets up your computer to receive notification
when updates to the software are made available. The third file contains a
program which allows the complete redesign of every key's function. The
software is a bit difficult to work with but more importantly, all of the keys
are brought to an "unassigned" status. Even things like the Alt F4 key don't
work any more. Can you imagine a keyboard where all of the function keys don't
work at all? This "clean slate" approach is intended by Logitech as a tool
with which the operator can customize his particular keyboard in such a way
that each and every function key has up to 12 variable commands. We tried
assigning keys in this manner but without the use of a mouse, the software is
reluctant to respond to any keyboard based commands. It is the opinion of this
author that the program has marvelous potential but that it may require the
assistance of a sighted person if such an ambitious project is being
considered. If only the designer permitted the "default" settings to be
retained while other keys could be programmed for whatever purpose. There is a
"Restore To Default Settings" option, but it does not respond to any
confirmation key stroke we could discover.
THE KEYBOARD, A DESCRIPTION:
This Logitech keyboard, even in its "out of the box" configuration, is a
marvelous tool for Internet or computer based multiple functions. On each side
of the main keyboard, there are buttons which operate the volume of the sound
card, mute the computer sound and operate some built in media players such as
Real Player and Windows Media Player. Those controls are mounted on the right
side of the keyboard in a vertical pattern with the Mute key at the bottom and
an easily recognized Volume toggle right above it. Jaws doesn't respond to
these keys with labels. It may not even see them but they operate just the
same. On the left side of the unit, a protruding button is mounted which will
take the operator back to his chosen "Home" page with a single touch.
Unlike most conventional keyboards, the primary function keys F1
through F12 and the Escape Key are a different shape than the other controls.
They are smaller and mounted close to the top edge of the board. All of these
controls do operate normally. But their change in shape can be somewhat
disconcerting until the operator gets used to them.
ESTABLISHING CONNECTION
BETWEEN THE ANTENNA AND REMOTE COMPONENTS:
You may recall the small button mounted on the antenna. At times, especially
in the beginning or in the setting up of remote components, a connection must
be established or confirmed between the antenna, computer and the remote
keyboard or mouse. On the under side of both the keyboard and the mouse is a
small recessed red button. That button corresponds to the antenna Connection
button. If, for any reason, neither component works, press the antenna's
Connection button, wait 2 seconds, then press the corresponding Connection
button on the component which is not responding. A light on the component
itself should flash, confirming that the connection has been made. Now, that
isn't going to help those of us whom are blind. But it may be useful to a
sighted friend or family member if trouble develops.
BATTERY INDICATORS:
Both the keyboard and the mouse have warning indicators which change from green
to red when the units become low on power. Again, we won't be able to make
much use of these sight oriented features but they might be helpful if trouble
shooting is required. The mouse is a laser type unit which has no tracking
ball. Small ports on the bottom of the device will detect motion and act
accordingly. If the mouse is not in use, place it in an out of the way area.
The scroll wheel on the top of the unit is very sensitive. If it is touched
accidentally, Jaws may lose its focus temporarily.
BATTERY LIFE:
Although no one could give us a real estimate of how long the batteries might
last, that would depend largely on the use of the devices. Each time a key is
pressed, some of that battery's limited store of energy is depleted. However,
the manufacturers assure us that the batteries in both the keyboard and the
mouse will last a long time. One example compares the life expectancy of a
battery in one of these keyboards to that in a standard digital clock. Our
recommendation would be that a spare set of batteries be kept at hand for any
emergency.
IMPORTANT NOTICE, CHANGING BATTERIES:
If it is necessary that the batteries in the keyboard or mouse be changed,
reconnection with the antenna might be required. It is recommended that, if
possible, the computer be turned off before any attempt is made to change a
battery. We recommend that the batteries be changed regularly every 3 months
on the average. In that way, the operator won't be surprised with a screen
filled with text or calculations and no way to save or protect the data.
COST:
Here in Pennsylvania, this unit goes for about $60.00. It is the middle of the
road for laser units like this. Some more expensive models have a built in
clock and other specialized features. They run in cost from about $30.00 to
over $140.00 depending on the features and configuration. There is even one
which has an ergonomic design. The keys are fitted in a curved manner which is
supposed to make them easier to use. For a visually impaired operator, that
would require an entirely new set of orientation parameters.
JAWS AND LOGITECH:
Since this keyboard operates normally without the added software, there are no
real problems with Jaws and configuration. Perhaps, Jaws could be taught to
recognize the additional function keys as well but that is far beyond this
author's ability to attempt.
DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this document is based on the manual provided by
the manufacturer. It is intended for the use of visually impaired computer
operators and as such, is limited in scope. It will not be marketed, sold or
distributed. The alterations are intended to make this device or devices
accessible to the visually impaired members of the Jaws User's Group. Care has
been taken to adhere to the guidelines specified in copyright infringement
regulations. No part of the original manual was copied, scanned or duplicated
for the purpose of creating this document. The author is solely responsible
for its content.
John Justice
May 28, 2007
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