Chapter 5 Using Overlay Keyboards

•Concept Universal

The Concept Universal has been developed from the original old blue Concept Keyboard. They are available in A4 or A3 size, with 256 keys. They are supplied with one connecting cable for the computer of your choice: you can buy extra cables for other computers separately. The cables are either the parallel type (for plugging into BBC, Acorn or Nimbus User Port) or the serial type (for plugging into a PC ‘COM’ port, Acorn serial port, or Macintosh Printer/Modem ports). The keyboards have ‘key beep’ and ‘auto-repeat’ options.

•Concept Universal Plus

A new version of the Concept Universal with a more attractive and comfortable case. It has non- slip feet, holds overlays more securely, and has screw fixings for mounting. A version with an infra-red link, instead of the cable, is available. This keyboard can operate the same software as the standard Concept Universal.

•Touch ‘N’ Go

Touch ‘N’ Go is approximately A5 size (half A4), has 256 keys, and uses standard Concept Keyboard software. It connects to the computer with a cable or infra-red link.

•Informatrix 2

Informatrix is a ‘high-resolution’ version of the A3 Concept keyboard, with 4,096 keys instead of 256. More and smaller keys means you can design overlays with more accurate areas for detailed pictures and maps. The board can be used with the same overlays and software as the other A3 size boards (with up to 256 keys), but Informax software must be used if more than 256 keys are required. Informatrix uses the same serial cables as the Concept Universal to plug into Acorn, Macintosh or PC computers. It has key beep and auto-repeat options.

•Keyguards and accessories

Keyguards for A3 and A4 Concept Keyboards are available with 2, 4, 6, 12 and 32 holes. The Concept Lynx can give switch users access to concept keyboard software. It is a small box with four switch jack sockets; when a switch is pressed the software acts as though a key has been pressed on the Concept Keyboard.

•Concept Keyboard software

The Concept keyboards all need special driver or emulator software (such as Informax, Concept Plus/Concept Plus Multimedia, or Conform+) which recognises when a key has been pressed and then carries out the programmed operation on the computer. You can use the software to create your own overlays and programme the keyboard to work with particular applications. Most of the programs let you programme the keyboard to generate text, operate the control keys; move the mouse pointer; and play digitised sound. Concept Plus Multimedia is an extension to Concept Plus which lets you create multimedia activities, with recorded sound, synthesised speech and video clips, with matching overlays. Some educational software already has the Concept Keyboard driver built-in (such as Writing with Symbols and Making Tracks to Literacy from Widgit, and some My World screens).

IntelliKeys

IntelliKeys has 576 keys and plugs into a Mac or PC keyboard connector in place of the standard keyboard; no special software is needed. It gives full control over the computer, including control over the mouse pointer and access to menus and dialogue boxes. It comes with seven ready made standard overlays: full QWERTY keyboard and mouse control; alphabetic; numeric; large mouse overlays; ‘setup’ for programming the keyboard response. It also has two 3.5mm jack sockets for switch users so can be used as a programmable switch interface. There are keyguards for the seven standard overlays and a range of keyguards for custom overlays, with 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 or 20 holes. There is a range of educational software which is supplied with ready-made overlays. You can buy ready-made software and overlays to access Edmark software such as Bailey’s Book House and Millie’s Math House. Custom overlay files and overlays for computer

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