The keyboard information utility is used to obtain the name and other details of keys as you press them. It is a technical support or setup utility only, its purpose is to enable you to obtain key properties to use in setting up certain features of the WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) software.

The utility is located on the directory dialling/setup menu. Select

"Keyboard information utility"

to open WTC's editing window and display an initial banner to verify the utility is ready. Any information in the window at the time is lost. As you press and release keys, lines are added to the window giving detailed information on the key pressed or released.

Pressing a key counts only once, entries do not repeat if it is held down, but a new one is added when it is let up. This enables you to directly observe the response to keys and key combinations, which can help you determine whether your keyboard is compliant for Braille text input or a particular configuration of Braille keys.

To exit the utility, press ESC on its own, not in combination with any other key. This will add a line displaying the details of the Escape key, then press it again to close the utility. Pressing another key instead or as well cancels the exit procedure and key reporting continues. When the utility has closed the editing window remains open with the accumulated data in it, enabling you to review it and copy and paste it to another location for use if required.

You can use the keyboard utility to obtain character and virtual key values when setting up Braille configuration and other features of the software that require entry of technical key information.

Note that most system hotkeys are disabled when the keyboard utility is active. You can use the mouse and Alt+Tab to switch application, but the WTC startup hotkey itself in particular is not available.

The utility distinguishes between left and right Control, Shift and Alt. On keyboards that have both left and right representations of these keys, pressing the left key initially displays the non-distinguishing information. Press the same left key again without an intervening key being pressed to display the left-specific information for that key. Pressing the right representation displays the right-specific information.

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Obtaining Keyboard Information