The key map utilities enable you to rearrange the layout of the computer keyboard to suit specific user needs, such as disabling certain keys. The customised key map supplied with WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) disables the use of the caps lock key, which can be found helpful by some users who experience problems with inadvertently pressing the key and typing a long stream of block capitalised text, which then needs deleting and retyping. It is possible to edit the key map enabler to provide alternative or additional keyboard customisations.

These utilities, one to enable a custom key map and the other to restore the default keyboard layout for your system, are available in the utilities folder of the WintextCom program group created by the Installation Wizard. Click the utils item to bring up a new menu of options. Use:

keymap_on.reg to enable customisation
keymap_off.reg to enable the Windows default

In both cases, a confirm box appears for you to confirm to enter information into the Windows registry. Click the Yes button or press ENTER. Another message box appears verifying the operation, click the OK button or press ENTER. Restart the computer to complete the setting. The changes do not take effect until Windows reboots.

Another use of this facility is to customise access to the Windows start menu via the keyboard.

Disabling the Windows Keys can be a useful precaution in situations where a user relying on the keyboard rather than the mouse is unfamiliar with Windows as a whole and can benefit from their access being limited as far as possible to a discrete set of applications. WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) allows you to reassign the Windows keys via its own settings, either suppress them completely or assign them to a different function, such as a personalised menu. The key map utility could be used to suppress one Windows key whilst having the other invoke a different action, or to suppress them without WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) having to be running. In such situations, the system obviously needs to be set up in such a way that the user does not require the start menu, which can be achieved by assigning needed programs to accelerator keys and/or placing them on a personalised menu, such as in the WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) directory. The Launchpad features of the WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) software are ideal for this purpose. The system is not crippled or impaired in any functional sense, since the start menu is still available with the mouse (but WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) enables you to disable the mouse, if required). Not being able to activate the start menu with the keyboard goes a long way towards preventing unexpected feedback and inadvertent straying into unknown applications, while the start menu can still be accessed by performing a mouse click on the start button if needed. You can further enhance Windows usage safety by running WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) in Auto-activation Mode.

Although WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm)'s settings enable you to disable or customise the Windows keys, Alt key, context menu key, mouse and other system hotkeys, which should be sufficient for most purposes, the key map facility can be used to further refine these options in very special situations or when they are required while WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) is not running. You can also use WintextCom Personal Information Manager(tm) to customise general aspects of the keyboard using the Braille input features.

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Customising the Keyboard