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!HID User Manual - AltKeys

AltKeys - Alternative input of foreign and special characters
The AltKeys module provides a way to enter foreign and special characters in an easy manner. The program has no controls and operations completely in the background, hence the reason why it doesn't have an icon. When the AltKeys module is running, the Alt key can be used as a Compose key and any combination of two characters can be used to 'compose' a special character.

   Compose Mode can be entered by pressing and releasing the Alt Key. The CapsLock LED on the keyboard will start flashing to show that you are now in Compose Mode. Next, type two characters (e.g. c and o) to form a special character (the © symbol in this case). That's all! If you've pressed the Alt Key accidently and the CapsLock LED starts flashing, just press it again to cancel the Compose Mode. If the Alt Key is held down for more than 50 cs (halve a second), Compose Mode is also cancelled, to allow for programs such as ArtWorks to use the Alt Key whilst dragging.

Using a different key to enter Compose mode  
By default, the Alt-key is used to enter and cancel Compose mode. Some users however, find this annoying, as the Alt-key is also used by some other applications, such as ArtWorks and PhotoDesk. Therefore it is now possible to disable the Alt-key for entering and leaving the Compose mode. Once turned off, the Compose mode can be controlled by a new *-command *AltKey_Compose which can be linked to a special key using !HID.
In the above example, the command *AltKey_Compose is linked to the iTouch key on a Logitech MultiMedia / Internet keyboard. Whenever the iTouch button is pressed, Compose mode is entered and the CapsLock LED starts flashing. Pressing iTouch again, cancels Compose mode again. The use of the Alt-key for entering/leaving Compose mode, can be controlled from the Choices - Keyboard - AltKeys window.

Compose mode
When entering a special character, all you need to do is think of an intuitive key combination. E.g. The pound sign £ can be thought of as an L and a - sign. The é can be build from e and and the ë consists of a e and
. If you can think of only one character, press it twice, e.g. 1 and 1 will give ¹ (a superscript one).

We've tried to include as many key combinations as possible. As a result, there is often more then one way to enter a character. Some examples:

  • ç (the french c-cedilla) can be entered as:
  • c, C and comma (as some people call it a comma)
  • c5 Some say the little tail looks like a (5)
  • c? or a reversed question mark (?)
  • cc or just press (c) twice
  • ë can be entered as:
  • e" the quote resembles the double dot
  • e: the colon resembles the double dot
  • e; so that you don't have to press Shift
Some other useful examples (your browser may not show them correctly):

  • ± +-
  • ® RO
  • © CO
  • ¥ Y-
  • ß ss
  • ½ 12
  • ÷ :-
  • ³ 33
  • ñ n~
  • ° oo
In some cases you may use the abbreviation of a character, e.g.

  • ¶ pi
  • ° dg (for degrees), or use (gr) as used in some countries
  • § pg (for paragraph), or use (pa), or (se) for section
  • ß rs (for ringel-s, the German name for it)
  • Ž pm (for promille), or use (%o)
  •  bu (for bullet), or (ul) for useful list, (bp) big point
  • · cp (for centre point)
Configuring AltKeys
The AltKeys module can be configured from the usual !HID Choices... Select the Keyboard TAB in the top row and then select the AltKeys symbol in the bottom row (the AEé symbol).

Use AltKeys module
Deselect this option if you don't want to use the AltKeys module at all.

Disable the AltKey (use an alternative key)
If you are annoyed by the fact that AltKeys uses the Alt-key to toggle the state of the Compose mode, you may turn this feature off alltogether. Once you've done that, the only way to control Compose mode is by issuing the command *AltKey_Compose. You may however link this command to any special key on your keyboard using !HID.
  

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Klik voor homepage © Copyright Paul Reuvers X-Ample Technology bv  usb@xat.nl Last changed: Last changed: Thursday, 21 October 2004 - 15:58 CET.