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A virtual keyboard is a utility that displays a functional keyboard image on your computer screen that can be operated by pointing and clicking the virtual "keys." It's not a fast method of "typing," but can be a great boon to computer users with physical handicaps or who suffer from typing pain. Some virtual keyboards also offered a kiosk feature that can be used in conjunction with a touchscreen.

The leader in virtual keyboard technology for the Mac is Niemeijer Consult/Assistiveware of the Netherlands, which offers three virtual keyboard software products. TouchStrokes is $95 dollar demoware from Assistiveware. Niemeijer's original KeyStrokes 2 product, and the more advanced KeyStrokes 1.5 for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X are also available for $45 and $195 respectively.

If all you need is a basic virtual keyboard function, without the many bells and whistles features of Niemeijer products, the freeware VirtualKeyboard by Vincenzo Corallo is a no-cost alternative. VirtualKeyboard is a quick 780k download, and offers three distinct different keyboard configuration options that can be displayed in several sizes.

VirtualKeyboard allows to disabled people to write using pointing devices like mouse, trackpad, touchscreen, trackball, etc.

For more information, visit:
http://geocities.com/vincenzocorallo/tastieraUSA.html

KeyStrokes 2.2

KeyStrokes is written specifically for those of us who are not (or no longer) able to use a normal keyboard. KeyStrokes provides a fully functional on-screen keyboard that you can use to type with the mouse anywhere you would use a normal (hardware) keyboard (applications, dialog boxes, etc.). This virtual keyboard also allows you to shift/option/command/control click.

KeyStrokes 2, is shareware. It runs on any Apple Macintosh and Power Macintosh with a PowerPC or 68020 processor or higher. It requires system 7.1 or later (and has been successfully tested up to MacOS 9.2.2). There is a version available for 68K computers as well as a version accelerated for PowerPC computers.

If you need to run (also) on Mac OS X you should check out KeyStrokes for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X which also includes a license to use KeyStrokes 2 for older Mac OS versions.

KeyStrokes 2.2 key-features
• Four keyboards in multiple sizes: standard, extended, extended with numeric keypad and block.
• Intelligent, self-learning, language-independent word prediction.
• Create multiple dictionaries for different languages or different subjects.
• Free dictionaries available in several modern languages including US English, UK English, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
• Improved type engine (100% more responsive).
• Learn KeyStrokes your vocabulary by learning from text files and importing/exporting of dictionaries.
• Assign shortcuts to any text (including tabs and returns) of up to 32000 characters.
• Audio-feedback as you type.
• Customize the organization of the keyboard (location of prediction field and icon button bar).

System requirements:
Requires Mac OS 7.1 or higher (up to and including Mac OS 9.2). For Mac OS X support you should look at KeyStrokes for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X .

Price: US$ 45

For more information, visit:
http://www.assistiveware.com/keystrokes2.php

TouchStrokes 1.5.6

TouchStrokes provides a fully-functional virtual keyboard for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X that works by drawing a keyboard image on the display and allows you to type characters into any normal application using a mouse, touch screen, graphic tablet, trackball, head pointer or other mouse emulator. It works seamlessly with all standard Mac applications (including those running in the Classic) allowing you to type virtually anywhere a hardware keyboard can be used.

TouchStrokes automatically adjusts to US and international keyboard layouts and has multiple resizable keyboard models. It handles command-key combinations, dead-keys, and modifier key - click combinations. It offers a quick access toolbar and has many customizable settings.

TouchStrokes is ideal if you work with a touch screen, electronic white board, or set-up a touchscreen kiosk. Also for artists working with large graphic tablets or server managers that want to eliminate the clutter of having multiple physical keyboards on a desk it provides a great solution. People with disabilities should also check out KeyStrokes virtual keyboard, which offers special accessibility features.

TouchStrokes key-features
• Fully functional on-screen keyboard.
• Works seamlessly with all standard Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X applications.
• Handles command-key combinations, dead-keys, and modifier key - click combinations and auto-key repeat.
• Works with US and international keyboard layouts and offers five interactively resizable keyboard models.
• Offers extensive customization, including various key designs, selectable font, and adjustable key spacing.
• Provides a customizable kiosk mode to control user access to on-screen keyboard features and block certain keys and key combinations.
• Works with any touch screen, mouse, trackball, or graphic tablet that emulates a regular mouse.
• Has an iconizable and collapsible keyboard window floating above other applications.

TouchStrokes' Kiosk Mode dialog allows you to control user access to on-screen keyboard features. It also allows you to block certain keys and key combinations, such as those used to switch applications or do a Force Quit.

System requirements:
• Requires Mac OS 9 or higher or Mac OS X 10.1.3 or higher.
• Requires a minimal screen resolutions of 800 x 600 pixels.

Price: US$ 95 or € 110

For more information, visit:
http://www.assistiveware.com/touchstrokes.php

KeyStrokes 1.5 for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X

KeyStrokes for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X is a fully-functional advanced virtual on-screen keyboard that allows you to type with a mouse, trackball, head pointer or other mouse emulator to type characters into any standard Macintosh application.

For those who can position the pointer, but not click the mouse buttons, the integrated Dwellix� system-wide dwell-based utility allows mouse button clicks to be entered by simply holding the cursor motionless for a programmable period of time. You can even type without clicking.

On Mac OS X KeyStrokes provides SmartTransparency� technology to provide you with an optimum use of your screen real-estate and make sure the virtual keyboard never gets in your way.

With KeyStrokes virtual keyboard a person who can only use a mouse or mouse emulator can have complete access to the Macintosh, the Internet and by extension the World.

KeyStrokes for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X key-features
• Fully functional on-screen keyboard floating above other applications.
• Works seamlessly with all standard Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X applications.
• Includes Dwellix�, and advanced, system-wide, dwelling solution to click and type without pushing the mouse button (improved in version 1.5).
• Includes SmartTransparency� technology to automatically show and hide the keyboard as needed (new in version 1.5).
• Handles command-key combinations, dead-keys, and modifier key - click combinations and auto-key repeat.
• Works with US and international keyboard layouts and offers five interactively resizable keyboard models.
• Offers extensive customization, including various key designs, selectable font, and adjustable key spacing.
• Provides a Simple Mode to limit a student's access to more advanced features.
• Includes a copy of KeyStrokes 2.2 for use on older machines running Mac OS 7.1 and up.

System requirements:
• Requires Mac OS 9 or higher or Mac OS X 10.1.3 or higher, but includes a license for KeyStrokes 2 for use on older machines running Mac OS 7.1 and up.
• Requires a minimal screen resolutions of 800 x 600 pixels.

Price: US$ 195 or € 220

For more information, visit:
http://www.assistiveware.com/

Mac OS9 Hatred

From Gurminder

Hello Charles,

I think your adoption of X has been a good testament to your tenacity and a good yardstick for "most" Mac users. The hatred/love of OS9 debate, which is fought with aplomb on some Mac forums, is getting quite tiresome. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that the differences between Mac OS9 and OSX proponents is more divisive than the Microsoft and Mac battles of yore.

I believe that the hatred you see for OS9 is simply a sublimation of some users just wanting OS9 to go away peacefully. I'm an OSX user and use Classic everyday because there's one program that hasn't been ported yet. It's a pet peeve of mine because of the performance hit of Classic on my rig. Once this program is updated I'll be a happy camper.

Right now I think the push to get rid of OS9 is a good thing, it pushes developers to get their collective a*ses in gear and move to OSX. The hatred you see may be just a little splash of legit paranoia and longing for the things you enjoyed in OS9. That said, your migration is quite brave and you've taken some flack you haven't deserved. Keep up the good work.

Best,
Gurminder

Thanks Gurminder. My objective has always been to make the transition, and I was in no way predisposed to complain and criticize. The issues I've reported and taken "flack" for have been simply what I and others have experienced along the Odyssey trail (see Frank Falcone's letters below).

OS X is my main production OS now, but I'm still glad to have Classic and OS 9 dual booting around as backup.

Charles

OS 10.2.4 Snafus

From: Frank Falcone

Greetings Charles,

Hoping you can help with a couple of problems.

1. Am running 10.2.4. Screen shots are being saved on the desktop as Acrobat PDF instead of TIFF. Is there somewhere to change the Helper Application for this feature?

2. When inserting a DVD-R I get a message stating that the DVD disk cannot mount because the Start-up Disk is full - Error #34. The partition is 8 GB with 2.66 GB available. I booted into a partition with 10.1.5. Burned a DVD flawlessly and saved screen shots as TIFF. When I tried to restart into 10.2.4 I got the spinning beach ball of death. Unplugged the machine. Nothing but a gray screen on restart. Had to unplug again and reboot from the Jaguar installer disk and then restart into my old 10.2.4. Scary!

3. While in 10.1.5 ran the Disk Utility First Aid and found no problems.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Long Live OS 9.2

Big Frank

Hi Frank;

1. OS 10.2 saves screenshots as PDFs, which I find a pain, but some people like. My workaround is a freeware utility called Kunvert,
which transforms PDF image files into JPG or PICT image files.

In addition it can convert more formats like gif, pict, bmp, and png, to jpg or pict. And scale during conversion.

Just drop the files to convert onto the application icon, or to the program window.

For more information, visit:
http://www.kualosw.com/

2. I think I have run across other anecdotes describing the DVD problem you mention, so it's not just your setup. Not sure what the fix will be for that.

3. I think the DVD issue is a 10,2,4 bug, and not a problem with your machine.

Hope this helps a bit.

Charles

OS X Snafus Follow Up

From Frank Falcone

Hi Charles,

This has developed into a nightmare. Let me update you on the situation.

1. Reinstalled Jaguar saving old User Prefs. No help.

2. Tried to install 10.2.4 Updater. Could not unStuff. Complained about Stuffit Engine. Went back to v1.5. Unstuffed successfully. Back to v2. Would not mount Disk Image. Got an error stating "Disk Image Helper has unexpectedly quit." Back to 1.5. Got v2.4 installed. Did not help Screen Shot PDF situation.

3. Did a clean install of Jaguar on a pristine partition. Ran the updater. No problem.

4. Screen shots still PDF's and not TIFFs.

5. I can live with this new install except I MUST get my cable modem and Netscape 7.01 preferences into the new Library, but of course it won't let me do that. I have over 500 emails stored and I MUST retrieve them. The last time I had to do this I actually REMAILED all 500 emails to myself again. It took days. There has to be an easier way.

6. I'm really in trouble. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

Big Frank

Hi Frank;

The PDF screenshot thing is not a bug or malfunction. See my earlier reply.

As for your emails, I'm puzzled as to why you can't just drag them into your home folder library. To retreive your mail files, you could always boot into OS 9 and go after them from there. The files from the OS X version of Netscape 7 will work in the OS 9 version. Another longshot possibility is running the importer in OS X Mail to import your Netscape mail files, although I'm a bit hazy on just hwere your Mozilla Folder is currently located.

You can also manually convert Netscape mbox email files to Eudora files by changing the file and creator codes using ResEdit in OS 9. Then just drag them into the Eudora Mail Folder in the Eudora Folder and voila!

Just drag a mailbox to ResEdit and when the window opens (it will be blank) select "Get Info For --" from the File Menu. That will bring up a dialog box with the File Type and Creator Codes.

Change them to the other application's specs (open a copy of a Eudors mailbox to get the codes), and the mailbox will convert. This makes it possible to move or share mailboxes between the two applications. Just drag the converted mailboxes into Eudora's mailbox folder, restart the application, and they should show up in the Mailbox menu (you should also rename the mailboxes where necessary to prevent duplication of names)

Good luck!

Charles

Re: OS X Snafus Follow Up

From: Frank Falcone

Masochists! I can't believe that's a step forward, but then again I
guess I'm not your average user.

I'm back in the old partition. Downloaded O.K., but can't create a Disk Image. Got the Disk Copy Helper unexpectedly terminated" error again. have y ever seen that before? Will go back to the new partition to mount the app.

Kunvert sounds good. That means I can skip part 2 which was to convert and resize in Photoshop.

"I think the DVD issue is a 10,2,4 bug."

So that means I should keep a v1.5 partition just for burning DVD's or I should find a 3rd party app? Would iDVD3 eliminate the problem? Of course you know I have burned a total of 1, count 'em - 1 DVD in my entire life and that was yesterday. Go figure!

Not crazy about "Mail." Would like to stay in Net 7.01. I see in my User Library a Mozilla Folder. In there is an Application Registry and a Profiles folder, which contains "Fabbo Frank."

Since I learned last night how to log in as "root" and gain total access, I'm going to try dragging items into my new user Library. Do you suggest I drag the whole Mozilla Folder or the specific profile I now use among those listed. Additionally, in the Preferences Folder I see 2 Mozilla files - Registry and Versions. Do you think I need them as well?

Have never even SEEN Eudora. Just not at a point in my life where I can consider learning a new app. But I do appreciate that suggestion.

Have never TOUCHED ResEdit as I have heard it's not for the "faint of heart." I'll pass on that, too. If all else fails I'll just do the remail of the 500+ items. Being homebound from my disability, I have lots of time. I've NOW learned to put any info I want to keep from a mail into a database and chuck the mail. Being lazy has it's penalties.

I'm going to proceed sloooowly but would appreciate any feed back you feel is appropriate before I move forward.

I appreciate your assistance very much.

Big Frank

Hi Frank

It might be worthwhile to keep a 10.1.5 partition for a while. I have OS 10.2.4, OS 9.2.2, and OS 9.1 on separate partitions of my Pismo's hard drive. The 9.1 is for backwards compatibility purposes. I assume that Apple will address the DVD problem in the next version upgrade.

Your email files should be buried several layers deep in that "Fabbo Frank" file.

Eudora is freeware for its basic function, and a pretty easy to learn app, although in your case I was suggesting it as a workaround to access your mail files if all else fails.

ResEdit is not too scary as long as you stick to specific tasks and work on copies rether than originals. Sure beats emailing those 500 messages to yourself!

Charles

Converting OS X Mail to Eudora

From Tony Torres

Hi Charles,

I remember you said there was a simple way using Resedit to convert Mail files from one mail program to another. Due to difficulties with the 10.2.4 update I have been forced to return to OS 9 (hopefully only temporarily) and want to be able to read my email in Eudora. Can you explain how to do so again?

Thanks,

Tony Torres

Hi Tony;

Readers Michael D. Allen and Michael King supplied us with the information on how to do this in OS X Odyssey 98 and 102 respectively, reprinted below:

From Michael D. Allen

mboxes created by OS X Mail application are packages (hidden folders) not files. That's why your ResEdit trick didn't work. If you control-click on any .mbox icon the popup menu will display "Show Package Contents". If you chose this option, the package will open to reveal four files: Info.plist, table_of_contents, mbox, mbox.SKinde. If you drop the file mbox onto TextEdit it will open. This file looks exactly like a standard mailbox file used by Unix mail readers. This format is almost exactly what Eudora wants to read. All you have to do is convert the Unix newline (lf) characters to carriage return (cr) characters. In Tex-Edit, I did this from the Special menu by choosing Quick Modify, LFs->CRs (UNIX->Mac) and saved the file as the original mailbox name minus the ".mbox". You can just drop it into or save it directly to ~/Documents/Eudora Folder/Mail Folder/ and Eudora will be able to use it. You don't even have to change the Creator code unless you want a Eudora specific icon. This is a pain in the butt, if you've got a lot of mailboxes to convert. If I was going to return to Eudora, I'd write a application to convert all my files or put together a shell script to do the job from a terminal window. Hopefully, Qualcomm will add Mail to its Import Mail menu in a future release.

From Michael King:

I have discovered a successful and easy method to do so without creating my own applications or sweating any scripting.

1. Extract the mbox file from the mailbox to be converted.
2. Rename it (if converting more than one, so that you do not get confused with more than one file named "mbox").
3. Open up the utility MailConverter. This is available from http://www.fogcity.com/em_utilities.html Fog City's website and runs fine under OS X Classic mode.
4. From the File menu, select Convert File.
5. Follow the prompts and open the mailboxes created with Eudora. They open up perfectly, though I should note that I did not have success transferring over attachments -- the messages are fine, but the attachments themselves become converted into texts.

I hope that this is of help to people.

Michael King

Eric T. MacKnight

Hello Mr. Moore,

I like Safari, but speed and Snapback are not enough. I still can't use Safari for my internet banking, or for online shopping, or for an online application form I had to fill out the other day. And the new Globe & Mail website doesn't display properly in Safari. Let us hope that these beta days will end soon!

Eric MacKnight

Hi Eric;

I like Safari. The Google search entry is convenient. But I could live without Safari. I wouldn't want to live without Mozilla and iCab.

Charles

Re: Checking Out Mozilla 1.3b and Safari 1.0b60

From Jussi Hagman

Hi,

Thanks for a nice comparision of the browsers. One thing I would like to mention is that when it comes to browser speed the rendering speed is not everything. One important factor, at least in my opinion is caching, for example how fast the back and forward functions are performed. So it would be nice to also see some data on how fast Mozilla and Safari render

1. Some other page from the site in question (some images and stylesheets could come from the cache)

2. How long does a rendering take after clicking back-button.

Greetings,
Jussi
Finland

Hi Jussi;

I haven't done a comparison of this, but fast cache access "Snapback" is one of Safari's highly touted features. I'm a heavy user of Mozilla/Netscape/Chimera's tabbed browsing feature, which also gives you fast, one-click access to previously visited pages.

Charles

Joe Ballo's OS 9 tip

From Andreas Weik

Hi Charles,

just wanted to chime in here. To my (limited) knowledge, this only works with Macs which have been introduced prior 2003, like eMacs, the 800 MHz iMac, iBook, etc...

It WON'T work with any system introduced in 2003. This is not a hardware issue, AFAIK these systems have a OS 9 block in their boot ROMs. They simply will ignore any drive that has OS 9 on it.

Just my 2 cents.

Greetings,
Andreas Weik

Confused

From Joe Ballo

Re:

" Hi Neil;

I'm sure that UNIX security is a wonderful thing when you're on a network, or even broadband, or your computer has multiple users. I'm on neither, and am the sole user of my production computers. I just wish there were a way to turn password security off. "

Charles "

What is the matter with: System Preferences -> Accounts -> Users -> enable "login automatically"

Dr Joe

Hi Dr. Joe;

I have that enabled, but it doesn't help with software installs and other such things that demand password entry, and then there is having to log in as Root for some stuff. I even discovered some old application files the other day that wanted me to log in as Root in order to send them to the Trash. I just got 'em with good old OS 9 the next time I was booted up from it. Hassles I could do without.

Charles

The OS X Odyssey archives may be accessed here:
http://www.applelinks.com/news/odyssey/

CM

Charles W. Moore

Cool Mac Gear