Infogrip's Blog

Using the BAT Keyboard with JAWS 11?

2010-05-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

We have many users that use our BAT keyboard with Freedom Scientific's JAWS screen reader. To setup JAWS 11 to use the BAT please follow the below instructions:

In the JAWS menu go to Utilities, Configuration Manager, Set Options, User Options and put a check next to Insert Key Mode. Save changes and your all set.

Using Zoho Remote Support

2010-02-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

There are a few things to know when using Zoho remote support with our clients using JAWS screen reader.

Since Zoho uses ActiveX and JAVA technology Internet Explorer and Firefox require certain steps to be taken to allow access.

Internet Explorer the user must confirm ActiveX in the Internet Explorer Information Bar. Sometimes JAWS does not read that this bar needs to be selected. Have the JAWS user press Ctrl + Home then Shift + Tab. Now the JAWS user presses Space Bar to install the ActiveX application.

Firefox is a bit different because it brings up a separate window the user must select to continue. the problem is that JAWS does not read this window or its content. Have the JAWS user press Enter.

It also helps to turn off the Chat feature on the operator side before connecting to the customer. This should be all the JAWS user needs to do to connect.

Another Happy BAT User

2009-11-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

Another inspirational quote from a very happy BAT user.

"I spend hours every day working from hard copy drawings to create 3-D models using SolidWorks CAD software. Most of the input is just entering numbers and manipulating pull-down menus and drag-and-drop geometry. The wide open desk space right in front of me, improved ergonomics, and best of all being able to dedicate one hand to the mouse has made me much more productive. That would also be the case for the thousands of CAD analysts and engineers who are faced with the same challenges."

Jon G.

2009-08-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

We had a BAT USB user report that when he tried the BAT USB with his TRENDnet TK-207K KVM Switch he initially had to plug the BAT directly into one of his computer's USB ports then while the computer was still on unplug the BAT and plug it into the KVM switch. From that point forward it worked like a charm.

This may be a fluke but thought it was worth a post.

Roller Trackball & Joystick Technical Issues

2009-08-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

The Roller II Trackball & Joystick and the Roller Plus Trackball & Joystick are some of our most popular products and we rarely have support calls on them. When we do get a call the questions and the answers are always the same. So here they are:

If the clicks seems to be reversed, the left click is doing a right click and visa versa then you have accidently put your unit in left hand mode. To put it back in right hand mode so the clicks act normal simply press and hold the middle and left buttons for a few seconds then release.

Also if your pointer seems to be moving unusually slow and you have checked the Window's mouse setting and they seem to be normal there are two reasons for this. If you are using the Roller Plus there is a speed control button on it. Its the one with the picture of a running man. There are 5 variable speeds that this button controls. Press the button once and test the mouse speed. Repeat 4 more times. If this is not the issue then it means you have accidentally put your Roller product into slow mode. To reset it back to normal simply press and hold the middle and right button for a few seconds.

BAT User Quote of the Day!

2009-08-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Aaron, just a little memo to say how much I am satisfied with my new BAT keyboard it is like a good guitar with easy action at your fingertips. It makes writing like a ride on a slide.

Thanks and keep up the good work your client....John Ware

BAT User Quote of the Day!

2009-08-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

By my eagerness to purchase yet another BAT, (which I ordered today) it should be most obvious that I am pleased with the prototype, I purchased from you. More than pleased, actually! It works perfectly, & is a terrific aid to the handicapped. I only have use of my right arm and without this keyboard, I could not withstand the tremendous amount of keying I do daily. I am a web developer. I thank you, your company & whoever is responsible for inventing this marvelous keyboard.

Tom Smith

Does the new BAT USB have Macro Capabilities?

2009-08-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

The new BAT USB does not have built in macro capabilities like the old BAT. Very few of our users used this feature and we needed the keystrokes that the old macros used for some of the new feature in the BAT USB.

We also made the decision to eliminate macros because many of todays common software programs such as MS Word have macro capabilities built in. We also recommend www.macros.com and other sites which have excellent macro tools that can be used with any keyboard including the BAT.

Another great use for the new BAT USB!

2009-08-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Sent in by one of our long time users, who also happens to be my Uncle, the new BAT USB makes a very comfortable cat pillow.

Maybe I should think about advertising in pet magazines.....

Thanks Uncle Tom and Siam for the the great marketing idea.

Aaron

What is a Switch?

2009-05-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a question that all of us get quite a bit here at Infogrip. What is a switch and what does a switch do? Well, the actual term is Adaptive Switch and it is a hardware device that allows a user with little motor control operate a computer or other electrical device. Basically switches come in all different shapes and sizes and are designed this way to allow people with disabilities to access them using different methods, ie. head, knee, foot or even the blink of an eye. A switch by itself does nothing. Think of it as having a light switch in your home not connected to anything. You can flip the light switch on and off but until you connect your light fixture to it nothing happens. An adpative switch is just like a light switch, it goes on or off. If you plug an adaptive switch into a switch interface the possibilities are endless. Our users operate their entire computer with a single switch and many of them control their environment with a switch by plugging a switch into an environmental control unit. They can open doors, answer the phone, change the TV channel, etc. Have you ever press the button at the entrace of the mall with the picture of a wheelchair on it to open the door? This is a switch connected to an environmental control (the automatic door). Anyway take a look at our website and you will see a whole section dedicated to switches.

Infogrip Helps Support the Fight to Defeat ALS

2009-04-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Each year the entire Infogrip staff with our friends and families participate in the Walk to Defeat ALS. Liza and I strongly feel that this is a great cause, so much so, that we are asking for your donations. Soliciting our friends, family and especially our loyal customers was not an easy decision. To show our appreciation to all of you that support us in this cause and donate to the ALS Association Liza and I will match your donations dollar for dollar up to $2000. As an added thank you to our customers that donate we will give you 10% off your next order. Simply present the receipt from your donation the next time you place an order within the next 90 days and we'll gladly give you 10% off.

The ALS Association is the only non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure.

I am asking you to help by supporting our fund-raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of many! It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below.

Any amount, great or small, helps in the fight. All of us at Infogrip greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on our progress.

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/GreaterLosAngelesWalk?px=2226729&pg=personal&fr_id=5890&et=dHzNwsu95boD8hGV14n5og..&s_tafId=91162

If you prefer to donate by check please make all checks payable to The ALS Association and send them to us at the following address:

Infogrip, Inc.
1794 E. Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 652-0770

Also if any of you are interested check out our blog. Our BIGtrack trackball was on the Today show a couple of weeks ago being used by Augie Nieto who has ALS. He has a great story and its worth the watch. Click here for the blog and link to the Today show segment.

Thank you in advance for all of your support.

Aaron Gaston
Vice President
Infogrip, Inc.

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2009-03-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

This morning while I was at the gym I happened to look look up at the television and a blurb for the next segment on the Today Show was on and I saw it had something to do with ALS. Not needing a good excuse to cut my workout short I grabbed my keys and bolted home. Its not often that something to do with our industry is featured on national TV.

As I'm watching the segment about Augie Nieto, www.augiesquest.com, they start talking about the technology he is using for computer access. One of the products happens to be our BIGtrack trackball. Augie uses the BIGtrack with his feet and an onscreen keyboard. To see the whole story click here.

Anyway this made my day and thought I would share my excitement.

Onyx Deskset: Reset and Changing the Battery

2009-03-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick technical tip that might be helpful if you use a Freedom Scientific Onyx Deskset. At some point you might need to change the battery or do a quick reset on your Onyx Deskset.

Here's how:
First you will need to slightly unbend a small paperclip, then look on the camera near the Serial Number, you should find a slight/small hole opening. . .

Keeping the Onyx power ON
Pop out a battery from the remote --- Keep this very close !!
Take the slightly unbent paperclip and ever so slightly push it into the small opening on the camera.
You ONLY have about 5 to 7 seconds, so QUICKLY reinsert the battery to the remote and this should reset the Onyx.

--- If this doesn't reset then call Freedom Scientific Tech Support at: 727-803-8600 ---

BigKeys LX USB Coming Soon!

2009-02-27T12:37:00.000-08:00

A little bird told us that there is a new BigKeys keyboard coming out. The new BigKeys LX USB will have some new features. Read below find new features and instructions.

BIGKEYS LX USB FEATURES

CURSOR KEYS: PgUp, End, PgDn, Home
To use these special cursor control keys, hold down the F key and the
arrow pad keys become PgUp, End, PgDn and Home.

FUNCTION KEYS
This feature lets you access the Function keys F1 - F10. Simply hold down
the F key and the numeric row becomes F1 through F10.

SPECIAL CHARACTERS
For This Use These
Character Keys
[ F with ;
] F with '
{ F with :
} F with "
F11 F with /
F12 F with `
€ F with E
Prt Scrn F with P

ASSIST MODE

The ASSIST MODE on BigKeys LX accommodates those who cannot press
two (or more) keys simultaneously. ASSIST MODE works with and enhances
the Windows "Sticky Key" Accessibility Option.

When not in ASSIST MODE, the function keys are produced on BigKeys LX
by pressing simultaneously the F key and a number key. (F+1 produces the
F1 function, etc.)

The BigKeys LX Assist Mode enables you to press the F key and have it
remain active until you press another key. In ASSIST MODE, the F key
becomes a "Sticky Key".

Examples of using the BigKeys LX ASSIST MODE:
-To obtain an F1 in ASSIST MODE, press and release the F key, then
press and release the 1 key.
- To obtain an "Alt-F4" in ASSIST MODE, press and release the Alt key,
then press and release the F key, then press and release the 4 key.
(The Windows "Sticky Keys" Accessibility Option must be turned ON
for this example.)

To enter the BigKeys LX ASSIST MODE press the CAPS LOCK key three
times in a row.

To exit ASSIST MODE and return the keyboard to normal operation,
again press the CAPS LOCK three times in a row.

Note that while in ASSIST MODE it is necessary to press the F key twice to
send an F to the computer.

NO RUN-ON OPTION

BigKeys is designed to allow only one keystroke to be sent to the computer for
each key depression. This feature prevents multiple characters that might occur
inadvertently when holding down a key too long.
To defeat this feature see below

ABC - QWERTY OPTION

Your BigKeys LX keyboard offers either ABC or QWERTY layouts.
To select layout see below.

TO SET THE BIGKEYS OPTIONS

Be sure the computer is powered on and that the BigKeys is unplugged.
Hold down the numeric key for the option desired.
While holding down the key, plug the keyboard into a USB port on the computer.
Release the key after 5 seconds, the option will now be in place.

QWERTY Mode use numeric key 1
ABC Mode use numeric key 2
Defeat No-Run-On Mode use numeric key 3
Enable No-Run-On Mode use numeric key 4

New RMA Website for Infogrip Product Returns

2009-02-24T18:04:00.000-08:00

We have a new RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) form on our website for product returns and exchanges. Just go to http://www.infogrip.com/rma.asp or click here for the new form. All customers wanting to return or exchange a product must obtain a RMA prior to shipping the product back to Infogrip. We are not responsible for any product sent back without an RMA. With all of the packages that come in and out of this place there is no way we can keep track of a random package that shows up without some sort of tracking.

This has always been our policy but with the form being online it just makes it that much easier for you the customer to get your RMA when you need it.

Save Over $500 on TrackerPro Bundle

2009-02-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

Here is an unbelievable deal that we were just told about and you heard about it first on the Infogrip blog. The deal is simple purchase a TrackerPro and receive ScreenDoors and MagicCursor free. That is a saving of $490.

I guess this is Madentec's version of a stimulus package. To sweeten the deal even more Infogrip is going to drop the price of the TrackerPro by an additional $20 plus through in free shipping.

That's a total savings of $560. Hurry it won't last!

Click here to get this Sweet Deal.

25% Off Compass Assessment Software

2009-02-13T09:47:00.000-08:00

Each week in February we are offering an extraordinary deal on some of our extraordinary products. Be sure to check back each week or subscribe to our blog to see what's next.

This week get Compass Assessment Software for only $134. That's 25% off the normal retail price of $179.

Just click here to get this Sweet Deal.

Compass software is a functional assessment tool for clinical, educational, and vocational professionals who perform computer access and augmentative communication evaluations. Using eight skill tests in three input device domains (pointing, text entry, and switch use), Compass records data on the speed and accuracy of user actions. The software then generates a report summarizing results of the test for the practitioner to evaluate. Clinicians have agreed that Compass is easy, increases evaluation efficiency and accuracy, and is an extremely beneficial supplement to subjective evaluation.

Sweet Deal February 6th - 12th

2009-02-05T12:51:00.001-08:00

Each week in February we are offering an extraordinary deal on some of our extraordinary products. Be sure to check back each week or subscribe to our blog to see what's next.

This week get our famous BIGtrack trackball for only $59. That's $20 off retail and to sweeten the deal even more we're offering our PointSmart software for only $20 extra. One of our customers said "PointSmart is like a mouse driver on steroids" we kind of like that description so we're sticking to it.

To get either the BIGtrack for $59 or the BIGtrack and PointSmart together for $79 just click here.

See you in Florida!

2009-01-21T12:38:00.001-08:00

Liza and myself will be manning the Infogrip trade show booth at the 10th annual ATIA conference in Orlando, FL. The show is from January 28th to the 31st. We are in booth 819. If you are planning on attending come by and say hi!......Thanks Aaron

For more information on the conference click here this link or the logo above.

Choosing your connector type....

2008-12-29T16:54:00.000-08:00

I know I shouldn't even have to put this up here but I can't tell you how many times we get this question or used to get this question. Liza and I a long time ago started printing in our catalog pictures of computer connection types. Now with the popularity of USB we don't get asked about connection types all that often any more but it used to be a daily occurrence. So just in case here they are.

BAT Tech Issues

2008-12-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

Most of our tech issues with the BAT keyboard all come down to the same basic couple of resolutions. So if you are having BAT trouble try one or all of the following:

1. While your BAT is unplugged take off the back cover and look to see if your BAT has a battery. It is a flat round lithium battery that looks like a watch battery but is about the size of a quarter ($.25 U.S.). If you find the battery in your BAT take it out. You don't need it and it can cause problems.

2. Do a hard reset on your BAT. While your BAT is plugged into your computer press and hold all three thumb keys until all three lights come on and stay on. Release the three thumb keys and then press and release the index finger key (its the one above the red thumb key, its also the letter "i"). Next shut your computer down. Not a restart but completely turn your system off. Wait about 30 seconds and turn it back on.

3. If you have the BAT plugged into a USB hub or KVM switch unplug it and plug it directly into the computer.

By doing the two very simple things above you can solve 99.9% of all BAT issues.

Our Number One

2008-12-29T16:33:00.000-08:00

Often people ask what our number one selling product is. By far the BIGtrack takes first place. Mostly because it can be used by so many people with so many different abilities. Young children from around 2 to 5 years old should all be using it because these kids haven't developed their fine motor control, which is what it takes to operate a standard mouse. Since the BIGtrack has such a large ball people of all ages with poor motor control can operate it. We even have users using it with their feet. We have a list of dealers at http://www.bigtracktrackball.com/. Or just call us if you have questions.

Sneak Peak!

2008-12-29T12:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a sneak peak of a prototype of the all new BAT USB. We have been working on this update for a long time and its release is just right around the corner.

Holiday Hours

2008-12-29T12:43:00.000-08:00

Infogrip closes every year between Christmas and New Years. This year is no exception and we will be back in the office on the January 5th. If you have questions during that time please send us an email. We all will be checking our email during this time.

Happy Holidays!