Owner’s Manual Intelligent Peripheral Devices, Inc. 20380 Town Center Lane, Suite 270 Cupertino, CA 95014 Phone: (408) 252-9400 Fax: (408) 252-9409 E-mail: info@alphasmart.com Home Page: http://www.alphasmart.
■ TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Three Year Limited Warranty Intelligent Peripheral Devices, Inc. warrants the AlphaSmart Pro keyboard and display to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of original retail purchase.
■ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Step One—Using AlphaSmart The AlphaSmart Pro works with any desktop or laptop computer with an external keyboard port, whether IBM compatible, Apple Macintosh, or Apple IIGS. The AlphaSmart Pro works with any Apple® computer equipped with an Apple Desktop Bus™ (ADB) port, which includes the Apple IIGS®, all Macintosh® models*, all PowerBook™ models, the Performa™, Centris™, and Quadra™ series, and all Power Macintosh models.
• Take care not to break the LCD screen. Don’t drop the AlphaSmart or subject it to strong impact. Do not place an AC adapter or other heavy object over the LCD screen. • Keep your AlphaSmart away from extreme heat. Don’t leave it on the dashboard or in the trunk of a car, or near a heater. • Don’t leave your AlphaSmart in a place that is extremely dusty or damp. • Do not use frayed or damaged cables. • Never force a connector into a port if the connector and port do not join easily.
To move between files, press the F1/File 1 key to go to File 1, the F2/File 2 key to go to File 2 and so forth, up to F8. Text entered into each AlphaSmart file will remain there until you explicitly erase it by pressing the Clear File key when the AlphaSmart is not attached to a desktop computer. Note that when you press the Clear File key, you are clearing only the file in which you are currently working; other files will remain unchanged.
Warning: DO NOT attach the AlphaSmart to both a PC and the Mac at the same time. It won’t work and possible damage may occur to the Mac or the PC. Concerns about ADB Live Connect/Disconnect The AlphaSmart keyboard is designed to be connected to and disconnected from Macintosh ADB ports while the Mac is running. Some people may be concerned with this, since Apple recommends not unplugging or attaching an ADB device while the computer is running.
To finish the transfer process, save the word processing file on the Macintosh. Once the text is saved on your Macintosh, you can style, format, and spell check the file as you would any other file in your word processing application. To erase the transferred file from the AlphaSmart, press the Clear File key on the AlphaSmart. The currently displayed file will be deleted.
5. Connect the AlphaSmart to the Mac keyboard cable. 6. Download the data file from the AlphaSmart to the empty ClarisWorks word processing document by pressing the Send key on the AlphaSmart. 7. Select all the downloaded text by doing a Select All from the Mac Edit menu. (x-A). 8. Copy the data to the clipboard by choosing Copy from the Edit menu (x-C). Dual cable allows an AlphaSmart to be attached to either a 5-pin or 6-pin PC.
Installing the PC Dual Cable 1. Disconnect your PC keyboard from the back of your PC. 2. Examine the keyboard port on the back of your PC. If you have a DIN 5-pin connector, connect the yellow end of the PC Dual cable to the keyboard port on the back of your PC. If you have a Mini-DIN 6-pin connector, connect the blue end of the PC Dual cable. When your AlphaSmart is attached to a PC, it changes modes and the screen displays the following message: Attached to PC, emulating keyboard.
To change files when attached to the PC, only press the x key and the Fx key (F1 for file 1, F2 for file 2, etc). Do not press the Alt/Option key. Pressing the Alt key puts some word processing programs into command mode and the file won’t transfer correctly. Transferring Text to a PC 1. Pressing the Send key (at the extreme upper right of the keyboard) initiates the transfer of the current file from the AlphaSmart to the PC. If you want to abort a file transfer, just press any other key.
The AlphaSmart file transfer speed menu is accessed by the keyboard command Option-x-S (this command works in stand-alone mode only, not when the AlphaSmart is attached to a computer). The speed command affects both the Mac sending speed and the PC sending speed. The AlphaSmart has four file transfer speeds: 1. Very Slow is the slowest speed setting and is compatible with all machines and applications. It is recommended especially when you are using KidWorks™ or The Children’s Writing Center.
Figure 9. Left one-handed keyboard layout. Figure 6. QWERTY keyboard layout. • Choosing 3 sets the keyboard layout for right-hand only, and selecting 4 sets the keyboard for left-hand only. Right and left one-handed layouts enable faster typing for people with disabilities (see Figures 8 and 9). Clear sticker overlays for Dvorak, right, and left one-handed layouts are available from companies like KEYTIME® (206) 522-TYPE, 4516 N.E. 54th Street, Seattle, WA 98105.
■ I N T E R N AT I O N A L C H A R A C T E R SUPPORT machine running Windows, international characters are sent using the codes defined in the Character Map Accessory. See the following chart for key equivalences. International characters can be sent to Macintosh or Windows machines. They work with all Macintosh applications.
works in stand-alone mode only, not when the AlphaSmart is attached to a computer). With Sticky Keys enabled, you can type combination keystrokes without actually pressing the keys simultaneously. For example, you could press Option-x-S to get to the AlphaSmart speed menu. Sticky Keys affect the four modifier keys: shift, option, command (x), and control. When Sticky keys are enabled, pressing a modifier key effectively keeps that key “pressed down” for the next normal key press. Figure 10.
■ A L P H A S M A R T PA S S W O R D P R O T E C T I O N When multiple people share one AlphaSmart, it is sometimes useful to password protect each file to keep the contents private and protected from accidental loss. AlphaSmart Pros are shipped with password protection disabled. To enable AlphaSmartπs password protection feature for the first time, you will need to contact IPD to obtain the master password encoded into each AlphaSmart.
for a second, and then you will return to the file which you were editing. (Passwords are all lowercase; pressing shift or caps lock has no effect.) When password protection is enabled, anytime you change files you will be asked for that file’s password before being allowed to edit that file. All individual file passwords can be overridden by typing the master password.
Toxic Elements Statement Each cell is a sealed container enclosing a nickel electrode, a cadmium electrode and potassium hydroxide electrolyte. The electrolyte is caustic. Avoid contact with skin or eyes. If accidentally exposed, flush eyes with water immediately. 3. Remove the AA batteries and make sure the unit is not plugged into the AC adapter or attached to a Macintosh. Do not incinerate or mutilate the battery, as this may cause it to burst or release toxic materials.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communication. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
this is definitely the problem. To fix it: eight different files. To change files, press F1 to go to File 1, F2 to go to File 2, and so on. 1. Turn the AlphaSmart off. 2. Take the 8 screws off the back with a Phillips screwdriver. 3. Flip the unit over and carefully open the case by lifting the front of the top case, taking care not to disconnect the LCD cable. 4.
AlphaSmart caps lock key once to fix it, and then type a few keys to verify that it is now correct. ■ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Figure 13. The wire bar inserted in the spacebar 3. Holding the spacebar above and slightly behind the spot it belongs, insert the wire “ears” into the finger latches in the keyboard. To do this, grab the ends of the spacebar with the thumb and index finger of each hand. Make sure the wire “ears” are extended, not laying down against the bottom side of the key cap.
Is it OK to connect/disconnect the keyboard cable when the computer is ON? Macintosh: Yes—we have specifically tested this. For details, please see the section “Concerns About ADB Live Connect/ Disconnect”. PC: Yes—most PCs allow connecting/disconnecting the keyboard while the computer is on. Some PCs, however, have a security feature where they detect a keyboard being swapped and then lock up, preventing any unauthorized access. To regain use of this type of PC, it must be rebooted.
Your repaired AlphaSmart will be returned to you within two weeks of receipt. If damages are due to accident or abuse, then you will be charged for the parts replaced and repair handling fee. ■ ALPHASMART ACCESSORIES To make your AlphaSmart even more useful and convenient to use, Intelligent Peripheral Devices, Inc. offers several accessories, some of which you may have received with your AlphaSmart. See your dealer for information on pricing and bundling.
■ G E T U T I L I T Y S O F T WA R E AlphaSmart Command List AlphaSmart Get Utility is software that allows you to transfer text from your Mac or Windows/Windows 95 PC to your AlphaSmart. Whatever is on the PC or Mac Clipboard can be transferred to any file on the AlphaSmart. 42 Option-x-S Speed menu x-F Find text Get Utility software is useful for downloading writing templates or report forms. You can also send a file back down to the AlphaSmart for further work after it has been spellchecked.
