Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

On-Screen Keyboard — \windows\system32\osk.exe

Synopsis

A full, onscreen keyboard controlled by the pointing device.

To Open

Start → Programs → Accessories → Accessibility → On-Screen Keyboard

Command Prompt → osk

Description

Among the tools provided with Windows XP to assist those with physical disabilities is the On-Screen Keyboard. Intended to be used by those who are unable to comfortably use a keyboard, the On-Screen Keyboard allows any key normally available on the keyboard to be pressed with click of the mouse, or whatever pointing device is currently being used (see Figure 4-62).

What makes the On-Screen Keyboard especially appropriate as a primary input device is that you can click keys when another application has the focus. For example, open the On-Screen Keyboard, and then open your word processor; the keyboard will float above the word processor, allowing you to click any key to “type” it into your document.

Configuring the On-Screen Keyboard is straightforward. Use the Keyboard menu to change the layout of the keys, or Settings → Font to change the font of the key labels. Go to Settings → Typing Mode to choose how keys are pressed; by default, each key must be clicked, but you can set it up so that you can hover over keys to select them, or even use a joystick to control the keyboard.

Figure 4-62. The On-Screen Keyboard lets you type by pointing and clicking

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