Table of Contents
Advertisement
1.7
Shortcut Commands, Hotkeys, and Menu Elements.
There are two types of commands on VarioUltra: shortcut commands and hotkeys. Shortcut commands are
very often global in nature and require use of the left thumb key B9 and a combination of braille keys. Hotkeys
work only within the menus and require entry of a single letter.
1.7.1
More about Shortcut Commands.
As you will learn from this manual, shortcut commands require the use of the left thumb key B9, plus a
combination of braille dots that in many cases will include dot 7 and/or dot 8. While this may seem a like a lot
of keys to press initially, especially if you've been accustomed to 6-dot chord commands on other devices, the
advantage is that a unique command exists for everything on VarioUltra.
Within the pages of this manual, shortcut commands are written in one of two ways. By way of example, if the
command requires you to press the left thumb key B9 with braille keys B2 and B3, the command will be written
as B9+B2B3. In cases where a letter or punctuation symbol is used, the command will be written as c+B8B9
as in the case of the global command for copy.
Shortcut commands are also displayed for your convenience when in the menus. So if you're on the word
processor menu item (MI), you will find w+B7B8B9 displayed after the application name, "Word processor".
1.7.2
More about Hotkeys.
Hotkeys refer to braille characters that you enter when inside the menus. For example, you can type "w" for
the word processor, or "c" for the calculator. Menu items contain various elements, which you can customize in
Settings. By default, menu items start with MI (which stands for Menu Item), a single-letter hotkey, the name of
the application, and a shortcut command that can be entered from any location in the Braille Notetaker. For
example, if you want to open the word processor, just press and hold system key S1.
Note that hotkeys work only when you are inside the menu.
1.7.3
More about Menu Elements.
Braille elements are those things that appear on the display when in Braille Notetaker mode. Examples
include: MI, LI, CB, CHK, and EB. You can find more details in section 10.3 Display Settings.
Here is a quick review of the different elements, and what they mean:
MI: this element means you are on a menu item. Menu items are displayed vertically, which
means you navigate up and down to move from one item to another. In most cases you can
select by entering the corresponding hotkey or shortcut command, by pressing the left thumb key
B9, or by pressing in on the Navistick. Using the assigned shortcut command selects the item
without the need to open the menu.
LI: this element means you are on a list item. List items are displayed horizontally, which means
you navigate left and right to move from one item to another, and the selected item is presented.
Entering the first letter of an item takes you directly to that item in the list.
CB: The Control Button item refers to words such as OK, Cancel, Yes, and No. These words
typically appear in message dialogs. You confirm your choice by pressing a cursor routing button
above the word in question or by pressing the r thumb key B9.
CHK: This element refers to a checkbox. You can check and uncheck checkboxes by navigating
to the right with the Navistick, by pressing a cursor routing button above the checkbox, or by
tapping the right thumb key B0.
EB: This element refers to an edit box, into which text can be entered. You will encounter edit
boxes in those instances where a value needs to be entered.
1.8
Confirmation Prompts.
In various places throughout the Braille Notetaker menu structure of VarioUltra you will find references to
things you should or could confirm. Common examples include confirming with OK to exit a particular
dialog, or confirming with YES or NO. In these cases, the word or words in question will be present on the
braille display, or accessible by scrolling down or up with the Navistick to find them. When you find them,
you can confirm with B9, pressing in on the Navistick, or selecting a cursor routing button above any part
of a word. You will find an example below in section 1.9 regarding Context Sensitive Help where you are
instructed to "scroll down and confirm with OK to exit" to leave the help dialog.
9
Advertisement
Table of Contents
