Working With Files - Alphasmart AS 2000 User Manual

the first page of your file. To enter text, simply begin typing
as you would on any other keyboard. Use the Delete key to
erase. As soon as you type each character it is automatically
saved. There is no Save command. The arrow keys allow you
to move your cursor through the text. Additionally, the fol-
lowing keyboard combinations will also move your cursor as
specified:
moves the cursor up 4 lines (one displayed page)
x o
moves the cursor down 4 lines (one displayed page)
x ,
moves the cursor to the end of the line
x
l
moves the cursor to the beginning of the line
x
k
As with any word processing application, the text will auto-
matically wrap at the end of each line, so you should use the
Return key only to separate paragraphs.
Text Formatting
All text formatting, including margins, tab stops, font, size, and
other styling attributes, are done on the desktop computer after
the file has been transferred from the AlphaSmart. Only the
characters themselves (ASCII key codes) are transferred from
the AlphaSmart to the computer. However, the Tab key can be
used on the AlphaSmart to create columns or paragraph inden-
tations which will transfer to the Macintosh with the file.
When the tab key is used, it will appear as a right arrow on the
AlphaSmart screen when Show Marks is activated.
The AlphaSmart does not have cut, copy, or paste functions
included. These advanced editing features are more easily
performed when using a larger screen and mouse, and there-
fore should be performed once a file has been transferred to
the desktop computer.
When an AlphaSmart file is full, a message will be displayed
which reads:
File is full. Use another file or send data to your computer.
Caps Lock Indicator
When Caps Lock is active, the lower right character of the
screen will be solid black. Pressing the Caps Lock key toggles
the Caps Lock on and off.
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File Capacity
Erasing Files
Clear All Files Command
AlphaSmart 2000 AlphaSmart 2000
W O R K I N G W I T H F I L E S
The first time that the AlphaSmart is turned on, it will dis-
play the message Opening file 1. On subsequent startups, it
will automatically open the last file used.
The AlphaSmart 2000 supports eight files, which are fixed in
length. File 1 is 16 pages long, files 2–5 are 8 pages each, files
6 and 7 are 6 pages each, and file 8 is 4 pages in length. This
provides a total storage capacity of 64 pages of single-spaced
text or 128,000 characters.
This file structure is intended to support multiple users or to
enable a single user to organize his or her work into chapters
or sections. 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 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.
Once the Clear File key is pressed and the file is deleted,
information may still be recovered using the Data Recovery
command described below. However, for confidential files
which you wish to erase without the ability to recover, you
may press Option- -Clear File. This command writes 0
x
(zeros) to the entire file. Use this command with care.
Press Option- -control-shift-Clear File to erase all eight
x
files simultaneously. You will be asked if you are sure—press-
ing the Y key at this point will clear files 1 through 8. How-
ever, this deletion is not permanent, and you can still
recover any of the files using the Data Recovery command
described below as long as you have not typed over the files.
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