trouble typing and using mouse

[Guest guest]

-----Original Message-----

>I'll get the ball rolling tonight with a request for information. Seven

years ago I had to have cysts >removed from the palm of hand which were

causing the hand to retract into a fist. The surgery gave >me back use of

my right hand. Now I've been experiencing increased contraction of right

hand with >no cysts

Hi Ray,

Have you thought of trying a touch pad such as the Cirque products? You can

use either your finger or a stylus on the touch pad to move the cursor. To

click the mouse button you can either use the long buttons on the pad OR tap

on the touch pad with your finger or the stylus. I know our local CompUSA

and Computer City carry these products and they have a good return

policy...if you're not satisfied you have 10 days to return it with full

money back. Good luck!

CULater,

Ruthie

===========================

Ruthie Cunliffe K2ZQ

ruthie@...

http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/

experimental web cam: http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/spy/

** A BALANCED DIET IS A COOKIE IN EACH HAND **

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray;

Something I can sink my teeth into. Making computer technology available to

the disabled has been a pet project of mine for a long time. Years ago I

spent an enormous amount of time trying to find computer solutions for

disabled people. Specifically cheaper solutions ( at the time a voice

recognition software package ran about $5000) than were normally available.

At some point we even used the game Doom to train people in electric

wheelchairs to avoid bumping into walls ! The whole setup cost us about $50

at the time !

There are a number of options you might look at, singly or in combination

with one another. A suggestion was already made about the touch pad. If I

remember right, you can also use some of those without the buttons just by

hitting the pad quickly twice which simulates a click.

There is also Voice Recognition which is quite advanced although not perfect

but definitely good enough for a list such as this where we all understand

limitations quite well. Microsoft has a program available to developers (and

others if you know where to look. I have it and can send it to you.) which

works with Microsoft Word. This would greatly minimize the keyboarding. I've

tried it and it works quite well. You will need to have Windows 95 and a

rather powerful computer with a good amount if RAM a sound card and a good

microphone. I use a headset like telephone operators do.

Along the same thread as above, there is also voice email. I can check

further into this for you. You basically just speak your message and email

it as usual. The person on the other end just needs the proper software

(built into Windows) and a sound card.

Another option is Sticky keys. As far back as Dos version 5 I believe (6.x

for sure) , you could get an add on (free) which when activated will hold

down certain keys for you for a set length of time. Windows 95 and 98 have

it built in. This works well for people who have coordination problems. The

way it works is that when you press a 'combination' type key (for example

the Shift key to get a capital letter), it holds it down for you and gives

you the time to press the other key, Works well if you only have one hand,

or only one finger, or even a mouth stick.

Again, using Microsoft Word, you can program the software to respond to

short-cuts that you would type in once. For example, you could type " th blk

dg " and have the software immediately convert this to " The black dog " . It

works well for words you use a lot. Sort of like an electronic short hand. I

believe WordPerfect also has this but someone else will have to vouch for

that. The feature in MS Word is called AutoCorrect.

I spend a great deal of time on the computer and I found that holding the

mouse button down for scrolling was becoming a sore point because you hand

is fixed in position with your index finger down. I bought a Logitech

Mouseman + which has a wheel on top. It means I can use my middle finger to

scroll. It's a change from just holding a button down. My wife is suffering

from the onset of arthritis in her hands. She uses a mouse 10 times more

than I do (computer card games). She got so she couldn't use her mouse

because of the pain. We got her a Logitech Trakman. It is a fairly big unit

where your hand rests easily on top. Your thumb rolls a fair size ball, and

three fingers lay in depressions which are also buttons. I'm not sure about

US prices but each cost us about $75 Canadian.

Please let me know if I can help in getting dome of this software or if you

need help in setting it up. The offer of course also goes to anyone else who

needs it. If you give me a little more information I can see what is

available for free or for a small cost. I need to know your computer type

(sorry I don't know Macs) like Pentium, 486 - the amount of RAM - the

operating system (Dos, Win95, etc) - sound hardware (sound card make and

model, microphone) - your physical limitation (not your Dx, things like

" only one hand " , " use mouth stick " , etc) - software components you want to

use (MS Word, WordPerfect, Eudora, Outlook etc).

Mike

Trouble typing and using mouse

I'll get the ball rolling tonight with a request for information. Seven

years ago I had to have cysts removed from the palm of hand which were

causing the hand to retract into a fist. The surgery gave me back use of my

[Guest guest]

Wow, Mike, what a lot of information! I do have Microsft IntelliMouse which

has the wheel. I have started using the wheel to click with, but find for

scrolling that it hurts less to just use up or down arrow keys. Since my hand

is partially contracted to try to use the wheel for scrolling causes the same

problem and mauneuvering the mouse or clicking as usual. Found some shortcuts

on the key board, as you suggested, but fail to use the typing shortcuts when I

am actually typing. I use shortcuts when I write longhand but haven't been able

to switch when typing. I used to type 70+ words a minute. I can still get up

to 60wpm but can't do it for very long at a time. I'm more like 25-30 wpm now

with the painful, trembling, contracting hand. My right thumb trembles when I'm

typing which drives me crazy! The whole hand trembles and cramps when using the

mouse. I think I'll try the touch pad that Ruthie? suggested. I do have the

Microsoft ergonomic keyboard which helps tremendously. I cannot use a standard

key board any longer. Have a gel filled wrist rest on my mouse pad which helps

also.

I have a Pentium 90mghz computer with 32RAM. I've bought 5 computers for my

kids, but am stuck with my son's old computer for time being. Someday, when I

don't have any children in college (Ha! Ha!) I'll buy a more powerful computer.

Write now I'm just using it for Word Processing (Word 97) and e-mail (IE4). My

wife uses computer to do medical research, for which we now have a DSL direct

service line that downloads/uploads at 256Kpbs...really fast!

I don't think I'm ready for the Voice programs you mentioned. But

someday.... Keep sending other ideas as you run across them. I know that

others are benefiting from your suggestions at least as much as I am.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Just in case you want to have a look, the voice software from Microsoft is

at http://research.microsoft.com. I won't renew my offer to send it up, you

can get it a lot faster with a DSL line as it's about 11Mb if I remember

right. I ran the program on a 486 DX100 with 40 Mb of RAM at the time and it

did quite well. Your 90MHz Pentium would run rings around a 486 anything so

it is easily able to handle it. Have a look if you're interested. As a last

point on Voice recognition; there is no cost to give it a try unlike the old

days, the set up is easy and the " training " is also no big deal. I only add

this because VRS used to be strictly the realm of the nerds and others who

like to inflict pain on themselves ! Things have changed. 'Nuf said.

As for the thumb trembling, don't even think about a Trakman. The thumb is

the main way to move the cursor. It would drive you nuts. You may want to

look at Tablets when you shop for your Touch pad. They are used extensively

for CAD drawing and by people who do a lot of photography work, retouching

and so on. Touch pads are about 2 " by 2 " or so. Tablets are costlier but

quite a bit bigger ( I think they start at about 12 " x 12 " ) and it would

give you a bigger area to work with. They work basically the same way a

Touch Screen works (like they use in a lot of restaurants) except you don't

have to stretch to reach your screen, the tablet lies beside you, wherever

is most convenient. I believe one of the companies that makes Touch pads is

called Glide Point, and I think they also have tablets. If not, do a search

on tablets or I can do it for you. (Ever since the first word of this reply

I'm trying to remember the name of a company that makes them but my brain

seems to be in neutral right now )

For the benefit of everyone else, I've also set up computers for the blind

(as in totally blind ) and the vision impaired, the deaf and the locomotion

(motion, movement, whatever suits your politically correct description)

disabled. I also helped setting up a system for a young lad who has cerebral

palsy and can't talk like we do. The sounds he did make 'in lieu' of words

were fairly consistent so we used Voice recognition and a lot of software

training to allow the software to recognize his vocals as words. It was a

big job but I did get a coffee mug for it which he made by himself and that

was no small achievement on his part. I keep it on my dresser with my other

cherished keepsakes. So please feel free to fire away if any of you have any

questions.

Mike

Re: Trouble typing and using mouse

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbspGlad to see that everyone's still & nbsp

hangin' in there while I'm distracted with some work & amp depression. Yes, the

& quotD & quot word. I'm a 'non responder & quot to most meds & amp my health

plan won't allow for expensive drugs, which haven't worked either so far.

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbspSeems like there is a lot of

thoughtful

information on adaptive assistance out there. I'll just ad one brief note for

Ray: If you are comfortable holding a pen/pencil, a good touch pad might be

the

simplest thing to try. You may be more comfortable using a stylus or just one

finger. I have a touch pad on my notebook which is very sensitive, can be set

for how much distance it covers, & amp can be operated with just the light drag

of a finger, and light taps.

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbspIn the voice software department, I

have

a friend whom I found to be dyslexic, and he bought ViaVoice. Tells me it

works

very well & amp controls the computer too. I believe it is about $99.

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbspI got Voice Pad (with headset) for

$29.,

and it seems to work reasonably well, but you have to & quottrain & quot it

& amp it seems to have a long learning curve.

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbspKen

At 09:14 AM 8/25/98 -0400, you wrote:

>

> Hi Ray;

>

> Something I can sink my teeth into. Making computer technology available to

> the disabled has been a pet project of mine for a long time. Years ago I

> spent an enormous amount of time trying to find computer solutions for

> disabled people. Specifically cheaper solutions ( at the time a voice

> recognition software package ran about $5000) than were normally available.

> At some point we even used the game Doom to train people in electric

> wheelchairs to avoid bumping into walls ! The whole setup cost us about $50

> at the time !

>

> There are a number of options you might look at, singly or in combination

> with one another. A suggestion was already made about the touch pad. If I

> remember right, you can also use some of those without the buttons just by

> hitting the pad quickly twice which simulates a click.

>

> There is also Voice Recognition which is quite advanced although not perfect

> but definitely good enough for a list such as this where we all understand

> limitations quite well. Microsoft has a program available to developers (and

> others if you know where to look. I have it and can send it to you.) which

> works with Microsoft Word. This would greatly minimize the keyboarding. I've

> tried it and it works quite well. You will need to have Windows 95 and a

> rather powerful computer with a good amount if RAM a sound card and a good

> microphone. I use a headset like telephone operators do.

>

> Along the same thread as above, there is also voice email. I can check

> further into this for you. You basically just speak your message and

email it

> as usual. The person on the other end just needs the proper software (built

> into Windows) and a sound card.

>

> Another option is Sticky keys. As far back as Dos version 5 I believe (6.x

> for sure) , you could get an add on (free) which when activated will hold

> down certain keys for you for a set length of time. Windows 95 and 98

have it

> built in. This works well for people who have coordination problems. The way

> it works is that when you press a 'combination' type key (for example the

> Shift key to get a capital letter), it holds it down for you and gives you

> the time to press the other key, Works well if you only have one hand, or

> only one finger, or even a mouth stick.

>

> Again, using Microsoft Word, you can program the software to respond to

> short-cuts that you would type in once. For example, you could type & quotth

> blk dg & quot and have the software immediately convert this to & quotThe

> black dog & quot. It works well for words you use a lot. Sort of like an

> electronic short hand. I believe WordPerfect also has this but someone else

> will have to vouch for that. The feature in MS Word is called AutoCorrect.

>

> I spend a great deal of time on the computer and I found that holding the

> mouse button down for scrolling was becoming a sore point because you

hand is

> fixed in position with your index finger down. I bought a Logitech

Mouseman +

> which has a wheel on top. It means I can use my middle finger to scroll.

It's

> a change from just holding a button down. My wife is suffering from the

onset

> of arthritis in her hands. She uses a mouse 10 times more than I do

(computer

> card games). She got so she couldn't use her mouse because of the pain. We

> got her a Logitech Trakman. It is a fairly big unit where your hand rests

> easily on top. Your thumb rolls a fair size ball, and three fingers lay in

> depressions which are also buttons. I'm not sure about US prices but each

> cost us about $75 Canadian.

>

> Please let me know if I can help in getting dome of this software or if you

> need help in setting it up. The offer of course also goes to anyone else who

> needs it. If you give me a little more information I can see what is

> available for free or for a small cost. I need to know your computer type

> (sorry I don't know Macs) like Pentium, 486 - the amount of RAM - the

> operating system (Dos, Win95, etc) - sound hardware (sound card make and

> model, microphone) - your physical limitation (not your Dx, things like

> & quotonly one hand & quot, & quotuse mouth stick & quot, etc) - software

> components you want to use (MS Word, WordPerfect, Eudora, Outlook etc).

>

> Mike

>>

>> Trouble typing and using mouse

>>

>> I'll get the ball rolling tonight with a request for information. & nbsp

>> Seven years ago I had to have cysts removed from the palm of hand which

were

>> causing the hand to retract into a fist. & nbsp The surgery gave me back use

>> of my

>

[Guest guest]

I've used a Cirque touchpad for years and wouldn " t use anything else

because of joint pain and coordination problems.

Also, I used to type well but now, after a MS attack, I have to measure

my speed in words per century. So, I went to one of the voice dictation

programs. I have used both Simply Speaking Gold and Via Voice Gold (both

by IBM) and they really work well. Via Voice is a little more expensive

but you can dictate into it faster and like you were holding a

conversation. And, both are really cheap for what they do! In Canada,

Via Voice is the equivelent of $130 U.S..

>Ray Neal wrote:

>I know someone out there must have

>similar problems using the mouse and typing. Does anyone have any suggestions

>for how to use a mouse with this kind of problem? Does a roller-ball work

>better? How do you click with a roller ball? The ones that I have seen still

>have some kind of button to click and that is what I'm having trouble with the

>most.

>Ray in Virginia

[Guest guest]

I'm very happy with Via Voice Gold. I've been using it for a couple months

now. I chose it over the others on several recommendations from friends.

===========================

Ruthie Cunliffe K2ZQ

ruthie@...

http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/

experimental web cam: http://www.cunliffegroup.com/ruthie/spy/

** A BALANCED DIET IS A COOKIE IN EACH HAND **

>my speed in words per century. So, I went to one of the voice dictation

>programs. I have used both Simply Speaking Gold and Via Voice Gold (both

>by IBM) and they really work well. Via Voice is a little more expensive

>but you can dictate into it faster and like you were holding a

>conversation. And, both are really cheap for what they do! In Canada,

>Via Voice is the equivelent of $130 U.S..

[Guest guest]

,

I can use a pen/pencil, but not for very long due to cramping, contraction,

pain, and fatigue. But a touch pad sounds like a good idea anyway. I'll just

use a finger to control the movement.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Ray,

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbspThe problem with your hand must be

disturbing. I have some similar apparently progressive problems with my feet,

& amp it can be troubling at times. That's one of the reasons have been taking

flexeril. But the trade-off with flexeril's depressive side-effects is worse.

Will be getting an Rx for klonopin when I can get to the doctor's, and

meanwhile am taking valerian. Valerian has distinct muscle relaxant

properties,

but requires a high dose. For sleeping 10 500 mg caps are suggested, so I've

been taking 5 once or twice daily, seems to help.

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp

& nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbsp & nbspKen

t 08:05 PM 8/25/98 -0400, you wrote:

>

> ,

> I can use a pen/pencil, but not for very long due to cramping, contraction,

> pain, and fatigue. & nbsp But a touch pad sounds like a good idea

> anyway. & nbsp I'll just use a finger to control the movement.

> Ray