| Have you even written a senTENCE, ONLY TO
FIND OUT YOU HIT THE CAPS KEY BY MISTAKE PART WAY THROUGH?
Very annoying, especially for those 'digitally challenged'
among us.
So it was with quite some eagerness I tried out Phoebus'
SMaRTcaPs to see what it did.
SMaRTcaPs is a product that monitors your Num Lock, Insert,
and Caps Lock keys, and gives you greater control over them. Not only can you physically
adjust the keys' actions, there is an audible reminder available, as well as a visual
display. First Impressions The program installed quickly and easily, and was up and
running with no problems. When run, all you'll see is two icons on the tray - one for the
program, and one for the status.
If I had one complaint, it was these extra tray icons (by
default, the Caps Lock status is displayed, and you can add the Num Lock status, or turn
off both displays). My task tray is laden with icons already, and I kept clicking on the
wrong one. As an option, perhaps all of the program's icons could call up the program.
Also, for new users, expect the audio. I stupidly left off
my headphones, and just thought my keys were acting strange. Once I remembered what I was
looking at, I put on my headphones, and was treated to a man and woman calmly telling me
'Caps on', 'Caps off', 'Num on', 'Num off', and 'Insert change' as I pressed each key.
The audio also helped clear up my confusion about the key
response. When running, the program adds a slight delay to the keys. This can be adjusted,
but by default it means that you have to hold these three keys a little longer for them to
activate. This delay is perfect to avoid that accidental tap of the Caps Lock while
typing. The Options Calling up the program provides a shopping list of options to tinker
with. Besides the already mentioned key delay (which you can increase, or reduce to
nothing), the Caps and Num Lock keys can be disabled completely, or made to act 'normally'
(regular Windows style).
To try it out, I reduced the key delays to zero, put the
Num Lock and Insert Key back to 'normal' mode, and turned off the Caps Lock key entirely.
This way, I could use my keyboard and not worry about stray Caps Lock hits garbling my
sentences. Everything worked as expected.
Sounds also can be adjusted, for when keys are pressed,
released, and toggled. Also, the program places entries in the Windows Control panel so
you can add your own sound in place of the default ones.
The third settings section controls visuals - you can
choose to display a tray icon for the Num and Caps key each or together, and also an
onscreen display (a small window onscreen showing the status). Overall impressions
Overall, I found sMaRTcaPs a neat tool. There's a bit of a learning curve (made easier if
I'd listened!), but the ability to deal properly with these sticky keys is a welcome
change. My first typing experience was on a manual typewriter, where feedback was obvious
(you physically moved the carriage when you went into shift mode). sMaRTcaPs brings back
this needed feedback. I'm also intrigued by the use of audio cues - for those with
disabilities and reduced vision, these cues are sure to be invaluable.
Is there anything I'd like different? Perhaps if the Insert
key told me when I was going in and out of insert mode (unfortunately, a Windows issue,
not one the program can fix). And it would be nice to know my status as I typed (although
I'm not sure how that could be done without being annoying).
Whether you're a touch typist who fears retyping because of
a stray finger, or know someone with disabilities who would like more freedom at the
keyboard - or just like the idea of a soothing voice telling you 'num on'/'num off'-
sMaRTcaPs is a program well worth investigating.
For more information: SMaRTcaPs by Phoebus LLC: http://www.phoebusllc.com/ |