Virtual Keyboard Virtual Keyboard version 1.3 for 2001.

A virtual keyboard for your Windows 95/98/NT/2K/ME desktop.

This program is freeware.

Programming by Patrick Dugan (patrickd@netins.net or  patrickd@usnetcomcorp.com )
Web Page: http://showcase.netins.net/web/patrickd/pdhome.html
Concept by Marty Kathleen Welch (mwelch@uswest.net)

Originally conceived by Marty Kathleen Welch, this program creates a small virtual keyboard on the desktop.  This is handy whenever you cannot easily reach the keyboard, but do have access to the mouse.  It might also be useful for disabled people who can only use a pointer device.  Once the program starts it displays a small keyboard. By clicking on various buttons you can create a string of characters that can then be passed on to another program running.  For example you might have Notepad up and running and wish to send characters to it without using the actual keyboard.  The virtual keyboard can scan for available programs running in memory and gives you the chance to send keyboard characters to them.  Be warned, however, not all programs are designed to accept keyboard input and if you decide to experiment by sending to programs you are unsure of you could easily crash the computer.  

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

You can contact me at:
patrickd@netins.net or patrickd@usnetcomcorp.com

You can contact Marty at:
mwelch@uswest.net


The keyboard will display as shown above.   I won't go into what every key means obviously most are simply standard keyboard characters and function keys.  The numeric keypad was intentionally left off as were a few other keys since they really don't assist when using the mouse.  There is a HELP button in the upper right corner, which will display the online help file.   Directly below the space bar is the character field.  This is where the keys that you press will be displayed and accumulated.   You can clear out this field at any time by pressing the CLR button.  The COPY button next to the CLR button will copy the contents of the text box to the Windows clipboard.  Once you have some text that you wish to send to another program you should press the "Refresh" button.  This will display all the current programs running in Windows and you can highlight the one you want.  Windows does not always display the name you might expect, so you may have to scan the list a bit to find the right name.  Then by pressing the "Send' button the text will be sent to the application you highlighted.   Certain characters act as special keys and cannot be transmitted.  The @ represents the ALT key, the ^ represents the CTRL key and the ~ represents the shift key.  These characters therefore will not transmit to another application.    When sending text to other programs they may or may not accept such input and it could lock up your computer.  The ON TOP checkbox allows you to make the application appear (or not) on top of all other windows.


USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Once the program starts it will also place a small icon in the system tray.  If you minimize the program it will disappear and you can restore it by right clicking on the tray icon.  


You can set the program to start minimized to the tray by right clicking the main program and a small menu will appear.  You can select keyboard color, whether the program will start up minimized and if the font appears in bold type or not.


If you choose keyboard color and new color dialog window will appear which allows you to set the keyboard background color to any you would like.  



Any settings will be saved when you exit the program.


