Tuesday, December 2, 2008

How can a Wacom Bamboo help Physically challenged to use PC (Personal Computer)?

How can a Wacom Bamboo help Physically challenged to use PC (Personal Computer)?

People who find it difficult to use a mouse or a keyboard to interact or type into a computer can now use a device called 'Tablet' on technically a stylus. This consists of a pen and a pad. Both are electronic and the pad needs to be connected to a PC via USB. Using this one can either use handwriting or tap to input text. Yon may also be able to draw and insert them in some advanced Text editors



Now the trick is to enable the handwriting recognition feature which is available in all PCs with Microsoft Office XP on a Windows XP machine. This enables one to write on the handwriting recognition window and the computer deciphers the written text and types the same on any text area like Notepad. Website forms and Microsoft office.


Please note Microsoft Office XP CD is required if handwriting recognition is not enabled already. To find if it is already enabled or instructions for enabling handwriting recognition in 'Microsoft Windows XP' is available in the following website.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306906


In 'Microsoft Windows Vista' the handwriting recognition is available as a part of the Operating System 'Microsoft Windows Vista' itself and is no longer a part of the 'Windows Office Package' thus a copy of the 'Windows Office Package' is not required. Instructions for executing handwriting recognition in Microsoft Windows Vista an be found under 'Start > All programs> 'Accessories'> Amenability > Handwriting'
like 'Word'.



For people who cannot write the handwriting recognition may not be of use thus another approach would be to use an on-screen keyboard

For Windows XP
'Start > All programs> Accessories> Accesability > keyboard'


More information at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/tips/onscreenkeyboard.mspx


For Windows Vista
'Start > Control Panel > Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center'
More information at
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/osk.aspx


Using the on screen keyboard one can select alphabet on the screen by taping on the pad to simulate typing the text into any text area.

As for the technology; it is not new . but as for the price we can definitely say it has become cheaper than what it was. The biggest and most popular brand in the market today world over is `Wacom'. They are now out with an affordable model called Bamboo'. This model comes in two flavors 'Bamboo' and 'Bamboo fun' at Rs.4999 and Rs.6999. India prices can be found in the following website
http://www.wacom.co.in/price/price.php

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