22
Using the Keyboard Software with Other
Keyboards
We know that there are situations where your ZoomText
Keyboard is not available or where you need to use another
keyboard because it is required or better suited for the task.
We don't want you to have to choose between using the
ZoomText Keyboard with the ZoomText Feature Keys and
using another keyboard without the ZoomText Feature Keys,
so we've designed the ZoomText Keyboard software and
ZoomText Feature Keys so that they will work on virtually
any keyboard you want or have to use.
Using the ZoomText Feature Keys on laptop
and compact layout keyboards
Many laptop keyboards and compact desktop keyboards
utilize the function keys (F1 through F12) to trigger special
commands, such as screen brightness, switching video modes
and controlling the audio volume. Triggering these special
commands is typically accomplished by holding down the Fn
key while pressing the function keys. Therefore, tapping the
function keys alone (without holding down the Fn key) still
triggers the normal function key commands; and the methods
for triggering ZoomText Feature Keys still are still performed
as described in Step 5—Using the ZoomText Feature Keys.
However, on some laptops, the Fn key can be reversed so that
the special functions are performed without holding the Fn
key and triggering normal function key commands requires
you to hold down the Fn key. In this case, the Fn key must
also be held down when you want to trigger ZoomText
Feature Keys.