DynaVox iChat3, User Manual

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12 DynaVox Technologies
3.5. Loading and Changing Configurations
The Palmtop software starts up with a blank screen. You can load any of the included configurations by
opening the
File menu and choosing Standard Configs . This will display another menu from which you can
select the configuration you want to load. After you select a new configuration, a small dialog window will
show you the progress of the loading process. If the configuration uses character prediction, word prediction,
or disambiguation, loading may take a few moments. After the configuration has been loaded, the progress
window will disappear.
3.6. Basics of Communication
Every configuration is different in terms of how the buttons look, what characters, symbols and words are
available on the screen, and what actions are associated with each button. However, the configurations
share a set of common characteristics. The Palmtop software includes both symbol-based and text-based
configurations. Symbol-based configurations enable communication through visual association - buttons
contain pictures or symbols that represent specific words, phrases or functions. In text-based configurations,
every button is designed to produce a letter or word, or to perform a related function (like editing or speech
synthesis). Depending upon the desired input technique, the various configurations offer benefits designed to
assist in message production.
There are three basic forms of input: Touchscreen, Scanning, and Morse code. Touchscreen access refers to
selecting the buttons that appear on the screen with your finger or a stylus. Scanning is a special input
method that allows you to generate messages using only one or two switches. Morse code is an alternative
to scanning that allows you to use one, two, or three switches to communicate. The Palmtop software allows
you to use all of these input methods independently or simultaneously.
The Palmtop software has several features that help to speed up message production. The most powerful of
these is word prediction. The Palmtop software uses the
Foresight prediction engine to display a list of
possible words as you type. As soon as the desired word appears in the prediction list, you can select it from
the list - there is no need to type in the rest of the word. The software will also automatically add spaces after
punctuation and automatically capitalize the first word of each sentence (if these features are enabled). In
addition, you can store abbreviations for words or phrases and recall them by typing the abbreviation
followed by a space or punctuation mark. All of these features can help improve the speed and accuracy of
what you say.
Speech synthesis can be used with any configuration to vocalize what you are typing. The Palmtop software
uses the high-quality Acapela and DECtalk software speech synthesizers. You can pick from a wide variety
of voices, adjust the volume, adjust the speaking rate, and determine whether to speak every character,
word or sentence (or all of them if you like). Selecting the Editor Window will speak all previously entered
text. Toolbar buttons and onscreen buttons allow you to speak text as well.
3.7. Stopping Palmtop
As mentioned before, it is recommended that you always leave the Palmtop software running - even when
you turn off your device. However, if you need to stop the program for some reason, you can open the
File
menu and choose Exit . You will then be asked if you are sure that you want to exit the program. Select Yes
to close the software, or No will leave it running. If there is any unsaved text in the Editor Window, the
software will ask you if you want to save it before exiting.
If you are using a Medicare-approved Impact-D device, or if you are operating in "Dedicated Device" mode,
you will be unable to exit out of the Palmtop software.