Congratulations on your purchase of the PAC Mate TNS. The PAC Mate TNS is the second in the series of Personal Data Computers designed and developed by Freedom Scientific.
The PAC Mate line of computers combines the Windows® Pocket PC platform with JAWS® screen reading technology. It offers the latest in mobile technology making it a powerful portable information management tool.
Key features include:
PAC Mate provides a variety of ways to get help and provides this help as conveniently as possible.
One of the ways PAC Mate provides help is through Tutor Messages. Tutor Messages provide information on how to navigate and use various controls. This can be very useful for beginners who are not familiar with JAWS. In addition, these messages can be repeated by pressing INSERT+TAB. Tutor Messages are enabled by default, but you can disable this feature and still access Tutor Messages with INSERT+TAB. For more information on Tutor Messages, please see Setting Up PAC Mate, Verbosity.
Another way PAC Mate provides help is with Access Key Messages. Access keys are the keys you press to move directly to a control or an item in a menu. Access Key Messages, like Tutor Messages, are enabled by default and are announced automatically. You can disable this control in the Verbosity Settings dialog. Once disabled, you can press INSERT+COMMA to hear the access key message. Press ALT followed by the access key to move directly to that control. For more information on Access Key Messages, please see Setting Up PAC Mate, Verbosity.
The following paragraphs provide a brief description of each type of help available. Or if you prefer you can quickly access the list of Help Commands by going to Appendix A: PAC Mate Commands.
Use INSERT+F1, C when you want to know how and what commands are used to change, enable, or set a control in a dialog.
Turn on this feature to explore PAC Mate commands. As you press key combinations, PAC Mate tells you which keyboard commands do what, safely - without actually performing the command. Press INSERT+F1, K again to exit keyboard help.
Use INSERT+F1, H when you want to know information and the commands for the current application, window, or dialog.
The command INSERT+F1, T opens the online help file, Basics for PAC Mate Help, when you need to review topics such as navigation, PAC Mate Commands, or how to access the Settings Menu.
Press INSERT+F1, P when you want to open Help to PAC Mate’s online table of commands.
Tip: The fastest way to open Help is to go to the Start Menu (Windows Logo Key), press the UP ARROW once and then press ENTER or press Windows Logo Key, H.
PAC Mate’s online help uses a task-oriented approach and briefly covers the steps necessary to complete a task. To aid you, the online help is specific to the program that is running. For example, while in FSEdit when you open Help from the Start Menu, only FSEdit Help opens.
In addition, because PAC Mate’s online help is written in HTML, you can use many of Internet Explorer’s commands to navigate and read each help topic. For example, you can navigate to a topic quickly by opening a list of links with the command INSERT+F7. Or you can move easily through a table using ALT+CTRL+ the arrow keys.
For added convenience, next links have been added to Help so you can easily move to the next consecutive topic. To move back, just press ALT+LEFT ARROW. If, after you go back to the previous help topic, you are not at the top of the page, press CTRL+HOME and then use the reading commands.
The table below lists the Internet Explorer commands that you can use to navigate the online help.
|
Description |
Command |
|
Back |
ALT+LEFT ARROW |
|
Refresh Page |
F5 |
|
Next Link |
TAB |
|
Prior Link |
SHIFT+TAB |
|
List Links |
INSERT+F7 |
|
Move to Next Non-Link Text |
N |
|
List Headings |
INSERT+F6 |
|
Next Heading |
H |
|
Prior Heading |
SHIFT+H |
|
First Heading |
CTRL+HOME, H |
|
Last Heading |
CTRL+END, H |
|
Read Current Cell |
ALT+CTRL+C |
|
Next Cell |
ALT+CTRL+RIGHT ARROW |
|
Prior Cell |
ALT+CTRL+LEFT ARROW |
|
Cell Above |
ALT+CTRL+UP ARROW |
|
Cell Below |
ALT+CTRL+DOWN ARROW |
|
First Cell |
ALT+CTRL+HOME |
|
Last Cell |
ALT+CTRL+END |
At Freedom Scientific, we are continually updating and improving PAC Mate documentation. To access the latest and most complete PAC Mate documentation, visit our web site at www.FreedomScientific.com/fs_support/support_documentation.asp
A plus sign (+) is used to indicate that keys are pressed together. For example, "Press CTRL+RIGHT ARROW to move to and read the next word."
A layered command is a two-part command. Press the keys in the first sequence, release them all, and press the keys in the second sequence. For example, "press INSERT+S, DOWN ARROW to decrease the volume."
The term program is synonymous with the term application and may be used interchangeably in this manual.
Another convention is the reference regarding the active state of an item. When an item is in the active state, this means that PAC Mate is focusing on the item and certain keystrokes performed affect that item. PAC Mate gives auditory feedback to indicate the active state.
Using Windows CE with PAC Mate is quite easy once you master the basic skills. It is recommended that you read and learn this section as it teaches you basic PAC Mate skills needed to operate Windows CE.
Before you start your PAC Mate for the first time, plug the AC adapter into a wall plug and then plug the other end into PAC Mate using the jack in the upper left corner of the case. Next, press the On/Off switch on the upper right side of the case. To indicate that it is on, the PAC Mate uses an audible low high sound and to indicate that it is off, it uses a high low sound.
After a few seconds you will hear, "JAWS for Pocket PC is ready."
You can immediately start using your PAC Mate while it is charging, but let your initial battery charge last for at least three hours.
The PAC Mate TNS keyboard consists of 6 rows of keys with the QWERTY keyboard complete in the first 5 rows from the bottom up. The bottom row, from left to right, includes: FN, CTRL, Windows Logo Key, ALT, Backslash, SPACEBAR, INS, ALT, Windows Logo Key, and the Application Key.
The 12 Function Keys follow the Escape Key, which is the first key on the left in the top row. To help you stay oriented, there are 3 finger bumps on the TNS surface, above and between the Function Keys: F4 and F5, F8 and F9, F12 and the PrtSc Key.
The arrow keys are in the lower right corner of the keyboard with the Up Arrow above the other three arrows.
Five of the keys normally located in the "Six Pack" are located along the right side of the keyboard. From top to bottom, these are DELETE, HOME, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN and END.
JAWS Laptop keystrokes have been used where possible and with the inclusion of the INSERT Key, experienced JAWS users should have no problem learning the PAC Mate commands.
To use PAC Mate you only need to know the basic function keys and six common commands:
In addition, many of the PAC Mate menus allow first letter navigation.
These ten commands are the foundation from which you will become familiar with your PAC Mate. For more information on commands, please see Appendix A: PAC Mate Commands.
Another command you should get familiar with right away is the Application Key. This command activates the Context Menu, which allows you to quickly perform an action on an item. For example, you can use a Context Menu to cut, copy, select all, paste, delete or create a new folder. To access a Context Menu, select an item such as a word in a document, a date in the Calendar View, or a file in a list view and press the Application Key. A menu opens with a variety of commands, select a command with the arrow keys and press ENTER. Or press ESC to escape the menu without performing the action.
When you turn PAC Mate on, your Today Screen is immediately available. On your Today Screen are five items: owner’s information, appointments messages, tasks, and battery charge. You move to these items using the UP or DOWN ARROWS. To open any of these items, press ENTER. To cancel the item and return to the Today Screen, press ESC. You handle all menu navigation, including the Start Menu (Windows Logo Key), in this manner as well.
Regardless of where you are or what you are doing on the PAC Mate, the Start Menu is always accessible with the Windows Logo Key or by pressing CTRL+ESC.
There is one more component to the Today Screen that you may find convenient. Like all programs on the PAC Mate, the Today Screen has a menu. From this menu you can quickly create an appointment, task or note, enter a contact, write an e-mail message, and open a Word document or Excel spreadsheet.To access this menu, press the ALT key.
Note: As you explore your PAC Mate, you will occasionally come across unsupported features or phrases such as the words, "tap here." In this instance, instead of tapping, press ENTER. For more information about unsupported features, refer to Appendix C: Unsupported Items.
Typically, most programs have a menu bar with menus such as New, Edit, or Tools. Again, the command to access the menus on the menu bar, is the ALT key. Press ENTER on the menu you want to open. Many menus have submenus, which frequently are announced.
For submenus that are announced, you can press ENTER or the RIGHT ARROW to open the submenu and use the LEFT ARROW to return to the menu.
For submenus that are unannounced, you cannot return to the menu with the LEFT ARROW, but must press ALT again. Similarly, once you press ENTER to open a menu you cannot use the arrow keys to move to and from other menus as you can on a desktop or laptop computer. Instead you must press the ALT key again.
Dialogs are smaller windows that usually appear from a menu choice. They contain controls used to configure various settings.
There are many types of controls in a dialog, such as edit fields, combo boxes, and slide controls.
In dialogs, the TAB key moves you forward through the controls, while keys, SHIFT+TAB, moves you backwards.
Radio buttons are presented in a dialog as two or more small circles. This control type allows exclusive selections in that only one radio button in a group can be selected. Use the DOWN ARROW key to move through the radio buttons, and when you land on the appropriate choice, press TAB to move to the next control.
Note: Only one radio button in a group can be selected at a time.
Edit fields are similar to the edit fields in word processors. You can type text into an edit field, and typically you can use the same navigation keystrokes here, as you would in a document edit field. A multi-line edit field allows you to type more than one line in an edit field.
An edit combo box is a combination of two controls: an edit field and a list box. You can either type in a value or press ALT+DOWN ARROW to open a list box. The list contains suggestions for the contents of this field. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to move through the list, and use ALT+UP ARROW or ESC to close the list box. If you do not find your choice in the list box, type it in the edit field.
A plain combo box differs from the edit combo box. You must make your selection from suggestions provided by the program. Either press DOWN ARROW to move through the choices, or press the first letter of the choice you want to make.
Note: When you encounter a combo box you may need to press DOWN ARROW twice in order to move to the next item.
The edit spin box is also a combination of two controls. You can type in this field, or use the arrow keys to move through the list of suggestions. Edit spin boxes are common for fields that require numeric values.
Left/right sliders are oriented horizontally. You can use your LEFT and RIGHT ARROWS to adjust this control. For some left/right slider controls, you can use PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN to move by larger increments.
A check box can be checked or unchecked. PAC Mate announces the current state of a check box when you move to it. Press SPACEBAR to check or clear a check box.
In an extended select list box, use the arrow keys to navigate the list of options that have check boxes related to them, and press SPACEBAR to check or clear the check boxes.
Buttons are common to dialogs and in the Pocket PC environment require special consideration. In most dialogs, pressing the SPACEBAR activates a button. However, there are instances where a button does not respond to the SPACEBAR. When you encounter these instances, press ENTER instead. Also, the default button in a dialog always responds to ENTER, even if another control is active. For example, in the JAWS Voice Settings dialog, just press ENTER after adjusting the speech rate to activate the OK button, which closes the dialog and saves your changes.
A Multi-Page dialog is a dialog with multiple pages. When you open a multi-page dialog, the name of the current page is announced after the name of the dialog. For example, "Sounds and Notifications, Volume page."
Multi-page dialogs contain an extra control, the page tab control. Move to this control the same as any other control, by pressing TAB or SHIFT+TAB until you hear "xxx page." Then press the RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move between the pages of the dialog. When you are on the page you want, press TAB to move to the first control on that dialog page.
Tip: An even quicker way to move about a multi-page dialog is to press CTRL+TAB or CTRL+SHIFT+TAB.
This control lists items such as files and folders, and may contain several columns of information. To hear the available items in a list view, press UP or DOWN ARROW. As you move through the list, the first column of information is read. To hear information from all columns for the current item, press INSERT+I, the Read Current Line command.
In a list view, the current item is selected. You can select multiple items as long as they are listed one after the other. Press and hold the SHIFT key, then press the DOWN ARROW to select the current item. Continue holding the SHIFT key, and press the DOWN ARROW again to select the next item as well.
In a tree view, items are presented in a hierarchical format, which is organized vertically on the screen. Press UP or DOWN ARROW to move through the tree view. When you hear, "level zero closed," you press RIGHT ARROW to open that level. You are then presented with more information beneath it. Press DOWN ARROW to move through the next level. One of those items may also be closed so you would press RIGHT ARROW again to open that item. If you want to close a level, press LEFT ARROW.
Note: The PAC Mate only announces the level number when it changes.
File Explorer, like Windows Explorer, gives you access to all the files on your PAC Mate. To open File Explorer, press Windows Logo Key, P to open the Programs submenu. Then press F and ENTER to open File Explorer.
When you first launch File Explorer, you hear "My Documents list view, Business folder, one of three." The phrase, "My Documents list view," means that the My Documents folder is open listing all of its folders and files. The phrases, "Business folder, one of three," means that the Business folder is selected and it is one of the three subfolders in the My Documents folder.
To view all the files and folders on your PAC Mate, from the list view press ALT. Move to Show By and press ENTER. Then move to My Device and press ENTER again.
To navigate among the folders and files, use the commands listed in the following table.
|
Description |
Command |
|
Prior File/Folder |
UP ARROW |
|
Next File/Folder |
DOWN ARROW |
|
Open File/Folder |
RIGHT ARROW or ENTER |
|
Up One Folder Level |
LEFT ARROW |
|
Select File or Folder |
SPACEBAR |
|
Show By |
CTRL+Y |
|
Sort By |
ALT+S |
In File Explorer, the menu bar (ALT) contains: Edit, Open My Documents, Flash Disk, Show By, and Sort By. To open a file or folder, select it from the list view and press ENTER.
To quickly delete, rename, copy, or move a file or folder, select it from the list view by pressing the SPACEBAR and open the Context Menu with the Application Key and choose Delete. To select multiple items, hold down CTRL and use the arrow keys to locate the items you want to select. Press SPACEBAR to select an item.
Here are some examples of how File Explorer can help you maintain and manage your files.
Tip: If you have looked for this text before, press DOWN ARROW in the Find box and select the name from the list.
Press TAB to move to the Results list, use the arrow keys to select what you are looking for and then press ENTER to open it.
If you are a person who will be using your PAC Mate in public places, then this section will be important to you because it discusses how to personalize, password protect, and identify your PAC Mate.
This section is also important if you want to purchase any of the off the shelf programs available for PAC Mate as it discusses how to locate hardware and software information.
In addition to placing an identification card in the ID pocket of your carrying case, you can also enter this information in the Owner Information dialog of the PAC Mate.
To do this, go to the Start Menu (Windows Logo Key) and press S. This opens the Settings multi-page dialog. Use the arrow keys to move to Owner Information and press ENTER or press O for Owner Information and then press ENTER.
When this dialog opens, the Identification page is active for you to enter your personal information. Place a check (SPACEBAR) in the "Show information when device is turned on" check box so that if you lose your PAC Mate, it may be returned to you.
If you want to add any additional information, press TAB until you hear, "Identification tab." Now, use the RIGHT ARROW to move to the Notes tab. Type in the information you want to add and press the SPACEBAR to enable the check box if you want to display this information when the PAC Mate is on. Press ENTER to save the changes and close the dialog and then press ESC to return to the Today Screen.
As you become familiar with PAC Mate and begin to truly use it as your personal data assistant, you may find that you are storing more and more personal or confidential information. For example, names and phone numbers of important contacts, credit card numbers, and work or school related documents. To protect you from data theft, your PAC Mate allows you to password protect your information.
Go to the Start Menu (Windows Logo Key), move to Settings and press ENTER or just press S. Use the arrow keys to move to Password or just press P and then ENTER.
On the Password Settings dialog, use the arrow keys to select one of the three radio button password options you would like to use; no password, 4 digit, or alphanumeric.
Press TAB twice to move to the edit box and type the password. If necessary, confirm the password. It is helpful to record this password and store it elsewhere for safekeeping.
Note: If you choose to use an alphanumeric password it must be at least seven characters long and contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numerals, or punctuation.
Next, press SHIFT+TAB and select how long your PAC Mate must be idle before the password is required to use it again. When you are done press ENTER, then ESC to return to the Today Screen. Now, when you turn your PAC Mate on it will require the password to access it.
Caution: If you forget your password, you must perform a hard reset to clear the memory before you can access your PAC Mate. This erases all files and data you have created and programs you have installed. For this reason, it is recommended that you use ActiveSync to create a backup file of all of your programs and data so they can be restored.
The PAC Mate serial number identifies your PAC Mate in Freedom Scientific’s product database. This number, found in the center of the bottom surface, is printed and brailled. It may be helpful to record and store this number for safekeeping.
Anytime you call Freedom Scientific's Technical Support, you will need to have your serial number and other information available. This information is found in the Version Information dialog, which is accessed using the command INSERT+F1, A.
To learn more about your PAC Mate system go to the About multi-page dialog. Here you will find information on Pocket PC software version, processor type, memory amount, device ID, and Copyright notifications.
To view this information, go to the Start Menu (Windows Logo Key) and press S to open the Settings multi-page dialog. Press SHIFT+TAB to move to the System tab, then press the RIGHT ARROW to move to Systems page. If About is not selected in the list view, press SPACEBAR, then A. If it is selected, press ENTER.
When the About dialog first opens, you are on the Version page. PAC Mate will automatically read the contents of this page, which includes software version, processor, memory, expansion slot and owner information.
When you are done with this page press TAB to move to the Version tab and use the RIGHT ARROW to move to the Device ID tab. On this page there is a "Device name edit field" and a "Description edit field." PAC Mate uses the Device name to identify itself when connecting to other computers. If you cannot connect to a network because another device is already connected using the same name, type a new name in this edit field. You may include a description to go with the identification.
To read the copyright notice follow the steps above to move to the Copyright tab.
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