Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Boost Technology products. To
see the answer to a given question, simply click on it.
Tracer Questions
Q: The Tracer helps me move the cursor on the screen, but how do I select/click?
Q: Why
is the cursor moving when I'm not moving the Tracer, and how do I stop it?
Q:
Sometimes I lose the ability to move the cursor for several seconds, why?
Q: The cursor
moves too slowly; I'm having difficulty moving the cursor everywhere on the
screen. How do I speed it up?
Q: The cursor moves too fast; I'm having
difficulty stopping it exactly where I want it. How do I slow it down?
Q: Will
the Tracer interfere with any software I have on my computer?
Q: My Tracer worked
for several hours, but has now stopped working. What happened and how do I fix
it?
General Software Product Questions
Q: The dwell and/or on-screen keyboard software that came with Tracer
no longer work. Why?
REACH Interface Author/Smart Keys Questions
Q: Can you
help me with problems with the REACH Interface Author and/or Smart Keys software
products?
OnScreen/SmartClick
Q: Can you help me with problems with the
OnScreen and/or SmartClick software products?
OnScreen
Q: What is OnScreen?
Q:
How much memory does OnScreen take?
Q: Why won't OnScreen type into my word
processing document?
Q: Do I have to run the installation every time that I use
the onscreen keyboard? If not, how do I access it from my computer?
Q: Is it
possible to make the On Screen keyboard any bigger?
Q: Are there any conflicts
with other software applications that you are aware of?
Q: Can I make the
OnScreen keys farther apart and re-size them?
Q: Is there an OnScreen keyboard
for the Mac system 8.1 or system 7.5.3?
Q: The OnScreen Keyboard overlaps my
Microsoft Word 98 document.
SmartClick
Q: How do I install Smart Click?
Q: Is
there any way to get SmartClick to work with selecting entries menus when they
are dropped down using automenus pro?
Q: After I went through all of the steps to
install the program the computer froze. When the computer is turned on it reads
extensions disabled.
Q: Is there help documentation to explain what the toolbar
icons represent?
Q: I downloaded your demo of SmartClick; however, 15 minutes after
the startup of my computer is not enough time to demo the product.
Q: What are
the system requirements of SmartClick for Mac?
Tracer
Q: The Tracer helps me move the cursor on the
screen, but how do I select/click?
A: There are three ways to select or click using a Tracer:
- Voice Recognition Software: Most Voice Recognition software comes with the
ability to use it to click. By telling it what to do ("mouse click", "mouse
right click", "double click", etc) you can use this software in conjunction with
your Tracer for full mouse functionality. Refer to the manual for your Voice
Recognition software for the specifics on how to access this feature.
- Switches: If you already have custom adaptive switches, you can plug them
into Tracer's two standard 1/8 inch (3.5mm) mono adaptor ports for your own left
and right click buttons. If you don't already have switches, but are interested
in purchasing them, click here for a list of companies that sell adaptive
switches.
- Dwell Software: If you don't use Voice Recognition software and don't want
to use switches, you can use "dwell software". Using the dwell principle,
whereby you 'hover' over something long enough, you can accomplish all the mouse
click functions. Boost has multiple versions of dwell software on its Products Page.
Q: Why is the cursor moving when I'm not moving the Tracer, and how do I
stop it?
A: This problem is called "drift". When first turned on, and each time
the Visor is disconnected from or connected to the transmitter, the cursor may
drift across the screen in one direction to a side or corner. This is normal. If
this occurs, lay the Visor right side up on a stable surface. The system should
stabilize within five seconds. If you find the Tracer drifting after you have
already put it on, you can either take it off and don't touch it for five seconds
or simply hold your head as still as possible until the Tracer re-sets.
Q: Sometimes I lose the ability to move the cursor for several seconds, why?
A: Tracer's
radio transmitter is also a desktop mouse, so you can use the Tracer in
collaboration with another user. When the Tracer senses that the desktop mouse
is moving, it cedes control to the desktop mouse until that mouse stops moving, a process that can take a couple of seconds. Make sure that the desktop mouse is
placed in a position so that it is not jostled, because, if it is, it will temporary take control away from the Tracer's gyroscopic sensor.
Q: The cursor moves too slowly; I'm having difficulty moving the cursor
everywhere on the screen. How do I speed it up?
A: Your computer operating system comes with the
ability to adjust the mouse response. Within Windows, under the Start menu (lower left corner); go to Settings, and then Control Panel,
and then the "Mouse" icon. Follow the directions to adjust the sensitivity. On
the Apple, pull down Control Panels from the Apple Menu (the apple icon in the
upper left corner). Then click on the "Mouse" icon and follow the directions to
adjust the sensitivity. For all other Operating Systems, check the manual for
your operating system for instructions on how to adjust mouse sensitivity.
Q: The cursor moves too fast; I'm having difficulty stopping it exactly where I
want it. How do I slow it down?
A: Your computer operating system comes with the
ability to adjust the mouse response. Within Windows, under the Start menu (lower left corner); go to Settings, and then Control Panel,
and then the "Mouse" icon. Follow the directions to adjust the sensitivity. On
the Apple, pull down Control Panels from the Apple Menu (the apple icon in the
upper left corner). Then click on the "Mouse" icon and follow the directions to
adjust the sensitivity. For all other Operating Systems, check the manual for
your operating system for instructions on how to adjust mouse sensitivity.
Q: Will the Tracer interfere with any software I have on my computer?
A: No.
Your computer thinks the Tracer is simply a mouse, like any other. The Tracer
will not interfere with software any more than any standard desktop mouse.
Q: My Tracer worked for several hours, but has now stopped working. What
happened and how do I fix it?
A: If the Tracer stopped working after having
worked for a long time, it is likely your battery has died. Tracer comes with an
internal rechargeable battery. If the LED on the transmitter (the transmitter is
the part of the Tracer that looks like a mouse and is wired to the Visor) blinks
slowly or is dim, the battery is low on power or dead. To recharge the battery,
place the transmitter on the receiver cradle (the receiver cradle is the part of
the Tracer that is plugged into your computer's mouse port) and allow it to
charge for at least four hours before using it again. MAKE SURE THE AC adaptor
is connected to the receiver and plugged into an outlet. While charging in the
cradle, the transmitter LED will blink slowly. When fully charged, the LED will
remain lit. To avoid this problem in the future, simply place the Tracer's
transmitter into the receiver cradle when you are done using the Tracer at the
end of the day. Allow it to charge overnight for a full charge. The Tracer's
internal battery will last in excess of ten hours when fully charged. If you are
consistently using your Tracer for longer than this and your battery is running
out of power often, you might want to consider purchasing a Standby Battery Kit
(battery plus battery charger).
Software
Products
Q: The dwell and/or on-screen keyboard software that came with Tracer no
longer work. Why?
A: Tracer comes with DEMO versions of this software so that
you may try it out. These demo versions will only function for 30 days after
initial installation before requiring a password or key to allow full function.
For the Mac products (OnScreen and SmartClick) you can purchase a password to
type into your computer to enable the software right away by calling us at 1-866
BOOST HELP (1-866-266-7843) or go to Boost's Product Page.
For the PC products (REACH and SmartKeys) you must call us at 1-866 BOOST HELP
(1-866-266-7843). (You can NOT purchase a code to make your demo product work on
the website - phone only).
REACH Interface Author/Smart Keys
Q: Can you help me with problems I am having
with the REACH and/or Smart Keys software products?
A: The REACH and/or Smart
Keys products are produced by Applied Human Factors, Inc. While Boost Technology
would be happy to try to help you solve your problems with this software, we
won't do nearly as good a job as AHF. They can be reached at:
-
Applied Human Factors, Inc.
P.O. Box 781076
San Antonio, TX 78278
Phone: (210) 408-0098
FAX: (210) 408-0097
e-mail: sales@ahf-net.com
OnScreen/SmartClick
Q: Can you help me with problems with the OnScreen and/or
SmartClick software products?
A: OnScreen and SmartClick are produced by RJ
Cooper and Assoc. While Boost Technology would be happy to try to help you solve
your problems with this software, we won't do nearly as good a job as RJ Cooper.
They can be reached at:
RJ Cooper & Assoc.
27601 Forbes Rd.
Suite 39
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
1-800-RJCooper (800-752-6673) or dial direct 949-582-2749
Fax: 949-582-3169
General Info: info@rjcooper.com
Technical Support: techsupport@rjcooper.com
Below, we have included some FAQs below about OnScreen and SmartClick products.
If you don't find what you need here, please contact RJ Cooper directly.
OnScreen
Q: What is OnScreen?
A: OnScreen is an on-the-screen keyboard for half
the price of Discover:Screen. It has Word Complete not word prediction.
Q: How much memory does OnScreen take?
A: 200K or so, hardly anything.
Q: Why won't OnScreen type into my word processing document?
A: A common mistake
is trying to type into a word processing window when the window is not activated.
Be watchful to click on the top horizontal bar that contains the Word document.
OnScreen also has a SELECT button which turns on, or activates, the document
which it types to.
Q: Do I have to run the installation every time that I use the onscreen keyboard?
If not, how do I access it from my computer?
A: No. If OnScreen 'disappears',
simply use the OnScreen pulldown menu from the menu bar (the little triangle in a
gray square, near the Finder/Switch Application icon at upper right in menu bar.)
Pull down to LaunchKbd, and use that LaunchKbd button to 'restore' OnScreen, and
use the special OnScreen close button, third down on the left, to 'minimize'
OnScreen. Remember that the demo only runs for 30 minutes each start/restart, but
you should not need to reinstall the demo, just follow directions above.
Q: Is it possible to make the On Screen keyboard any bigger?
A: First, review the
4 Layouts. (from Setup, one of the buttons on any of the OnScreens) Yes, you can
make things bigger, but not simply by stretching it. It's a process that would
take someone about an hour - not hard, but a process. In fact, you can customize
almost everything about it to your heart's content
Q: Are there any conflicts with other software applications that you are aware
of?
A: Not currently.
Q: Can I make the OnScreen keys farther apart and re-size them?
A: There are
several Layouts accessible from the Setup button on any of the OnScreen
keyboards. Hopefully, one of those should work.
Q: Is there an OnScreen keyboard for the Mac system 8.1 or system 7.5.3?
A: Our
OnScreen works with all Macs.
Q: The OnScreen Keyboard overlaps my Microsoft Word 98 document.
A:
Unfortunately, Word 98 is not compatible with OnScreen's automatic screen
positioning control. We are working on this issue. You will need to manually size
your Word 98 document to fit beneath the OnScreen keyboard.
SmartClick
Q: How do I install Smart Click?
A: 1) For proper installation, insert
the demo CD and RJ Cooper's Page will come up. 2) Click in Site Map. 3) Scroll
down and click on Smart Click. 4) You will now be at the Smart Click install
page. 5) Scroll to the bottom and click on the Install for Smart Click for Mac.
Once installed, you can enter the corrected code and everything should work.
Q: Is there any way to get SmartClick to work with selecting entries menus when
they are dropped down using automenus pro?
A: Smart Click already does the trick.
When you hover over a menu, the menu will drop down. When you then hover over an
item, Smart Click will select that item. So, there is no need to use automenus
pro with Smart Click.
Q: After I went through all of the steps to install the program the computer
froze. When the computer is turned on it reads extensions disabled.
A: Your
extensions can only be disabled by holding down the Shift key while booting the
computer.
The best way to solve this issue is to call RJ Cooper directly (949 582-2572)
while you are at the computer. It looks as if something installed on your system
is in conflict with Smart Click. RJ Cooper will try taking Smart Click out of the
Extensions Manager and seeing how things run. Next, they will try selecting a
basic set of extensions with Smart Click turned on. If all else fail, they will
have you eliminate certain software on your system one by one.
Q: Is there help documentation to explain what the toolbar icons represent?
A:
The readme file describes each icon. You can also run the Smart Click control
panel and 'check mark' click each option. Each time you click on one of the
options, an icon will be added to your Smart Click menu on the desktop. Turn off
an option and the icon will disappear. You should then get an idea of which icon
does what.
Q: I downloaded your demo of SmartClick, however, 15 minutes after the startup of
my computer is not enough time to demo the product.
A: The re-startable 15 minute
demo is the best we can do. Just four restarts will give you an hour of testing,
and you can do this as much as you like. For most customers this is ample and
generous demo time.
Q: What are the system requirements of SmartClick for Mac?
A: SmartClick runs
fine on any Mac. The program takes up no more than 1 meg of space on your hard
drive.
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