Thunder Overview

THUNDER HELP SYSTEM

Thunder Overview

This guide gives you an overview of the Thunder Screenreader talking software and your computer in general. Other specific help is provided within the diferent applications. You can print this document, if preferred, by HOLDING DOWN the CONTROL ( CTRL) KEY and PRESSING "I" once, then PRESS the letter "P" once.

When you download Thunder from Screenreader.net; you will hear the version number. Current users can check if they will be receiving a more up to date version by checking their current Thunder version first. To check out the version you are using:- Go to "My Computer", "C Drive, Program Files/Sensory/Thunder and Thunder.exe. Press the Application Key and CURSOR UP to hear "Properties". PRESS CONTROL + TAB and cursor DOWN to hear the version number.

You should have the following programs installed on your computer to get the best results.

1. THUNDER SCREENREADER, which makes everything talk. One of the optional voices such as Mike, Mary or Daniel because Sam, which may already be on your computer, is not the clearest voice.

2. WEBBIE, a text browser which enables you to enjoy the internet without all the clutter and pictures.

3. The manuals, tutorials and quick reference files are on the download website. Immense pleasure and knowledge can be obtained from the use of the PC with the Internet, Microsoft Word, Notepad, Excel and emailing.

TAKING THUNDER OUT OF START-UP

To prevent Thunder automatically starting whenever your computer is switched on, do the following: 1. From the Start Menu, CURSOR DOWN until you hear Thunder say "All Programs menu item"; 2. Then PRESS RETURN/ENTER, or, press RIGHT ARROW key (RIGHT CURSOR KEY); 3. CURSOR DOWN until you hear Thunder say "Startup menu item with sub menu"; 4. Then press RIGHT CURSOR KEY; 5. CURSOR DOWN until Thunder says "Thunder"; 6. Then press the Application key. This key is usually the second or third key from the right of the space bar on a Standard keyboard or, usually the first key on the top row on a Laptop keyboard.; 7. CURSOR DOWN until you hear Thunder say "Delete menu item"; 8. Then press RETURN/ENTER. the next time you use your computer Thunder will not start automatically.

LAUNCHING THUNDER MANUALLY

You may find that Thunder is one of your Start Menu items. Please remember that Thunder will not be speaking at this point, so either sighted help will be required or you trust that Thunder is on the Start Menu. If so, press the letter "T", Thunder will then start.

If Thunder is not one of your Start Menu items you can place it there by doing the following: (If Thunder is not speaking sighted help may be required).- 1. From the Start Menu, CURSOR DOWN until Thunder says "All Programs menu item with sub menu"; 2. Then press the RETURN/ENTER key or, press the RIGHT CURSOR key; 3. Press the DOWN CURSOR key until Thunder says "Sensory"; 4. Then press the RIGHT CURSOR Key; 5. Then CURSOR DOWN until you hear "Thunder"; 6. Then press the Applications Key; 7. CURSOR DOWN until Thunder says "Pin to Start Menu"; 8. Then press the RETURN/ENTER key. The next time you visit your Start Menu, Thunder will be there for you.

On most computers, the Application Key will be found to the right of the SPACEBAR next to the CONTROL KEY. (A full description of function keys can be found under KeyBoards on the home page.)

USING KEYSTROKES INSTEAD OF THE MOUSE

Seeing people normally move the mouse around until the pointer is on what they want to use. Then they click the left mouse button to get in to what they want to do. Instead of doing this, you will be able to manage everything you need to do by using keystrokes, including driving the mouse pointer to where you want it on the screen, and you will get to know when to use the ALT key, and the CONTROL key referred to by the abbreviation C T R L. This may seem taxing on the memory, but with time and practice you may find that your methods are quicker and more effective than using the mouse. Don’t hesitate to ask seeing or more experienced blind or partially-sighted friends for help. They will be pleased to show off their skills! The writing point is called the cursor; Thunder will tell you where you are and what is going on. As you move about the screen, musical sounds will give you a clue as to your position. The higher the metallic note, the higher you are on the screen. The higher the more wooden sound, the nearer you are to the right-hand side of the screen.

GOOD KEYBOARD PRACTICE

Peering down at keys you can hardly see and poking with one or two fingers is bad news. It will not give you the efficiency you want and you may feel quite stressed. So it is a good idea to learn the position of letters on the keyboard to touch-type.

Sit comfortably in an upright position with your shoulders relaxed and your back supported. If you spend a good deal of time at your PC it may be worth investing in a desk and a chair with adjustable height and back support. You can get them from a large stationers or department store. If you use a monitor, place it where you can best see it without bending forward. You can get adjustable monitor arms from computer shops which allow you to pull the screen nearer to you.

Place your left index finger (the one next to your thumb) on the F key and your right index finger on J, with your thumbs hovering above the spacebar. Train yourself to allocate the appropriate finger to the appropriate key so you can maintain that home position, i.e. your little fingers will learn to cope with the letter A and the ; (semicolon). You will need to move your left index finger to the right to the letter G, up a row to the letters R and T, and down a row to V and B. To get your left hand going, practise the word “sad” followed by a space with the correct fingers. Perhaps the word “Jill” will begin to get the right hand moving. You will soon get the idea. Perhaps when you are away from the PC you can go over the letter and finger positions in your mind. The Screenreader can speak either letter by letter or word by word as you type, whichever suits you best.

The F and the J keys are normally marked by a raised dot or line. The RNIB sells packets of Bump-ons, small plastic tablets which stick to keys you especially want to mark such as HYPHEN, TAB, ALT, etc. There is a range of Bump-ons in different colours and sizes. They also have a typing course to get you going as a touch typist.

There are times when you need to press two or more keys together. For example, the instruction ALT F is telling you to press and hold down the ALT key whilst pressing the letter F, releasing the f first, then releasing the ALT key. Holding down a letter key causes it to be repeated many times, so you need just a quick press of the letter. The letter you have to type is underscored and is usually the first letter of the command as with O for open or O for OK.

TOOL BARS

As you will be using the keyboard and not the mouse it's not necessary for your screen to be showing the tool bars; these just clutter your screen. To remove these HOLD the ALT KEY down and press the letter V; then press T to take you to the tool bars sub menu and uncheck Standard and Format bars. Then press ENTER to return to your application. You will need to do this in all applications which contain tool bars.

FUNCTIONS

There are many functions which can be carried out by computer programs. Some of the common ones have been described within this help system. Perhaps it would be a good starting point to familiarise yourself with the different menus.

Go back to the Thunder Help menu. Go back to the help Home Page