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Customising the Menu PC Desktop
- Avoid changing System Colours in the Windows Desktop - some items can change the colours in the Kalypso Menu App, which may cause confusion or error.
- Make the Desktop Icon Size and spacing bigger, to cope with chubby fingers.
- Avoid fancy (so-called) screen savers, especially those that kick-in with password protection! They suck. Why is it that everyone thinks it's a great idea to fiddle with this kind of stuff, just because it has a keyboard and monitor like their home PC?
Keep Reference Manuals on your Menu PC
Create a shortcut on the desktop of your Menu PC which points to a folder where you keep the latest Kalypso documentation. (Change the icon for this shortcut to be the "Question Mark/Book" from the Windows icon library, and name the shortcut "Latest Manuals".) As you update software, copy the most recent User Manual, Reference Manual, Release Notes and Release Notes Addendum to the folder. (Move any superceded manuals to a folder called "Old".) This way, you can find help by minimising the Menu Application, opening the shortcut and launching the file. You can easily install Adobe Acrobat from the Documentation CD. Check for updates at
ftp://www.thomsongrassvalley.com/pub/switcher/Kalypso and the appropriate version number, or browse the website at http://thomsongrassvalley.com/products_broadcast/switchers/family_kalypso/ If the link becomes broken, navigate via the home page from
http://www.thomsongrassvalley.com
Bits and Pieces
- I believe a mouse is essential. You need it in case you have peanut butter on your fingers; you don't want it smeared over the touch screen. It needs to be plugged-in when you boot the Menu PC (on a Kalypso Classic), otherwise the system won't recognise it.
- You need to be able to enter numbers in the Still Store Loader program. If a keyboard is not available, it is possible to use a combination of the Windows "CharMap" utility, a Mouse, and right-clicks to enter the digits and paste them.
- An inexpensive "Mouse House" (a holster or caddy) can be attached to one side of the Menu monitor to keep it out of the way.
- "Enhanced" Menu systems come with Windows 2000 and have an "On Screen Keyboard" utility available. Though the buttons on screen are tiny, it was quite satisfactory for entering digits. Older systems use Windows NT and this utility doesn't seem to come as standard. If you know of a free keyboard utility for WinNT, let me know.
- One of those "mini" keyboards can be attached to the top of the Menu monitor with Velcro. This keeps it out of the way, but also at hand. If considerable keyboard work is required, it can be removed and placed in a more ergonomic position
- If you decide to go without a mouse and keyboard (against all advice), make sure the Windows Task Bar doesn't do an "Auto Hide", as it's difficult to call up other programs. If you get caught by this and want to return to the Kalypso Menu App, use a "DPOP" function such as double-pressing the Wipe1 transition button, then steal a mouse from the accountant's desk - let him work out how essential a mouse is.
Graphics File Conversion Utilities
In addition to the Kalypso Still Store Loader, get a decent Graphics Conversion utility and put it on your Menu PC Desktop. I've used "Irfan View", which does an excellent job converting .JPG and other formats into .BMP, which can be imported using the Still Store Loader.
If I find a third-party utility that converts .AVIs or .MPGs to the Kalypso Still Store Clip format, I'll let you know here. If you find it first, let ME know.
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