Discover is a suite of computer access products offering onscreen Keyboard, alternative (membrane) keyboard, and switch access to either Macintosh computers or PC’s running Windows. Discover Ke:nx offers all three options via the one computer interface box into which switches or membrane keyboards such as Key:Largo or the TASH keyboards can be plugged.

The big advantage of the Discover family of computer access products is that they offer a means of alternative access to the entire personal computer, working across most common applications as well as the desktop and utilities such as the Control Panel - in fact any window that appears on the desktop.

Discover products for the Macintosh have remained reliable, although it is necessary to use the Griffin iMate (ADB to USB) adaptor with iMacs. Early Discover products for the Macintosh may require a hardware and software upgrade in order to be compatible with later Power Macs and iMacs. Contact Michael at Spectronics for more details.

Discover products for Windows worked fine with Windows 95 and the first release of Windows 98. Unfortunately, with Windows 98 Second Edition and subsequent releases, activating Discover:Board or Discover:Switch served to put the computer into sleep mode!

Around mid 2002, Madentec took over the Discover range of products from the original developer, Don Johnston Inc. Madentec have worked tirelessly over the latter half of 2002 to recover the Discover software for Windows. Madentec recruited a team of assistive technology specialists from around the globe to carry out beta testing of their improved software. Madentec were proud to display the results of their efforts at the Closing the Gap conference in Minneapolis on October 2002, launching Discover 1.5 for Windows.

Discover products for Windows now work with Windows 95 through to Windows XP, including Windows 98, 98SE, 2000 and ME.

For those people who have an old Discover:Board, Discover Switch or Discover:Kenx for Windows you can install the software onto your PC running Windows, and download a free upgrade from the Madentec website.

Not only is the upgrade free – there’s more. There has always been a Discover Create for Macintosh which allows Discover setups to be edited and created from scratch. Up until just recently there was no Discover Create for the Windows. Madentec now offer Discover Create for Windows which works very much like the Macintosh version. The really good news is that it is free also. It comes with the free download from the Madentec website.

Madentec are committed to ensuring that the rediscovered Discover products are supported and remain compatible with existing and future computer platforms. They are also committed to innovation within the Discover range with plans for: a Mac OS X compatible version of the Discover Software, and a PS/2 to USB adaptor, hopefully available some time during 2003.

Please visit the Spectronics website for more information on the following Discover products:

Discover:Switch
Discover Ke:nx
Discover:Screen
Discover:Board

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Spectronics offers a wide range of computer software to support people who struggle with reading and writing - but what happens when they are away from their computer, reading a book or a newspaper - and need some help to understand a printed word? The new Quicktionary II Reading Pen from Wizcom Technologies may provide just the help they need.

How does it help struggling readers?

• Run the pen over any printed text from 6pt to 22pt and it will read aloud single words or a whole line of text.


• It will also read aloud the definition of the word to help users to understand what the word means.


• Need help with spelling the word? The Reading Pen will read out each letter of the word to spell it aloud for users.


• It even displays the syllables which make up each scanned word.

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The AlphaSmart is well known as a portable word processor - used in schools and by people who need to write "on the go" away from their computers. The new Dana, made by the AlphaSmart company, is also a fully portable word processor - with long battery life. But, in addition to word processing, it gives access to all the features of a Palm Pilot Personal Organiser and includes spreadsheet, charting and organisational software features such as schedules, memos and reminders.

It can be "hot synced" with a desktop computer for downloading emails, or even can use a special modem compatible with Palm Pilots, for direct access to emails and the Internet on the road. AlphaSmart plans to release details of USB modems compatible for use with the Dana soon.

It comes complete with a full sized keyboard and classroom-toughened casing, making it a great alternative to a laptop with a personal digital assistant included!

Contact us at Spectronics if you would like to receive a Dana brochure or read the Dana writeup on our web at www.spectronicsinoz.com/product.asp?product=11578

Shawn Barnett, a Dana user, has also written a very comprehensive review at http://www.pencomputing.com/palm/Pen47/dana.html

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Yes ... another new switch interface arrives on the scene! But, the new Don Johnston Switch Interface for USB is worth looking at. It is designed for use with a USB port, making it suitable for use on a Mac or Windows machine. It requires no additional software - so no risk of frustrating software conflicts! All the information you need to operate the switch interface is printed right on it so you are up and running in seconds. And, best of all, it sells for $199 making it one of the cheaper switch interfaces available.

This unit will not be available in Australia until February 2003, but we thought you might like to know about it ahead of time. Visit www.spectronicsinoz.com/product.asp?product=13194 for more details.

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For those of you supporting students with leaning difficulties/disabilities you may be interested to know of two useful Australian associations - great sources of information in this area.

Australian Learning Disability Association
http://student.admin.utas.edu.au/services/alda/
For membership enquiries contact Mike Spurr at Mike.Spurr@utas.edu.au

Learning Difficulties Australia
(Formerly A.R.E.A.)
www.ldaustralia.org/
For membership details contact:
Learning Difficulties Australia
The University of Melbourne
PO Box 349
CARLTON SOUTH VIC 3053

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Some of you will be familiar with the book Symbols Now put together by Chris Abbott and Tina Detheridge - from Widgit Software. It is a simple compilation of short stories giving practical applications of symbol use by adults and children in a variety of settings.

Tina has sent the following message to us at Spectronics - about a new edition of the book planned. If any of you feel you would like your practical work with symbols (however humble!!) published internationally - here is your chance to share your ideas across the globe - as Writing with Symbols is available in 12 different languages (well ... Australian being the 12th!)

"Dr Chris Abbott and I are planning a new book about symbols and their practical uses supporting literacy. We would like this book to draw on practice from around the world rather than being heavily UK focused as the previous books. The idea is that we may have this book translated into various languages to support Writing with Symbols.

I am writing to ask if you have any examples or contacts who would be able to give us some examples plus a short write up about the materials, why and how they were made. Ideally we would love an example or two from both professionals and parents.

We are grateful for any help you can offer.

Best wishes
Tina
Tina Detheridge, Director, Widgit Software Ltd UK"

Please contact me at Spectronics on barbara@spectronicsinoz.com if you are interested - I'd love to discuss your work with you and pass your details on to Tina.

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To finish off on a fun note, "do yourself a favour" and visit http://svt.se/hogafflahage/hogafflaHage_site/Kor/hestekor.swf

Click on each of the characters to turn them on or off. Great for turning up to full volume just to annoy others in your office! If you need any justification, we think it is great for mouse skills or touchscreen training too! Many thanks to Sally Hunter at the Independent Living Centre in WA for pointing this one out to us.

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