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FITA Newsletter
Information Communications Technology Newsletter

Foundation for Information Technology Accessibility (FITA)
Improving the quality of life of disabled persons through ICT

29th Febuary 2006

Contents

  

Software of the Month : Textpad
Website of the Month :   GW Micro launch new website
Question Box (Hints & Tips) : Alternative use for your dialup modem

Articles :

  1. FITA projects update
  2. Maltese Software
  3. ICT and Disability Courses
  4. Onvol Initiative
  5. Get Results Project
  6. Reconditioned Computers

Disclaimer

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Software of the Month

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Textpad

Texpad is another word processor like MS-Word, its main difference being that it saves its files in plain text format. Text editors are usually used to edit those files with the extension '.txt' eg: info.txt. A common text editor that comes with MS windows is Notepad

To download Textpad Editor, visit: http://www.textpad.com/

Most of the commands in Textpad works like MS-word such as open a file, find text, print file etc. By Default Textpad opens itself with the "Word Wrap" feature Off. To quickly turn the "word Wrap" On, press CTRL Q and W.

- How to configure the Textpad editor for first time users.

After installing the Textpad editor for the first time, do the following to configure it. If you are an already Textpad user, skip this section.

  1. Press Alt C for Configure Menu.
  2. Use the down arrow to Preferences (enter).
  3. Use the Tab key to move through the General Tab options and make sure that the "Display  Logo at Startup" is unchecked. If it is checked press spacebar to uncheck it Then Tab to the Apply button and press Enter.
  4. Now from Preferences again, choose Editor Tab. Tab to     the "keyboard Compatibility" and choose "Microsoft     Applications" tab to the OK button and press enter.
  5. Go to the Configure/Preferences again. With the down     arrow choose "Associate Files" tab.
  6. Press the Tab Key once. Then use the down arrow to     choose, TXT (text documents), Tab to  Add button, Press     spacebar and Tab key to the OK and press Enter.

To create bookmarks in Textpad simply place the cursor where you wish to make the bookmark. and press CTRL-F2. You can make an unlimited number of bookmarks on every textfile you open.

- How to save the bookmarks

  1. Make sure that the original file you opened is already saved.
  2. Press Alt F for file Menu.
  3. Press down arrow to Workspace (enter) or press W for Workspace.
  4. Press down arrow on Save (enter)
  5. Type in the filename (enter)

Hint: I suggest you create a folder called "Workspace" so you can save all the bookmark files in that specific folder.

- How to load the Saved bookmarks together with the corresponding file

  1. Open the Textpad editor.
  2. Press Alt F for file Menu.
  3. Down arrow to Workspace (enter) or press W.
  4. Press enter on Open (enter),
  5. Type in the Filename or alternatively press Shift
  6. Tab key once to select the file you wish. Once you press enter on  the bookmark file it opens the original document with the  respective saved bookmarks.

If when you're reading a book in the Textpad Editor you come across a URL like http://micam.port5.com and you wish to activate that URL by copying it into Internet Explorer, just place the cursor on the first letter of the address, then press Alt V for View menu, then press the letter B so Textpad opens that address for you in Internet Explorer.

Other features in Textpad such as Spell checker works just the same as MS-Word. I suggest you explore the Textpad Menus to learn more about Textpad.

Contributed by: Michael Micallef

  
   

Website of the Month

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Setting up GMail with MS-Outlook 2002/2003

Rather than recommending a webite, this month we hope to help you make more effective use of common email services which you may already have access to. Although this particular example deals with Gmail, the principles are common to other web email services. What you need to get are the right settings. These are usually available from the web email service provider.

  1. Start by enable POP in your Gmail account. You do this by visiting the www.gmail.com website and login into your account. From the Settings page enable the POP mai setting.
  2. Within MS-Outlook goto the Tools Menu.
  3. Move down to locate and select Options.
  4. Press CTRL Tab once to move to the previous tab.
  5. Press the Tab key once to select Mail Setup.
  6. Press Spacebar or enter to open it.
  7. Choose Add a new email account. Press the Tab key once  to move to the Next button and select it.
  8. Enter your name in the 'Display name:' field, and press the Tab key once.
  9. Type in your complete email address plus the Gmail Domain eg: user1@gmail.com
  10. Enter 'pop.gmail.com' in the 'Incoming mail server field.  
  11. Press the Tab key once and in the SMTP field edit box type: SMTP.GMAIL.COM
  12. Press the Tab key once and Enter your Gmail username  (including '@gmail.com') in the 'Account name:' field. Press the Tab key again and enter your Gmail password  in the 'Password:' field.
  13. Press the Tab key once and make sure that Remembe Password is Checked.
  14. Press the Tab key once and make sure that "Login using password authentification (SPA) is unchecked.
  15. Press the Tab key twice to reach the "More Settings" button and press Spacebar or enter to select it.
  16. in the General Tab's first field type in the name you will be using to refer to this account eg: user1@gmail.com
  17. Press the Tab key twice and in the Reply Email Field, type your complete email address.
  18. Press CTRL-Tab key once to move to "Outgoing Server".
  19. Press the Tab key once and make sure that "My outgoing server requires authentication" is Checked.
  20. Now press the Tab key once and use the down arrow to move to the second radio button called "Login Using".
  21. Press the Tab key once and type in your complete email address again eg: user1@gmail.com
  22. Press the Tab key once and type in your Password. Remember Passwords are case sensitive.
  23. Press the Tab key once and make sure that "Remember  Password" is checked.
  24. Press the Tab key once and make sure that "Login using password authentification (SPA) is unchecked.
  25. Press CTRL-Tab key once to move to the "Connection" Tab.
  26. Press the Tab key once and make sure that "Connect using my local area network (LAN)" is selected.
  27. Now press CTRL-Tab again to move to the Advance Tab.
  28. Make sure that "Incoming Pop3 Server" is set using port:995
  29. Press the Tab key once and make sure that "This server requires an encripted SSL connection" is checked.
  30. Press the Tab key once, and make sure that the "Outgoing Server" port is set to: 25
  31. Press the Tab key once and make sure that "This server requires an encripted SSL" is checked.
  32. Now press the Tab Key three times and "Leave copies of messages on the server" must be unchecked, unless you wish to check messages again from a different location.
  33. Press the Tab key to go to the OK button and press enter.
  34. Press the Tab key to go to the Next button and press enter.
  35. Press the Tab key again to go to the Finish button and press enter.
  36. Press the Tab key one more time to go to the OK button again and press enter.
  37. Now test your email client by sending an email to yourself. If you receive it, everything is working fine
  
   

Question Box (Hints & Tips)

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Dear Editor,

Since the introduction of ADSL and Cable Internet, I do not have much use for the dialup-up internal modem that came with my computer. Can I use this modem for something else apart from accessing the Internet?

Answer:
Yes, you can use the dail-up internal modem that came with your computer as a fax machine. To do so you need a piece of software that can utilize your modem as a fax machine.

One good piece of software that can transform your modem into a fax machine is Mighty Fax. Once installed, it adds a new printer driver to your printer list in any standard MS Windows program.

To send a fax, all you do is select the usual print function from your word processor or other software and select the Mighty Fax printer from amongst the list of printers. Instead of printing to your printer, an exact image of what would normally appear on your printer is sent to the Mighty Fax driver. A dialog window pops up asking you for details like cover sheet, phone number to fax to etc. Answer the prompts and click send. You're done. Receiving faxes is just as simple.

This software is shareware and a 30 day evaluation copy before you buy can be downloaded from: http://www.rkssoftware.com/mightyfax/overview.html

This software is also user friendly for the blind and visually impaired pc users.

If you have a question that you would like to be answered in next month's "Question Box" section, please send it to us and we will select the most interesting one and answer it in the next FITA newsletter.

  
   

Articles

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FITA projects update

First of all I regret this issue of the FITA newsletter was delayed, but it was for a good reason. We have a growing number of initiatives going on, and we decided to wait a little extra to include the important details in the February issue.

Maltese Software

With the help of a number of local organisations we are working to produce a number of software tools specifically intended to help Maltese disabled persons. These tools will be another step towards FITA's objective of promoting equal opportunities for all, primarily focusing on the areas of education and employment.

ICT and Disability Courses

With the support of the National Commission Persons with Disability, the University of Malta and a number of individuals, FITA has created and is presently delivering an Inclusive Education credit at the University of Malta. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all involved, especially the disabled persons who helped make this possible.

Onvol Initiative

The Education Division is assisting FITA in reaching out to disabled persons who may benefit from this broadband Internet offer. More information about this offer is available on the Onvol and FITA websites.

Get Results Project

FITA would like to thank Malta Enterprise and the Kordin Business Incubation Centre for their support in organising the forthcoming 'Train the trainer in entrepreneurship' pilot project. This course will be provided free of charge and will cater for ten (10) students who are interested the principles of successful entrepreneurship and its tuition. Preference is given to disabled students willing to attend this course. People interested in attending should inform FITA as soon as possible.

Reconditioned Computers

FITA seeks to train a disabled person in the servicing of reconditioned computers. If you are interested to give lessons on this subject or are a disabled person and you are willing to learn and help FITA with the reconditioning of computers please contact us for more information. Training materials and equipment will be provided by FITA.

  
   

Disclaimer

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The reader is responsible for the use of information contained herein and its safe and lawful use. This includes work policies and restrictions applicable to the computer environment specific to the user. Descriptions of products or services are for information purposes only. FITA makes no claim, representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the information presented here, the performance of products and services, or any results that may be obtainable by their use. FITA also does not necessarily endorse the specific content or positions contained in the articles shown or referred to.

  

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Last modified: Monday, July 31, 2006

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