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0001 <?xml version="1.0" ?>
0002 <!DOCTYPE book PUBLIC "-//KDE//DTD DocBook XML V4.5-Based Variant V1.1//EN"
0003  "dtd/kdedbx45.dtd" [
0004 <!ENTITY i18n-ktouch "<application>Typewriting Trainer</application>">
0005 <!ENTITY % addindex "IGNORE">
0006 <!ENTITY % English "INCLUDE"><!-- change language only here -->
0007 ]>
0008 
0009 <book id="ktouch" lang="&language;">
0010 
0011 <bookinfo>
0012 <title>The &ktouch; Handbook</title>
0013 
0014 <authorgroup>
0015 
0016 <author>
0017 <firstname>Håvard</firstname><surname>Frøiland</surname>
0018 <affiliation>
0019 <address>&Haavard.Froeiland.mail;</address>
0020 </affiliation>
0021 </author>
0022 
0023 <author>
0024 <firstname>Andreas</firstname><surname>Nicolai</surname>
0025 <affiliation>
0026 <address><email>Andreas.nicolai@gmx.net</email></address>
0027 </affiliation>
0028 </author>
0029 
0030 <author>
0031 <firstname>Sebastian</firstname><surname>Gottfried</surname>
0032 <affiliation>
0033 <address><email>sebastiangottfried@web.de</email></address>
0034 </affiliation>
0035 </author>
0036 
0037 <!-- TRANS:ROLES_OF_TRANSLATORS -->
0038 
0039 </authorgroup>
0040 
0041 
0042 <copyright>
0043 <year>1999-2007</year>
0044 <holder>Håvard Frøiland, Andreas Nicolai</holder>
0045 </copyright>
0046 <copyright>
0047 <year>2011-2019</year>
0048 <holder>Sebastian Gottfried</holder>
0049 </copyright>
0050 
0051 <legalnotice>&FDLNotice;</legalnotice>
0052 
0053 <date>2021-01-05</date>
0054 <releaseinfo>&ktouch; 2.3.0 (Applications 20.12)</releaseinfo>
0055 
0056 <abstract>
0057 <para>&i18n-ktouch; is a program for learning to touch type.  &i18n-ktouch;
0058 provides you with text to train on and adjusts to different levels
0059 depending on how good you are. It displays which key to press next 
0060 and the correct finger to use.</para>
0061 
0062 </abstract>
0063 
0064 <keywordset>
0065 <keyword>KDE</keyword>
0066 <keyword>touchwriting</keyword>
0067 <keyword>touchtyping</keyword>
0068 <keyword>typing</keyword>
0069 <keyword>typewriting</keyword>
0070 <keyword>education</keyword>
0071 <keyword>ktouch</keyword>
0072 <keyword>touch</keyword>
0073 <keyword>type</keyword>
0074 </keywordset>
0075 
0076 </bookinfo>
0077 
0078 <chapter id="learning">
0079 <title>Learning touch typing with &i18n-ktouch;</title>
0080 
0081 <sect1 id="introduction">
0082 <title>Introduction</title>
0083 
0084 <sect2>
0085 <title>What is &i18n-ktouch;?</title>
0086 <para>&i18n-ktouch; is a program for learning to touch type.</para>
0087 <para>&i18n-ktouch; provides you with text to train on and adjusts to
0088 different levels depending on how good you are. It shows your keyboard 
0089 and indicates which key to press next and the correct finger to use.</para>
0090 
0091 <screenshot>
0092 <screeninfo>The main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
0093 <mediaobject>
0094 <imageobject>
0095 <imagedata fileref="main_screen_default_color.png" format="PNG"/>
0096 </imageobject>
0097 <textobject>
0098 <phrase>The main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
0099 </textobject>
0100 </mediaobject>
0101 </screenshot>
0102 
0103 <para>&i18n-ktouch; is a touch typing tutor aimed mostly at personal use. You learn
0104 typing with all fingers, step by step, without having to look down 
0105 at the keyboard all the time to find the right keys which slows you down a lot.
0106 </para>
0107 </sect2>
0108 
0109 <sect2>
0110 <title>Features</title>
0111 
0112 <para>In its current version, &i18n-ktouch; has quite a number of
0113 features, such as:</para>
0114 <itemizedlist>
0115 <listitem><simpara>Ships with dozens different courses in many
0116 languages and a comfortable course editor</simpara></listitem>
0117 <listitem><simpara>Support for different keyboard layouts with the ability to
0118 use and edit user-defined layouts</simpara></listitem>
0119 <listitem><simpara>During your training session &i18n-ktouch; collects comprehensive statistical
0120 information to help you or your teacher analyze your
0121 progress</simpara></listitem>
0122 </itemizedlist>
0123 <para>
0124 There are many more features which will be discussed in the appropriate
0125 chapters of this manual.
0126 </para>
0127 </sect2>
0128 </sect1>
0129 
0130 
0131 <sect1 id="getting_started">
0132 <title>Getting started</title>
0133 
0134 <para>Here's another screenshot of &i18n-ktouch; in action, this time with a German
0135 keyboard and training lesson:</para>
0136 
0137 <screenshot>
0138 <screeninfo>Main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
0139 <mediaobject>
0140 <imageobject>
0141 <imagedata fileref="main_window_german.png" format="PNG"/>
0142 </imageobject>
0143 <textobject>
0144 <phrase>Main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
0145 </textobject>
0146 </mediaobject>
0147 </screenshot>
0148 
0149 <para>Even though learning touch typing with &i18n-ktouch; and using the program
0150 should be very simple we will look a bit closer at &i18n-ktouch; in the following
0151 sections.</para>
0152 
0153 <sect2 id="creating_profile">
0154 <title>Creating your first profile</title>
0155 
0156 <para>The first time you start &i18n-ktouch; it will open a special screen helping
0157 you to create your first profile. You can choose the name of your profile and
0158 the level of your typing skills.
0159 </para>
0160 <tip>
0161 <para>
0162 The level you choose determines the general operation of &i18n-ktouch;. In beginner
0163 mode lessons are unlocked one by one after you pass them, for advanced typist
0164 all lessons are available right from the beginning.
0165 </para>
0166 </tip>
0167 <note>
0168 <para>
0169 Think about your choice, you won't able to change the type of a profile later. But you can always
0170 create new profiles to revisit this decision.
0171 </para>
0172 </note>
0173 
0174 <screenshot>
0175 <screeninfo>Welcome screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
0176 <mediaobject>
0177 <imageobject>
0178 <imagedata fileref="welcome_screen.png" format="PNG"/>
0179 </imageobject>
0180 <textobject>
0181 <phrase>Welcome screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
0182 </textobject>
0183 </mediaobject>
0184 </screenshot>
0185 <para>
0186 After pressing <guibutton>Start Training</guibutton> you will be taken to the
0187 home screen. This screen will also be the first screen visible when you run &i18n-ktouch; the
0188 next time.
0189 </para>
0190 </sect2>
0191 
0192 <sect2 id="picking_a_lesson">
0193 <title>Picking a lesson</title>
0194 
0195 <para>
0196 The home screen of &i18n-ktouch; consists of a toolbar and the course
0197 selector. For more information see <xref linkend="training_preparation"/>.
0198 </para>
0199 <screenshot>
0200 <screeninfo>Home screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
0201 <mediaobject>
0202 <imageobject>
0203 <imagedata fileref="home_screen.png" format="PNG"/>
0204 </imageobject>
0205 <textobject>
0206 <phrase>Home screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
0207 </textobject>
0208 </mediaobject>
0209 </screenshot>
0210 
0211 <para>
0212 &i18n-ktouch; will show you the first course available for your current keyboard
0213 layout.
0214 </para>
0215 
0216 <para>
0217 You can switch between courses or choose <link linkend="custom_lessons">custom lessons</link> by clicking their thumbnails in the right part of the window.
0218 </para>
0219 
0220 <note>
0221 <para>
0222 On some platforms, especially on &Microsoft; &Windows;, automatic keyboard layout
0223 detection is not available. In that case you have to click on the <inlinemediaobject>
0224 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png" format="PNG"/>
0225 </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar, select <guisubmenu>
0226 Configure Keyboard...</guisubmenu> submenu and choose the name of keyboard
0227 layout or some keyboard layout which is similar to yours. If your keyboard is
0228 not included, you can define your own keyboard layout yourself, see <xref
0229 linkend="create_layouts"/>.
0230 </para>
0231 </note>
0232 <para>
0233 Choose your lesson from the list on left of the window. You cannot choose
0234 the locked lessons with <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
0235 fileref="Icon-object-locked.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
0236 </inlinemediaobject> as they are too difficult for your current skills. Pass lessons to unlock new ones. The
0237 preview of the selected lesson will be shown on the right of lessons list.
0238 </para>
0239 <tip>
0240 <para>
0241 More information about the selected course can be shown and hidden again using
0242 <inlinemediaobject>  <imageobject> <imagedata
0243 fileref="Icon-dialog-information.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
0244 </inlinemediaobject> button next to the course title.
0245 </para>
0246 </tip>
0247 <para>
0248 When you finished with the selection click on <guibutton>Start
0249 Training</guibutton> to go to the training &i18n-ktouch; screen.
0250 </para>
0251 </sect2>
0252 
0253 <sect2 id="training">
0254 <title>Training</title>
0255 <para>
0256    The training window of &i18n-ktouch; shows three main sections:
0257 </para>
0258 <orderedlist>
0259 <listitem><simpara>Some typing statistics in info boxes at the
0260 top</simpara></listitem>
0261 <listitem><simpara>The text you need to type</simpara></listitem>
0262 <listitem><simpara>The keyboard visualization</simpara></listitem>
0263 </orderedlist>
0264 <screenshot>
0265 <screeninfo>The training screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
0266 <mediaobject>
0267 <imageobject>
0268 <imagedata fileref="main_screen_default_color.png" format="PNG"/>
0269 </imageobject>
0270 <textobject>
0271 <phrase>The training screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
0272 </textobject>
0273 </mediaobject>
0274 </screenshot>
0275 <note>
0276   <para>
0277     Visibility of training screen parts can be configured using <link
0278 linkend="configuration_dialog">&i18n-ktouch; configuration dialog</link>.
0279   </para>
0280 </note>
0281 
0282 <para>
0283 Place your two index fingers on the two keys on your keyboard with the two
0284 little tactile markers near the center of the middle character row. With that
0285 done your other fingers will find their intended keys almost automatically.
0286 Your thumbs should rest above the space key, the only key you will ever use them
0287 for when touch typing. The other fingers should be placed on the three keys
0288 adjacent to the marked keys on the center row. Keys for the same finger are
0289 grouped together through their color. Try to move your hands as little as
0290 possible and always try to return your fingers to their resting positions
0291 after you have typed a character.
0292 </para>
0293 <para>
0294 Start typing the text in the middle of the screen. The next key you have
0295 to press is always highlighted on the keyboard visualization. While you type
0296 you may make mistakes and hit the wrong key. In that case the characters will
0297 displayed in red and you have to hit &Backspace; as often as necessary to
0298 erase the wrongly typed characters.
0299 </para>
0300 <para>
0301 When you have successfully completed a line of text you need to press the
0302 &Enter; to advance to the next line.
0303 </para>
0304 <tip>
0305 <para>
0306 The key used to advance to the next line can be changed using <link
0307 linkend="configuration_dialog">&i18n-ktouch; configuration dialog</link>
0308 </para>
0309 </tip>
0310 </sect2>
0311 
0312 <sect2 id="review_your_progress">
0313 <title>Review your progress</title>
0314 <para>When you have completed a lesson &i18n-ktouch;
0315 will switch to the score screen. It displays your current training and lesson
0316 statistics and shows a graphical history of previous training sessions.
0317 </para>
0318 <screenshot>
0319 <screeninfo>Statistics dialog of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
0320 <mediaobject>
0321 <imageobject>
0322 <imagedata fileref="statistics_dialog.png" format="PNG"/>
0323 </imageobject>
0324 <textobject>
0325 <phrase>Statistics dialog of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
0326 </textobject>
0327 </mediaobject>
0328 </screenshot>
0329 <para>
0330 In the statistics dialog you can select to show a particular lesson or
0331 <guilabel>All Lessons</guilabel>. This is useful to distinguish between overall
0332 performance and skill in certain lessons.
0333 </para>
0334 <para>
0335 If you feel ready for the next lesson press <guibutton>Next lesson</guibutton>
0336 button in the toolbar to continue with the next lesson of the current course or
0337 <guibutton>Repeat lesson</guibutton> button to try your skills on the current
0338 lesson again. The <guibutton>Next lesson</guibutton> button will be only
0339 available if you have passed the lesson.
0340 </para>
0341 <para>
0342 If you want to switch to some other lesson or course press <guibutton>Return to
0343 Home Screen</guibutton>.
0344 </para>
0345 <para>
0346 If you do not want to continue the training with &i18n-ktouch; just close the
0347 application window.
0348 </para>
0349 </sect2>
0350 </sect1>
0351 
0352 <sect1 id="training_preparation">
0353 <title>Training Preparation</title>
0354 <para>
0355   Pretty much everything in the &i18n-ktouch; home screen should be self-explanatory.
0356 The top toolbar is meant to be the place where you can view and
0357 configure &i18n-ktouch; settings. The course selector can be used to view the
0358 information about the courses and switch between them.
0359 </para>
0360 
0361 <sect2 id="toolbar">
0362   <title>&i18n-ktouch; toolbar</title>
0363 <para>The toolbar of &i18n-ktouch; houses the profile button at the left and the
0364 application menu button at the right.
0365 </para>
0366 
0367 <sect3 id="profile_management">
0368 <title>Profile management</title>
0369 <para>
0370   The profile button with the name of your profile at the left of home screen
0371 toolbar can be used to manage &i18n-ktouch; profiles.
0372 </para>
0373 
0374 <screenshot>
0375 <screeninfo>Profile management in &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
0376 <mediaobject>
0377 <imageobject>
0378 <imagedata fileref="profiles.png" format="PNG"/>
0379 </imageobject>
0380 <textobject>
0381 <phrase>Profile management in &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
0382 </textobject>
0383 </mediaobject>
0384 </screenshot>
0385 <para>
0386   You can review the settings of the existing profiles, delete them or create a
0387 new profile using <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
0388 fileref="Icon-list-add.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject>
0389 button.
0390 </para>
0391 <para>
0392   To switch to the review mode press <guibutton>Edit</guibutton>. To select a
0393 profile and return to the home screen press <guibutton>Use Selected Profile
0394 </guibutton>.
0395 </para>
0396 
0397 <screenshot>
0398 <screeninfo>Reviewing profile information</screeninfo>
0399 <mediaobject>
0400 <imageobject>
0401 <imagedata fileref="profiles1.png" format="PNG"/>
0402 </imageobject>
0403 <textobject>
0404 <phrase>Reviewing profile information</phrase>
0405 </textobject>
0406 </mediaobject>
0407 </screenshot>
0408 </sect3>
0409 
0410 <sect3 id="ktouch_menu">
0411 <title>&i18n-ktouch; menu</title>
0412 <para>&i18n-ktouch; menu can be opened using <inlinemediaobject>
0413 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png" format="PNG"/>
0414 </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar of the home
0415 screen.
0416 </para>
0417 
0418 <screenshot>
0419 <screeninfo>&i18n-ktouch; menu</screeninfo>
0420 <mediaobject>
0421 <imageobject>
0422 <imagedata fileref="ktouch_menu.png" format="PNG"/>
0423 </imageobject>
0424 <textobject>
0425 <phrase>&i18n-ktouch; menu</phrase>
0426 </textobject>
0427 </mediaobject>
0428 </screenshot>
0429 
0430 <para>
0431   You can find a list of the menu items with their short descriptions below.
0432 </para>
0433 <variablelist>
0434 <varlistentry>
0435   <term><menuchoice><shortcut>
0436 <keycombo action="simul">&Ctrl;&Shift;<keycap>F</keycap></keycombo>
0437 </shortcut>
0438 <guimenuitem>Full Screen Mode</guimenuitem></menuchoice>
0439 </term>
0440 <listitem><para><action>Toggle</action> full screen mode of
0441 &i18n-ktouch; on and off</para></listitem>
0442 </varlistentry>
0443 
0444 <varlistentry>
0445 <term><guimenuitem>Course and Keyboard Layout Editor...</guimenuitem></term>
0446 <listitem><para><action>Open</action> the &i18n-ktouch; <link
0447 linkend="extending">editor window</link>
0448 </para></listitem>
0449 </varlistentry>
0450 
0451 <varlistentry>
0452 <term><guimenuitem>Configure Typewriting Trainer...</guimenuitem></term>
0453 <listitem><para><action>Display</action> the &i18n-ktouch; <link
0454 linkend="configuration_dialog">configuration dialog</link>
0455 </para></listitem>
0456 </varlistentry>
0457 
0458 <varlistentry>
0459 <term><guimenuitem>Configure Shortcuts...</guimenuitem></term>
0460 <listitem><para><action>Configure</action> the shortcuts you want to associate
0461 with some actions
0462 </para></listitem>
0463 </varlistentry>
0464 
0465 <varlistentry>
0466 <term><guimenuitem>Configure Keyboard...</guimenuitem></term>
0467 <listitem><para>A shortcut to the &systemsettings;
0468 module to configure the keyboard settings. Useful to prepare for training on
0469 a different keyboard layout.
0470 </para>
0471 <note>
0472 <para>
0473 On platforms lacking the support for detecting the keyboard layout
0474 automatically, especially &Microsoft; &Windows;, this entry is replaced
0475 with a submenu to select &i18n-ktouch;'s keyboard layout manually.
0476 </para>
0477 </note>
0478 </listitem>
0479 </varlistentry>
0480 
0481 </variablelist>
0482 
0483 <para>
0484 &i18n-ktouch; has the common &kde; <guimenu>Help</guimenu> menu item, for more information read the section
0485 about the <ulink url="help:/fundamentals/menus.html#menus-help">Help Menu</ulink> of the &kde; Fundamentals.
0486 </para>
0487 </sect3>
0488 
0489 <sect3 id="configuration_dialog">
0490 <title>Configuration dialog</title>
0491 
0492 <para>You can customize &i18n-ktouch; quite a bit. The settings apply for all
0493 profiles globally. Open the configuration dialog by pressing
0494 <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png"
0495 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button at the right of the
0496 top toolbar of the home screen then choosing <guimenuitem>Configure
0497 Typewriting Trainer...</guimenuitem>.</para>
0498 
0499  <variablelist>
0500    <varlistentry>
0501      <term><guilabel>Training Settings</guilabel></term>
0502      <listitem>
0503        <para>In this dialog you can select the options that control tutor window
0504 appearance and how &i18n-ktouch; behaves during training.</para>
0505 <screenshot>
0506 <screeninfo>Training options</screeninfo>
0507 <mediaobject>
0508 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="training_options.png"
0509 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0510 <textobject><phrase>Training options</phrase></textobject>
0511 </mediaobject>
0512 </screenshot>
0513 <para>
0514   The <guilabel>Enforce correction of typing errors</guilabel> check box can be used to control whether typing errors have to be corrected.
0515 </para>
0516 <para>
0517   You can control the visibility of statistics and keyboard panes during
0518 training using <guilabel>Show keyboard</guilabel> and <guilabel>Show real-time
0519 statistics</guilabel> check boxes.
0520 </para>
0521 <para>
0522   The keystroke to go to the next line of training text can be chosen from two
0523 options, &Enter; or &Space;.
0524 </para>
0525 <para>The <guilabel>Lesson unlocking limits</guilabel> can be used to choose
0526 settings that control unlocking of higher level lessons. &i18n-ktouch; checks the
0527 given limits at the end of each level and decides whether to
0528 unlock the next lesson. If the typing speed in characters per minute and
0529 correctness are <emphasis>both</emphasis> above or equal to the
0530 <guilabel>Lesson unlocking limits</guilabel> &i18n-ktouch; will unlock the next
0531 higher level lesson.
0532 </para>
0533 </listitem>
0534 </varlistentry>
0535 
0536 <varlistentry>
0537   <term><guilabel>Color Settings</guilabel></term>
0538   <listitem>
0539 <para>In this dialog you can tweak the colors used by &i18n-ktouch;.</para>
0540 <screenshot>
0541 <screeninfo>Color settings</screeninfo>
0542 <mediaobject>
0543 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="color_options.png"
0544 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0545 <textobject><phrase>Color settings</phrase></textobject>
0546 </mediaobject>
0547 </screenshot>
0548 <para>
0549 You can select the background color for each finger keys.
0550 </para>
0551 </listitem>
0552 </varlistentry>
0553 </variablelist>
0554 </sect3>
0555 </sect2>
0556 
0557 <sect2 id="course_and_lessons_selection">
0558 <title>Course and lesson selection</title>
0559 <para>
0560 &i18n-ktouch; automatically detects your keyboard layout and shows only the courses
0561 optimized for this layout.
0562 </para>
0563 <note>
0564 <para>
0565 On some platforms, especially &Windows;, keyboard layout auto-detection is not
0566 available. Use the application menu to select your keyboard layout manually.
0567 </para>
0568 </note>
0569 <sect3 id="switching_courses">
0570 <title>Switching courses</title>
0571 <para>Should there are more than one course available for your keyboard layout
0572 you can  choose your favorite one using <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject>
0573 <imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-left.png"
0574 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> and <inlinemediaobject>
0575 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-right.png"
0576 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> buttons to the right of the
0577 label with course name. If there is only one course the buttons won't be
0578 visible.
0579 </para>
0580 </sect3>
0581 <sect3 id="unlocking_lessons">
0582 <title>Unlocking lessons</title>
0583 <para>
0584 If you have chosen <guilabel>I have no or only very little experience in machine
0585 typing</guilabel> during <link linkend="creating_profile">initial profile
0586 creation</link> you will find that some lessons are locked. These items are marked
0587 with <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
0588 fileref="Icon-object-locked.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
0589 </inlinemediaobject> icon and cannot be accessed until you pass the previous
0590 lessons.
0591 </para>
0592 <note>
0593 <para>
0594 The settings to pass lessons can be changed using <link
0595 linkend="configuration_dialog">&i18n-ktouch; configuration dialog</link>.
0596 </para>
0597 </note>
0598 </sect3>
0599 <sect3 id="training_on_a_different_keyboard_layout">
0600 <title>Training on a different keyboard layout</title>
0601 <para>
0602 With &i18n-ktouch; it is possible to use any keyboard layout for training.
0603 Just press the buttons that are highlighted by the trainer, regardless to the
0604 labels on your physical keyboard.
0605 </para>
0606 <para>
0607 Select <menuchoice><guimenu>Configure Keyboard...</guimenu></menuchoice> in
0608 the application menu to select a different keyboard layout. After that &i18n-ktouch;
0609 will adapt accordingly and present you its courses for this layout.
0610 </para>
0611 <note>
0612 <para>
0613 On platforms without keyboard layout auto-detection, especially &Microsoft;
0614 &Windows;, you have first configure your operating system to use the layout
0615 you want to train on and then select the same layout in &i18n-ktouch; via
0616 the application menu.
0617 </para>
0618 </note>
0619 </sect3>
0620 </sect2>
0621 </sect1>
0622 
0623 <sect1 id="efficient_training">
0624 <title>Efficient training</title>
0625 <sect2 id="training_techniques">
0626 <title>Training techniques</title>
0627 <para>
0628 Hereafter, you can find some general advice about techniques for learning
0629 touch typing.
0630 </para>
0631 <sect3 id="steady_speed">
0632 <title>Steady speed</title>
0633 <para>
0634 To be efficient when learning touch typing it is important not to simply try to
0635 type as fast as possible but to keep a steady speed and find a natural rhythm
0636 to press the keys.
0637 </para>
0638 </sect3>
0639 <sect3 id="accuracy_is_a_king">
0640 <title>Accuracy is a king</title>
0641 <para>
0642 The next important thing is to focus one's attention on accuracy. Only if you
0643 mastered the use of the currently unlocked keys, which means you make only
0644 very few errors with them still, you will have chance in the following lessons
0645 with even more keys to handle. You will notice you become almost automatically
0646 master if you make only very little errors and you will save precious time if
0647 you don't have to correct that many errors.
0648 </para>
0649 <note>
0650 <para>That is also the reason why the default accuracy level
0651 to unlock the next lesson is at 98% while the speed requirements are pretty
0652 moderate with just 180 characters per minute.
0653 </para>
0654 </note>
0655 </sect3>
0656 <sect3 id="correcting_mistakes">
0657 <title>Correcting mistakes</title>
0658 <para>
0659 If you made mistakes it's important to correct them efficiently. Correcting
0660 single characters is almost always slower than correcting the whole word. For
0661 the latter you have just to press <keycombo>&Ctrl;&Backspace;</keycombo>,
0662 and retype the word. The mental overhead for this is very small. For the first
0663 you have to first locate the your mistake, delete precisely to the location of
0664 the error, determine the missing part of the word re-type it. This requires
0665 way more concentration when retyping the whole word.
0666 </para>
0667 </sect3>
0668 </sect2>
0669 <sect2 id="pausing_the_training_session">
0670 <title>Pausing the training session</title>
0671 <sect3 id="automatically_pausing">
0672 <title>Automatically</title>
0673 <para>
0674 If you open any dialog or switch to different application while you are in a
0675 training session the  training is paused and the timer is stopped until you
0676 focus &i18n-ktouch; window again and hit any key.
0677 </para>
0678 <para>
0679 The training session will also be paused if there will be no activity by the
0680 user for five seconds.
0681 </para>
0682 </sect3>
0683 <sect3 id="manually_pausing">
0684 <title>Manually</title>
0685 <para>
0686 You can pause the current session manually using
0687 <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
0688 fileref="Icon-media-playback-pause.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
0689 </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar.
0690 </para>
0691 <para>
0692 If you click on <inlinemediaobject>
0693 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-go-home.png"
0694 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar
0695 &i18n-ktouch; will pause the current
0696 session  and show an overlay menu with some further actions.
0697 </para>
0698 <screenshot>
0699 <screeninfo>&i18n-ktouch; menu on pausing</screeninfo>
0700 <mediaobject>
0701 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="pause_options.png"
0702 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0703 <textobject><phrase>&i18n-ktouch; menu on pausing</phrase></textobject>
0704 </mediaobject>
0705 </screenshot>
0706 </sect3>
0707 </sect2>
0708 </sect1>
0709 
0710 <sect1 id="tracking_learning_progress">
0711 <title>Tracking the learning progress</title>
0712 <para>
0713 After completing a lesson, you will not return immediately to the home screen.
0714 Instead a special summary and statistics screen is shown.
0715 </para>
0716 <sect2 id="Speed_and_accuracy_statistics">
0717 <title>Speed and accuracy statistics</title>
0718 <screenshot>
0719 <screeninfo>Score screen progress page</screeninfo>
0720 <mediaobject>
0721 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="score_screen.png"
0722 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0723 <textobject><phrase>Score screen progress page</phrase></textobject>
0724 </mediaobject>
0725 </screenshot>
0726 <sect3 id="filter_per_lesson">
0727 <title>Filter per lesson</title>
0728 <para>
0729 With the help of the speed and accuracy statistics page you can review your
0730 learning progress and identify your weaknesses.
0731 </para>
0732 <para>
0733 The statistics data can be filtered by lesson using drop down box next to the
0734 <guilabel>Over</guilabel> label. This feature can be useful to control you
0735 progress in the current lesson and compare this progress with the progress in
0736 other lessons.
0737 </para>
0738 <screenshot>
0739 <screeninfo>Statistics range drop down menu</screeninfo>
0740 <mediaobject>
0741 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="statistics_over.png"
0742 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0743 <textobject><phrase>Statistics range drop down menu</phrase></textobject>
0744 </mediaobject>
0745 </screenshot>
0746 <para>
0747 Additional data about the session can be viewed in overlays. If you hover the
0748 mouse cursor on a point on the graph &i18n-ktouch; will show the statistics of the
0749 corresponding session.
0750 </para>
0751 <screenshot>
0752 <screeninfo>Progress per lesson</screeninfo>
0753 <mediaobject>
0754 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="statistics_hovering.png"
0755 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0756 <textobject><phrase>Progress per lesson</phrase></textobject>
0757 </mediaobject>
0758 </screenshot>
0759 </sect3>
0760 </sect2>
0761 <sect2 id="errors_statistics">
0762 <title>Errors statistics</title>
0763 <para>
0764 The score screen can be switched to show errors rate for each key using drop
0765 down menu next to the <guilabel>Show</guilabel> label.
0766 </para>
0767 <screenshot>
0768 <screeninfo>Switching the statistics mode</screeninfo>
0769 <mediaobject>
0770 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="statistics_show.png"
0771 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0772 <textobject><phrase>Switching the statistics mode</phrase></textobject>
0773 </mediaobject>
0774 </screenshot>
0775 <para>
0776 In this mode, &i18n-ktouch; shows a bar diagram of errors for each key in the last
0777 training session.
0778 </para>
0779 <screenshot>
0780 <screeninfo>Errors chart by the keys</screeninfo>
0781 <mediaobject>
0782 <imageobject><imagedata fileref="score_screen_errors.png"
0783 format="PNG"/></imageobject>
0784 <textobject><phrase>Errors chart by the keys</phrase></textobject>
0785 </mediaobject>
0786 </screenshot>
0787 <para>
0788 You can switch back to the lessons graph using the same drop down menu next to
0789 the <guilabel>Show</guilabel> label.
0790 </para>
0791 <para>
0792 If you have passed the lesson you may choose to start training on the next
0793 lesson right away by pressing <guibutton>Next lesson</guibutton> in the
0794 toolbar.
0795 Otherwise you can repeat the current lesson with <guibutton>Repeat
0796 lesson</guibutton> or return to the home screen with the remaining button.
0797 </para>
0798 </sect2>
0799 </sect1>
0800 </chapter>
0801 
0802 <chapter id="extending">
0803 <title>Extending &i18n-ktouch;</title>
0804 
0805 <sect1 id="create_courses">
0806 <title>Creating courses</title>
0807 <para>You can easily create your own training course using the built-in
0808 &i18n-ktouch; course and keyboard layout editor. Press <inlinemediaobject>
0809 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png" format="PNG"/>
0810 </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button at the right of the home screen
0811 toolbar then choose <guimenuitem>Course and Keyboard Layout
0812 Editor...</guimenuitem>. You can choose open a course file or create an empty
0813 course from
0814 scratch or using an existing course as a template.</para>
0815 <important>
0816 <para>
0817 You cannot edit the built-in courses, even if you have the write access to the
0818 installation folder.
0819 </para>
0820 </important>
0821 
0822 <screenshot>
0823 <screeninfo>Course and Keyboard Layout Editor main window</screeninfo>
0824 <mediaobject>
0825 <imageobject>
0826 <imagedata fileref="courses.png" format="PNG"/>
0827 </imageobject>
0828 <textobject>
0829 <phrase>Course and Keyboard Layout Editor main window</phrase>
0830 </textobject>
0831 </mediaobject>
0832 </screenshot>
0833 
0834 <sect2 id="course_properties">
0835 <title>Course properties</title>
0836 <para>
0837 The course properties can be chosen using &i18n-ktouch; course creation wizard. To
0838 invoke this wizard you should press <inlinemediaobject>
0839 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-document-new.png" format="PNG"/>
0840 </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar of <guilabel>Course
0841 and Keyboard Layout Editor</guilabel> window.
0842 </para>
0843 <para>
0844 The first page of creation &i18n-ktouch; wizard allows you to choose the type of the
0845 data. Select <guilabel>Course</guilabel> and press <guibutton>Next</guibutton>.
0846 </para>
0847 <screenshot>
0848 <screeninfo>Choosing the type</screeninfo>
0849 <mediaobject>
0850 <imageobject>
0851 <imagedata fileref="create.png" format="PNG"/>
0852 </imageobject>
0853 <textobject>
0854 <phrase>Choosing the type</phrase>
0855 </textobject>
0856 </mediaobject>
0857 </screenshot>
0858 <para>
0859 The second page of wizard allows you to choose the title, the keyboard layout
0860 and the description of the course.
0861 </para>
0862 <screenshot>
0863 <screeninfo>New course wizard second page</screeninfo>
0864 <mediaobject>
0865 <imageobject>
0866 <imagedata fileref="create_course1.png" format="PNG"/>
0867 </imageobject>
0868 <textobject>
0869 <phrase>New course wizard second page</phrase>
0870 </textobject>
0871 </mediaobject>
0872 </screenshot>
0873 <para>
0874 The course title is important for the quick-select menu entry in the course list
0875 and for the statistics.
0876 </para>
0877 <para>
0878 The description should be used to include information
0879 about the lesson author and source of lesson data if any. This description can
0880 be shown by pressing <inlinemediaobject>
0881 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-dialog-information.png"
0882 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the home screen of
0883 &i18n-ktouch;.
0884 </para>
0885 <para>
0886 When you finished with entering appropriate values press
0887 <guibutton>Next</guibutton>.
0888 </para>
0889 <screenshot>
0890 <screeninfo>New course wizard third page</screeninfo>
0891 <mediaobject>
0892 <imageobject>
0893 <imagedata fileref="create_course2.png" format="PNG"/>
0894 </imageobject>
0895 <textobject>
0896 <phrase>New course wizard third page</phrase>
0897 </textobject>
0898 </mediaobject>
0899 </screenshot>
0900 <para>
0901 Using the third page of wizard you can choose an other course as a template for
0902 your course. Select the course from the list and press
0903 <guibutton>Finish</guibutton>.
0904 </para>
0905 <screenshot>
0906 <screeninfo>New course editing window</screeninfo>
0907 <mediaobject>
0908 <imageobject>
0909 <imagedata fileref="create_course3.png" format="PNG"/>
0910 </imageobject>
0911 <textobject>
0912 <phrase>New course editing window</phrase>
0913 </textobject>
0914 </mediaobject>
0915 </screenshot>
0916 <para>
0917 &i18n-ktouch; will open the course editor window prepared to entering your course
0918 data.
0919 </para>
0920 </sect2>
0921 
0922 <sect2 id="adding_lessons">
0923 <title>Adding lessons</title>
0924 <para>
0925 A course is an ordered set of lessons. To be efficient for learning touch
0926 typing the content of the course should meet a few requirements.
0927 </para>
0928 <variablelist>
0929 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Choose a meaningful name for the
0930 lesson</emphasis></term>
0931 <listitem>
0932 <para>
0933 For each level you can specify the new characters/keys in the lesson. It is
0934 worth to include the new characters in the lesson title. Click on a name label
0935 in the <guilabel>Lessons:</guilabel> list and enter some meaningful name.
0936 </para>
0937 <note>
0938 <title>Rationale</title>
0939 <para>The text you enter as a lesson title will be shown as lesson information
0940 text in the home screen course list. It will be much easier for user to choose
0941 the lesson if it has a meaningful title.
0942 </para>
0943 </note>
0944 </listitem>
0945 </varlistentry>
0946 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">The first lesson should cover the
0947 home keys</emphasis></term>
0948 <listitem>
0949 <para>
0950 Usually a keyboard has two haptic markers for the keys on the second row
0951 belonging to the index fingers. These two keys and the three adjacent keys
0952 outwards are the home keys. That's <emphasis>asdfjkl;</emphasis> for the US
0953 keyboard layout.
0954 </para>
0955 <note>
0956 <title>Rationale</title>
0957 <para>Those eight keys are the start position of each
0958 finger. One must internalize the location of these keys first to successfully
0959 learn touch typing.
0960 </para>
0961 </note>
0962 </listitem>
0963 </varlistentry>
0964 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Introduce two new keys per lesson
0965 </emphasis></term>
0966 <listitem>
0967 <para>The unlocking order of keys is not fixed, but usually keys are introduced
0968 in pairs belonging to the same finger on both hands. Make your way from the home
0969 keys to the ones further away.  Thus, the forth row should be introduced at
0970 last. Prefer keys for important characters of your language, this may require to
0971 bend the introduction pattern a bit. For example in French accents are really
0972 important, this warrants a lesson early-on focusing on the accent key
0973 alone.
0974 </para>
0975 <note>
0976 <title>Rationale</title>
0977 <para>
0978 If more keys are introduced the trainee might
0979 get overwhelmed by the difficulty of the lesson and loose his motivation.
0980 Introduce keys for important keys first to able to form real words
0981 earlier.
0982 </para>
0983 </note>
0984 </listitem>
0985 </varlistentry>
0986 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Extra emphasis on the new
0987 keys</emphasis></term>
0988 <listitem>
0989 <para>
0990 Make sure the characters belonging to the newly introduced keys are the most or
0991 at least very frequently used characters in the lesson text.
0992 </para>
0993 <note>
0994 <title>Rationale</title>
0995 <para>
0996 If the trainee passes a lesson he should have
0997 mastered the new keys. This is only possible if the lesson contains a
0998 significant amount of the new characters.
0999 </para>
1000 </note>
1001 </listitem>
1002 </varlistentry>
1003 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Intersperse lessons with new keys
1004 with repetition lessons</emphasis></term>
1005 <listitem>
1006 <para>
1007 Every two to three lessons add a repetition lesson
1008 without any new keys. These should have an even character mix covering all
1009 already introduced characters.
1010 </para>
1011 <note>
1012 <title>Rationale</title>
1013 <para>
1014 Such lessons help to strengthen the acquired
1015 skills and provide a way to check the overall training level. They are also
1016 better suited for repeated training to further improve one's general typing
1017 skills.
1018 </para>
1019 </note>
1020 </listitem>
1021 </varlistentry>
1022 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Dedicated lessons for
1023 capitalization</emphasis></term>
1024 <listitem>
1025 <para>
1026 There should be several lessons focusing sorely on
1027 capitalization. Ideally capitalization is introduced in multiple steps: At first
1028 only the left &Shift; key, then the right, then both and followed by one or
1029 more repetition lessons.
1030 </para>
1031 <note>
1032 <title>Rationale</title>
1033 <para>
1034 Mastering capitalization is the most difficult
1035 part of learning touch typing. Therefore extra effort must be spend on these
1036 lessons.
1037 </para>
1038 </note>
1039 </listitem>
1040 </varlistentry>
1041 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Cover the complete keyboard
1042 layout</emphasis></term>
1043 <listitem>
1044 <para>This includes characters and symbols accessible via other modifiers than
1045 &Shift;. Ideally every character, number and symbol which is printed on a real
1046 keyboard should be covered.
1047 </para>
1048 <note>
1049 <title>Rationale</title>
1050 <para>
1051 The more complete a course is the more the
1052 trainee can learn from it. It also keeps the course interesting for already
1053 advanced typists.
1054 </para>
1055 </note>
1056 </listitem>
1057 </varlistentry>
1058 </variablelist>
1059 <para>
1060 Use <inlinemediaobject>
1061 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
1062 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button to add new lesson to
1063 the course, <inlinemediaobject>
1064 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-remove.png"
1065 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button to remove selected
1066 lesson from your course and <inlinemediaobject>
1067 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-up.png"
1068 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject>/<inlinemediaobject>
1069 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-down.png"
1070 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> buttons to rearrange the
1071 lessons in the course.
1072 </para>
1073 <important>
1074 <para>
1075 Delete lessons only with caution. Doing so may reset the unlocking progress
1076 of the users of the course. If you are planning to revise a course thoroughly
1077 it is usually better to use the existing course as a base for a new one.
1078 </para>
1079 </important>
1080 <para>
1081 The content of the lesson can be edited using bottom right edit field. You can
1082 copy snippets of the text from your favorite text editor and paste them to this
1083 field.
1084 </para>
1085 <para>
1086 Use the <inlinemediaobject>
1087 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-document-open.png"
1088 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button to open a generic text file
1089 that will be loaded into the lesson text field.
1090 </para>
1091 <para>
1092 The <inlinemediaobject>
1093 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-format-justify-fill.png"
1094 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button can be used to wrap the lesson text.
1095 &i18n-ktouch; editor wraps text such that every line of the lesson does not 
1096 exceed the recommended 60 characters limit.
1097 </para>
1098 <para>
1099 Let's assume you want to add a new lesson. There are a few guidelines you
1100 may want to consider:
1101 </para>
1102 
1103 <variablelist>
1104 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Give lessons a descriptive
1105 title</emphasis></term>
1106 <listitem>
1107 <para>
1108 Name the new characters if there are any or otherwise state what the lesson is
1109 about.
1110 </para>
1111 <note>
1112 <title>Rationale</title>
1113 <para>
1114 Good titles make it easier to find the right
1115 course if one wants to train on something specific.
1116 </para>
1117 </note>
1118 </listitem>
1119 </varlistentry>
1120 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">The lesson text should be composed
1121 out of real words and sentences</emphasis></term>
1122 <listitem>
1123 <para>
1124 Optimally a lesson forms a comprehensible contiguous text on a freely chosen
1125 subject.
1126 </para>
1127 <note>
1128 <title>Rationale</title>
1129 <para>Training with real words and sentences is more
1130 effective than with arbitrary random character combinations since that is closer
1131 to real typing. And it is more fun.
1132 </para>
1133 </note>
1134 </listitem>
1135 </varlistentry>
1136 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Avoid non-word character
1137 combinations</emphasis></term>
1138 <listitem>
1139 <para>
1140 This may impossible in the very first lessons where only a few
1141 characters are available, but as soon as possible only real words should be
1142 used. Never use misspelled words.
1143 </para>
1144 <note>
1145 <title>Rationale</title>
1146 <para>
1147 Random character combinations are hard to type and are seldom found in
1148 day-to-day typing. Misspelled words on the other hand are confusing and have
1149 even a negative learning value, since the trainee may memorize the wrong
1150 spelling.
1151 </para>
1152 </note>
1153 </listitem>
1154 </varlistentry>
1155 <varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Lesson text should be roughly 600
1156 characters long</emphasis></term>
1157 <listitem>
1158 <para>
1159 They may be longer, up to 1200 characters is okay, but shorter
1160 lessons should be avoided. This is especially true for repetition
1161 lessons.
1162 </para>
1163 <note>
1164 <title>Rationale</title>
1165 <para>
1166 Keeping within this range ensures that a untrained
1167 typist (~120 characters per minute) can finish a lesson in five to ten minutes.
1168 Longer lessons get frustrating, shorter ones are ineffective.
1169 </para>
1170 </note>
1171 </listitem>
1172 </varlistentry>
1173 </variablelist>
1174 
1175 <sect3 id="quality_checks">
1176 <title>Quality checks in the lesson text editor</title>
1177 <screenshot>
1178 <screeninfo>Quality check in the course editing window</screeninfo>
1179 <mediaobject>
1180 <imageobject>
1181 <imagedata fileref="quality_check.png" format="PNG"/>
1182 </imageobject>
1183 <textobject>
1184 <phrase>Quality check in the course editing window</phrase>
1185 </textobject>
1186 </mediaobject>
1187 </screenshot>
1188 <para>
1189 Above is a screenshot of the course editor with one of a problematic lesson
1190 loaded showing one of the built-in quality-assurance checks: if a lesson
1191 contains characters not available in that lesson, because they are not among the
1192 configured new characters of this lesson or any previous one, they are
1193 highlighted in red. There is also a check for too long lines resulting in a
1194 muted color for the characters behind the allowed column.
1195 </para>
1196 <para>
1197 On the left side there is a list over all data files &i18n-ktouch; knows about,
1198 built-in and user-created alike. If the user selects a built-in resource the
1199 editor will degrade to a simple viewer, though. If the user selects a keyboard
1200 layout the program will adapt appropriately.
1201 </para>
1202 </sect3>
1203 </sect2>
1204 </sect1>
1205 
1206 <sect1 id="create_layouts">
1207 <title>Creating keyboard layouts</title>
1208 <para>You can create your own keyboard layouts using built-in &i18n-ktouch; editor.
1209 Usually it's best is to start with an existing layout close to the keyboard layout
1210 you want to create, and use that as a base for own layout. That way you can avoid a
1211 lot of work.</para>
1212 
1213 <sect2 id="layout_properties">
1214 <title>Keyboard layout properties</title>
1215 <para>
1216 The keyboard layout properties can be chosen using &i18n-ktouch; keyboard layout creation
1217 wizard. To invoke this wizard you should press <inlinemediaobject>
1218 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-document-new.png" format="PNG"/>
1219 </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar of <guilabel>Course
1220 and Keyboard Layout Editor</guilabel> window.
1221 </para>
1222 <para>
1223 The first page of creation &i18n-ktouch; wizard allows you to choose the type of the
1224 data. Select <guilabel>Keyboard layout</guilabel> and press
1225 <guibutton>Next</guibutton>.
1226 </para>
1227 <screenshot>
1228 <screeninfo>Choosing the type</screeninfo>
1229 <mediaobject>
1230 <imageobject>
1231 <imagedata fileref="create.png" format="PNG"/>
1232 </imageobject>
1233 <textobject>
1234 <phrase>Choosing the type</phrase>
1235 </textobject>
1236 </mediaobject>
1237 </screenshot>
1238 <para>
1239 The second page of wizard allows you to choose the title and the name of the
1240 layout.
1241 </para>
1242 <screenshot>
1243 <screeninfo>New layout wizard second page</screeninfo>
1244 <mediaobject>
1245 <imageobject>
1246 <imagedata fileref="create_layout1.png" format="PNG"/>
1247 </imageobject>
1248 <textobject>
1249 <phrase>New layout wizard second page</phrase>
1250 </textobject>
1251 </mediaobject>
1252 </screenshot>
1253 <para>
1254 The layout title is important for the quick-select menu entry in the layout list
1255 of <link linkend="ktouch_menu">&i18n-ktouch; configuration menu</link> and for the
1256 statistics.
1257 </para>
1258 <para>
1259 The layout name will be used as a name of the layout by &i18n-ktouch; internally.
1260 </para>
1261 <screenshot>
1262 <screeninfo>New layout wizard third page</screeninfo>
1263 <mediaobject>
1264 <imageobject>
1265 <imagedata fileref="create_layout2.png" format="PNG"/>
1266 </imageobject>
1267 <textobject>
1268 <phrase>New layout wizard third page</phrase>
1269 </textobject>
1270 </mediaobject>
1271 </screenshot>
1272 <para>
1273 Using the third page of wizard you can choose other layout as a template for
1274 your layout. Select the course from the list and press
1275 <guibutton>Finish</guibutton>.
1276 </para>
1277 <screenshot>
1278 <screeninfo>New layout editing window</screeninfo>
1279 <mediaobject>
1280 <imageobject>
1281 <imagedata fileref="create_layout3.png" format="PNG"/>
1282 </imageobject>
1283 <textobject>
1284 <phrase>New layout editing window</phrase>
1285 </textobject>
1286 </mediaobject>
1287 </screenshot>
1288 <para>
1289 &i18n-ktouch; will open the editor window prepared to entering your keyboard
1290 layout data.
1291 </para>
1292 </sect2>
1293 
1294 <sect2 id="adding_keys">
1295 <title>Adding keys</title>
1296 <para>
1297 Use <inlinemediaobject>
1298 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
1299 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> <guilabel>Normal
1300 Key</guilabel> button to add new normal key or <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject>
1301 <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
1302 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> <guilabel>Special
1303 Key</guilabel> button to add new special key (modifier keys, &Space;,
1304 &Backspace;, &Tab;, <keycap>Caps Lock</keycap> or &Enter;) to the layout.
1305 The <inlinemediaobject>
1306 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-edit-delete.png"
1307 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject><guilabel>Delete</guilabel>
1308 button can be used to remove a selected key from your layout. The scale can be
1309 changed using the slider at the right part of the editor toolbar.
1310 </para>
1311 <para>
1312 The properties of individual keys can be edited using the bottom pane of the
1313 editor window.
1314 </para>
1315 <sect3 id="normal_keys">
1316 <title>Normal keys</title>
1317 <para>
1318 It is easy to change the size or properties of a key.
1319 </para>
1320 <para>
1321 Begin by clicking on the key you want to change. This selects the clicked key as
1322 the current key.
1323 </para>
1324 <para>
1325 There are now 4 squares on the corners of the key. By dragging these squares, you
1326 will be able to drag the key border to a new location. Dragging the whole key
1327 allows you to change the key position in the layout.
1328 </para>
1329 <para>
1330 The numerical characteristics of the key geometry can also be changed using the
1331 <guilabel>Geometry</guilabel> section of the pane at the bottom of the editor
1332 window.
1333 </para>
1334 <screenshot>
1335 <screeninfo>Editing an individual key properties</screeninfo>
1336 <mediaobject>
1337 <imageobject>
1338 <imagedata fileref="key_editing.png" format="PNG"/>
1339 </imageobject>
1340 <textobject>
1341 <phrase>Editing an individual key properties</phrase>
1342 </textobject>
1343 </mediaobject>
1344 </screenshot>
1345 <para>
1346 The bottom pane can also be used to choose finger to press the key and switch
1347 the haptic marker for the key.
1348 </para>
1349 <sect4 id="key_characters">
1350 <title>Key characters</title>
1351 <para>
1352 The characters that will be shown on a key can be changed using the <guilabel>
1353 Characters</guilabel> section of the editor bottom pane.
1354 </para>
1355 <screenshot>
1356 <screeninfo>Editing the character position</screeninfo>
1357 <mediaobject>
1358 <imageobject>
1359 <imagedata fileref="character_editing.png" format="PNG"/>
1360 </imageobject>
1361 <textobject>
1362 <phrase>Editing the character position</phrase>
1363 </textobject>
1364 </mediaobject>
1365 </screenshot>
1366 <para>
1367 You can add a character by pressing <inlinemediaobject>
1368 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
1369 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button. A selected character
1370 can be removed by pressing <inlinemediaobject>
1371 <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-remove.png"
1372 format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button.
1373 </para>
1374 <para>
1375 You can also select the position of individual characters on the key by
1376 double-clicking in the <guilabel>Position</guilabel> column.
1377 </para>
1378 </sect4>
1379 </sect3>
1380 <sect3 id="modifier_keys">
1381 <title>Modifiers</title>
1382 <para>
1383 There are several modifier keys that can be defined in &i18n-ktouch;. They can be
1384 edited as normal keys but it is helpful to know identifier of modifier key to
1385 use them as appropriate. The table of modifier keys identifiers is given below.
1386 </para>
1387 <table>
1388 <title>Modifier keys</title>
1389 <tgroup cols="2">
1390 <thead>
1391 <row>
1392 <entry>Modifier key</entry>
1393 <entry>Modifier id in &i18n-ktouch;</entry>
1394 </row>
1395 </thead>
1396 <tbody>
1397 <row>
1398 <entry>&Alt;</entry>
1399 <entry><literal>altgr</literal></entry>
1400 </row>
1401 <row>
1402 <entry>&Shift;</entry>
1403 <entry><literal>left_shift</literal> or <literal>right_shift</literal></entry>
1404 </row>
1405 </tbody>
1406 </tgroup>
1407 </table>
1408 </sect3>
1409 </sect2>
1410 </sect1>
1411 
1412 <sect1 id="custom_lessons">
1413 <title>Custom Lessons</title>
1414 <para>
1415 The custom lessons feature allows you to extend your training material in 
1416 an easy way by choosing some arbitrary text.
1417 </para>
1418 <para>
1419 The custom lessons are gathered in a special course, the <guilabel>Custom 
1420 Lessons</guilabel> course, always available right next to <link 
1421 linkend="picking_a_lesson">the normal built-in courses</link>.
1422 </para>
1423 <screenshot>
1424 <screeninfo>Custom lessons course</screeninfo>
1425 <mediaobject>
1426 <imageobject>
1427 <imagedata fileref="custom-lessons.png" format="PNG"/>
1428 </imageobject>
1429 <textobject>
1430 <phrase>Custom lessons course</phrase>
1431 </textobject>
1432 </mediaobject>
1433 </screenshot>
1434 <para>
1435 This special course mostly acts like any other, training and statistics 
1436 gathering works as usual. Clicking on <guibutton>Add New 
1437 Lesson</guibutton> or the <guibutton>Edit</guibutton> button (the pencil icon for 
1438 existing lessons) brings up a stripped-down version of <link 
1439 linkend="adding_lessons">the normal lesson editor</link>.
1440 </para>
1441 <screenshot>
1442 <screeninfo>Custom lesson editor</screeninfo>
1443 <mediaobject>
1444 <imageobject>
1445 <imagedata fileref="custom-lessons-edit.png" format="PNG"/>
1446 </imageobject>
1447 <textobject>
1448 <phrase>Custom lesson editor</phrase>
1449 </textobject>
1450 </mediaobject>
1451 </screenshot>
1452 <para>
1453 The editor will highlight problematic sections of your lesson texts. Characters which can't by typed on your keyboard layout will be shown on a dark red background, lines which are considered to be too long use a pink background for the excess characters. &i18n-ktouch; requires that every line of the 
1454 lesson does not exceed the recommended 60 characters limit.
1455 </para>
1456 <para>
1457 Use the <guibutton>Done</guibutton> button to confirm your edits or close the editor window to cancel them.
1458 </para>
1459 <tip>
1460 <para>
1461 All custom lessons are stored per profile and keyboard layout individually. Use this to manage different sets of lessons depending on the specific training situation.
1462 </para>
1463 </tip>
1464 </sect1>
1465 
1466 <sect1 id="sharing_your_results">
1467 <title>Sharing your results</title>
1468 <para>
1469 It is possible to save your courses and keyboard layouts in separate files
1470 outside of the local &i18n-ktouch; database.
1471 </para>
1472 <sect2 id="export_import">
1473 <title>Export/Import</title>
1474 <para>
1475 To export a course or keyboard layout in a separate file choose the
1476 corresponding item in the list at the left part of <guilabel>Course and Keyboard
1477 Layout Editor</guilabel> window and press <guibutton>Export</guibutton> button
1478 in the toolbar.
1479 </para>
1480 <para>
1481 &i18n-ktouch; will open a standard &kde; save dialog. Description of this dialog in
1482 details can be found in the <ulink url="help:/fundamentals/files.html"
1483 >Opening and Saving Files</ulink> chapter of the &kde; Fundamentals.
1484 </para>
1485 <para>
1486 You can choose the name and the location of the &XML; file to be saved.
1487 </para>
1488 <para>
1489 If you find it worth to share your files with over users, please send them
1490 with some description to <ulink url="mailto:kde-edu@kde.org">kde-edu mailing
1491 list</ulink>.
1492 </para>
1493 <important>
1494 <para>
1495 Your data should be licensed under <ulink
1496 url="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html">&GNU; General Public License,
1497 version 2</ulink> to include them into the default &i18n-ktouch; installation.
1498 </para>
1499 </important>
1500 <para>
1501 To import your data files into &i18n-ktouch; press <guibutton>Import</guibutton>
1502 button in the toolbar and choose &XML; file that was earlier exported using
1503 &i18n-ktouch;.
1504 </para>
1505 </sect2>
1506 </sect1>
1507 </chapter>
1508 
1509 <chapter id="credits">
1510 
1511 <title>Credits and License</title>
1512 <para>&i18n-ktouch;</para>
1513 <para>
1514 &ktouch;, Copyright 1999-2007 by</para>
1515 <itemizedlist>
1516 <listitem><simpara>Håvard Frøiland
1517 &Haavard.Froeiland.mail;</simpara></listitem>
1518 <listitem><simpara>Andreas Nicolai <email>andreas.nicolai@gmx DOT
1519 net</email></simpara></listitem>
1520 </itemizedlist>
1521 <para>
1522 &ktouch;, Copyright 2011-2019 by Sebastian Gottfried
1523 <email>sebastiangottfried@web DOT de</email>.
1524 </para>
1525 
1526 <para> Contributors:</para>
1527 <itemizedlist>
1528 <listitem><simpara>Frank Quotschalla, German keyboard and German training file
1529 and translation.</simpara></listitem>
1530 <listitem><simpara>Ernesto Hern&aacute;ndez-Novich, Latin American
1531  keyboard</simpara></listitem>
1532 <listitem><simpara>Jo&atilde;o Miguel Neves, Portuguese
1533 keyboard</simpara></listitem>
1534 <listitem><simpara>Henri Girard, French keyboard</simpara></listitem>
1535 </itemizedlist>
1536 <para><emphasis>Special thanks to all the other (here not mentioned)
1537 contributors of keyboard and lesson files.</emphasis>
1538 </para>
1539 <!-- TRANS:CREDIT_FOR_TRANSLATORS -->
1540 
1541 &underFDL;           <!-- FDL: do not remove -->
1542 &underGPL;               <!-- GPL License -->
1543 
1544 </chapter>
1545 
1546 &documentation.index;
1547 </book>
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