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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;, 	, <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 Hernández-Novich, Latin American 1531 keyboard</simpara></listitem> 1532 <listitem><simpara>João 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> 1548 <!-- 1549 Local Variables: 1550 mode: sgml 1551 sgml-minimize-attributes:nil 1552 sgml-general-insert-case:lower 1553 sgml-indent-step:0 1554 sgml-indent-data:nil 1555 End: 1556 1557 // vim:ts=0:sw=2:tw=78:noet 1558 -->