KeySoft 8.0 upgrade
Welcome to the KeySoft 8.0 page
KeySoft 8.0 build 21
KeySoft version 8.0, build 21 for mPower and PK is a maintenance release. It includes the following improvements:
1. Authorization Keys for RFB&D books: In KeySoft version 8.0, a number of BrailleNote users have reported an issue with the user authorization keys (UAK) for use with protected content from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic RFB&D. This problem has been corrected.
2. Storing emails in the CF storage card (PK only): An option to change the emails storage location was added to the email set-up options menu. You can now choose to store emails and attachments on a compact flash card.
KeySoft 8.0 build 20
Version 8.0 is packed with a wide range of features to enhance the way you work and learn.
KeyChat (mPower and PK)
KeyChat allows you to communicate through Google Talk, iChat and other XMPP chatting services.
With KeyChat you can:
- Read and write messages in your preferred grade of Braille
- Send, receive and manage conversations
- Follow chat history with familiar KeySoft commands
- Receive Audio or Braille prompts when a message arrives
- Add new friends or select from existing IM contacts
- Set up IM services options
Access the Audible.com library (mPower and PK)
To obtain Audible books, you have to be a member of the Audible service and use the Audible manager PC software to authorize your BrailleNote to play the protected Audible books. For information, please visit: http://www.audible.com/humanwareFully integrated into KeyBook, you can listen to Audible books and customize various settings such as narration speed and audio tone. When reading Audible books, a user can:
- Navigate by heading or time jump
- List headings
- Use place markers
- Insert or view a Text note
- Obtain book information (book title, the number of pages, total time)
- Obtain details about the current position (section heading, page)
Direct access to the new Bookshare site (mPower and PK)
The existing support for unpacking electronic books from Bookshare.org is enhanced to include the new .zip or bks2 format adopted by Bookshare.
If books are downloaded with the default .zip extension, it is necessary to change the BookReader filter to all files. Alternatively, use the KeySoft File Manager to unpack the books as they will not appear when browsing via the Book Reader application.
Support for NIMAS books (mPower and PK)
NIMAS books are text files and they are structured like DAISY books. Move through DAISY elements, or use the familiar KeySoft sentence and paragraph navigation commands in text DAISY books if you prefer. NIMAS (National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard) is the format used for educational text books in the United States. For more information, please visit: http://nimas.cast.org/.
Get a taste of GPS (mPower and PK)
The new KeySoft version 8.0 offers a great opportunity to get familiar with GPS. The version includes the latest Sendero GPS version 6.0. Users can browse their preferred map and navigate outdoors during a 90 days free trial. After this trial period, users can continue enjoying their system at a preferred price. Users are required to download the desired maps from the Sendero site. For real time navigation, you will need a GPS receiver.
mPower platforms: Users downloading version 8.0 will have Sendero V 6.0 installed by default. From the Main menu, go to the "Navigation" option. You will be prompted to press T to run the trial version or register your copy of Sendero GPS (R). After pressing T, information will be provided on how to get the Sendero application up and running.
Note that if you were already running a Sendero GPS under KeySoft 7.5, the first time you run the GPS after installing KeySoft 8, the GPS program will automatically detect your version. You will hear the message: "An older version of GPS has been detected". Please reset while holding down J K L (QT models) or dots 4 5 6 (BT models). After resetting, an additional reset will be required. Afterwards, upon resetting a second time, you will be able to use your GPS version without issue.
PK platforms: PK users will find the navigation option in the Main menu, however, they will need to copy the GPS_6_0.exe file on the CF Card. Users will find the GPS_6_0.exe file below
PK GPS Installation procedure:- Install KeySoft 8.0
- Copy GPS_6_0.exe to the root of /, or /windows, or /flash disk, or /Compact Flash.
- Then type N for Navigation option from the main menu.
For more information, please refer to the FAQ document on our Web site.
Some components of Sendero GPS are now included within the KeySoft suite and cannot be removed or uninstalled by the user. The "Navigation" option will remain in the KeySoft Main Menu after the expiration of the Sendero GPS trial period.
More printers available to students (mPower only)
Students and teachers can now select from a wide range of Hewlett Packard printers. Printers supported via the KeySoft generic printing engine must have a USB port and be part of the list shown in Appendix 1.
To print through the generic driver select "hp generic USB printer" from the "printer type" list in KeyWord print menu.
To save a JPEG file select "Generic JPEG printer" from the printer type list, then select a folder destination.
WiFi now supports the WPA PSK encryption (mPower)
KeySoft 8 supports WPA PSK (Pre Shared Key) when using a wireless G card such as the Ambicom 54G.
Two options are available when creating a connection configuration. When prompted "Use WPAPSK?", if one is using either the Ambicom WL54G or the US Robotics Wireless MAXg USB Adapter USR5421, and the wireless signal is encrypted using WPA personal, set this option to yes and press enter.
The next option prompts the user for the WPA Pre Shared Key. This is a passphrase that is between 8 and 64 characters and must match the passphrase that was originally entered in the wireless router. It is important to note that the passphrase is case sensitive.
Once this information has been entered, exit the connection configuration list with a space with E, or escape key on a QT and type a Y to save changes. Connect to the internet as you would normally and the mPower will successfully connect to a wireless G signal that is encrypted using WPA.
Other enhancements and changes:
- Eloquence speech is now supported in the PK
- Eloquence speech in Spanish has been added
- In KeyBook, the text-to speech used is Eloquence even if Keynote Gold is selected as the main TTS. After exiting KeyBook, the TTS will return to the user selected setting.
- In order to synchronize KeySoft Planner and Address list with Outlook on a PC and version KeySoft 8, it is necessary to install KeySync 4, an updated version of KeySync. Download KeySyncSetup.exe from our support site and install on your PC according to the built-in installation procedures.
- On BT models, the ink print inclusion command backspace with enter with c in KeyWord has been changed to backspace with enter with j. Backspace with enter with c is now the global command to access the KeyChat menu.
- On QT models, function with c has changed from Unicode macro to the global key to access KeyChat menu.The command for Unicode macro is now shift with function with c.
- In Daisy books the "Where am I" information (space with 1-5-6 or read with q) now gives a list of information. Previously the information would all be spoken at once.
- The Virtual Memory (VM) is now monitored. When the virtual memory falls below 3%, the user receives a warning message. 3% free is 1MB of the 32MB total available.We Suggest the following best practices for usage with low VM:
- Eloquence uses substantially more VM than KeyNote Gold. If something cannot be achieved because of the VM limitations, switching to KGM is likely to improve that dramatically.
- Once you habe entered KeyWeb, and even after exiting, the virtual memory will have taken a big hit as a part of the IE system stays loaded. Therefore, if possible for the user, it could help to do a reset after finishing a web browsing session before doing anything memory intensive. For example, download all your books from Bookshare, reset, then read your books.
- A double chime is now heard after performing a Reset (Reset + 123 on mPower BT and PK and Reset + sdf on mPower QT). This is used to distinguish from the beeps heard after a hard reset (Reset + 456 or jkl).
Release Note KeySoft 8.0
KeySoft 8.0 Frequently Asked Questions
Product Key
BrailleNote mPower Upgrade
KeySoft 8.0 mPower Upgrade Instructions
KeySoft 8.0 build 21 mPower Download
mPower Bootloader Download
Zip files for KeySoft 8.0 build 21 mPower
BrailleNote PK Upgrade
KeySoft 8.0 PK Upgrade Instructions
KeySoft 8.0 build 21 BrailleNote PK Download
BrailleNote PK Upgrader
BrailleNote PK GPS
Zip files for KeySoft 8.0 build 21 BrailleNote PK
