This thread is an extension of "Free keyboard for Q1Ultra owners". The keyboard can now be used on other UMPC's and Tablet PC's. Although one major limitation remains: that the PC must be capable of 1024x600 pixels resolution or higher. Support for lower resolutions UMPC's will be made availble in a future version.

The keyboard is available at www.freshnet8.com. Please see the readme.txt file in the package for instructions and details.

New version 7.7.23 is now available.

This implements a peeking function that allows the user to quickly peek under the keyboard for the text typed by pressing and holding the right mouse button. Releasing the button returns the user to the keyboard. This function enhances the keyboard's usability on all platforms.

Version 7.7.27 is now available.

This version incorporates key clicking sound for the keyboard. The sound significantly enhances the keyboard's usability. It is particularly effective in detecting missed keys caused by the touch screen not registering a key press on occassions.

A known issue with this version is that the shifted alphanumeric keys only clicks intermittently.

Key clicks can be turned off using the -quiet command line option.

This program sounds fantastic unfortunately i cannot get it to work on my Q1 Ultra it appears in the task manager but not on the screen can anyone help please?

Version 7.7.31 is now available.

This release adds a permanently visible Tap Box for stylus users who had no way of bringing up the keyboard  previously. The Tap Box is small enough to be unobtrusive but big enough to be tappable by an accurate finger. A corresponding -NoTapBox command line option is provided for users who donnot require the Tap Box. The Tap Box can be dragged out of the way to anywhere on the desktop.

All keyboard activation methods are switched on by default. These can be switched off respectively using command line options:

  -NoTapBox

  -NoBumpBox

  -NoPhysKb

The Q1u specific -Q1Ultra option is now obsolete.

Version 7.8.1 is up.

This release fixes a problem with the peek function in -NoBumpBox mode not working properly. The key clicking sound is fixed for shifted alphanumerics. The lag between a key press and the click sound being heard has been reduced.

The keyboard relies on Windows winmm.dll for it's sound capability. This dll is not currently working properly on Vista. I sugguest the key click sound be turned off using the -quiet command line option when the keyboard is being used on Vista. Hopefully, Microsoft will fix this dll soon.

Thanks for your coverage of the keyboard. The shutdown is simply Ctrl, Alt, followed by Del on the on screen keyboard. The documentation is rather primitive and held in the readme.txt file. I find that most people don't really bother with it. My aim at the moment is getting the basics in place. Everything else are luxuries that will have to come at a later stage.

I was pleasantly surprised that it worked on your sony because the program's resolution is still hard-wired for the Q1U. The sensitivity of your touch screen seems rather good. On the Q1U, I am having to 'develope' a new typing scheme using my nails. Because of the size of the keyboard, the scheme works rather well and very effective. Close to normal keyboard speed on the touch screen is perfectly possible.

The development for the keyboard is continuing. A lot more improvements and innovative features are yet to come. So look out for new versions. ETA for these are currently 7 days.

Benz145:

I look forward to the next version, I'll continue to prodvide feedback. I'm assuming the keyboard worked on the UX because it uses the same 1024x600 resolution. With a screen as big as the Q1U, using this keyboard can you lay it flat on a table and type using all your fingers? I think that would be interesting to see.

uczmeg:

Benz145:

I look forward to the next version, I'll continue to prodvide feedback. I'm assuming the keyboard worked on the UX because it uses the same 1024x600 resolution. With a screen as big as the Q1U, using this keyboard can you lay it flat on a table and type using all your fingers? I think that would be interesting to see.

With the Q1U in my lap I can type pretty normally with it.

Once transparnacy comes into play I think this will be a tool I use all the time.

I use the Q1U screen like a normal keyboard. So it sits flat on the desk. Althought the extended battery makes the machine slightly higher on one side. But I don't really notice it during use.

On the train, I have it on my lap atop a laptop-bag/briefcase. Basically, the posture for it is exactly same as a normal laptop. Although because of the smaller screen and angle, I have to lift up the machine from time to time to see what I typed because I have IT-induced short sightedness.

When using a normal keyboard, I type with a finger on each hand and then the thumbs for the space bar. On the more compact UMPC screen, I could type at roughly the same speed with my hands in postures similar to as if I was holding a pool ball in each of my palms with the fingers pointing downward and curved inwards following the shape of the ball. I tap the screen lightly using my finger nails, index finger on the left hand, middle finger and thumb on the right hand. I find it an unexpectedly comfortable and fast way to type. Because the onscreen keyboard is compact, there is very little travel for my hands. They just hover over the screen in the same spots.

The UMPC screen is too small for typing with all fingers. But 2, 3, 4 fingers plus a couple of thumbs is definitely feasible. Also the touch screens appear to be hard wired to only register small contact areas. So full finger contact typing isn't reliable. This is very much a hardware design issue. I think the manufacturers should leave it to the user to decide how large a contact area is acceptable. I hope they are reading this.

DevDoo6:

Also the touch screens appear to be hard wired to only register small contact areas. So full finger contact typing isn't reliable. This is very much a hardware design issue. I think the manufacturers should leave it to the user to decide how large a contact area is acceptable. I hope they are reading this.