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The Mobile MT

Quick Envelopes

Keyboard Templates

Remap keys

WP51 & Win95

Once upon a time, maybe you had a brand-new keyboard template that shipped with WP51. Maybe, like mine, that template is long gone. My original template was configured for the old IBM keyboard that sported a block of function keys (F1 through F10 only!) on the left-hand side of the keys. I'm not sure where the keyboard or the template has gone! Experienced WP51 users can navigate the program without ever referring to a template, but what about new users? Finding templates gets harder and harder all the time. Then, of course, there is the user who has made extensive use of re-mapped keys. For that user, the standard template no longer matches the actual function of the keys. Without investing a dime and using only WP51 and a printer, you can create your own customized keyboard template. Make one for yourself, or make dozens for your employees. We'll show you how.

What you'll find on this page:

1. One quick way to print out a standard keyboard template from WP51 using Windows
2. Another quick way to print out a standard keyboard template for users who don't have Windows
3. A keyboard template (in color) to download, customize, print, and affix to your keyboard
4. A keyboard template (in grayscale) to download, customize, print, and affix to your keyboard
5. A few ideas on what to do with your new templates

Note: Click on Blue Question Marks to pop up an illustration window.

The First Quick Method   or back to top
This method assumes that you are using WP51 in a Win95 or Win98 environment. We're going to be using the Windows cut & paste tools, so you'll want WP51 out of full-screen mode, and it's helpful to have a toolbar showing on your window.

How do you know if you're in full-screen mode? WP51 will take up every available visible portion of your screen. You will not see the Windows Task Bar. You will not see the Desktop

How do you get out of full-screen mode? The quickest way is to press [ALT][ENTER].

I'm in a Window, but I don't see a toolbar? Right-click the title bar of the Window, choose Properties, choose the Screen tab, and check the Display Toolbar box.

If you're in a Window with a toolbar, the rest is easy!

1. In WP51, Press [F3] once to display the help menu, and then press [F3] again to show WP51's template. In my program (release date: 11/06/89), the template shown is the default IBM template and has no [F11] or [F12] functions. Displays may vary with versions.
2. With the template displayed, click the [mark] button on your WP51 Windows Toolbar.
3. On the WP51 screen, with the template showing, click and drag over the area of the template and, optionally, the legend. When you have highlighted all portions desired, release the mouse button. The selected area should remain highlighted.
4. Now, click the [copy] button on your WP51 Windows Toolbar. It's right next to the [mark] button. The highlight should now disappear.
5. Pressing [spacebar] or [enter] should clear the template display and return you to the main WP51 edit screen. Do this now!
6. Back at the main WP51 edit screen, make sure you have no document open and that you have turned off any keyboard expander.
7. Choose the paper size/orientation that will best accommodate your new template. On my computer, standard size with a landscape orientation works best. [SHIFT][F8] + [P] + [S]
8. Choose a non-proportional font. Courier 12 point or Courier 10 pitch is best for the job.
9. Now, click the [paste] button on your WP51 Windows Toolbar. It's right next to the [copy] button. The template should now paste into your WP51 document.
10. Congratulations, you may now customize and print your template!

    Tip: If you have a color printer, change the color of the different key positions (function key alone, alt + function key, shift + function key, and ctrl + function key). This makes your template easier to use.
    
    Tip: If you don't have a color printer, grab three markers and highlight the different key positions in different colors.
    
    Tip: Grab a scissors and cut the template down to size. Tape it to your mousepad, computer, or any other convenient surface.
    
    

    Troubleshooting
    Symptom: When you pasted, F1, for instance, became "full-thickness skin graft."
    Solution: Turn off your keyboard expander
    
    Symptom: The template pastes in, but the lines wrap/nothing is lined up.
    Solution: Choose a larger paper size, change the orientation of the paper, or widen your margins
    
    Symptom: Everything looks okay on screen, but in print preview, nothing is lined up.
    Solution: Choose a non-proportional font.
    
    Symptom: This keyboard template doesn't match my key functions at all!
    Solution: You may have a re-mapped keyboard selected. Edit the template to match your key functions.
    
    

    
    

The Non-Windows Quick Way   or back to top

If you're running WP51 on a DOS machine with no Windows at all, you should be able to display the template (instruction #1 above) and simply press [shift]+[print scrn] to send the template to your printer. It is quick, but it may not work with all machine/printer configurations and it's not customizable as you are just printing a screen image. (Note: This will work in Windows, but it is, I think, memory-intensive and all visible Windows content prints out.)

Here is a stylized, slim color keyboard template that you can download, customize, print, and affix to your keyboard. The file consists of four WP51 tables: function key groups 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, and a legend. You may need to reselect your printer after opening this file. The keyboard functions listed may not match yours exactly. You may need to edit fonts and type sizes. You may want to adjust the width and height of cells. That said, for most users, however, this file should open and print correctly.

Click to Download   or back to top

Here is a stylized, slim grayscale keyboard template that you can download, customize, print, and affix to your keyboard. The file consists of four WP51 tables: function key groups 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, and a legend. You may need to reselect your printer after opening this file. The keyboard functions listed may not match yours exactly. You may need to edit fonts and type sizes. You may want to adjust the width and height of cells. That said, for most users, however, this file, too, should open and print correctly.

Click to Download   or back to top

Five ideas for your new templates   or back to top.

• Print them on card stock, cut to size, and glue or tape to your keyboard.
• Print several templates on one piece of plain stock and have it laminated. Use a paper cutter to trim the templates, and give them to your employees. Total investment: Less than $1.00 per page.
• Customize and print one template on your letterhead, along with any special instructions for employees or clients.
• Print templates to include in your procedures manual.
• Increase the size of the template, add your company logo and a message, print it on iron-on transfer paper, and use the transfer to make a truly unique T-shirt for your favorite WP51 user. (okay -- it's goofy, but it's an idea!)