SGI interface for the handicapped

Dale Olson dolson at thor.corp.sgi.com
Sat Apr 6 07:42:50 AEST 1991


    I'm trying to find information on software and/or hardware solutions that
are available on SGI machines to facilitate use by handicapped individuals.
Specifically, we need a keyboard routine which would toggle the <ALT> and <CTL>
keys to allow one-finger typing, and a software patch which would allow a
trackball to be used as the default pointing device instead of the mouse.

    The ideal solution would be to find a trackball which is electrically
compatable with the existing optical mouse.  However, I have been in touch with
Mouse Systems, and they do not make such a device.  The optical mouse which
they manufacture for Silicon Graphics is a special OEM version which employs a
RS-423 interface, and their trackballs are all RS-232.  They were very
congenial, however, and offered to consider such a product if we were willing
to guarantee an initial purchase of about ten thousand units... Thanks, but no
thanks.

    So I am seeking the assistance of the SGI engineering and/or user
community, and would appreciate any help you could provide.

                                  Thanks!!

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:     Dale Olson          |             <dolson at corp.sgi.com>             :
:  Systems Engineer       |                                               :
:  Silicon Graphics       |  "Workin' on mysteries without any clues..."  :
:    Timonium, MD         |                                               :
:       21093             |      (301) 561-8038    VM 8480                :
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