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My name is Jonty and I live in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. I was paralysed from the shoulders down in an industrial accident in 1987 while working to go to university.
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Here I am sitting in my office
(Photo supplied by Jonty and used with permission.) |
I spent one year rehabilitating at a New Zealand spinal unit. Just before my discharge from the hospital I was provided with information on the HeadMaster™ a 'head mouse' by Prentke Romich Company that worked in conjunction with an Apple Macintosh.
I used this to complete a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) with a major in Marine Biology and graduated in 1994. At this stage I did not believe I had a specific enough knowledge of New Zealand fisheries to begin work in the industry.
I applied to the university and was successful in getting a research project for a Masters in Science (M.Sc) with a thesis on New Zealand Biodiversity - looking at the number of different species in a given area and then comparing my results between different areas. This involves working with a large database, custom written on FileMaker Pro™ by FileMaker, Inc. To run such a big database I upgraded to an Apple Power Macintosh G3 266 and looked for more up to date onscreen keyboard software. An Apple tech friend sent me an email about KeyStrokes® 1.0 virtual keyboard. I downloaded it and began using it immediately. It did everything I needed.
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My thesis work has 3 parts and KeyStrokes® helps me with all three of them:
1) The FileMaker Pro™ database - initially this contained more than 23,000 records of individual sample sites of the ocean floor. I needed to eliminate those that weren't applicable to my research. I used KeyStrokes to enter numbers and words into the database to search for records I did not need. Many of the names, codes and figures in the database were incorrect so I entered the correct data using KeyStrokes.
2) Analysis and Notes - I use numerous software programs to analyse data from the database. The main program is Microsoft® Excel which allows me to layout numbers and names in a more understandable format and to produce graphs of numbers of animals. Big files of data are imported from FileMaker Pro™ but the majority of the data is entered using KeyStrokes. KeyStrokes also allows me to type in headings for charts and labels for the data.
I also use custom written Windows™ based biological analysis software using Virtual PC™ by Connectix Corporation. Later versions of KeyStrokes have allowed me to enter data, names and save files in Virtual PC™.
Every piece of work and every change to the database needs to be noted and later explained. I may make 20 changes a day. To keep a note of all of these I use Writer2 and KeyStrokes to write brief sentences to remind myself what I have done and the reason for doing it.
3) Write up - I reread the notes I have written and dictate my methods, findings and analysis using ViaVoice™ by IBM. I save all of this into Microsoft® Word and then use KeyStrokes to make small changes and add headings.
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KeyStrokes has been a vital aid in carrying out my research by allowing me to enter data, make corrections and jot down notes. I use it in conjunction with database software, statistical software, spreadsheet software, word processing software and dictation software.
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When I am working on my research I use two screens.
(Photo supplied by Jonty and used with permission.) |
My computer is also my central tool for every day life. Not having the use of my hands means I can't use a telephone to dial numbers. Instead I use KeyStrokes to enter numbers into an address book application and click on dial which dials out through my modem. I use KeyStrokes for writing quick emails to the university, for entering web site addresses or words into search engines - anything that would normally be done with a 'standard' keyboard. The word prediction feature of KeyStrokes allows me a typing speed of 10 -15 words per minute which is great for short passages of text. I use the standard keyboard at the 'very small' settling, on a 17 inch monitor this takes up no space at all, leaving ample room for my large database and Excel spreadsheets.
Without KeyStrokes I would not be able to do the work I am doing.
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