Dragkeys is a simple utility to assist users with copying text to the “clipboard.” It can be used to help one-finger typists with copy and paste, and it can be used in conjunction with a clipboard text-to-speech capable utility to read any highlighted text out loud. Freeware clipboard text-to-speech readers include Deskbot, SaysMe, UltraHal Reader and Balabolka, and the great Orato both of which can be found in the free MyStudyBar suite of tools found: here.
Here is how it works:
Launch your clipboard text-to-speech program like Orato. Set your speech program to read when the clipboard changes.
Launch dragkeys.
Place the cursor at the beginning (or the end) of some text they want read. This text can be in any window, or in any program that lets you highlight the text by dragging the mouse cursor over the text.
Hold the F12 key and the text will be slowly highlighted downward (upward if the user holds the F6 key.) When the key is released the text is copied to the clipboard and automatically read out loud.
dragKeys was crerated with the freeware AutoHotkey automation tool.
Download dragKeys here: Downloads
dragKeysPlus
DragKeysPlus includes the same one key copy capability as dragKeys, but, it also has a 2 second delay between highlighting and copying the text that allows users a small transition period between copying and when reading starts in a text-to-speech utility. This may make it easier to use for some folks.
In addition, DragKeysPlus has a send option that sends the clipboard contents to the active application when you press F9. Use this feature to prime the word prediction program LetMeType with sample text as explained below, or as a simple paste feature.
Here is how to use DragKeysPlus with text-to-speech reading:
Launch your clipboard text-to-speech program like Orato. Set your text-to-speech program to read when the clipboard changes.
Launch DragKeysPlus.
Place the cursor at the beginning (or the end) of some text they want read. This text can be in any window, or in any program that lets you highlight the text by dragging the mouse cursor over the text.
Hold the F12 key and the text will be slowly highlighted downward (upward if the user holds the F6 key.) When the key is released the text is copied to the clipboard and automatically read out loud.
LetMeType is a free word prediction/completion program that needs a good, weighted word list to be really useful. One way to generate a weighted word list easily is to use a sample text document that has vocabulary and usage appropriate for you users needs. The method below can be used anytime for creating or adding new vocabulary to a weighted list. LetMeType adjusts its weighting parameters for the word list according to the frequency words are used, which in turn affects the position words appear on the prediction list. LetMeType and Orato are part of the free MyStudyBar suite of helpful tools found: here. There is a helpful tutorial on LetMeType: here.
Priming LetMeType:
Open a sample of text you want to use to prime LetMetype.
Open LetMeType and load your user’s word list if it exists.
Open DragKeysPlus.
Open a blank word processing document..
Use DragKeysPlus to highlight and copy some of the text sample (or use Ctrl-A, Ctrl-C.)
Click in the blank document and press F9. LetMeType will absorb the sample into the weighted word list.
Save your user’s word list in LetMeType.
If anyone wants a version of dragKeysPlus with a different delay time (or no delay time) just contact me via email: here