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For PC Compatible running MS Windows

Penfriend is a word prediction program. It is described in its help file as a “predictive typer” application. It acts as a utility program that runs in the operating system in a ‘window’. When you launch any other application, or use the operating system, it provides a word prediction function. Whole words are suggested. Users who have a physical disability or learning impairment can type using less keystrokes and therefore complete their text more efficiently and with less fatigue.

Word prediction can save time and effort and alleviate frustration for many users. It cuts down on the number of keystroke repetitions. As Penfriend can be launched with three different lexicons of words, you can tailor it to suit your needs. It will work with any piece of software. Usually, you associate and use a ‘predictive typer” with a word processing application (e.g. MS Word, WordPad, Write:OutLoud, IntelliTalk).

You launch Penfriend. For some users, it can be programmed to load automatically on start-up when computer boots (i.e. MS Windows starts). It appears as a small, relocatable window onscreen. You can alter its size, background colour and the font attributes, including font style, size and colour. You then simply start typing. As you type one or more characters, whole words appear in the Penfriend window. To choose a word, press the associated function key i.e. [F5] for the fifth word in the list. The completed word, with a space, are ‘sent’ and then appears in your word processor (or application that is currently running). You can also left click on the desired word. If you dwell on a word in the list, or click on it with the right mouse button, it will be spoken. This assists users who are vision impaired, people with dyslexia and poor spellers. You can listen to the words one at a time to check that it is the one you wish to ‘send’. This helps in eliminating errors and unwanted words. Incorporating this strategy, users will experience more success and gain confidence in writing.

When you type the next letter, a new list appears. If the word that you require is not available, you type the next and subsequent letters. If you have a talking (or voiced) word processor, the word will be voiced again. This double check system is really powerful and assists reluctant writers and those who rely on technology to complete their tasks. It is a liberating software solution for anyone of any age who can cope with whole words.

Penfriend will operate in MS Windows 3.x and later versions. It works by intercepting keystrokes from the keyboard or keyboard equivalent program and/or device (such as IntelliKeys, Discover:Kenx, Discover:Switch, Discover:Screen, Concept Keyboard). It has its own built-in onscreen keyboard. You can therefore use the mouse or trackball to type! Even touch window users can word process simply by touching on this keyboard onscreen. This facility can be extremely useful for users who have suffered an injury, who need an enlarged keyboard or who need a large font, as they are vision impaired.

There is a speech facility where Penfriend can speak each letter or word as you type them. A very handy additional feature is where it can voice the Windows clipboard. This feature enables the user to listen to the contents of the clipboard prior to pasting text into their document or application.

Penfriend is useful for slow writers, people who have suffered a recent trauma and cannot use their typing skills quickly, accurately or effectively. People who have cerebral palsy often find that word prediction speeds up their rate of typing, especially when they are suing a laptop or notebook computer as an AAC device. They can respond more quickly, with less typing and spelling errors and can locate commonly used words to express themselves more efficiently.

Users with literacy difficulties, learning impairments and other difficulties with language including dyslexia enjoy the way word prediction supports them. Poor spellers need to know at least the first two letters of the word they wish to use. It is not a spell checker, but when used with a program that has a spell check facility, it can be very useful. Having the letters and words voiced can also alert users to possible errors or letter reversals.

There are several parts to Penfriend. The Prediction window shows the words that Penfriend predicts that you wish to type. It appears in front of other windows. You can set it to follow the cursor. The onscreen window displays a ‘virtual’ keyboard, one that can be tailored and customised to suit the user’s access and visual needs.

Other windows include the lexicon of words that are lists of pre-programmed whole words that are packaged with Penfriend. You can edit these and/or create your own word lists (i.e. lexicons). There are three ready to use, including the default (95 KB in size), Kids500 (26KB) and Teens10K (which is 461Kb in size).

In the lexicon window you can scroll up and down and view the words contained in that particular lexicon. You can create a new lexicon, open an existing one, edit it, save and close it. You can learn new words from text files created or generated by the user or support person (i.e. teacher, tutor, trainer, spelling coach, or parent). You can also have Penfriend learn new words from the clipboard. Using the View menu, you can choose to show Old words and New words. This is helpful in locating misspelt words that have been learnt or ‘included’ where they can create problems with continued use.

The Speaking Clipboard Window displays the text that has been cut or copied into the clipboard. You can listen to it and then decide whether you wish to use part or all of it.

One of the more powerful and useful features is the Abbreviations option. I can assign “GK” to expand to “Gerry Kennedy”. If I attend a school and it has a long, confusing or hard to spell/type name, by merely typing “LSC” will result in “Laburnum Secondary College” after I add it to my list of abbreviations. Here I just have to key in 3 keystrokes to achieve text that would normally require up to 26, or more, keystrokes, It will be spelt correctly, have spaces and capitalized letters! For people who find typing difficult, or impractical, this feature alone provides increased independence and greater autonomy when developing text. For people communicating ideas and thoughts to others in conversations (using an alternate input device such as a switch), it creates a number of exciting opportunities.

There is also a User window (which simply displays the version number and licence details). A comprehensive Help window provides a great deal of background information, overview of the software program and how it can be set up. It has a series of pages under the heading, “Penfriend Help”. I consider this Help system very straightforward and useful.

Penfriend has a number of options that can be selected and used with different clients in order to meet specific needs and preferences. You can choose different background and foreground colours for the windows. You can select and change the font, the font style and size. The audio features include No Sounds, Sound Effects or Speech. The speech options are very comprehensive. Volume, Pitch, Speed and Word Gap are controlled using horizontal slider bars. There is a Test button so that you can hear your changes immediately. Letters, Words, Sentences and or Speak Clipboard options can be turned on and off independently of each other. With the prediction window, you can dictate whether Penfriend should speak the predicted words automatically after each letter in a number of ways.

The Lexicon settings include Learn New Words, where Penfriend gathers new words and adds them to the lexicon that is currently loaded and being used. Save On Exit saves the current lexicon. Smart Punctuation places appropriate punctuation in the text. Predict Next Word is an advanced feature for users who have ‘trained’ Penfriend and it predicts quickly and accurately. The required word appears in line. Predict New Words includes the newly learnt words.

Penfriend is a small, efficient and powerful word predictor program. It can be purchased as a single or 5 user licence.