Alphasmart 3000 User manual

i
Introduction and Contact Information 1
System Requirements 2
Basics of Using an AlphaSmart 3000 3
Text Entry 3
Transfering Text 3
Finishing Process 4
verview of Cables and Infrared 4
For PC 4
For Mac 4
Infrared 5
Other Optional Cables 5
Cable Set-up 6
U B Cable 6
PC Y Cable 7
Mac Y Cable 9
Infrared etup 10
Top Row Buttons 11
ther Features 13
Special Keyboard Commands Summary 19
International Special Characters 21
Alpha mart 3000
Table of Contents

www.alphasmart.co.ukAlphaSmart 3000
1
Introduction
This guide is meant to provide a quickstart for using your
AlphaSmart. ou can find additional and more in-depth
instructions on any aspect of your AlphaSmart 3000 or its
accessories by going to AlphaSmart's UK website at:
http://www.alphasmart.co.uk
and read the full on-line AlphaSmart 3000 UK manual at:
Contact Information
AlphaSmart Services
Please contact our Technical Service Center at 0870 120 0718
for technical questions or problems. ou may also contact us via
e-mail at [email protected]
To request a loaner AlphaSmart keyboard, please call
0870 120 0718 or e-mail to [email protected] or contact
one of AlphaSmart’s dealers.
For general information or sales questions, please e-mail to
[email protected]
Nothing in this manual may be reproduced in any manner, either wholly or in
part, for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from AlphaSmart,
Inc.
Copyright © 2001 AlphaSmart, Inc. All rights reserved.
Apple, the Apple logo, Apple IIGS, AppleWorks, iMac, and Macintosh are
registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Classic is a registered trademark
licensed to Apple Computer, Inc. Apple Desktop Bus, Performa, and PowerBook
are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines.
Created September 2001. Version MAN-UK30B
http://www.alphasmart.com/languages/ukenglish/downloads/manual.html
Please Note: For simplicity the following abbreviations will be
used in this guide:
PC Any IBM compatible Windows or OS/2
computer
Mac Any Apple Macintosh computer
IR Infrared
AlphaSmart AlphaSmart 3000
System Requirements
The AlphaSmart 3000 works with any desktop or laptop
computer with an external keyboard or USB port, whether IBM
compatible or Apple®Macintosh, iMac, iBook, or IIGS.
The AlphaSmart works with IBM-Compatible computers,
including PC AT, PS/2, 286, 386, 486, and Pentium (AlphaSmart
is not compatible with the older XT model PCs and with laptops
without an external keyboard port or USB port with Windows 98
or later). The AlphaSmart is compatible with all versions of
OS/2, and most versions of Windows. To connect to the USB
port of a PC, the PC must be running Windows 98 or later.
Windows NT does not support USB, but the AlphaSmart 3000
can still be used with a PC running Windows NT by connecting
the two with a PC cable.
The AlphaSmart works with any Apple computer (or Mac clone)
equipped with an Apple Desktop Bus™ (ADB) port or USB port.
It is compatible with all Macintosh Operating System (OS)
software, versions 6.0.x and later.
2

www.alphasmart.co.ukAlphaSmart 3000
Basics of Using the
AlphaSmart 3000
Step One-Text Entry
1. Turn on the AlphaSmart by pressing the on/off key and
then start typing. our text will appear in the window.
2. Use the arrow keys to move your cursor in the text.
3. Use the backspace key to erase.
4. To move between files, press the file 1 key to switch to
file 1, the file 2 key to go to file 2 and so forth, up to
file 8.
5. When finished, turn the AlphaSmart off. Text is
automatically saved in all files used.
Step Two-Transferring Text to a Computer
1. Turn on the PC or Mac.
2. Start up any application that accepts text and open a
new file in that application. Making sure the cursor is
flashing in it.
3. On your AlphaSmart, open the file that contains the text
you want to send.
4. Follow the directions for your particular set up:
a. PC Connect your AlphaSmart to the PC using
a PC cable or USB cable.
b. Mac Connect your AlphaSmart to the
Macintosh using a Mac cable or USB cable.
c. Infrared Launch AlphaBeam on your Mac or
PC then make the text entry program you
already opened the active window by clicking
on it once.
Point the infrared lens of the AlphaSmart
towards the IR pod-anywhere from 10
centimeters to 1 meter away.
5. Press the send key on your AlphaSmart. our text will
appear on the PC or Mac screen.
3
Step Three-Finishing the Process
1. Disconnect the AlphaSmart from the computer
2. On the PC or Mac, format if desired, print and/or save
new file.
3. On the AlphaSmart, if you choose to erase the text,
press the clear file key.
4. Turn off the AlphaSmart.
Overview of Cables and
Infrared
The AlphaSmart 3000 (non IR version) requires a cable in order
to send text to your computer. The following cables are
available for this purpose:
For the PC
1. PC Y cable Attaches to your computer's keyboard
(PS/2 and 5 pin) port, for use with all Windows versions
including 3.x, 95 and NT. This cable is only available
through AlphaSmart or one of its dealers.
2. USB cable Attaches to your computer's USB port.
our computer must be running Windows 98, ME, 2000,
XP or later (with the exception of Windows NT which
does not support USB) to use this cable. It can also be
used for uploading SmartApplets to your AlphaSmart.
For the Mac
1. Mac Y cable Attaches to your computer's ADB port.
This cable is only available through AlphaSmart or one
of its dealers.
2. USB cable Attaches to your computer's USB port.
This cable must be used if your computer only has USB
ports (iMacs or newer) and you have an AlphaSmart. It
can also be used for uploading SmartApplets to your
AlphaSmart 3000.
4

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
AlphaSmart 3000 Infrared Version
The AlphaSmart uses the infrared industry standard IrDA
interface. You can purchase an AlphaSmart IR Pod for your P
or Mac in place of a cable. This pod attaches to your P 's
serial OM port or to your Mac's printer or modem port. (Your
IR AlphaSmart will still send text with a cable if you choose to
purchase one).
Other Optional Cables
Parallel Printer Cable
This cable allows your AlphaSmart to print directly to most
parallel printers. This cable is available only from AlphaSmart
or its dealers.
Serial Printer/Mac Updater Cable
This is a standard 8 pin serial cable. This cable allows your
AlphaSmart to print directly to most serial printers. It also allows
you to install new SmartApplets from a Mac with a serial OM
port to your AlphaSmart.
Please note: For the latest list of compatible printers please
refer to the following page on our web site:
http://www.alphasmart.com/support/printer_list_3000.html
PC Updater Cable
Use this cable when you wish to install a new SmartApplet from
a P to your AlphaSmart via your serial OM port.
5
able Setup
USB Cable
Use this cable to connect your AlphaSmart 3000 to a computer
that has an operating system that supports USB and has USB
ports.
Simply plug the rectangular end of the USB cable into the
computer's USB port (either on the PU, on a USB hub, or on
some USB keyboards). Then connect the smaller, semi-square,
end into the AlphaSmart computer port.
The first time you connect an AlphaSmart to a USB port on a
P , Windows will bring up a series of screens to install the
driver necessary to support the AlphaSmart. Simply click on the
“Next” button in each screen until finished, you might then be
required to restart your P .
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AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
PC Y Cable
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Disconnect the keyboard from the computer keyboard
port and determine if it is a 5 pin (larger) or Mini DIN 6
pin (smaller and more common) connector.
a. If the keyboard has a Mini DIN 6 pin connector:
Connect the orange end of the PC Y cable,
labeled “Connect to PC computer port" into the
keyboard port on the back of your computer.
Next, connect the computer keyboard cable into
the orange end of the 8 inch adapter cable.
Then connect the purple end of the adapter
cable to the purple end of the PC Y cable (see
below).
7
b. If the keyboard has a 5 pin connector:
Connect the orange end of the adapter cable to
the orange end of the PC Y cable. Next,
connect the purple end of the PC adapter cable
into the keyboard port on the back of your
computer. Then connect the computer keyboard
cable into the purple end of the PC Y cable,
labeled "Connect to PC keyboard cable" (see
below).
3. Plug the grey end into the computer port on the right
side of your AlphaSmart.
4. With the PC Y cable installed, turn on the computer,
wait for complete boot up, and test your regular
keyboard for operation. The AlphaSmart and your PC
keyboard should both be able to type into a text entry
document (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.).
Please note: The blue end of the PC Y cable is used to
connect older models of the AlphaSmart (2000s or Pros).
Warning: Always lea e the PC Y cable installed. If for any
reason you need to remo e the PC Y cable from the computer,
do so when your computer is turned off.
8

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
Mac Y Cable
1. Unplug the mouse from your keyboard.
2. Insert the green end of the Mac cable into the empty
ADB port on your keyboard where you just unplugged
your mouse.
3. Plug your mouse into the red end of the Mac cable.
4. The grey end should be plugged into the computer port
on the right side of your AlphaSmart.
Please note: The blue end of the Mac Y cable is used to
connect to older models of the AlphaSmart (2000s or Pros).
9
Infrared Setup
1. Turn off your computer.
2. If you have a serial pod and a PC, plug the pod into one
of your computer's COM ports. If you have a Mac, plug
the serial pod into either the modem or printer port.
3. Install the AlphaBeam software from the CD-Rom or
download from our website at www.alphasmart.co.uk.
Go through the install wizard, following directions and
making the appropriate choices. ou will find more
detailed instructions on our website or on the CD-Rom
in AlphaBeam.doc.
During the install process, you will be asked to
choose the type of Infrared support you want:
"AlphaSmart Only" or "Windows Drivers". If you
choose "Windows Drivers" one of the screens
asks for the manufacturer and model number of
your IR pod. The manufacturer is "ACTiS S"
and the model number is "ACT-IR220L Infrared
Wireless Interface".
4. After installation is complete, reboot your computer,
launch AlphaBeam and then launch a word processing
document on top of the AlphaBeam window.
5. On the AlphaSmart, open the file you want to send to
your computer and point your AlphaSmart at the IR pod.
Press the send key once. Wait up to 10 seconds and
your text should appear in the word processing
document.
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AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
Top Row Buttons
File 1-8 Buttons
Your AlphaSmart 3000 supports 8 files, each of which will hold
1 ½ pages of single spaced text or about 5 KB. This provides
a total storage capacity of 100 pages or 00,000 characters.
This file structure is intended to support multiple users or to
enable a single user to organise his or her work into chapters or
sections.
Print Button
This button is used when you wish to print the contents of a file
directly to a printer via serial or parallel printer cables. Connect
an AlphaSmart Serial or Parallel print cable to your printer,
make sure the printer is turned on and then attach the cable to
the AlphaSmart's printer socket. Then press print.
Spell Check Button
Pressing spell check will check the spelling of the contents of
the active file and offer suggestions for correction or allow the
user to edit, ignore or see the word in context. Spell check can
be disabled/enabled by pressing cmd-option-spell check and
entering the master password. You can only receive the master
password by calling Technical Support on 0870 1 0 0718, but
please make sure you have your registration details to hand.
Find Button
The find feature allows you to enter any character, word or
phrase (up to 16 characters long) and search for that entry in
the active file or in all 8 files simultaneously. After the text is
found continue the search by pressing cmd-G.
Clear File Button
Push this button when you wish to clear the contents of the
active file. Pressing shift-ctrl-option-cmd-clear file
simultaneously will clear all 8 files at once. If a file is
accidentally cleared, there are several options for data recovery.
11 1
(See Keyboard Commands at the end of this guide). To
permanently delete a file press option-cmd-clear file.
Home and End Buttons
The home button moves the cursor to the beginning of the
document, while the end button moves the cursor to the end of
the document.
Applets Button
SmartApplets for the AlphaSmart 000
SmartApplets are mini software applications that can be
downloaded to the AlphaSmart to extend its functionality for
keyboarding, quizzes, word-prediction and much more.
SmartApplets can be downloaded only to the AlphaSmart 3000
(NOT to the AlphaSmart Pro or AlphaSmart 000). Please call
Technical Support on 0870 1 0 0718 or log on to
www.alphasmart.co.uk for the latest information and releases.
To change SmartApplets press the applet key and use the up
and down arrow keys to select a different applet.
SmartApplets Available
AlphaWord SmartApplet: The built-in word-processor with
features such as spell-check, cut/copy/paste, find, autosave,
foreign-language characters, etc.
Calculator SmartApplet: The built-in simple, 4-function
calculator.
KAZ Typing Tutor: Originally designed for the computer, it has
been adapted for the AlphaSmart 3000 which means that it is
ideal and fun for children and adults wanting to learn and
improve their keyboarding. Anytime, anywhere. Please contact
AlphaSmart or your local dealer for further information.
Send Button
Pressing this button sends the contents of the active file to a
computer once connected via cable or infrared.

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
13
Other Features
Here is a partial list of other features supported by your
AlphaSmart 3000. For Troubleshooting information refer to
the respective section at www.alphasmart.co.uk. lease see
the Keyboard Shortcuts section at the end of the manual for
further reference and summary:
To Password Protect all 8 Files
This function allows different passwords to be ascribed to
different files, effectively allowing you to have 8 different users
per AlphaSmart.
The AlphaSmart 3000 is shipped with this function disabled. To
enable it for the first time, you will need to contact our Technical
Support desk at 0870 120 0718 and ask for the master
password, please remember to have your registration details to
hand.
Then press ctrl-option-cmd-P, type the master password when
prompted to activate the password protection.
To enable individual passwords
Open the files you wish to individually password protect.
ress option-cmd-P.
You will then be asked to enter the "old" password before
entering a new one. The factory default password for this
is "write". Enter this and then enter your new password,
which can be 1-6 characters in length, backspace and Tab
are not accepted characters.
To reset passwords to factory default
AlphaWord file passwords can all be reset to the factory
default value using the keyboard command ctrl-shift-
option-cmd-P and entering the master password.
14
To Enable or Disable Access to Calculator
When you are in AlphaWord, the keyboard command ctrl-cmd-
Cdisplays a screen that prompts you for the master password
to disable or enable the Calculator, you will need to contact our
Technical Support desk at 0870 120 0718 and ask for the
master password, please remember to have your registration
details to hand. If you select Calculator from the SmartApplet
menu when the Calculator is disabled, the message "The
Calculator is turned off." will be displayed briefly before
returning to the SmartApplet menu.
ser Defined Auto Power-off
The default auto power-off setting on your AlphaSmart is 4
minutes. To change this press cmd-option-T then set to your
preferred time by pressing the up or down arrow keys.
Auto Repeat/Key Repeat Control
As a default, when a key is pressed and held down the
AlphaSmart will continue to write that letter on the screen. If
Auto Repeat is disabled then only one character is produced
per key press, irrespective of how long it is held down for. To
do this press option-cmd-K and then press 1. Likewise to
disable.
Sticky Keys
With Sticky Keys enabled, you can type combination keystrokes
without actually pressing the keys simultaneously. This means
you can make capital letters by pressing shift first and then a
letter key, or operate function commands without pressing the
combinations of keys simultaneously. To enable Sticky Keys
press option-cmd-K and then press 2. Likewise to disable.
Show Marks
When Show Marks is enabled, it visually displays screen
functions like Tab or Return when they otherwise would not be.
To enable Show Marks press option-cmd-K and then press 3.
Likewise to disable.

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk 16
whether you want to copy (press ctrl-C) or cut (press ctrl-X)
this text. Then move the cursor to wherever you want to paste
the text (if you want you can choose a ifferent file to paste to
by pressing a file number key). Position the cursor an press
ctrl-V, the text will then be paste .
Show Number of Characters or Pages in a File
To fin out how many characters are in a file press ctrl-cmd-I.
To fin out how many pages have been use in a file an how
much space is left press cmd-I.
Show Clipboard Status and Contents
To show the clipboar status (i.e. the amount of text hel in the
clipboar ) press option-cmd-C. To see the text that is actually
in the clipboar press ctrl-option-cmd-C.
Quickl Move to the Beginning or End of a Line or the
Top or Bottom of the Screen
To move to the begining of a line press cmd-left arrow, to
move to the en of a line press cmd-right arrow. To move 4
lines up the screen press cmd-up arrow, to move 4 lines own
the screen press cmd-down arrow.
Send Text from a Computer to Your AlphaSmart
This requires the purchase of our bi- irectional software calle
Get Utilit . Please contact your local ealer or AlphaSmart for
further information.
Get Utilit Software
Get Utilit is a software application that allows you to
transfer text from a PC running Win ows or a Mac to an
AlphaSmart keyboar . The program transfers the current
contents of the PC or Mac Clipboar to a esignate file
on an AlphaSmart. (The Clipboar is a memory buffer that
allows you to transfer information between ifferent
programs. Most PC an Mac applications support copying
to the Clipboar ). This allows the AlphaSmart to become
15
Set Slow Ke Rate
Slow Keys is esigne to allow a user with unstea y han s or
ifficulty in targeting specific keys to set a elay time between
epressing a key an the generation of the associate
character. The Slow Keys control screen can be isplaye with
the keyboar comman ctrl-option-cmd-K.
To turn Slow Keys on, use the up-arrow or right-arrow key to
select a elay value greater than zero (a zero value turns Slow
Keys off). Use the down-arrow or left-arrow to ecrease the
elay value. Once the esire elay value is isplaye , press
enter to set that value, or esc to cancel any changes you have
ma e.
International Character Support
Please refer to the table in the back of this manual for a full
escription of keystrokes nee e for pro ucing the wi e range
of International Characters supporte by the AlphaSmart 3000.
Ke boarding Timer
The Keyboar ing Timer, when use , measures the Wor s Per
Minute (WPM) type by a user. The elete function is isable
uring this so that keyboar ing mistakes can be evaluate .
To access the keyboar ing timer press cmd-find. To start the
Timer just start typing an to stop to see your calculate score
hit the caps lock button. To resume the timer, press enter or
press esc to quit.
Cut, Cop and Paste Within and Between Files
To cut, copy or paste within a file or between files you first nee
to highlight the esire text. Position the cursor by the passage
that you wish to use. Press shift an hol it own. Then, using
the arrow ke s, move the cursor to the en of the passage, you
will notice that as the cursor travels over the letters they will
become flashing black boxes. Once highlighte , eci e

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
17
the perfect study and research tool allowing you to take
text from the Web databases or other text files and
compile them as you see fit.
Please note: Different versions of the software maybe
applicable to different computers. Please consult
www.alphasmart.co.uk call our helpline on 0870 120 0718 or
check with your dealer before buying.
Battery Status Display
A display of the current battery charge level is available within
AlphaWord when you use the keyboard command ctrl-cmd-B.
This display shows a text and graphical representation of the
battery charge level. In addition the graphical representation of
the battery charge level is shown in the startup screen when the
AlphaSmart is powered on and in the screen that you see when
you change files in AlphaWord.
Data Recovery
If you accidentally delete a file and want to retrieve it you have a
number of options available.
To recover a file from last deletion press option-cmd-R.
If this option fails to work try to recover the last 40 characters
deleted by pressing ctrl-option-cmd-R. Continue to press this
until you start to retrieve "garbage".
If this fails you can try a complete recovery by pressing ctrl-
shift-option-cmd-R but be prepared to delete the "garbage"
that may appear at the end of the file. To delete this simply
place the cursor at the end of your text and press
cmd-backspace this will delete all characters from the cursor
to the end of the file.
18
Printer Selection Menu
If you are printing directly from an AlphaSmart 3000 to a printer
you will need to select the correct driver for your printer. Press
option-print then scroll through the menu that appears using
the up and down arrow keys until you find the name that best
fits your printer then press enter or esc to cancel.
Cable and Infrared ransfer Speeds
If you are experiencing problems transferring text from your
AlphaSmart to your computer it might be because the transfer
speed is too high.
If you are transferring text by cable press option-cmd-S to
access the cable transfer speed menu. Then select numbers 1
(slow) to 4(fast) to adjust the transfer speed.
Likewise if you are using an Infrared AlphaSmart to transfer text
press ctrl-option-cmd-S to adjust the speed of transfer
choosing from 1(slow) or 2(fast).
Status Screens
To see the system status current file number version number of
AlphaWord keyboard layout transfer speed Auto Repeat
Sticky Keys and Password status press option-cmd-V.
For a diagnostic status press ctrl-shift-option-cmd-I.

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
19
Special Keyboard
Commands Summary
Action Keyboard Command
Delete from cursor to the end of file cmd backspace
Select text shift any arrow
Select all cmd A
Cut selected text cmd X or ctrl X
Copy selected text to clipboard cmd C or ctrl C
Paste text from clipboard cmd V or ctrl V
Clipboard status option cmd C
Clipboard contents ctrl option cmd C
Find Text find or cmd F
Continue the Find Text search
while in the Find screen cmd G
Spell check a word spell check or cmd
spell check
Disable/enable Spell Check option cmd spell check
Recover file from last deletion option cmd R
Recover 40 characters ctrl option cmd R
Recover entire file ctrl shift option cmd R
Clear file clear file
Permanently clear file option cmd clear file
Clear all eight files ctrl shift option cmd
clear file
Print command print or cmd print
Printer selection menu option print
Keyboarding Timer cmd find
Change password option cmd P
Password enable/disable ctrl option cmd P
Sticky Keys, Auto Repeat and Show
Marks status option cmd K
Cable transfer speed menu option cmd S
Infrared transfer speed menu ctrl option cmd S
20
Action Keyboard Command
Changes files when attached to
the PC (F1 for file 1, etc.) cmd file 1 etc.
Changes files when attached to
the Mac (F1 for file 1, etc.) option cmd file 1
File Status Dialog cmd I
Character Status Dialog ctrl cmd I
Idle Time Dialog option cmd T
System status, current file number,
version number, etc. option cmd V
Slow Keys screen ctrl option cmd K
Enable or Disable the Calculator ctrl cmd C
Display hardware configuration ctrl shift option cmd I
Reset AlphaWord file passwords
to factory settings ctrl shift option cmd P
Battery Status Display ctrl cmd B

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
21
International Special
Characters
Character UK Keystrokes
á option-E, A
é option-E, E
option-E, I
ó option-E, O
ú option-E, U
Á option-E, shift-A (Displays as á)
É option-E, shift-E
Ó option-E, shift-O
Ú option-E, shift-U
à option-`, A
è option-`, E
ì option-`, I
ò option-`, O
ù option-`, U
À option-`, shift-A (Displays as á)
È option-`, shift-E
Ò option-`, shift-O
Ù option-`, shift-U
â option-I, A
ê option-I, E
î option-I, I
ô option-I, O
û option-I, U
Ê option-I, shift-E
Ô option-I, shift-O
Û option-I, shift-U
ä option-U, A
ë option-U, E
ï option-U, I
ö option-U, O
ü option-U, U
22
Character UK Keystrokes
ÿ option-U, Y
Ä option-U, shift-A
Ë option-U, shift-E
Ö option-U, shift-O
Ü option-U, shift-U
ã option-N, A
ñ option-N, N
õ option-N, O
à option-N, shift-A
Ñ option-N, shift-N
Õ option-N, shift-O
å option-A
Å option-shift-A
ø option-O
Ø option-shift-O
° option-shift-8
™ option-shift-2
® option-R
© option-G
ç option-C
Ç option-shift-C
J(infinity) option-5
§ option-6
^option-7
Æ option-shift-'
¿ option-shift-/
¡ option-1
poption-shift-\
^option-\
´ (acute accent) option-E, space
` (grave accent) option-`, space

AlphaSmart 3000 www.alphasmart.co.uk
Character UK Keystrokes
^ (circumflex) option-I, space
¨ (umlaut) option- , space
~ (tilde) option-N, space
1(superscript dot) option-H
½ ctrl-option-2
actrl-option-3
¼ ctrl-option-4
÷ option-/
!option-shift-=
/option-F
option-shift-2
£ option-3
¢ option-4
¤ option-shift-5
¥ option-Y
$ shift-4
ß (beta) option-S
S(sigma) option-W
p(pi) option-P
µ (mu) option-M
W(omega) option-Z
¬ shift-` (grave accent)
23