Alphasmart NEO2 SmartApplet User manual

USER MANUAL
AlphaSmart
Manager

AlphaSmart Manager 2
User Manual
version 3.0

ii AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
Contact Information
The AlphaSmart Web site is a good source of information about products, sales, support, and the latest news. Visit the
AlphaSmart Web site at
www.alphasmart.com (United States)
www.alphasmart.co.uk (United Kingdom)
www.alphasmart.com/international (all other countries)
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for on the Web site, use this contact information:
United States
Renaissance Learning
PO Box 8036
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8036
Technical questions or problems:
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.alphasmart.com/support
Purchase AlphaSmart products, general information, or sales questions:
Online store: www.alphasmart.com
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
United Kingdom
Technical questions or problems:
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Latest support information:
Web: www.alphasmart.co.uk/support
Purchase AlphaSmart products:
Web: www.alphasmart.co.uk/ordering
(This Web site also provides a list of resellers and AlphaSmart contacts.)
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Technical questions or problems:
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Latest support information:
Web: www.alphasmart.eu/support
Select your country or region.
Purchase AlphaSmart products:
Web: www.alphasmart.com/international
(This Web site also provides a list of resellers and AlphaSmart contacts.)

AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual iii
Asia/Pacific, Canada, and Latin America
Technical questions or problems:
Contact your local reseller. If you do not have a local reseller, email Technical Support at [email protected].
Latest support information:
Web: www.alphasmart.com/support
Select your country or region.
Purchase AlphaSmart products:
Web: www.alphasmart.com/international
(This Web site also provides a list of resellers and AlphaSmart contacts.)
Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2008 by Renaissance Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This publication is protected by US and international copyright laws. It is unlawful to duplicate or reproduce any
copyrighted material without authorization from the copyright holder. This document may be reproduced only by staff
members in schools that own NEO laptops. For more information, contact Renaissance Learning, Inc., at the address
for your location.
2Know!, AccelTest, AlphaSmart, AlphaHub, AlphaQuiz, AlphaWord, Beamer, Dana by AlphaSmart, KeyWords, NEO,
NEO 2, SmartApplet, Write On!, Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader, STAR Math, Renaissance Place, Renaissance
Responder, SmartApplet, STAR Reading, and Renaissance Learning are trademarks of Renaissance Learning, Inc., and
its subsidiaries, registered, common law, or pending registration in the United States and other countries.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the US and other countries.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other
countries.
As technology advances, it becomes necessary for software companies to drop support for older operating systems and
third-party software. It is the responsibility of customers to keep their computers, networks, operating systems, and
third-party software up-to-date and functional. Although Renaissance Learning will not discontinue support for older
products immediately, we will continue to evaluate system requirements and do our best to provide advance notice
when it becomes necessary to raise our requirements.
Co:Writer is a registered trademark of Don Johnston Incorporated.
51-0015D-0308
03/08

iv AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual

AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual v
C ONTENTS
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About AlphaSmart Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
NEO, NEO 1, and NEO 2 in This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Types of Tips in This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Mixed Lab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installing AlphaSmart Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing AlphaSmart Manager on Windows Computers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Installing AlphaSmart Manager on Macintosh Computers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Starting AlphaSmart Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Connecting NEOs to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Connecting One NEO to Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Connecting a SmartOption Mobile Lab to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Connecting to a Windows XP Computer for the First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
How AlphaSmart Manager Shows that NEOs Are Connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
The Tabs in AlphaSmart Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Getting AlphaWord Plus Files from NEOs . . . . . . . . . . 9
Viewing, Printing, and Saving Files from Your NEO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Time Required to Save or Print Files from a SmartOption Mobile Lab. . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Retrieving Files from Connected NEOs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Sending Files, Rubrics, or Lessons to NEOs . . . . . . . 18
Creating and Sending Text Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Sending Rubrics to NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Sending Write On! Lessons to NEOs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Sending Empty Files to NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Sending a User Dictionary to NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

CONTENTS
vi AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
. . . . .
Managing SmartApplets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
What Are SmartApplets? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Changing the Startup SmartApplet for NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Installing SmartApplets on NEOs Using AlphaSmart Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Deleting SmartApplets from NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Disabling SmartApplets on NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Adding SmartApplets to the List in AlphaSmart Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Viewing SmartApplet Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
About SmartApplet Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
KeyWords in AlphaSmart Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
What Is KeyWords?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Retrieving KeyWords Data and Generating Reports in AlphaSmart Manager . . 39
Sorting by Student or by Device on the KeyWords Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Synchronizing KeyWords Data with KeyWords RP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
KeyWords Reports in Renaissance Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Changing NEO Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Changing System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
How to Change System Settings Using AlphaSmart Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
About the System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Examples of Keyboard Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Changing SmartApplet Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
How to Change Settings for SmartApplets in AlphaSmart Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Disabling SmartApplets in AlphaSmart Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
AlphaWord Plus Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Spell Check Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Beamer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
KeyWords Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Restoring Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
How to Restore the Default Settings (SmartApplets and System Settings). . . . . . . . . . 57
Table of Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

CONTENTS
AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual vii
. . . . .
Using Send Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
What’s a Send List? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Saving Send Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Opening a Saved Send List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Closing a Saved Send List that Is Open. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Requiring a Password for Changes Sent to NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Clearing (Removing) a Send List Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Other AlphaSmart Manager Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Setting AlphaSmart Manager Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Resetting All Connected NEOs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Getting Information about Your NEO(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Getting Information About Your AlphaHub. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
When I click the plus sign (or arrow) to check connections, AlphaSmart
Manager doesn’t show that any AlphaSmart devices are currently connected. . .69
I have a NEO connected to a port on the AlphaHub, but when I check the
connections, the indicator is black instead of green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
I can’t remember the password that I set, and now I can’t use
AlphaSmart Manager to configure my NEOs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
I have a SmartApplet installed on my computer, but I can’t install it on the NEOs. . .70
I’m managing a group of NEOs in a SmartOption Mobile Lab with an AlphaHub,
and I want to change a setting on one of the SmartApplets, but I don’t
see the SmartApplet in the settings list in AlphaSmart Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
When I try to drag and drop text from my Windows computer, AlphaSmart
Manager doesn’t accept it.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Write On! Lessons for NEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
How to Use Write On! for NEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Retrieving Writing Exercises from NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Using AlphaSmart Manager to Retrieve Students’ Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Sending an Exercise Directly from NEO to Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Printing Exercises Directly from NEOs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

CONTENTS
viii AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
. . . . .
Road Map of Write On! Lesson Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Write On! Lesson Categories and Teaching Supplements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Elementary School Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Middle School Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
High School Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual 1
G ETTING S TARTED
About AlphaSmart Manager
AlphaSmart Manager 2 helps you manage files, settings, and programs
(SmartApplets) for NEOs. With AlphaSmart Manager, you can manage as
many as thirty NEO 1 and/or NEO 2 units connected to an AlphaHub in a
SmartOption Mobile Lab. You can also use AlphaSmart Manager to manage
just one NEO using a direct USB connection.
With AlphaSmart Manager you can do the following:
• Send text, rubrics for assignments, or Write On! lessons to AlphaWord Plus
files on connected NEOs.
• Get AlphaWord Plus files from connected NEOs and view, print, and/or
save the files. Retrieving files from all NEOs in AlphaSmart Manager is
faster than sending files one by one on each NEO.
• Retrieve students’ KeyWords work from NEOs, view reports about student
progress in KeyWords, and synchronize the data with Renaissance Place.
• Install and delete SmartApplets (programs for your NEOs).
• Change settings for connected NEOs or one of the SmartApplets on the
NEOs. For example, you can change the master password or file passwords.
You can also set a send list password for AlphaSmart Manager.
• Keep track of the current number of NEOs and their status.
With AlphaSmart Manager and a SmartOption Mobile Lab, you can make
sure an entire group of NEOs has the same files, making it easy to set up
NEOs for a class or another group.

GETTING STARTED
NEO, NEO 1, and NEO 2 in This Manual
2 AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
. . . . .
NEO, NEO 1, and NEO 2 in This Manual
This manual describes how to use AlphaSmart Manager with both NEO 1 and
NEO 2. When the manual refers to “NEO,” the manual is generally referring
to both models. When the manual refers to NEO 1 or NEO 2, it is describing
features that are only available for that model.
Types of Tips in This Manual
In this manual, you’ll see two types of tips in the left margin. The icon in the
tip shows you which type it is:
Tips with a light bulb are software tips. They provide helpful
information such as reminders or other ways to do a task.
Tips with an apple are teacher tips. They provide ideas for using your
NEOs and AlphaSmart Manager in a classroom.
System Requirements
For the latest AlphaSmart Manager system requirements, go to
www.alphasmart.com/support/.
AlphaSmart Manager works with NEO 1 and/or NEO 2 laptops. (AS3000
laptops are not supported by this version of AlphaSmart Manager; they are
only compatible with version 2.3.) You can connect one NEO 1 or NEO 2 to
your computer using a USB cable, or you can connect a SmartOption Mobile
Lab with an AlphaHub, which lets you connect up to thirty NEO 1 and/or
NEO 2 laptops to your computer at the same time.
Mixed Lab
Starting with AlphaSmart Manager 2 version 3.0, you can connect both NEO
1 and NEO 2 laptops to the same SmartOption Mobile Lab. When you check
the connection status of the laptops, you’ll see a green circle for each NEO 1
and a green circle with a “2” for each NEO 2. For more information, see
page 6.

GETTING STARTED
Installing AlphaSmart Manager
AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual 3
. . . . .
Installing AlphaSmart Manager
To install AlphaSmart Manager, follow the steps for your type of computer.
Make sure your computer is running Windows versions 2000, XP, or Vista or
Macintosh OS 10.3.9, 10.4.x, or 10.5.x.
Note: Macintosh OS X and Windows 2000, XP, and Vista make distinctions
between administrators and other users. You need to have administrator
privileges or be logged in as an administrator to install and access
AlphaSmart Manager. If you don’t have administrator privileges, see your
system administrator for help installing and running AlphaSmart Manager.
Installing AlphaSmart Manager on Windows Computers
1. Insert the AlphaSmart Manager CD into your computer. If a window
doesn’t open to show you the contents of the CD, view the contents using
My Computer or Windows Explorer.
2. Double-click the setup.exe file.
3. Click Next > in the first panel of the installation wizard.
4. Read the license agreement. (You can print the license if you wish using
the button provided.) Then, click the first option to accept the terms and
click Next >. The installation will start.
5. The program will ask if you want to search for configuration files from
previous versions of AlphaSmart Manager.
If this is the first time you’ve installed the program, click No.
If you have a previous version and you want to save your configuration,
click Yes. If the program can’t find the files, you may need to browse for
them yourself.
6. On the final panel of the wizard, if the box is checked, the Read Me file will
open as soon as the installer closes. Remove the check mark if you don’t
want this to happen. Click Finish.
Installing AlphaSmart Manager on Macintosh Computers
1. Insert the AlphaSmart Manager CD into your computer.
2. Double-click AlphaSmart Manager Installer on the CD.
3. Enter your user name and password for this computer when the installer
asks you to do so. Then, click OK.
The Renaissance
Wireless Server
Utility is installed
with AlphaSmart Manager.
This utility is used if you have
a Renaissance Receiver and
you are using NEO 2 with
AccelTest, Accelerated
Reader, Accelerated Math,
the 2Know! Toolbar, or RF
wireless printing.

GETTING STARTED
Starting AlphaSmart Manager
4 AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
. . . . .
4. Click Continue.
5. Read the license agreement. (The buttons in this window also allow you
to print or save the license.) Click Continue. When the program asks if
you want to agree to the license agreement, click Agree.
6. Click Install. Installation will start.
7. The installer may notify you that no other programs can be running during
installation. Click Continue to automatically close other programs and
continue the installation.
8. The installer will also notify you that it may automatically restart your
computer after installation. Click OK.
9. The program will ask if you want to search for configuration files from
previous versions of AlphaSmart Manager.
If this is the first time you’ve installed the program, click No.
If you have a previous version and you want to save your configuration,
click Yes. If the program can’t find the files, you may need to browse for
them yourself.
10. The program will also ask if you want to add the program to the dock.
Click Yes or No. The installation will be completed, and the computer may
be restarted. The folders where AlphaSmart Manager and the
Renaissance Wireless Server Utility were installed will open.
Starting AlphaSmart Manager
After you install AlphaSmart Manager on your computer, you can start it by
following the instructions for your computer.
Windows Computers:
Click Start or , and choose Programs (or All Programs)
AlphaSmart Manager 2 Start AlphaSmart Manager 2.
Macintosh Computers:
Open the Applications folder on your computer. Then, open the AlphaSmart
folder and open the AlphaSmart Manager 2 folder. Double-click
AlphaSmart Manager. (If you added AlphaSmart Manager to the dock,
you can click the icon in the dock instead.)

GETTING STARTED
Connecting NEOs to Your Computer
AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual 5
. . . . .
Connecting NEOs to Your Computer
After you have installed AlphaSmart Manager, you can follow these
instructions to connect your NEO or SmartOption Mobile Lab to your
computer.
Connecting One NEO to Your Computer
1. Start AlphaSmart Manager (see page 4).
2. Use the USB cable that came with the
NEO to connect it to your computer.
Connect the end of the cable that is
nearly square Ato the NEO B, and
connect the other of the cable to a
USB port on your computer C.
Connecting a SmartOption Mobile Lab to Your Computer
1. Start AlphaSmart Manager (see page 4).
2. You’ll find a cable labeled “Computer” coming out of the cart. This cable
has a USB connector that you can connect to your computer. Within the
cart, each NEO 1 or NEO 2 laptop is connected to the cart with its own
cable. (For more about setting up a SmartOption Mobile Lab, refer to the
instructions that came with it.)
Connecting to a Windows XP Computer for the First Time
If your computer has Windows XP, you will see a Microsoft Hardware Wizard
the first time you connect your NEO or SmartOption Mobile Lab to your
computer. Follow these steps when the wizard starts:
1. A Found New Hardware message appears in the lower-right corner of the
window; then, the Hardware Wizard starts. Accept the default option to
install the software automatically; then, click Next >.
A
C
B

GETTING STARTED
Connecting NEOs to Your Computer
6 AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
. . . . .
2. A message may appear, saying that the driver is not certified for Windows
XP. This is expected. Click Continue Anyway.
3. Click Finish. If a message asks if you want to restart the computer, click
Yes or No.
4. In AlphaSmart Manager, check the connection status area at the bottom
of the window to make sure your NEO, or your AlphaHub and NEOs, are
connected.
If your NEOs don’t appear to be connected in AlphaSmart Manager even
though you know you connected them properly, it could be because you
cancelled the Hardware Wizard or because the drivers weren’t installed
properly. (Note: If the drivers weren’t installed properly, it may be because
you don’t have sufficient privileges/permissions on the computer.) To fix this
problem, disconnect the USB cable from your computer. Make sure
AlphaSmart Manager is running; then, reconnect the cable to a different USB
port. The Hardware Wizard should reappear. Follow the steps above again
and recheck the connection status.
How AlphaSmart Manager Shows that NEOs Are Connected
The bottom of the AlphaSmart Manager window shows you how many NEO 1
or NEO 2 laptops (AlphaSmart Devices) are connected A. In the example
below, just one NEO is connected via a USB cable, but you may have several
connected in a SmartOption Mobile Lab.
To view the status of the connection for each NEO, click the plus sign
(Windows) or (Macintosh) at the bottom of the screen B. You might need
to wait a few moments before the connection status information appears.
A
B

GETTING STARTED
Connecting NEOs to Your Computer
AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual 7
. . . . .
When you display the connection status, you’ll see a circle for each NEO. The
color of the circle shows the status of the connection:
•Green circles mean a NEO is properly connected. An empty green circle
indicates a NEO 1 laptop, and a green circle with a “2” indicates a NEO 2
laptop C.
•Yellow means the connected NEO needs updating.
•Red means an AS3000 laptop is connected. This version of AlphaSmart
Manager does not support AS3000 laptops, and you cannot have both
NEOs and AS3000 laptops connected to the SmartOption Mobile Lab.
•Black means a NEO is not connected or is improperly connected. (See
page 69.)
You can set
AlphaSmart
Manager to always
open with the connection
status displayed. See
“Setting AlphaSmart Manager
Preferences” on page 65 for
more information.
C

GETTING STARTED
The Tabs in AlphaSmart Manager
8 AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
. . . . .
The Tabs in AlphaSmart Manager
AlphaSmart Manager has a tab for each type of task in the program:
•Get/Print AlphaWord Files: Use this tab to get the AlphaWord Plus
files that are in files 1–8 on each connected NEO. You can then view, print,
or save the files. For more information, see page 9.
•AlphaWord Files to Send: Use this tab to send text files, rubrics for
assignments, or Write On! lessons to any of the numbered files on the
connected NEOs. For more information, see page 18.
•KeyWords: Use this tab to retrieve data about student work in KeyWords
from the connected NEOs. (Students use KeyWords to learn keyboarding
skills.) You can then view and print reports. You can also synchronize the
data with KeyWords RP in Renaissance Place so that you can generate
reports in Renaissance Place. For more information, see page 38.
•SmartApplets: Use this tab to install or remove SmartApplets
(programs) on the connected NEOs. This is a good way to make sure that
all your NEOs have the same SmartApplets. For more information, see
page 29.
•Settings: Use this tab to change the system settings or SmartApplet
settings for connected NEOs. For more information, see page 46.
•Send List: Use this tab to review a list of the files, SmartApplets, or
changes that you have chosen to send to the connected NEOs. You can also
choose which NEOs to send these items to. When you’re ready, you can
click Send to begin sending.

AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual 9
G ETTING A LPHA W ORD P LUS F ILES FROM NEO S
Viewing, Printing, and Saving Files from Your NEO
You can use AlphaSmart Manager to retrieve the numbered files (1–8) from
all connected NEOs. You can then view the files, print them, or save them as
separate text files.
AlphaSmart Manager retrieves files 1–8 from NEOs. It doesn’t retrieve
named files that aren’t open in files 1–8. If you want to retrieve a named file,
make sure you open it on the NEO.
If you retrieve a file that has a linked file associated with it, you retrieve the
linked file text as well. When you view, print, or save the file, the linked file
text is appended to the end of the main file. For more about linked files, see
the NEO and NEO 2 User Manual.
Time Required to Save or Print Files from a SmartOption Mobile Lab
If you are using a SmartOption Mobile Lab, you may have as many as 30
NEOs connected to your computer. This means you could be retrieving as
many as 240 files (8 files for each of the 30 NEOs). Typically, you should
allow 10–45 minutes to save or print files from 30 NEOs.
Retrieving Files from Connected NEOs
By following the steps below, you can view the contents of files 1–8 on the
connected NEO(s). You can only view one file at a time.
1. In AlphaSmart Manager, click the Get/Print AlphaWord Files tab.
If you have just one NEO connected, you’ll see “AlphaSmart USB” in the
File Contents list as shown on the next page. If you connect an entire
SmartOption Mobile Lab, the connected NEOs will be listed by number.
2. If you have one NEO connected, in the File Contents area, click the +A
(Windows) or (Macintosh) next to “AlphaSmart USB.” A message
appears briefly to tell you that AlphaSmart Manager is retrieving the
file(s).

GETTING ALPHAWORD PLUS FILES FROM NEOS
Viewing, Printing, and Saving Files from Your NEO
10 AlphaSmart Manager 2 User Manual
. . . . .
If you have more than one NEO connected, use the drop-down list Bto
choose whether to sort by File Number or Device (NEO). If you sort by file
number, you can click the +(Windows) or (Macintosh) next to the file
number you want to view for multiple NEOs C. If you sort by Device (by
NEO), click the +or next to the NEO for which you want to view files
(Don the next page). The NEO numbers match the cable numbers in
your cart.
A
B
C