<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<!DOCTYPE book PUBLIC "-//KDE//DTD DocBook XML V4.2-Based Variant V1.1//EN"
 "dtd/kdex.dtd" [
<!ENTITY i18n-ktouch "<application>Typewriting Trainer</application>">
<!ENTITY kappname "&i18n-ktouch;"><!-- replace kapp here -->
<!ENTITY package "kdeedu">
<!ENTITY % addindex "IGNORE">
<!ENTITY % English "INCLUDE"><!-- change language only here -->
]>

<book id="ktouch" lang="&language;">

<bookinfo>
<title>The &i18n-ktouch; Handbook</title>

<authorgroup>

<author>
<firstname>Håvard</firstname><surname>Frøiland</surname>
<affiliation>
<address>&Haavard.Froeiland.mail;</address>
</affiliation>
</author>

<author>
<firstname>Andreas</firstname><surname>Nicolai</surname>
<affiliation>
<address><email>Andreas.nicolai@gmx.net</email></address>
</affiliation>
</author>

<author>
<firstname>Sebastian</firstname><surname>Gottfried</surname>
<affiliation>
<address><email>sebastiangottfried@web.de</email></address>
</affiliation>
</author>

<!-- TRANS:ROLES_OF_TRANSLATORS -->

</authorgroup>


<copyright>
<year>1999-2007</year>
<holder>Håvard Frøiland, Andreas Nicolai</holder>
</copyright>
<copyright>
<year>2011-2012</year>
<holder>Sebastian Gottfried</holder>
</copyright>

<legalnotice>&FDLNotice;</legalnotice>

<date>2012-11-26</date>
<releaseinfo>2.0</releaseinfo>

<abstract>
<para>&i18n-ktouch; is a program for learning to touch type.  &i18n-ktouch;
provides you with text to train on and adjusts to different levels
depending on how good you are. It displays which key to press next 
and the correct finger to use.</para>

</abstract>

<keywordset>
<keyword>KDE</keyword>
<keyword>touchwriting</keyword>
<keyword>touchtyping</keyword>
<keyword>typing</keyword>
<keyword>typewriting</keyword>
<keyword>education</keyword>
<keyword>ktouch</keyword>
<keyword>touch</keyword>
<keyword>type</keyword>
</keywordset>

</bookinfo>

<chapter id="learning">
<title>Learning touch typing with &i18n-ktouch;</title>

<sect1 id="introduction">
<title>Introduction</title>

<sect2>
<title>What is &i18n-ktouch;?</title>
<para>&i18n-ktouch; is a program for learning to touch type.</para>
<para>&i18n-ktouch; provides you with text to train on and adjusts to
different levels depending on how good you are. It shows your keyboard 
and indicates which key to press next and the correct finger to use.</para>

<screenshot>
<screeninfo>The main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="main_screen_default_color.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>The main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>

<para>&i18n-ktouch; is a touch typing tutor aimed mostly at personal use. You learn
typing with all fingers, step by step, without having to look down 
at the keyboard all the time to find the right keys which slows you down a lot.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2>
<title>Features</title>

<para>In its current version, &i18n-ktouch; 2.0 has quite a number of
features, such as:</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><simpara>Ships with dozens different courses in many
languages and a comfortable course editor</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>Support for different keyboard layouts with the ability to
use and edit user-defined layouts</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>During your training session comprehensive statistical
information is obtained to help you or your teacher analyze your
progress</simpara></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<para>
There are many more features which will be discussed in the appropriate
chapters of this manual.
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>


<sect1 id="getting_started">
<title>Getting started</title>

<para>Here's another screenshot of &i18n-ktouch; in action, this time with a German
keyboard and training lesson:</para>

<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="main_window_german.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Main screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>

<para>Even though learning touch typing with &i18n-ktouch; and using the program
should be very simple we will look a bit closer at &i18n-ktouch; in the following
sections.</para>

<sect2 id="creating_profile">
<title>Creating your first profile</title>

<para>The first time you start &i18n-ktouch; it will open a special screen helping
you to create your first profile. You can choose the name of your profile and
the level of your typing skills.
</para>
<tip>
<para>
The level you choose determines the general operation of &i18n-ktouch;. In beginner
mode lessons are unlocked one by one after you pass them, for advanced typist
all lessons are available right from the beginning.
</para>
</tip>
<note>
<para>
Think about your choice, you won't able to change the type of a profile later. But you can always
create new profiles to revisit this decision.
</para>
</note>

<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Welcome screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="welcome_screen.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Welcome screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
After pressing <guibutton>Start Training</guibutton> you will be taken to the
home screen. This screen will also be the first screen visible when you run &i18n-ktouch; the
next time.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2 id="picking_a_lesson">
<title>Picking a lesson</title>

<para>
The home screen of &i18n-ktouch; consists of a toolbar and the course
selector. For more information see <xref linkend="training_preparation"/>.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Home screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="home_screen.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Home screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>

<para>
&i18n-ktouch; will show you the first course available for your current keyboard
layout.
</para>

<note>
<para>
On some platforms, especially on &Microsoft; &Windows;, automatic keyboard layout
detection is not available. In that case you have to click on the <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar, select <guisubmenu>
Choose Keyboard Layout...</guisubmenu> submenu and choose the name of keyboard
layout or some keyboard layout which is similar to yours. If your keyboard is
not included, you can define your own keyboard layout yourself, see <xref
linkend="create_layouts"/>.
</para>
</note>
<para>
Choose your lesson from the list on left of the window. You cannot choose
the locked lessons with <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
fileref="Icon-object-locked.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
</inlinemediaobject> as they are too difficult for your current skills. Pass lessons to unlock new ones. The
preview of the selected lesson will be shown on the right of lessons list.
</para>
<tip>
<para>
More information about the selected course can be shown and hidden again using
<inlinemediaobject>  <imageobject> <imagedata
fileref="Icon-dialog-information.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
</inlinemediaobject> button next to the course title.
</para>
</tip>
<para>
When you finished with the selection click on <guibutton>Start
Training</guibutton> to go to the training &i18n-ktouch; screen.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2 id="training">
<title>Training</title>
<para>
   The training window of &i18n-ktouch; shows three main sections:
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem><simpara>Some typing statistics in info boxes at the
top</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>The text you need to type</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>The keyboard visualization</simpara></listitem>
</orderedlist>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>The training screen of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="main_screen_default_color.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>The training screen of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<note>
  <para>
    Visibility of training screen parts can be configured using <link
linkend="configuration_dialog">&i18n-ktouch; configuration dialog</link>.
  </para>
</note>

<para>
Place your two index fingers on the two keys on your keyboard with the two
little tactile markers near the center of the middle character row. With that
done your other fingers will find their intended keys almost automatically.
Your thumbs should rest above the space key, the only key you will ever use them
for when touch typing. The other fingers should be placed on the three keys
adjacent to the marked keys on the center row. Keys for the same finger are
grouped together through their color. Try to move your hands as little as
possible and always try to return your fingers to their resting positions
after you have typed a character.
</para>
<para>
Start typing the text in the middle of the screen. The next key you have
to press is always highlighted on the keyboard visualization. While you type
you may make mistakes and hit the wrong key. In that case the characters will
displayed in red and you have to hit &Backspace; as often as necessary to
erase the wrongly typed characters.
</para>
<para>
When you have successfully completed a line of text you need to press the
<keycap>Return</keycap> to advance to the next line.
</para>
<tip>
<para>
The key used to advance to the next line can be changed using <link
linkend="configuration_dialog">&i18n-ktouch; configuration dialog</link>
</para>
</tip>
</sect2>

<sect2 id="review_your_progress">
<title>Review your progress</title>
<para>When you have completed a lesson &i18n-ktouch;
will switch to the score screen. It displays your current training and lesson
statistics and shows a graphical history of previous training sessions.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Statistics dialog of &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="statistics_dialog.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Statistics dialog of &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
In the statistics dialog you can select to show a particular lesson or
<guilabel>All Lessons</guilabel>. This is useful to distinguish between overall
performance and skill in certain lessons.
</para>
<para>
If you feel ready for the next lesson press <guibutton>Next lesson</guibutton>
button in the toolbar to continue with the next lesson of the current course or
<guibutton>Repeat lesson</guibutton> button to try your skills on the current
lesson again. The <guibutton>Next lesson</guibutton> button will be only
available if you have passed the lesson.
</para>
<para>
If you want to switch to some other lesson or course press <guibutton>Return to
Home Screen</guibutton>.
</para>
<para>
If you do not want to continue the training with &i18n-ktouch; just close the
application window.
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>

<sect1 id="training_preparation">
<title>Training Preparation</title>
<para>
  Pretty much everything in the &i18n-ktouch; home screen should be self-explanatory.
The top toolbar is meant to be the place where you can view and
configure &i18n-ktouch; settings. The course selector can be used to view the
information about the courses and switch between them.
</para>

<sect2 id="toolbar">
  <title>&i18n-ktouch; toolbar</title>
<para>The toolbar of &i18n-ktouch; houses the profile button at the left and the
application menu button at the right.
</para>

<sect3 id="profile_management">
<title>Profile management</title>
<para>
  The profile button with the name of your profile at the left of home screen
toolbar can be used to manage &i18n-ktouch; profiles.
</para>

<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Profile management in &i18n-ktouch;</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="profiles.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Profile management in &i18n-ktouch;</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
  You can review the settings of the existing profiles, delete them or create a
new profile using <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
fileref="Icon-list-add.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject>
button.
</para>
<para>
  To switch to the review mode press <guibutton>Edit</guibutton>. To select a
profile and return to the home screen press <guibutton>Use Selected Profile
</guibutton>.
</para>

<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Reviewing profile information</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="profiles1.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Reviewing profile information</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
</sect3>

<sect3 id="ktouch_menu">
<title>&i18n-ktouch; menu</title>
<para>&i18n-ktouch; menu can be opened using <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar of the home
screen.
</para>

<screenshot>
<screeninfo>&i18n-ktouch; menu</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="ktouch_menu.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>&i18n-ktouch; menu</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>

<para>
  You can find a list of the menu items with their short descriptions below.
</para>
<variablelist>
<varlistentry>
  <term><menuchoice><shortcut>
<keycombo action="simul">&Ctrl;&Shift;<keycap>F</keycap></keycombo>
</shortcut>
<guimenuitem>Full Screen Mode</guimenuitem></menuchoice>
</term>
<listitem><para><action>Toggle</action> full screen mode of
&i18n-ktouch; on and off</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term><guimenuitem>Course and Keyboard Layout Editor...</guimenuitem></term>
<listitem><para><action>Open</action> the &i18n-ktouch; <link
linkend="extending">editor window</link>
</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term><guimenuitem>Configure Typewriting Trainer...</guimenuitem></term>
<listitem><para><action>Display</action> the &i18n-ktouch; <link
linkend="configuration_dialog">configuration dialog</link>
</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term><guimenuitem>Configure Shortcuts...</guimenuitem></term>
<listitem><para><action>Configure</action> the shortcuts you want to associate
with some actions
</para></listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
<term><guimenuitem>Configure keyboard layout...</guimenuitem></term>
<listitem><para>A shortcut to the &systemsettings;
module to configure the keyboard settings. Useful to prepare for training on
a different keyboard layout.
</para>
<note>
<para>
On platforms lacking the support for detecting the keyboard layout
automatically, especially &Microsoft; &Windows;, this entry is replaced
with a submenu to select &i18n-ktouch;'s keyboard layout manually.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>

</variablelist>

&help.menu.documentation;
</sect3>

<sect3 id="configuration_dialog">
<title>Configuration dialog</title>

<para>You can customize &i18n-ktouch; quite a bit. The settings apply for all
profiles globally. Open the configuration dialog by pressing
<inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button at the right of the
top toolbar of the home screen then choosing <guimenuitem>Configure
Typewriting Trainer...</guimenuitem>.</para>

 <variablelist>
   <varlistentry>
     <term><guilabel>Training Settings</guilabel></term>
     <listitem>
       <para>In this dialog you can select the options that control tutor window
appearance and how &i18n-ktouch; behaves during training.</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Training options</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="training_options.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>Training options</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
  You can control the visibility of statistics and keyboard panes during
training using <guilabel>Show keyboard</guilabel> and <guilabel>Show real-time
statistics</guilabel> check boxes.
</para>
<para>
  The keystroke to go to the next line of training text can be chosen from two
options, <keycap>Return</keycap> or <keycap>Space</keycap>.
</para>
<para>The <guilabel>Lesson unlocking limits</guilabel> can be used to choose
settings that control unlocking of higher level lessons. &i18n-ktouch; checks the
given limits at the end of each level and decides whether to
unlock the next lesson. If the typing speed in characters per minute and
correctness are <emphasis>both</emphasis> above or equal to the
<guilabel>Lesson unlocking limits</guilabel> &i18n-ktouch; will unlock the next
higher level lesson.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>

<varlistentry>
  <term><guilabel>Color Settings</guilabel></term>
  <listitem>
<para>In this dialog you can tweak the colors used by &i18n-ktouch;.</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Color settings</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="color_options.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>Color settings</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
You can select the background color for each finger keys.
</para>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
</sect3>
</sect2>

<sect2 id="course_and_lessons_selection">
<title>Course and lesson selection</title>
<para>
&i18n-ktouch; automatically detects your keyboard layout and shows only the courses
optimized for this layout.
</para>
<note>
<para>
On some platforms, especially &Windows;, keyboard layout auto-detection is not
available. Use the application menu to select your keyboard layout manually.
</para>
</note>
<sect3 id="switching_courses">
<title>Switching courses</title>
<para>Should there are more than one course available for your keyboard layout
you can  choose your favorite one using <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-left.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> and <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-right.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> buttons to the right of the
label with course name. If there is only one course the buttons won't be
visible.
</para>
</sect3>
<sect3 id="unlocking_lessons">
<title>Unlocking lessons</title>
<para>
If you have chosen <guilabel>I have no or only very little experience in machine
typing</guilabel> during <link linkend="creating_profile">initial profile
creation</link> you will find that some lessons are locked. These items are marked
with <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
fileref="Icon-object-locked.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
</inlinemediaobject> icon and cannot be accessed until you pass the previous
lessons.
</para>
<note>
<para>
The settings to pass lessons can be changed using <link
linkend="configuration_dialog">&i18n-ktouch; configuration dialog</link>.
</para>
</note>
</sect3>
<sect3 id="training_on_a_different_keyboard_layout">
<title>Training on a different keyboard layout</title>
<para>
With &i18n-ktouch; it is possible to use any keyboard layout for training.
Just press the buttons that are highlighted by the trainer, regardless to the
labels on your physical keyboard.
</para>
<para>
Select <menuchoice><guimenu>Configure Keyboard...</guimenu></menuchoice> in
the application menu to select a different keyboard layout. After that &i18n-ktouch;
will adapt accordingly and present you its courses for this layout.
</para>
<note>
<para>
On platforms without keyboard layout auto-detection, especially &Microsoft;
&Windows;, you have first configure your operating system to use the layout
you want to train on and then select the same layout in &i18n-ktouch; via
the application menu.
</para>
</note>
</sect3>
</sect2>
</sect1>

<sect1 id="efficient_training">
<title>Efficient training</title>
<sect2 id="training_techniques">
<title>Training techniques</title>
<para>
Hereafter, you can find some general advice about techniques for learning
touch typing.
</para>
<sect3 id="steady_speed">
<title>Steady speed</title>
<para>
To be efficient when learning touch typing it is important not to simply try to
type as fast as possible but to keep a steady speed and find a natural rhythm
to press the keys.
</para>
</sect3>
<sect3 id="accuracy_is_a_king">
<title>Accuracy is a king</title>
<para>
The next important thing is to focus one's attention on accuracy. Only if you
mastered the use of the currently unlocked keys, which means you make only
very few errors with them still, you will have chance in the following lessons
with even more keys to handle. You will notice you become almost automatically
master if you make only very little errors and you will save precious time if
you don't have to correct that many errors.
</para>
<note>
<para>That is also the reason why the default accuracy level
to unlock the next lesson is at 98% while the speed requirements are pretty
moderate with just 180 characters per minute.
</para>
</note>
</sect3>
<sect3 id="correcting_mistakes">
<title>Correcting mistakes</title>
<para>
If you made mistakes it's important to correct them efficiently. Correcting
single characters is almost always slower than correcting the whole word. For
the latter you have just to press <keycombo>&Ctrl;&Backspace;</keycombo>,
and retype the word. The mental overhead for this is very small. For the first
you have to first locate the your mistake, delete precisely to the location of
the error, determine the missing part of the word re-type it. This requires
way more concentration when retyping the whole word.
</para>
</sect3>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="pausing_the_training_session">
<title>Pausing the training session</title>
<sect3 id="automatically_pausing">
<title>Automatically</title>
<para>
If you open any dialog or switch to different application while you are in a
training session the  training is paused and the timer is stopped until you
focus &i18n-ktouch; window again and hit any key.
</para>
<para>
The training session will also be paused if there will be no activity by the
user for five seconds.
</para>
</sect3>
<sect3 id="manually_pausing">
<title>Manually</title>
<para>
You can pause the current session manually using
<inlinemediaobject> <imageobject> <imagedata
fileref="Icon-media-playback-pause.png" format="PNG"/> </imageobject>
</inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar.
</para>
<para>
If you click on <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-go-home.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar
&i18n-ktouch; will pause the current
session  and show an overlay menu with some further actions.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>&i18n-ktouch; menu on pausing</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="pause_options.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>&i18n-ktouch; menu on pausing</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
</sect3>
</sect2>
</sect1>

<sect1 id="tracking_learning_progress">
<title>Tracking the learning progress</title>
<para>
After completing a lesson, you will not return immediately to the home screen.
Instead a special summary and statistics screen is shown.
</para>
<sect2 id="Speed_and_accuracy_statistics">
<title>Speed and accuracy statistics</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Score screen progress page</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="score_screen.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>Score screen progress page</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<sect3 id="filter_per_lesson">
<title>Filter per lesson</title>
<para>
With the help of the speed and accuracy statistics page you can review your
learning progress and identify your weaknesses.
</para>
<para>
The statistics data can be filtered by lesson using drop down box next to the
<guilabel>Over</guilabel> label. This feature can be useful to control you
progress in the current lesson and compare this progress with the progress in
other lessons.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Statistics range drop down menu</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="statistics_over.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>Statistics range drop down menu</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
Additional data about the session can be viewed in overlays. If you hover the
mouse cursor on a point on the graph &i18n-ktouch; will show the statistics of the
corresponding session.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Progress per lesson</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="statistics_hovering.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>Progress per lesson</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
</sect3>
</sect2>
<sect2 id="errors_statistics">
<title>Errors statistics</title>
<para>
The score screen can be switched to show errors rate for each key using drop
down menu next to the <guilabel>Show</guilabel> label.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Switching the statistics mode</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="statistics_show.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>Switching the statistics mode</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
In this mode, &i18n-ktouch; shows a bar diagram of errors for each key in the last
training session.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Errors chart by the keys</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject><imagedata fileref="score_screen_errors.png"
format="PNG"/></imageobject>
<textobject><phrase>Errors chart by the keys</phrase></textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
You can switch back to the lessons graph using the same drop down menu next to
the <guilabel>Show</guilabel> label.
</para>
<para>
If you have passed the lesson you may choose to start training on the next
lesson right away by pressing <guibutton>Next lesson</guibutton> in the
toolbar.
Otherwise you can repeat the current lesson with <guibutton>Repeat
lesson</guibutton> or return to the home screen with the remaining button.
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>
</chapter>

<chapter id="extending">
<title>Extending &i18n-ktouch;</title>

<sect1 id="create_courses">
<title>Creating courses</title>
<para>You can easily create your own training course using the built-in
&i18n-ktouch; course and keyboard layout editor. Press <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-configure.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button at the right of the home screen
toolbar then choose <guimenuitem>Course and Keyboard Layout
Editor...</guimenuitem>. You can choose open a course file or create an empty
course from
scratch or using an existing course as a template.</para>
<important>
<para>
You cannot edit the built-in courses, even if you have the write access to the
installation directory.
</para>
</important>

<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Course and Keyboard Layout Editor main window</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="courses.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Course and Keyboard Layout Editor main window</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>

<sect2 id="course_properties">
<title>Course properties</title>
<para>
The course properties can be chosen using &i18n-ktouch; course creation wizard. To
invoke this wizard you should press <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-document-new.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar of <guilabel>Course
and Keyboard Layout Editor</guilabel> window.
</para>
<para>
The first page of creation &i18n-ktouch; wizard allows you to choose the type of the
data. Select <guilabel>Course</guilabel> and press <guibutton>Next</guibutton>.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Choosing the type</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Choosing the type</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
The second page of wizard allows you to choose the title, the keyboard layout
and the description of the course.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>New course wizard second page</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create_course1.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>New course wizard second page</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
The course title is important for the quick-select menu entry in the course list
and for the statistics.
</para>
<para>
The description should be used to include information
about the lesson author and source of lesson data if any. This description can
be shown by pressing <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-dialog-information.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the home screen of
&i18n-ktouch;.
</para>
<para>
When you finished with entering appropriate values press
<guibutton>Next</guibutton>.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>New course wizard third page</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create_course2.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>New course wizard third page</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
Using the third page of wizard you can choose an other course as a template for
your course. Select the course from the list and press
<guibutton>Finish</guibutton>.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>New course editing window</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create_course3.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>New course editing window</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
&i18n-ktouch; will open the course editor window prepared to entering your course
data.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2 id="adding_lessons">
<title>Adding lessons</title>
<para>
A course is an ordered set of lessons. To be efficient for learning touch
typing the content of the course should meet a few requirements.
</para>
<variablelist>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Choose a meaningful name for the
lesson</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
For each level you can specify the new characters/keys in the lesson. It is
worth to include the new characters in the lesson title. Click on a name label
in the <guilabel>Lessons</guilabel> list and enter some meaningful name.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>The text you enter as a lesson title will be shown as lesson information
text in the home screen course list. It will be much easier for user to choose
the lesson if it has a meaningful title.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">The first lesson should cover the
home keys</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Usually a keyboard has two haptic markers for the keys on the second row
belonging to the index fingers. These two keys and the three adjacent keys
outwards are the home keys. That's <emphasis>asdfjkl;</emphasis> for the US
keyboard layout.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>Those eight keys are the start position of each
finger. One must internalize the location of these keys first to successfully
learn touch typing.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Introduce two new keys per lesson
</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>The unlocking order of keys is not fixed, but usually keys are introduced
in pairs belonging to the same finger on both hands. Make your way from the home
keys to the ones further away.  Thus, the forth row should be introduced at
last. Prefer keys for important characters of your language, this may require to
bend the introduction pattern a bit. For example in French accents are really
important, this warrants a lesson early-on focusing on the accent key
alone.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
If more keys are introduced the trainee might
get overwhelmed by the difficulty of the lesson and loose his motivation.
Introduce keys for important keys first to able to form real words
earlier.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Extra emphasis on the new
keys</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Make sure the characters belonging to the newly introduced keys are the most or
at least very frequently used characters in the lesson text.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
If the trainee passes a lesson he should have
mastered the new keys. This is only possible if the lesson contains a
significant amount of the new characters.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Intersperse lessons with new keys
with repetition lessons</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Every two to three lessons add a repetition lesson
without any new keys. These should have an even character mix covering all
already introduced characters.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
Such lessons help to strengthen the acquired
skills and provide a way to check the overall training level. They are also
better suited for repeated training to further improve one's general typing
skills.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Dedicated lessons for
capitalization</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
There should be several lessons focusing sorely on
capitalization. Ideally capitalization is introduced in multiple steps: At first
only the left &Shift; key, then the right, then both and followed by one or
more repetition lessons.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
Mastering capitalization is the most difficult
part of learning touch typing. Therefore extra effort must be spend on these
lessons.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Cover the complete keyboard
layout</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>This includes characters and symbols accessible via other modifiers than
&Shift;. Ideally every character, number and symbol which is printed on a real
keyboard should be covered.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
The more complete a course is the more the
trainee can learn from it. It also keeps the course interesting for already
advanced typists.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>
<para>
Use <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button to add new lesson to
the course, <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-remove.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button to remove selected
lesson from your course and <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-up.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject>/<inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-arrow-down.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> buttons to rearrange the
lessons in the course.
</para>
<important>
<para>
Delete lessons only with caution. Doing so may reset the unlocking progress
of the users of the course. If you are planning to revise a course thoroughly
it is usually better to use the existing course as a base for a new one.
</para>
</important>
<para>
The content of the lesson can be edited using bottom right edit field. You can
copy snippets of the text from your favorite text editor and paste them to this
field.
</para>
<para>
Let's assume you want to add a new lesson. There are a few guidelines you
may want to consider:
</para>

<variablelist>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Give lessons a descriptive
title</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Name the new characters if there are any or otherwise state what the lesson is
about.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
Good titles make it easier to find the right
course if one wants to train on something specific.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">The lesson text should be composed
out of real words and sentences</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
Optimally a lesson forms a comprehensible contiguous text on a freely chosen
subject.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>Training with real words and sentences is more
effective than with arbitrary random character combinations since that is closer
to real typing. And it is more fun.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Avoid non-word character
combinations</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
This may impossible in the very first lessons where only a few
characters are available, but as soon as possible only real words should be
used. Never use misspelled words.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
Random character combinations are hard to type and are seldom found in
day-to-day typing. Misspelled words on the other hand are confusing and have
even a negative learning value, since the trainee may memorize the wrong
spelling.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
<varlistentry><term><emphasis role="bold">Lesson text should be roughly 600
characters long</emphasis></term>
<listitem>
<para>
They may be longer, up to 1200 characters is okay, but shorter
lessons should be avoided. This is especially true for repetition
lessons.
</para>
<note>
<title>Rationale</title>
<para>
Keeping within this range ensures that a untrained
typist (~120 characters per minute) can finish a lesson in five to ten minutes.
Longer lessons get frustrating, shorter ones are ineffective.
</para>
</note>
</listitem>
</varlistentry>
</variablelist>

<sect3 id="quality_checks">
<title>Quality checks in the lesson text editor</title>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Quality check in the course editing window</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="quality_check.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Quality check in the course editing window</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
Above is a screenshot of the course editor with one of a problematic lesson
loaded showing one of the built-in quality-assurance checks: if a lesson
contains characters not available in that lesson, because they are not among the
configured new characters of this lesson or any previous one, they are
highlighted in red. There is also a check for too long lines resulting in a
muted color for the characters behind the allowed column.
</para>
<para>
On the left side there is a list over all data files &i18n-ktouch; knows about,
built-in and user-created alike. If the user selects a built-in resource the
editor will degrade to a simple viewer, though. If the user selects a keyboard
layout the program will adapt appropriately.
</para>
</sect3>
</sect2>
</sect1>

<sect1 id="create_layouts">
<title>Creating keyboard layouts</title>
<para>You can create your own keyboard layouts using built-in &i18n-ktouch; editor.
Usually it's best is to start with an existing layout close to the keyboard layout
you want to create, and use that as a base for own layout. That way you can avoid a
lot of work.</para>

<sect2 id="layout_properties">
<title>Keyboard layout properties</title>
<para>
The keyboard layout properties can be chosen using &i18n-ktouch; keyboard layout creation
wizard. To invoke this wizard you should press <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-document-new.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button in the toolbar of <guilabel>Course
and Keyboard Layout Editor</guilabel> window.
</para>
<para>
The first page of creation &i18n-ktouch; wizard allows you to choose the type of the
data. Select <guilabel>Keyboard layout</guilabel> and press
<guibutton>Next</guibutton>.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Choosing the type</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Choosing the type</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
The second page of wizard allows you to choose the title and the name of the
layout.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>New layout wizard second page</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create_layout1.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>New layout wizard second page</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
The layout title is important for the quick-select menu entry in the layout list
of <link linkend="ktouch_menu">&i18n-ktouch; configuration menu</link> and for the
statistics.
</para>
<para>
The layout name will be used as a name of the layout by &i18n-ktouch; internally.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>New layout wizard third page</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create_layout2.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>New layout wizard third page</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
Using the third page of wizard you can choose other layout as a template for
your layout. Select the course from the list and press
<guibutton>Finish</guibutton>.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>New layout editing window</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="create_layout3.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>New layout editing window</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
&i18n-ktouch; will open the editor window prepared to entering your keyboard
layout data.
</para>
</sect2>

<sect2 id="adding_keys">
<title>Adding keys</title>
<para>
Use <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> <guilabel>Normal
Key</guilabel> button to add new normal key or <inlinemediaobject> <imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> <guilabel>Special
Key</guilabel> button to add new special key (modifier keys, <keycap>Space</keycap>,
&Backspace;, &Tab;, <keycap>Caps Lock</keycap> or &Enter;) to the layout.
The <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-edit-delete.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject><guilabel>Delete</guilabel>
button can be used to remove a selected key from your layout. The scale can be
changed using the slider at the left part of the editor toolbar.
</para>
<para>
The properties of individual keys can be edited using the bottom pane of the
editor window.
</para>
<sect3 id="normal_keys">
<title>Normal keys</title>
<para>
It is easy to change the size or properties of a key.
</para>
<para>
Begin by clicking on the key you want to change. This selects the clicked key as
the current key.
</para>
<para>
There are now 4 squares on the corners of the key. By dragging these squares, you
will be able to drag the key border to a new location. Dragging the whole key
allows you to change the key position in the layout.
</para>
<para>
The numerical characteristics of the key geometry can also be changed using the
<guilabel>Geometry</guilabel> section of the pane at the bottom of the editor
window.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Editing an individual key properties</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="key_editing.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Editing an individual key properties</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
The bottom pane can also be used to choose finger to press the key and switch
the haptic marker for the key.
</para>
<sect4 id="key_characters">
<title>Key characters</title>
<para>
The characters that will be shown on a key can be changed using the <guilabel>
Characters</guilabel> section of the editor bottom pane.
</para>
<screenshot>
<screeninfo>Editing the character position</screeninfo>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="character_editing.png" format="PNG"/>
</imageobject>
<textobject>
<phrase>Editing the character position</phrase>
</textobject>
</mediaobject>
</screenshot>
<para>
You can add a character by pressing <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-add.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button. A selected character
can be removed by pressing <inlinemediaobject>
<imageobject> <imagedata fileref="Icon-list-remove.png"
format="PNG"/> </imageobject> </inlinemediaobject> button.
</para>
<para>
You can also select the position of individual characters on the key by
double-clicking in the <guilabel>Position</guilabel> column.
</para>
</sect4>
</sect3>
<sect3 id="modifier_keys">
<title>Modifiers</title>
<para>
There are several modifier keys that can be defined in &i18n-ktouch;. They can be
edited as normal keys but it is helpful to know identifier of modifier key to
use them as appropriate. The table of modifier keys identifiers is given below.
</para>
<table>
<title>Modifier keys</title>
<tgroup cols="2">
<thead>
<row>
<entry>Modifier key</entry>
<entry>Modifier id in &i18n-ktouch;</entry>
</row>
</thead>
<tbody>
<row>
<entry>&Alt;</entry>
<entry><literal>altgr</literal></entry>
</row>
<row>
<entry>&Shift;</entry>
<entry><literal>left_shift</literal> or <literal>right_shift</literal></entry>
</row>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
</sect3>
</sect2>
</sect1>

<sect1 id="sharing_your_results">
<title>Sharing your results</title>
<para>
It is possible to save your courses and keyboard layouts in separate files
outside of the local &i18n-ktouch; database.
</para>
<sect2 id="export_import">
<title>Export/Import</title>
<para>
To export a course or keyboard layout in a separate file choose the
corresponding item in the list at the left part of <guilabel>Course and Keyboard
Layout Editor</guilabel> window and press <guibutton>Export</guibutton> button
in the toolbar.
</para>
<para>
&i18n-ktouch; will open a standard &kde; save dialog. Description of this dialog in
details can be found in the <ulink url="help:/fundamentals/files.html"
>Opening and Saving Files</ulink> chapter of the &kde; Fundamentals.
</para>
<para>
You can choose the name and the location of the &XML; file to be saved.
</para>
<para>
If you find it worth to share your files with over users, please send them
with some description to <ulink url="mailto:kde-edu@kde.org">kde-edu mailing
list</ulink>.
</para>
<important>
<para>
Your data should be licensed under <ulink
url="http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html">GNU General Public License,
version 2</ulink> to include them into the default &i18n-ktouch; installation.
</para>
</important>
<para>
To import your data files into &i18n-ktouch; press <guibutton>Import</guibutton>
button in the toolbar and choose &XML; file that was earlier exported using
&i18n-ktouch;.
</para>
</sect2>
</sect1>
</chapter>

<chapter id="credits">

<title>Credits and License</title>
<para>&i18n-ktouch;</para>
<para>
&i18n-ktouch;, Copyright 1999-2007 by</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><simpara>Håvard Frøiland
&Haavard.Froeiland.mail;</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>Andreas Nicolai <email>andreas.nicolai@gmx DOT
net</email></simpara></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<para>
  &i18n-ktouch;, Copyright 2011-2012 by Sebastian Gottfried
<email>sebastiangottfried@web DOT de</email>.
</para>

<para> Contributors:</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><simpara>Frank Quotschalla, German keyboard and German training file
and translation.</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>Ernesto Hern&aacute;ndez-Novich, Latin American
 keyboard</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>Jo&atilde;o Miguel Neves, Portuguese
keyboard</simpara></listitem>
<listitem><simpara>Henri Girard, French keyboard</simpara></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<para><emphasis>Special thanks to all the other (here not mentioned)
contributors of keyboard and lesson files.</emphasis>
</para>
<!-- TRANS:CREDIT_FOR_TRANSLATORS -->

&underFDL;           <!-- FDL: do not remove -->
&underGPL;        	 <!-- GPL License -->

</chapter>

<appendix id="installation">
<title>How to obtain and install &i18n-ktouch;</title>

&install.intro.documentation;
 
<sect1 id="Compilation">
<title>Compilation and Installation</title>
&install.compile.documentation;
</sect1>
</appendix>

&documentation.index;
</book>
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