Individual writer files can be set up and saved. By customizing the writer file, Co:Writer will remember how you set everything, and open it the same way each time you use it. To customize a writer file, go to the “File” menu, select "New Writer”, enter the student’s name, select dictionary (2,000; 10,000; or 40,000 word vocabulary), and click “OK”. Everything you change now will be saved in that student’s writer file.
Tip: For optimal functioning, always open Co:Writer before your word processor. When your word processor document is open, use the hot key [+] to bring Co:Writer to the front.
Customizing Writer Files:
- To move and re-size the Co:Writer window
Move the window up by putting your mouse arrow on the gray bar that says “Co:Writer”. Hold your mouse button down and drag the window up. Let go. Make the window larger or smaller by putting your mouse arrow on the bottom right corner of the window until it makes a double arrow. Hold your mouse button down and pull the corner down until the window is the size you want. Let go.
Co:Writer will predict between 1 and 9 words. Go to the “Format” menu, select “Predict (#) Words”.
Caution: the Co:Writer window must be large enough to hold the number words and the font you select.
The font size can be changed and saved in a particular student’s writer file. The font size will open in the writer file the same size as the last time it was used.
Co:Writer will read out loud. It can read the words as it predicts, or the words you select with the mouse. It can read the sentence back when you are done. Go to the “Speech” menu. Select “Speak Word”, “Speak Sentence”, or “Scan Words” (automatically reads the list of predicted words).
Co:Writer can read the predicted word choices to the user automatically or by selecting with the mouse or arrow keys. To change the way the words are read, go to the “Speech” menu, “Speech & Scanning Options”.
Co:Writer can predict ahead or not, depending on your needs. To turn this feature on or off, go to the “Format” menu and select “Predict Ahead” or “Predict In-Line”. Either or both can be selected. “Predict Ahead” predicts words grammatically and according to writer vocabulary. “Predict In-Line” predicts according to first letter typed.
- Saving or clearing recently used words
Co:Writer “learns” the student’s vocabulary. This way, the program can predict long and sophisticated words the student might need for a particular project. This feature is under the “Options” menu, “Favor Recent Words”, or “Clear Recent Words”.
Unusual pronunciations can be phonetically entered into the writer file. This feature is under the “Speech” menu, “Pronunciations”.
Co:Writer can prevent some grammatical errors. To turn this function on or off, go to the “Options” menu and select “Turn Grammar On” or “Turn Grammar Off”. The program will allow you to choose to change the program from the current setting. (If the menu says “Turn Grammar On” that means that the grammar function is currently off. If the menu says “Turn Grammar Off”, that means that the grammar function is currently on.)
Frequent Problems:
- Text disappears below the Co:Writer window
The word processor window needs to be resized so that the word processor and Co:Writer don’t overlap. The Co:Writer window can be placed anywhere on the screen.
- Speech won’t work on my computer
The volume may be turned down or the speech disabled on your computer. If neither of these is the problem, your version of Co:Writer may be incompatible with your operating system. Call the Assistive Technology Team for a different version or technical assistance.
“Hot” keys:
- Turn prediction off (to type numbers) or on
[ESC]
- Bring Co:Writer to the front
[shift] and [+]