What is the Serial / Output Macro Tool and How do I Use it in the ECO?
Serial Macro Tools or called Output Macro Tools in newer software:
Adding computer access commands has always been somewhat challenging, partly because there are constraints imposed by the need to use the standard GIDEI[1] commands. In the ECO, the common computer control commands have now been added as insertable tools so instead of having to type a whole string of characters to, for example, send an ALT key command, the string can be inserted by a single button.
| When you use any storing procedure, you can use the SERIAL MACRO or OUTPUT MACRO button after using the INSERT TOOL key. This then opens up a page with a list of all the computer control commands. |
If you select, for example, the ALT key, here’s what you see in the text window;
Note that it also includes the PROMPT MARKER. Depending on what you are trying to achieve, you may want to delete the SERIAL ON command. However, it is much easier to delete one or two elements than to type in the whole string.
[1] The General Input Device Emulating Interface (GIDEI) Proposal defines a connection and data communication protocol between alternate input devices (e.g., augmentative and alternative communication [AAC] devices) and interfaces which emulate standard computer input devices. More details are available at http://trace.wisc.edu/docs/gidei/toc.htm