Sticky keys
Encyclopedia
StickyKeys is an accessibility
feature to help computer users who have physical disabilities, but it is also used by others as a means to reduce RSI
(or a syndrome called the Emacs Pinky). It essentially serializes keystrokes instead of pressing multiple keys at a time: StickyKeys allows the user to press and release a modifier key
, such as Shift
, Ctrl, Alt
, or the Windows key
, and have it remain active until any other key is pressed.
Easy Access with Mac OS
version 6, which also featured moving the mouse cursor with the Keyboard.
Microsoft
added StickyKeys to their Windows operating system with Windows 95
and is also used on later versions.
It is also now present on Unix
/X11
(there called AccessX) and Mac OS X
.
5 times in a row or press left Alt, left Shift and Print Scrn, and to turn it off press both shift keys at the same time. When activated, a dialog box
appears, and the computer makes an internal chirp. This is consistent with the activation sequence on the Macintosh. The activation is indicated by a small icon
in the menu bar
.
Accessibility
Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and benefit from some system or entity...
feature to help computer users who have physical disabilities, but it is also used by others as a means to reduce RSI
Repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by...
(or a syndrome called the Emacs Pinky). It essentially serializes keystrokes instead of pressing multiple keys at a time: StickyKeys allows the user to press and release a modifier key
Modifier key
In computing, a modifier key is a special key on a computer keyboard that modifies the normal action of another key when the two are pressed in combination....
, such as Shift
Shift key
The shift key is a modifier key on a keyboard, used to type capital letters and other alternate "upper" characters. There are typically two shift keys, on the left and right sides of the row below the home row...
, Ctrl, Alt
Alt key
The Alt key on a computer keyboard is used to change the function of other pressed keys. Thus, the Alt key is a modifier key, used in a similar fashion to the Shift key. For example, simply pressing "A" will type the letter a, but if you hold down either Alt key while pressing A, the computer...
, or the Windows key
Windows key
The Windows logo key—also known as the Windows key, the home key, the meta key, the start key, MOD4, or the flag key —is a keyboard key which was originally introduced on the Microsoft Natural keyboard before the release of Windows 95. This key became a standard key on PC keyboards...
, and have it remain active until any other key is pressed.
History
StickyKeys was first available with the availability of the ExtensionExtension (Mac OS)
On the Apple Macintosh operating system prior to Mac OS X, extensions were small pieces of code that extended the system's functionality. They were run initially at start-up time, and operated by a variety of mechanisms, including trap patching and other code modifying techniques. Initially an...
Easy Access with Mac OS
Mac OS
Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
version 6, which also featured moving the mouse cursor with the Keyboard.
Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
added StickyKeys to their Windows operating system with Windows 95
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a consumer-oriented graphical user interface-based operating system. It was released on August 24, 1995 by Microsoft, and was a significant progression from the company's previous Windows products...
and is also used on later versions.
It is also now present on Unix
Unix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
/X11
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
(there called AccessX) and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
.
Usage
In Windows, to toggle on the StickyKeys feature, the user presses the Shift keyShift key
The shift key is a modifier key on a keyboard, used to type capital letters and other alternate "upper" characters. There are typically two shift keys, on the left and right sides of the row below the home row...
5 times in a row or press left Alt, left Shift and Print Scrn, and to turn it off press both shift keys at the same time. When activated, a dialog box
Dialog box
In a graphical user interface of computers, a dialog box is a type of window used to enable reciprocal communication or "dialog" between a computer and its user. It may communicate information to the user, prompt the user for a response, or both...
appears, and the computer makes an internal chirp. This is consistent with the activation sequence on the Macintosh. The activation is indicated by a small icon
Computer icon
A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an...
in the menu bar
Menu bar
A menu bar is a region of a screen or application interface where drop down menus are displayed. The menu bar's purpose is to supply a common housing for window- or application-specific menus which provide access to such functions as opening files, interacting with an application, or displaying...
.