Just for fun
My kids like to copy everything I do. So when I am working on my computer, they want to have a go as well. I often load up Notepad so they can play at typing, however it is ridiculously easy for them to accidentally close the window or bring up the Start menu or get into some weird mode and I have to rescue them.
What I need is some way they can just sit down and bang away at the keyboard to their heart's content without any interruption no matter what keys they press.
So hey presto, here is my KidType application. It is basically the same as Notepad but it selects a nice large font and disables all the problem keys such as ALT, the Windows Key, the Context key, Function keys etc. etc. It always launches full-screen in a non-moveable, non-sizeable window. Only parents who know the secret key combination of Alt-F4 can exit the program.
Here it is for your downloading pleasure. This is totally free to use by anyone although I'll have to ask that you read my simple terms and conditions before you download this program.
Oh, P.S. I have only tested this on Windows XP but it should also work on Windows 2000. It might work on earlier versions of Windows but would not be fully functional. If you have any problems with it, let me know by sending email to adam@doctort.org
Download
Latest version is 1.1. DOWNLOAD NOW - (license details)
Change log
| v1.1 03-Jun-2006 | Reduced size to 36k (v1.0 was 408k!) Window now covers the task bar Text is now anti-aliased Saves to TXT format instead of RTF File dialogs are resizable |
| v1.0 24-May-2006 | Initial version. Basic functions are working. |
Instructions
Unpack the ZIP and run Setup. This will install KidType.
Run KidType and let your kids go crazy. When they are finished, you can press Alt-F4 to quit. It will ask you if you want to save your document.
There are a small number of other key combinations you can use:
- Ctrl-S Save document
- Ctrl-O Open document
- Ctrl-N New document
- Ctrl-Z Undo
- Ctrl-X Cut
- Ctrl-C Copy
- Ctrl-V Paste
- Alt-F1 More information
- Alt-F4 Quit
If you save a file, it saves in Text format (TXT). This is compatible with Notepad, WordPad, Microsoft Word and OpenOffice and pretty much every text editor there is.
Yes, I know it shows the "secret" key combinations in the title bar. Remember this program is for small children who cannot read yet.
To uninstall it, choose Programs/KidType/Uninstall from the start menu or use Add/Remove programs from the Control Panel.