The following will give you a flavour of the configuration software with some selected screen shots. For a complete understanding then it is suggested you download the actual programme and have a go! You will find there is plenty of on screen assistance and comprehensive 'Help' files.

The configuration software package lets you set up and modify the way a wiseDX will behave for a particular client. With this software you create a wdx file that you can 'download' (via the serial port of your PC computer) into a wiseDX. Files can also be 'uploaded' from a wiseDX into a computer. They can then be modified as necessary and downloaded again.

Using the Software and ID numbers

Anyone can use the configuration software - it's available free as download from the wiseDX web site. The software isn't particularly difficult to use - it has been designed to be 'user friendly'. However, when you come to actually wanting to download a wdx file, that you have created, you will need an ID number. To get an ID number you will need to have had some training. This is a safety precaution - remember you could be changing the way a user drives their chair in a big way. The ID number is to ensure that you understand these implications and that you know what you are doing. When a wdx file is downloaded into a wiseDX the ID number entered goes down with it! This means that it is possible to trace who downloaded the current file in any wiseDX.

The Step by Step Guide helps you 'choose' one of 20 'ready configured' templates (wdx files). Each one has a particular way of working using different switch/scanning or joystick combinations. For each template there is a description of how it works. There is also some assessment guidance given under a tab called 'Colin Says...' The right hand side of the screen shows a simulator to graphically indicate how the template works. Click on the switches or use the number keys on the keyboard to see how it will work in real life.

Files can be created from scratch or modified using the 'Advanced Set-up' screen. A template could be chosen from the 'Step by Step Guide' as a starter and modified in this screen. Scan sequences are easily created by picking up objects in the 'Scan Toolbox' and dropping them into the 'Scan tables'. You also decide what function you want the switches to have, in a similar manner. Again an on screen simulator helps you see how it is behaving.

If you are using a standard DX joystick you simply click the appropriate check box and leave the screen.

It is important to establish competent driving skills before attempting to integrate other devices for the user to operate. It would be sensible to download into the wiseDX a driving only configuration before modifying it for other devices.

In effect the wiseDX does two things: 'Driving' and 'Operating Other devices'. The other devices are collectively called 'Other' and are arranged in a tabular format - the 'Other Table'. To operate another device the user is required to leave 'driving mode' and navigate (sequence through) the 'Other Table' to choose a device.

The 'Other Table' is a table organised as 16 groups with 16 spaces in each group. Each group is given a heading and devices (infrared signals, communication aids, etc) are placed into the spaces.

The Other Mode Set-up screen shows 3 of the 16 groups - the others can be scrolled through. On the left side of the screen is a column of buttons. These are the 'types' of devices (items) that can be chosen. The full list of items for each type is shown in the centre of the screen. You type in a sensible name for each required item in the black space. Group headings are also given names. This name will appear in the display of the wiseDX at the appropriate time when in real use. Once an item has a name it can be picked up by the mouse and dropped into the 'Other Table'.

In this way items can be grouped how the user wants - and not how the technology dictates. Items can be used several times in different places.

The Gewa Module items are presented as a working 'virtual' Prog III. Alternatively you can scroll through all the available channels provided by the Gewa Prog III. Again you can type in a sensible name for the channel, pick it up and drop it into the 'Other Table'.

Note that below the three columns of the 'Other Table' is where you choose how to return - to driving mode or to operate something else.

Individual keyboard keys can be accessed remotely by the user's switches or joystick. This can be useful for accessing special software or playing games. The above screen shows the positions of a joystick (therefore a joystick user) being assigned particular keyboard keys. This is achieved by simply clicking the radio button next to the switch/joystick position and then cliking a key on the 'virtual' keyboard.