Customizing Your Tango

Customizing Your Tango VERSION 2.0 www.blink-twice.com

3 Table of Contents Introduction 05 Chapter 1 Programming Principles 06 Chapter 2 How to Edit Content 10 Create a New Button with a Photo 11 Create a Word Button with a Symbol 12 Create a Word Button with a Photo 14 Edit an Existing Button in Word Banks 15 Move a Button 16 Hide a Button 17 Copy a Phrase 18 Copy a Complete Talk Topic 19 Chapter 3 Customize Settings and Preferences 20 Chapter 4 Popular Customizations 28

4 5 Life is about to get easier! You ve already discovered that communication can be easier, more fun, and more effective with the Tango. And you re probably also starting to ask questions about customizing topics, changing settings, or adding your own content. Well, good news! The answers to those questions are right here in our Quickstart Customization Guide. In this guide, you ll learn how to use Programming Mode to: create new personalized phrases and images edit, move, and hide buttons personalize the Tango with your own information customize the Tango to meet the specific cognitive and motoric needs of an individual This booklet is divided into four areas: 1. Key Principles for Programming 2. Customizing and Editing Buttons 3. Settings and Preferences 4. Sample Customizations As you explore the Tango s Programming Mode, you ll quickly start feeling comfortable with our simple and intuitive interface. So don t be afraid to try things on your own. If there s something you don t understand, consult the Tango Reference Guide or call our support group at 877-BLINK-11. Now, let s start customizing!

Chapter Heading Chapter 1 Programming Principles 1 2 Before you start learning the specifics about customizing your Tango, here are some general principles and tips that are important to know no matter what you re doing. Programming Principles Entering Programming Mode To enter Programming Mode, press and quickly release the PopTalk /(!) and Spelling /(ABC) buttons simultaneously. There s no need to hold these buttons down; simply press and release. Check the Tango Reference Guide to find other ways to enter Programming Mode. 7 3 4 5 6 7 We hope you agree things not only make sense, but that they make programming easy and intuitive. Programming Mode Indicator When you enter Programming Mode, the Home button will turn red, and the letter P will appear in the upper left corner of the Message Strip. In addition, the type in the Message Strip will be red. Keep an eye on the Message Strip, as it gives you step-by-step instructions for accomplishing any task. Types of Programming When you enter Programming Mode, you work in one of two separate programming areas. In the first screen, you ll find tools you need to Create, Edit, and Move buttons. In the second screen (accessed by pressing Left or Right Arrow) you ll find user settings, utilities, and preferences.

8 9 Programming Principles On Location Editing To edit a specific button on the Tango, first navigate to the screen that contains the button you wish to edit. Then enter Programming Mode. Navigation Navigation in Programming Mode works just like it does anywhere on the Tango. Simply press buttons to scroll down or select that specific button. Use the Left/ Right Arrows to get additional choices within any one level. Remember to watch the Navigation Dots (Nav Dots) in the upper right area of the Message Strip: They ll tell you how many screens you have and which one you re on. Touch vs. Press and Hold While in Programming Mode, there are two different methods of pressing buttons: Touch and Press and Hold. Touch: The way you normally press a button on the Tango to speak or spell. Use this to navigate through the Tango, or to select a button when you have only one screen of options. Press and Hold: A longer press lets the Tango differentiate between navigating and selecting a button. A typical touch works as it always does. An extended touch tells the Tango that you want to choose a button from among many selections. For example, choosing to use an image on a Talk Topic button, rather than navigating down into Phrase Banks. Uneditable buttons The Tango is designed to be very flexible. But in order to preserve its well-thought-out organization, some buttons aren t editable and some screens can t be rearranged. Programming functions that you can t use in a specific area appear grayed out. Program Faster Using a Keyboard The Tango s six-button interface is a terrific way for individuals with complex motor patterns to increase access. But when someone with full motor access is programming, it will be faster to attach a USB keyboard to the Tango and type traditionally. When you do this, keyboard presses appear directly in the Tango s Message Strip. You can use any USB keyboard with the Tango. Simply attach the enclosed USB adapter onto the end of your keyboard s USB plug so that it can interface with our USB2GO port. Then, plug that coupled cable into the center hole under the Tango s left port cover. With a USB keyboard attached, you can type any character on the keyboard and it will appear in the Tango. You can also use Function buttons to select buttons on the Tango. When you press F1 through F6, it s the same as pressing screen buttons 1 through 6 on the Tango. Also, the arrows on your keyboard work just like arrows on the Tango. When you re ready, plug in a keyboard and try it. It s cool and efficient particularly when doing a lot of programming.

Chapter Heading Chapter 2 How to Edit Content Create a New Phrase Button With a Photo The built-in camera is a great way to personalize the Tango with photographs of your own things. 1. Press Talk Topics. Press Dressing. Press Things. 2. Let s add I want my favorite shoes. 3. Go into Programming Mode. 4. Press Create New. You can only have 12 Phrases per Phrase Bank, so let s replace Shoes. 5. Find and select Shoes. 6. Point the camera at your shoes. Press Take Photo. 7. Then press Use This Photo. 8. Create the Audio Phrase. Press Synthesized Speech and type using the keyboard or Arrow Right twice to use Core Words to write I want my favorite shoes. You can also record your own message. You know how to do that. 9. When you re done, press next step. 10. Now, create the text readout for both the Message Strip. Type in I want my favorite shoes. 11. Press EDIT TEXT/LISTS/NEXT, then Next Step. 12. Now, create your text label. Type in Favorite Shoes. 13. To save your work, press Next Step. 14. Exit Programming Mode. And there s your button. 11 Shout-out When you create a new button, remember that you will use On Location editing. First go to where you want to create a button, then enter Programming Mode.

Create a New Phrase Button With a Symbol 12 13 As you program the Tango, you ll discover there s more than one way to do what you want. For example, here s a way to create a Phrase using a Symbol that already exists on the Tango. 1. Press Talk Topics. 2. Choose Bedtime. Press Things. 3. To add I want ice cream, enter Programming Mode. You can only have 12 Phrases per Phrase Bank, so the Tango will ask you to choose a button to delete. 4. Press Create New. 5. For this activity, let s press snack. 6. When asked for an image, choose Get existing image. The Tango now takes you back to the Home Screen and asks you to navigate to the image you want. 7. Let s find the picture symbol of ice cream. Press Talk Topics. 8. Press Supermarket. 9. Right Arrow to Word Banks. 10. Then press Dairy & Bread. 11. Press and hold Ice Cream. (Remember, to select a button after navigating, you need to press and hold. ) The Tango accepts the ice cream symbol and asks you to create the Audio Phrase. As always, you can record and morph your voice, or use Synthesized Speech. 12. Let s record I really want some ice cream. Press Record. Speak into the built-in microphone. Then press stop. 13. Then, morph it into a child s voice. 14. When you re done, press the Next Step button. Now we ll create the Message Strip text. 15. If you re using the screen keyboard, this can take some time, so you might want to leave it blank, or just type in a key word. (Whenever there s a lot of typing, you might want to plug a USB keyboard into the Tango. But for this activity, use the onscreen keyboard.) 16. When done, press EDIT TEXT/LISTS/NEXT and Next Step. 17. Now, type in I-c-e c-r-e-a-m. This will be the label of your picture symbol. 18. When done, press Edit Text/Next. 19. Press Next Step. 20. Press Exit. Shout-out The Tango has thousands of words smartly organized within Talk Topics and also within Lists. You can take any of those words and easily bring them into other areas. If you re not sure where a word is, just check our Word Locator.

Create a Word Button With a Photo Edit an Existing Button in Word Banks 14 15 Create a new Word Button using a Photo and Typing. There are thousands of words in the Tango. You ll find them in Talk Topic Word Banks and in Lists. But you can also add thousands more, plus titles of your favorite objects. Editing buttons makes the Tango s content more personal and, often, more motivating. Replace images like refrigerator with a photo of your actual fridge. Or change phrases to reflect a dialect or special names you have for things. 1. Starting from the Home Screen, press LISTS. 2. Press right arrow until you see Master List Group DVDs/CDs/Books/TV. 3. Press cartoon dvd. This is your first time in this list, so you ll see only empty buttons. (This is a great time to plug in a keyboard since you ll be doing a lot of typing.) Get out a few of your favorite DVDs. 4. Press! and ABC to enter Programming Mode. 5. Press Create New. 6. Take a Photo of a DVD. 7. Press Use This Photo. 8. Type your text labels for both the Message Strip and the button. 9. Press EDIT TEXT/LISTS/NEXT. 10. Press Next Step. 11. Now you are prompted to choose the word type. 12. Select Noun. 13. Instead of exiting Programming Mode, create a few more buttons for more DVDs to start your collection. When you re done, press Exit. 1. Press Home. 2. Press Talk Topics. 3. Press Right Arrow to Arts and Crafts. 4. Press Arts and Crafts, then press Right Arrow and press Art Supplies. 5. Press Right Arrow to see a button for Pen. 6. Enter Programming Mode (! and ABC). 7. Press Edit Existing. 8. Select the button you want to edit. Select Pen. 9. Press Change Image. 10. You can choose another image on the Tango, or you can take your own photo. Use Take Photo to take a photo of your pen. 11. Press USE THIS PHOTO. 12. You can Right Arrow to change the word type from a noun to a verb, adjective, or other. 13. Leave it as a noun. 14. Select Save All. Shout-out It s often fun to fully customize a set to truly make it your own. For example, go to Dressing and take photos of all your own clothes! Don t forget to put some under Favorite Words.

Move a Button Hide a Button 16 17 Hiding, moving, or deleting buttons is a great way to tailor the Tango to the needs and desires of each user. Let s change the Mealtime set to make an individual s favorite foods easier to access. You can hide any button on the Tango. This lets you reduce visual and cognitive complexity for certain individuals. Let s hide something significant: the camera function (this can be useful for children who perseverate on the camera s coolness). 1. Select Talk Topics. 2. Press Mealtime. 3. Use the Right Arrow (to enter Word Banks). Then press Favorite Foods. 4. Use Right Arrow to find your favorite food, let s say chicken fingers. 5. Enter Programming Mode. 6. Press Move, Hide and Delete. 7. Press Move Before. 8. Now press chicken fingers to select it to move. The Tango will ask you where you want to move it. 9. Press the left arrow to get to the first screen. 10. Now press Hamburger. You will see the button move. Now Chicken Fingers becomes your second button. All the other buttons moved a space. 11. Exit Programming Mode and you re done! 1. Press Home. 2. Press! and ABC to enter Programming Mode. 3. Press Move, Hide and Delete. 4. Press Hide/Show and press Take Photo. 5. Press! and ABC to exit Programming Mode. (Don t forget to bring the camera back later on by following the same steps!) You can delete buttons by following the same general rules. But be careful: You might want a button again. Choosing to hide (rather than delete) can be a good way to limit access to functions or content, but keep them for future use. Shout-out For individuals who are just learning the Tango, it can be helpful to hide 3 of the 6 screen buttons on every screen. There s less to look at and more directed support. Then, as the individual s ability increases, start unhiding buttons one at a time. Always make sure you keep your favorites!

Copy a Phrase Copy a Complete Talk Topic 18 19 You can easily copy a Phrase from one set to another, or you can copy a complete set. You can also copy a word from a list into a Talk Topic and then turn it into a useful Phrase. Let s copy a button from the Snack Talk Topic to the Recess Talk Topic. As always, with On Location editing, you first go to the area you want to change. For this example, you ll be replacing and adding a button to Recess, so go there now. 1. Press Talk Topics. Press Right Arrow to Recess. 2. Press Recess. 3. Press Do It. 4. Enter Programming Mode (press! and ABC). 5. Press Copy To Here. Since you can only have 12 phrases, the Tango will ask you what button to overwrite. 6. Let s choose Play on That. The Tango now takes you back to the Home Screen. 7. Now navigate to what you want to copy. 8. Press talk topics, then snack, then Do It. 9. Now press and hold button 1, I d like a snack, please. The button is copied and you re taken back to Programming Mode. 10. After the Tango completes the copy, Press Exit. I d like a snack, please, is now the fourth button in the Recess Talk Topic. You can also copy a complete Talk Topic into a Custom Topic and then customize its content for specific situations. Let s copy Mealtime into Custom Topics 2, then customize it to be used at your favorite restaurant. 1. As always, go to the area that you want to edit or add to. In this case, that s Custom Topics 2. Press Home. Press Right Arrow to Custom Topics 2. 2. Enter Programming Mode. 3. Press Copy To Here. The Tango now takes you back to the Home Screen. Now navigate to what you want to copy. 4. Go to Talk Topics. 5. Then press and hold Mealtime. The Tango now copies the entire Talk Topic. This will take some time, since you are copying a lot of data. You ll see green arrows circling in the left corner of the Message Strip while you wait. 6. Press Exit. You ll see the Mealtime Talk Topic completely copied (with all phrases and words) into Custom Topics 7. Now, go to a favorite restaurant and customize the topic by adding photos of your favorite foods, family members or comments to people who usually go with you. To do this, go into each Phrase or Word Bank to make your changes. Shout-out With the Tango, you can quickly customize words or phrases, add photos and create lists of your favorite personal items. But when creating completely new Custom Topics, you re better off using our Tango Lab software. Call us at 877-BLINK-11 to get your free copy.

20 Chapter Heading Settings and Preferences 21 Chapter 3 Customize Settings and Preferences The User Preferences section of the Tango provides powerful settings that let you make the Tango work best for you. To choose User Preferences, first enter Programming Mode. Then press the Left or Right Arrow. You ll see all the Tango s setting and preference areas. Go into the area you need and select from the options presented. Settings take effect immediately. If you re not sure what a setting means, it s easy to find out. Just press the button and a description of that choice will appear in the Message Strip. The following is a basic overview of major settings and preferences in the Tango. These key settings effect how the Tango will appear and respond. Note: not all settings are covered. For more information check our Reference Manual. The settings are relatively selfexplanatory. But understanding their power can mean the difference between success and failure for someone who has complex motor patterns or cognitive needs. If you are unsure of what s best for an individual make sure to ask a clinician or professional. User Preferences These settings help you set up the Tango s basic operations to meet the cognitive and physical abilities for a broad range of individuals. Try each one and see how they work for you, or the person you re working with. Screen Button Length of Hold The delay time (0-2 seconds) that one must hold down a button before it activates. This can reduce accidental presses by individuals with poor motor control because a button won t activate until it is held for the delay time.

22 23 Settings and Preferences Arrow Button Length of Hold Same as above, but for the Arrow buttons. This is particularly powerful for individuals whose movements are more complex and who might brush against outer buttons while reaching for the 6 main buttons. Outer Button Length of Hold: Same as above, but for the 4 Pop-Up buttons. Home Page Layout M u l t i - M o d a l : This is the Tango s default view. The Home Screen gives you multiple types of functionality, providing access to Talk Topics, four other communication modes, and the camera. Multi-Modal EZ Sets: This determines whether you have 4 Custom Talk Topics or 2 Custom Talk Topics and 2 EZ Sets. This setting is beneficial if you are using multiple communication modes on the Tango. This setting is similar to Multi-Modal, except that EZ Sets now appear on the Home Screen. Phrases First: In this layout, the Home Screen only contains language buttons (Talk Topics, Custom Talk Topics, Lists.) All other functionality (camera, EZ Sets, etc.) is moved to the second screen. Phrases First with EZ Sets: This setting is similar to Phrase First, except that the Home Screen appears with both Phrase First and EZ Sets. Toggle Functions These On/Off settings provide quick and powerful choices that allow customization and language-building for a variety of users. Scroll Back After Phrase In default, the Tango scrolls up to Phrase Banks automatically after a phrase has been spoken. You can stop Auto Scroll Back and stay in a Word or Phrase Bank until you press the Up Arrow. When exploring Phrase or Word Banks, it can be more convenient not to scroll up and down. PopTalk! Close After Speaking PopTalk! can either close automatically after any phrase is spoken, or can stay open until the! button is pressed a second time. If PopTalk! is used mostly for interjections, choose Close After Speaking. If you often say things sequentially in PopTalk!, turning this Off may be better. Tango Scripts in Sequence Choosing the order of phrases in Tango scripts can be empowering. However, Tango scripts are meant to be told sequentially. So this option forces scripts to go in sequence, no matter which button is pressed. This is particularly useful for someone just learning to direct conversations or for someone whose motor patterns create many unintentional presses.

24 25 Settings and Preferences Keyboard Preferences Scanning The current keyboard is in alphabetical order. However, powerful efficiency keyboards designed in collaboration Dr. Karen Erickson are also available for both direct selectors and for scanners. You can use one keyboard layout for communication and a different one for programming. User Keyboard Choose from: Alphabetical, Direct First Letter (optimized for direct-select users), or Scanning First Letter (optimized for scanning). Program Keyboard Choose from: Direct First Letter (a layout optimized for direct-select users to minimize the distance from one press to the next), or Scanning First Letter (optimized for scanning). Same as above. This setting affects keyboards used in Programming Mode. Word Prediction Lets you turn Word Prediction On or Off. Default setting is On. Words appear in the fifth button on Spelling. The Tango has an incredibly powerful variety of scanning patterns, switch modes, speeds, delay times and other options, including options for One Switch, Two Switch, and Audio Scanning. Check the Reference Guide for more details on scanning options. If you re already comfortable with the principles behind scanning, you can probably explore this area yourself. It s very intuitive. The Tango offers plug and play scanning. In other words, it knows what you want. If a single switch is plugged in, the Tango knows you desire One Switch scanning. If you plug in a second switch, it knows you want Two Switch scanning. For more control, you can set exact preferences for all of the scanning variables. Key scanning settings include the following: Scanning Pattern Allows you to choose the order in which the Tango scans. For example, for early communicators, you might scan just the 6 major buttons. For power users, you might choose to scan first in groups first inner buttons, then Arrow buttons, then Pop-Up buttons before scanning within that group. Scanning Speed Tells the Tango how quickly to scan. Beginning users or users with complex motor patterns might need quite a few seconds. While some people can scan very quickly. One Switch Mode or Two Switch Mode Choose the best scanning access for your student. Then choose from the multiple options. Check the Reference Guide for more information. Highlight Options Lets you choose a highlight color of Red, Yellow or Blue.

26 27 Settings and Preferences Audio Scanning Turns on audio scanning, so the Tango also speaks labels while it scans. This is vital for individuals with visual problems. SD Card The Tango can format a backup or transfer SD Card for use with Tango Lab or for exchanging collections between Tangos. It also knows how to automatically back-up or restore lost data. Remember: Back-up your data! The Tango will ask you to do this every other week. And you should. We ve never seen a Tango 2.0 crash and lose data, but as with any electronic device, it can happen. The Tango is your voice, your vocabulary. Don t take chances, back-up regularly. We ve made it super simple. Just slip in an SD Card and press yes. Hold Home Hold Home button for 2.5 seconds to enter Programming Mode. Useful for individuals who are left-hand dominant. Hold Voice Morph Hold Voice Morph for 2.5 seconds to enter Programming Mode, useful for people who are right-hand dominant. Set Password Lets you lock others out to avoid accidental or undesired programming. If you forget your password, please call tech support at 877-BLINK-11. Utilities Utilities allow you to control technical operations on the Tango, such as how you enter Programming Mode, password settings, and reverting to factory settings. Program Entry Mode No matter what the setting, you can always get into Programming Mode by pressing! and ABC. However, you can add additional ways to enter and exit Programming Mode.

28 Chapter Heading Popular Customizations 29 Chapter 4 Let s Explore Some Popular Customizations Personalize your PopTalk! PopTalk! allows quick communication of important phrases like name, address, and more. Let s get your Tango personalized right now! 1. Press! for PopTalk!. 2. Press Right Arrow to About Me. Press About me. 3. Enter Programming Mode. 4. Press Edit Existing. 5. Edit all buttons to add your own name, phone number, and so on. 6. Exit Programming Mode. Add Family Photos to Family Talk The Tango lets you easily turn Mom into your mom. 1. Press Home, then FAMILY TALK. 2. Press Right Arrow to People. Press people. 3. Enter Programming Mode. 4. Press Edit Existing. 5. Choose a button to customize. 6. Take photos of your actual mom, dad, pet and so on. 7. Press Save All. If you have a different family structure, just press CREATE NEW instead. Then add the person of your choosing, with a photo and audio label. 8. Exit Programming Mode.

30 31 Popular Customizations Personalize your information to meet new people Sharing your information with people you meet is great. Here s how to make it even greater. 1. Press New People Talk Topic. 2. Press Things. 3. Enter Programming Mode. Press Edit Existing. 4. Go into each button and change the following: your first name, a picture of your best friend, a picture of your family. 5. When done, exit Programming Mode. Add your favorite things to your Talk Topics The Tango makes it incredibly easy to customize any Talk Topic, all your favorite things are in easy reach. 1. Choose any Talk Topic. 2. Press Right arrow to Word Banks. 3. Press My words. 4. Enter Programming Mode. 5. Press Create New. 6. Create an image with either the camera or through Get Existing Image. 7. Create a TEXT LABEL. Since these are words, your text label will also be the audio you hear (in Synthesized Speech). 8. Now you are prompted to choose the word type. 9. Leave it as noun. 10. Add as many favorites as you d like. Great Talk Topics for adding Favorites include Dressing, Cooking, Playdates, etc. 11. Press Save All and exit Programming Mode.

32 33 Popular Customizations Start Using EZ Sets EZ Sets give you powerful access to efficient communication for when you have simple and specific communication needs. 1. If you don t see EZ Sets in your second Home Screen, enter Programming Mode. Press Right Arrow. Press Toggle Functions. Press Right Arrow and make EZ Sets Active. Exit Programming Mode. 2. Now press EZ Sets 2. 3. Enter Programming Mode. 4. Press Create New. Let s create My Home. 5. Exit Programming Mode. Press the New Set My Home you just made. Now you can create content. 6. Press Create New. 7. Now take photos and record phrases to populate this set with things you want to share about your home. Do at least 4, and up to 12. 8. Exit Programming Mode. Add a favorite show to your TV EZ Set Here s how to make sure you get to watch the TV shows you want! 1. Right Arrow from Home. 2. Select EZ Sets 1. 3. Then press Right Arrow and press TV. 4. Enter Programming Mode. 5. Press Edit Existing. 6. Press Favorite Phrase and customize it. 7. Edit all of the following: audio label, audio phrase, text phrase, and text label. Also change the image (you can easily take a photo right off of the TV). 8. Press Save All. 9. Exit Programming Mode. Create a Tango Story with the Story Wizard Create some favorite stories you can tell over and over to quickly share your interests. 1. Start at the Home Screen, press Stories. 2. Press Story Wizard. 3. Follow the simple steps in the message display. 4. Press Save Story. 5. Choose a Voice Morph when done.

34 Well, that s it. We hope it s been fun. You should now feel comfortable not only using the Tango, but really making it your own with customization options that are even simpler, faster, and more powerful than you ever imagined. For more information on these features, or about any of the ways you can easily customize and personalize the Tango, consult the Tango Reference Guide. But for now, we ll stop talking so you can start! Your friends at Blink Twice

let s talk. For information, visit blink-twice.com or call 877-BLINK-11. tango! is a registered trademark of Blink Twice, Inc. 2007 Blink Twice, Inc.