IMG's Blog - Recorded Keystrokes

My-T-Soft and Assistive Technology Suite updates
written February 19, 2025 by Tracy Chang
Category: PR Tags: My-T-Soft; Build-A-Board; Assistive Technology; Accessibility Suite #107

IMG is pleased to announce updates to the My-T-Soft Family and IMG's Assistive Technology Suite (AT Suite).

My-T-Soft� Professional 1.90 Release 6 is a maintenance release that includes the latest updates to the shared source component of the on-screen keyboard offerings. Only the 64-bit version has been updated, with the 32-bit previous version still available.

My-T-Soft Basic 2.30 R14 also includes this shared source component, and has been released as a 64-bit version. These releases also mark the previous versions as the final 32-bit releases, as most systems are 64-bit, these releases have no known issues, and will remain available for any older systems that require a 32-bit build.

My-T-Soft for Linux 2.20 R24 (Release 24) has been released and includes the same shared source component, resolves some resource and CPU usage issues, as well as optimizing some graphic items. It is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

IMG's Assistive Technology Suite (AT Suite) has been updated to incorporate Build-A-Board as one of its components. The flexibility of custom layouts provide another set of tools when working with people who have special needs, and provides the newer features and capabilities of IMG's on-sceen keyboards and tools.

To review, work with, and check out My-T-Soft Professional 1.90 R6 for Windows, you can download My-T-Soft Professional here

To review, work with, and check out the My-T-Soft Basic 2.30 R14 for Windows, you can download My-T-Soft Basic here

To review, work with, and check out the My-T-Soft 2.20 R24 for Linux, you can download My-T-Soft for Linux here

To review, work with, and check out the IMG AT Suite, you can download the AT Suite here

Technical notes on the shared source component mentioned above (My-T-Soft releases). Back in the early 2000's when looking at creating a cross-platform version of the software, various technologies and approaches were reviewed, and it was determined that keeping the software as close to the operating system would offer the most flexibility, all while being able to leverage available system APIs (Application Program Interfaces) for different target platforms. So the source code was designed to create as much code as possible using the shared source interface, with various approaches to wrap system API calls in My-T-Soft specific functions. This allowed many key aspects to be written once for supported platforms, while compiling on different systems was managed by the shared source. When necessary, specific target specific approaches were used to isolate and separate these different target systems approaches. For example, there is a TargetPaintPNG image handling function that exists outside the shared source approach because each platform has its own unique way of handling PNG images. On the other hand, apiStringCopy code is all the same at the API level, with any differences at compile time being handled by the shared source portion. While other software might rely on high level approaches like Qt to accomplish cross-platform support, IMG has built a vast range of its own API functions that can be compiled and built for different platforms all while keeping critical components of the keyboard software the same across different target platforms. This shared source comprises api calls that integrate with system API calls and libraries, and a core portion that handles image painting, file handling, user interface aspects, virtual events, etc. that is the same for all platforms.

About Innovation Management Group

Since 1995, Innovation Management Group has been the primary supplier of onscreen keyboard user interfaces and designer utilities to major corporations, manufacturers, integrators, and users worldwide. IMG's products run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on some of the most secure, advanced, and critical systems in the world.

AT Accessibility Suite

The AT Suite includes IMG's best-selling computer access utilities: Build-A-Board, OnScreen, CrossScanner, Joystick-To-Mouse, The Magnifier, SmartClick, TouchRight Utilities, and WordComplete. It runs concurrently with traditional software & devices, so it leaves computers operational for ALL USERS.

The My-T-Soft� Family along with IMG's Build-A-Board Keyboard Designer offers a consistent cross-platform onscreen user interface that is fully customizable and programmable for various hardware / software platforms. It allows customers to control user input in any field or any application and maintain a higher level of security than with a traditional physical keyboard or membrane panel. The My-T-Soft product family is ideal for use in environments such as automation, factory, field service, food and beverage, instrumentation, in-vehicle, kiosk, laboratory, logistic, medical, military, mobile, pharmaceutical, ruggedized, utility, warehousing, whiteboard, or other extremely clean, dirty, or hazardous interactive user environment.

License Updates for 2024
written June 28, 2024 by Kermit Komm
Category: Development Tags: SmartClick; OnScreen; The Magnifier; Joystick-to-Mouse; #106

Due to the design of the licensing system in place, a date was used as part of the algorithm to unlock and license a system. Way back in 2010, the future date of Feb 24, 2024 was used, thinking that was far enough in the future that the software would change during those years, and a new license scheme would be incorporated. Indeed, this is what has happened for our My-T-Soft software, which uses a Build-A-Board.com account to manage licenses (Windows, Android, etc.) as well as boards, settings, etc. For some of the more popular products, the IMG Personal License was created to allow individuals to license various products using the Build-A-Board account approach. However IMG has other products that are more specific, addressing special needs, and still use the older/legacy license approach. Due to the low volume of some of the products, and the ease of a simple license key approach (i.e. not having to use an account), as well as customer priorities, the switch to an updated license approach was delayed until it became absolutely necessary. Once the Feb 24 date rolled by, it became absolutely necessary. So over the past few months we have updated all products not using the account approach to a new license algorithm.

So for new licenses, replacing existing licenses, and any license transfers, a new license key is needed. For example, if a customer installs a product purchased in 2023 or earlier, and try to use the issued key on the Certificate of Authenticity, it will fail, since it is now past Feb 24, 2024. What is required is the license program update, and a new license key. For older/already installed products, there is a separate License Update download, which will update the license program, and then a transfer will issue a new license key. For newly downloaded, then purchased products, the license program is already incorporated, and the issued license credentials will include the new license key. For the most part, this is seamless, and new customers don't need to do anything different - just download the software, verify it meets your wants and needs, then purchase a license.

For older customers with previously purchased software/license keys the license update/new license key is required.