A Review of Penfriend by Crick Software
By Zabilansky, Heidi, MSEd; Magliocco, Carol L., PhD, PT; ConnSENSE Bulletin,Publication Date: March 2005
Article provides a review of Penfriend from Crick Software, which is a voice output word prediction program that works with a variety of word processor programs. The application displays a customized word prediction window within a word processing document, and enables the user to hear predicted words as well as the text in the document. Speech feedback can be customized to include individual letters, words, or sentences, as well as longer phrases. The only concern the authors expressed about this feature was that they were unable to figure out how to edit word pronunciation with the program. The application also includes an onscreen keyboard, which appears within the document. The user can generate a word prediction list based on the letter selected on the onscreen keyboard. The authors were impressed with this feature because it allows students to maintain their focus on the screen.
Assistive Products Discussed: PENFRIEND NA
PENFRIEND W3
PENFRIEND ACORN
PENFRIEND XL-NA PORTABLE USB STICK
PENFRIEND XL
Published by: ConnSENSE (Connecticut's Special Education Network for Software Evaluation) (Website:http://www.connsensebulletin.com)
NEAT (New England Assistive Technology) Marketplace (Web Site: http://www.neatmarketplace.org )
A.J. Pappanikou Center for Developmental Disabilities (Web Site: http://www.uconnucedd.org )
Connecticut Tech Act Project (Web Site: http://www.cttechact.com )
Link to text: http://www.connsensebulletin.com/penfriend.html
