[Athen] Remote for powering on computer?

[Dan Comden]

The problem with modern computers is that the on/off switch isn't really a 
switch that controls power like a light switch in the wall. It relays a 
signal to the power supply to turn on. If you think about how we turn on a 
laptop or modern desktop computer, it's a button that you press 
momentarily -- it doesn't save what "state" it's in but passes a brief 
signal to the machine's power supply to power up. And that feature is also 
why you can shut down the computer via a software command -- you're not 
activating a physical switch. So even if you put a switch on the floor 
that controls standard power via the cord that connects to the computer, 
activating it won't turn on the machine unless that leetle button on the 
case can then be activated.

Putting that momentary switch on the floor or closer to the table edge or 
wherever is slightly more complicated. Someone who is savvy with soldering 
and dealing with wiring could extend the case wiring to a momentary floor 
switch. With a motherboard manual I don't think it'd be that hard.

Most electrical engineering type folks on a campus could probably rig 
something pretty easily. I haven't seen a commercially available device 
that will do this ... yet. If it exists, I'm sure someone will chime in.

-*- Dan Comden			danc at washington.edu
     Access Technology Lab	http://www.washington.edu/computing/atl/
     University of Washington    UW Technology Services


On Fri, 18 Apr 2008, Gaeir Dietrich wrote:


> Hi Shawn!

>

> Maybe I'm missing something, but if there is ability use the lower body,

> couldn't you just rig a knee or foot switch for her?

>

> ******************************************************

> Gaeir (rhymes with "fire") Dietrich

> High Tech Center Training Unit of the

> California Community Colleges

> De Anza College, Cupertino, CA

> www.htctu.net

> 408-996-6043

>

>  _____

>

> From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org [mailto:athen-bounces at athenpro.org] On

> Behalf Of Shawn Foster

> Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 2:23 PM

> To: 'Access Technologists in Higher Education Network'

> Subject: [Athen] Remote for powering on computer?

>

>

>

> I have a student with limited mobility in her upper body and arms. She'd

> really like to find a remote control that can turn her computer off and on

> at home (she has an assistant while in classes or labs). I thought of using

> a simple remote switch, but that only works when the device can be left in

> the "on" position and the power source connected or disconnected (like a

> lamp). She uses a Mac, so using a scheduled start up/shut down sequence is

> certainly possible... but not quite what she's looking for. She'd like to

> minimize power usage when she's not using the computer, and her schedule

> isn't always predictable, so really a remote would be ideal.

>

>

>

> I've been running through the web and still haven't found what I'm looking

> for (with a nod to Bono)...

>

>

>

> Anyone know of such a thing?

>

> Thanks, all.

>

>

>

>

>

> Shawn Foster

> Assistive Technology Specialist

>

> Disability Services for Students

> Southern Oregon University

> V/TTY: (541)552-6213

>

>