Using MacWise with Parallels Access for iPad

Using MacWise with Parallels Access

Virtual Network Computing apps have been on the iPad since day one. And I have recommended them for use with MacWise. But there is a new kid on the block that really improves the experience with MacWise... "Parallels Access takes the virtual-computer experience to the next level. The new app goes beyond simply providing a window back to the other machine, taking into account things like screen resolution (the apps are resized for the iPad's aspect ratio) and user experience"...(from a Mashable Review)  "Tap an app icon and the software opens full-screen, cursor-free, and ready to accept a full range of gesture-based commands, including copy and paste, selection, or drag and drop. Scrolling is done with a finger, and the iPad keyboard is enhanced with additional commands for function keys, arrows, and more. To better maneuver desktop applications, Parallels Access offers a cursor-based tap-and-hold magnifying glass, while holding longer switches to selection tool instead. Coupled with "SmartTap" to make sure taps always execute as intended, Parallels Access deftly overcomes usability issues that have long plagued other remote access solutions"... (from a MacLife Review) Using MacWise on the iPad is now a pleasant experience. The MacWise window is full screen on the iPad and the touch controls are very nice. You can tap on the MacWise function keys or double tap to edit them. The text is crisp and easy to read. Launching MacWise is easy with the Parallels Access app launcher. It looks just like an iPad screen but has your Mac apps as icons on the screen instead of iPad apps. Copy and Paste works with MacWise. But remember that you are copying and pasting on your Mac (not between your iPad and your Mac) To copy, you tap and hold until a blue circle draws around the starting point. Then drag to select the area you want to copy. To paste, select Paste from the Edit Menu. One thing worth mentioning is the window sizes of apps you have running on your Mac. When you exit Parallels Access on the iPad, your Mac screen is returned back to normal resolution (It was 1080 x 768 before exiting). That can do some strange things to a large Mac monitor screen. Any windows that were open larger than 1080 x 768 will be reduced to 1080 x 768. So I recommend that you do not use the "24-Point font and largest window" size in MacWise. That window size is taller than 768 and will be resized smaller by Parallels Access. (That causes emulation problems). Using the 18-Point font window works fine. I am hoping that the Parallels techies can figure out how to make the windows all resize back to their original size in some future version. A very nice feature is that you can set a preference in Parallels Access to blank your Mac Screen while you are using MacWise from your iPad (so others in your office cannot see what you are doing). If you think that you can live with the window resizing issue, I would highly recommend using Parallels Access with MacWise. You can get a 14 day demo to try it out. The Parallels Access web page will get you started. Rich

Using Function Keys with MacWise

Function keys can be used from the keyboard or by clicking on the fkey with the mouse.
When you change your emulation type, you will also need to change the function keys being used.
If you are using Wyse or Viewpoint emulation, you can select "Wyse Function Keys" or "Viewpoint Function Keys" under the Emulate Menu.
If you are using any other emulation, you will need to load the function key set. This can be done by selecting "Function Key Sets" from the Emulate Menu. Then just double-click on the set you want.

Function Key sets as of 10/2/13 are:

Clinicare Fkeys - for hosts that using Clinicare software
Mac unix fkeys - Common commands for the Mac unix shell
NWMLS Fkeys - for Northwest Multiple Listing Real Estate Services and VT100 emulation
Sco Ansi Alphacom Fkeys - Sco Ansi fkeys for Alphacom hosts
Sco Ansi Fkeys- Standard Sco Ansi FKeys
Triad TV925 Fkeys - for Triad hosts and TV925 emulation
Triad Wyse Fkeys - for Triad hosts and Wyse emulation
Viewpoint Function Keys - Standard Viewpoint fkeys
Viewpoint Fkeys W/Page Up - has page up/down fkeys for Viewpoint emulation
VT100 Fkeys - Standard VT100 emulation fkeys
VT100 MLS Fkeys - Multiple Listing Service Fkeys for VT100
VT220 Alphacom Fkeys - VT220 fkeys for Alphacom hosts
VT220 Fkeys - Standard VT220 Fkeys
VT220 Fkeys W/Do Key
VT220 MLS Fkeys - Multiple Listing service Fkeys for VT220
Xymox Fkeys - for Xymox, Xytec hosts and Wyse 370 emulation
Wyse Fkeys - Standard Wyse fkeys

More Fkey info...
Only F1 thru F10 are displayed unless you are using the 24-point large window.

If your fkeys do not work from the keyboard...

If you are using a laptop, it will have a fn key in the lower left corner of the keyboard.
You need to hold the fn key down when pressing a function key to make it work.
You can get around this by opening the Keyboard & Mouse control panel.
Select Keyboard from the System Preferences Menu under the Apple Menu.
Click on the Keyboard tab.
There is an option that says, "Use all F1, F2, etc keys as standard function keys"
Put a check mark on that option. Now your function keys will work in MacWise.
If you want to use a function key to change screen brightness, sound, etc. then hold down the fn key.

Mission Control and Keyboard Shortcuts can override MacWise function keys.
Click on the Shortcuts tab (in System Preferences / Keyboard)
Change any function keys that conflict with the fkeys you use in MacWise.
If you change the fkey to a dash, it will disable that fkey entirely.

Also, in System Preferences / Mission Control, there are some keys you can change or disable.

NOTE:
MacWise actually supported fkeys in the old days when there were no fkeys on Mac keyboards.
If you do an option 1 you will get F1, Option - Shift 1 for Shiffed F1 etc.
Numbered keys from 1 thru 10 on the top row are F1 thru F10
F11 thru F16 are the qwerty keys.

Also, You can Edit all of the fkeys by selecting Edit Fkeys from the Emulate Menu.
You can move the function of a fkey from one fkey to another...
For instance, you could edit F12 and click the Copy button. Then edit another fkey that is visible on the screen and click the Paste Key. That makes that fkey have the function of F12.