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Additional sources of information related to alternative keyboards. Some of these
will be moved to the other keyboard sections over time.
ZDNet Input Device User
http://www.zdnet.com/products/inputdeviceuser.html
A $14 "ergo" keyboard from surplus parts
or "stupid nerd hacks"....
http://thecraftstudio.com/bcboy/keyboard.html
After suffering symptoms of an RSI, I investigated "ergo" keyboards. It turns
out that an "ergo" stamp is an excuse to charge truly absurd amounts of money of
very common equipment. I also found that no one had quite what I wanted--a keyboard which
allowed my wrists and arms to be in their relaxed positions, i.e. at my sides. What I
imagined was, basically, a saddle-bag keyboard. This in mind, I visited a surplus computer
parts store, and bought two keyboards for $7/each and then took a jig saw to one of
them--I can now report that it is possible to cut pc board in two with a jig saw and still
have a functional circuit. :) I used the IDE plugs from a fried motherboard, and a spare
IDE cable (which came with the last hard drive I purchased) to wire the two halves
together.
Wlonk Chording Keyboard
http://www.got.net/wlonk/
The Wlonk is a chording device with only ten "keys" (they are actually buttons
or pads, very different from the keys on keyboards). The user's fingers never leave these
pads -- there is no "leaping and hurdling" -- so it is much faster than a
keyboard.
Touch Systems' Magic Wand Keyboard
http://www.magicwandkeyboard.com.
The Magic Wand Keyboard is a miniature computer keyboard and mouse designed for anyone
with limited or no hand/arm movement. It has zero-force keys, requiring no strength,
reach, or dexterity. The keyboard works with the slightest touch of a wand (hand-held or
mouthstick). Only contact is needed. No installation, no special software or switches, and
no training is required; it plugs directly into the keyboard socket of any IBM or Apple
computer.
Wearable Keyboards
http://wearables.www.media.mit.edu/projects/wearables
The MIT Wearable
Computing Web Page. This page is meant to both serve as an introduction to the field
of wearable computing and as a resource for more technical information. Updates occur as
new technology is released. If you have information or code to share, send mail to
wearable-web@media.mit.edu
Single-Handed Dvorak Keyboard Information
http://home1.gte.net/bharrell/kbdtxt.htm
Bob Harrell's typing manual is the result of his attempt to learn to touch type using the
Dvorak single-handed keyboard. Typing is a task when using the hunt and peck method. Touch
typing makes it easy and even fun. The recent increase in the number of computers in the
workplace makes typing a skill that many people need. If you have one hand or you are able
to use only one hand to type, for any reason, you too can still have that skill!
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