Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Not A Bat, Nor A Plane, But A Vertical Keyboard

Posted by timothy on from the need-any-beta-testers? dept.

A reader who chose anonymity writes: "As usual ZZZ online was updated this Sunday. Nevertheless the issue number 67 contains quite unusual info about vertical keyboard. It is made by splitting normal keyboard into two parts and and rotating them by 90 degrees. The human imagination has no limits, vertical keyboard looks really weird." It also looks much comfier than most flat ones. Maybe that would make me learn to truly touch type, as well?

6 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Look at the screwdriver! by steveha · · Score: 4
    Forget the split keyboard; further down on that same page they describe a new screw head and screwdriver design. One screwdriver for multiple screw sizes, less likely to mangle screw heads... looks like a winner to me.

    steveha

    --
    lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely
  2. Re:Ergonomics? by digitect · · Score: 4
    Two things cause carpel tunnel syndrome: pressure on the wrists and any type of wrist-turning motion done repeatedly.

    This keyboard would be successful in reducing wrist strain only because it prevents people from resting on them or using those stupid wrist rests that only increase pressure on the wrapping wrist ligaments. Of course, if you just support your lower arms (and most importantly, your elbows) off your work surface, much the same way a pianist does, it might be a little cheaper even though a little extra work until you get used to it.

    The huge drawback I see with this concept is that finger action is no longer aided by gravity. You essentially have to re-learn the pressure needed for key action and don't have any opposing force to steady your arms. Instead, your arms swing like pendulums, your fingers bouncing off the keyboard surface like a repeller. This might work better if the surfaces were at a 45 degree angle or less but 90 degrees? I hope not much federal money went into this project...

    --
    There is no need to use a SlashDot sig for SEO...
  3. Re:How to touch type by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 4

    Heck, just shell out the few extra bucks and get a natural kb.

    Maybe if/when IBM makes a split keyboard I'll consider it, but I can't use anything less than an IBM keyboard with those oh-so-wonderful keys. I think I get at least another 20% speed just because of the key feel.

    Say what you want about IBM, but they are the keyboard king. Everything else is cheap crap in comparison. Unfortunately, I don't think they make the really indestructable, old-school I-can-kill-you-with-this-steel-case-keyboard anymore. On the other hand, the plastic ones are virtually indestructable, but it would be harder to kill someone. :) [would probably take several blows]


    --

    --
    Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.
  4. Re:A keyboard you can sleep on! by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 4

    Ooh! Ooh!

    No more keyboard-face.

  5. Lacking in ergonomics? by Grexnix · · Score: 4

    When human hands relax, they curve, going eventually into a fist. This keyboard would require the hands to be flat, only rotated through 90 degrees - a posture that I imagine would become quite tiring. If the keyboard halves were curved, so that using it was like putting your hand around the far side of a cylinder, it would probably be a lot more comfortable to use.

    --

    --

    --
    Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll. - Rev. Lovejoy
  6. you can get better from microsoft R&D by small_dick · · Score: 4

    Microsoft's new keyboard kicks ass.

    --


    Treatment, not tyranny. End the drug war and free our American POWs.
    See my user info for links.