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Programming for the Single-Handed
NullProg writes "Yesterday I was diagnosed with wrist-drop, and now my right arm/hand is in traction for a spell. It may or may not be related to me sitting behind a keyboard for the last twenty years. How have other programmers dealt with the loss of a hand or even multiple fingers? I moved my mouse to the left of the keyboard and can still type faster than my wife using one hand, but upper case keys are giving me problems. Has anyone experience with the smaller keyboards from Happy Hacking? Do they help one handed people? What editors did you find the most keystroke friendly. Gvim is bearable, is there a better one I can use for single key operations? What other tips do you have for someone in my situation?"
I know that there is a left-handed Dvorak and a right-handed Dvorak keyboard mapping (in addition to the more common two-handed Dvorak layout). It would take a little learning, but it's probably the most efficient solution.
They just make it oh-so-easy... :)
I see a whole wad of "one handed typing" jokes cumming up.
Don't know your OS/desktop/etc. but check out the accessibility options. For instance, the KDE control center has accessibility options to "stick" the control, shift and alt keys so you don't have to press them simultaneously (press shift then f to get F for example). I've seen similar options for other systems.
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"You are not remembered for doing what is expected of you." - Atul Chitnis
hA hA hA yOU fAIL iT!!!! bIGTIME!!!
handkey.com
I gots one just because. I can pick it up every few months and maintain 45wpm.
For every annoying gentoo user, are three even more annoying anti-gentoo crybabies. Take Yosh from #Gimp for example.
*cough*
The original Half Keyboard very basic and compact. Half QWERTY keyboards looks nice but a bit pricy. This Frog Pad looks cool.
or how about this more extensive Maltron One Handed Keyboard.
Lots of links if you google around a bit. Might even be a good thing to use with a tablet PC? I can imagine building one into the back side where you grip it.
DaveC
There are no stupid questions...just stupid people.
But in all seriousness, Dvorak, of the alternat two handed keyboard fame, also developed keboards for one handed use, both right hand and left hand. Unfortunatly, on quick googling around I can only find reference to this as a component of the Dvorak history - no pages where you can purchase one.
(I have no idea if mentioning RMS in a non software section will be good or bad for my karma... hmm...)
I've considered modifying a junker keyboard and soldering in a few external connections for foot pedals to activate these three keys. Of course, this never happened because I could still use my elbow. :)
I use a laptop keyboard most of the time, and haven't found to much really difficult, but the small size, low profile and short stroke makes work easier than on a conventional keyboard (or worse yet an ergo keyboard), except the single control key on the bottom left. If you're considering a mini-keyboard, it's probably a good idea if your dexterous in your left hand.
Doctor: Flex your right elbow please.
Patient: <flexes elbow>
Doctor: Good. Now pronate your right forearm.
Patient: <blink>
Doctor: Aha! As I suspected! Yet another case of wrist drop!
Fuck the system? Nah, you might catch something.
Chording keyboards have been around for a long time. I remember reading about one called "The Bat" in Macworld many years ago. The idea is that you use one hand on a limited number of keys, and you press multiple keys simultaniously to generate the various letters. It sounds strange, but most people actually learn to use them pretty quickly. Also, most people never manage chord quite as fast as they can type. But you can still go pretty fast (50, 60wpm). Most of them have one key for each finger, although I've seen some with more. Anyway a quick google search http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie =UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=chording+keyboard turns up plenty of links.
-73, de n1ywb
www.n1ywb.com
http://ask.slashdot.org/askslashdot/03/06/30/18452 34.shtml?tid=137
http://www.etla.net/~willey/projects/chordkey/
http://www.infogrip.com/ sells a chorded keyboard.
here is another /. link somewhat related to the handedness of typing. basically the dvorak vs. qwerty.
http://slashdot.org/askslashdot/99/09/26/1841254.s html
a slut did tulsa
That when you ping your fingers and get no response?
I'm not even going to touch that one
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Support Indy Music. Buy
Try working on technology/editors that use voice activation. A combination of voice dictation and copy and paste using mouse with one hand might help you some with lesser typing...
I'm a proud user of a Happy Hacking keyboard, and though I feel I'm more productive typing on it, when I can only use one hand (holding a coffee, mouse, cigarette, name them all minus one :) it's more of an annoyance than a regular keyboard.
...) :)
That keyboard is really intended for touch-typists; they have less keys, so to compensate for F-keys, Home, End, Insert, and so on you have yo use key-combos. The lack of two "Control" keys would also be a nightmare for you (hey folks try to do a Ctrl-P with your left hand using the left Control key).
And, should your other side be okay, I really suggest these keyboards - the feel is really right. On the downside, watch out after you're used to them: I just recently noticed most of all other PC keyboards are broken (ctrl/caps misplaced, Escape too high, Backspace too far away,
Watch it... In cases like these, I've heard of the left-hand getting major RSI symptoms just as soon as you switch to one-handed typing on the left hand.
You might consider taking a break and making some major lifestyle changes, not stressing out your other hand.
Gentoo Sucks
Just send in some money to the Benny Hinn crusade. For a nominal fee, he'd be more than happy to heal your injury.
use them.
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www.fingerworks.com sells a number of products that can be used with one hand. I just switched to a TouchStream keyboard, but that's two-handed. I really like having the entire surface as a mousepad, arrow keypad, special gesture pad, etc.
Switching, of course, is a kick. It's taken me several minutes to type this post.
You cannot apply a technological solution to a sociological problem. (Edwards' Law)
This one might be a bit easier to get used to than some of the freakier chorded setups.
I've been having problems with one hand lately, due to over-clicking while playing Morrowind (damn fine game though!).
I've found that I can't type for very long before it becomes very uncomfortable for my right hand. Presently I've taken to switching to typing entirely left-handed, but this is difficult. It also makes it impossible to use my favorite keyboard, one which I meticulously painted over with a sunset--the painting makes it impossible to see the lettering, and I need to look at the keyboard when I type one-handed.
I also have a Fingerworks keyboard, specifically for my 15" TiBook--I love it to death, and the gesture system is wonderful, but it is very slow to learn to type on (as some people have already mentioned).
Another option that I'm aware of lies in an old linux kernel patch to the keyboard driver--I only know of it because a friend of mine wrote it. The patch makes it so that if you hold down the spacebar, the keyboard is mirrored, so that you can continue to type one-handed, and allegedly learning the reflected keys is very fast, since you already sort of know where they are. In case this wasn't clear, if you wanted to type "type", you would type T-(hold space)-T-Q-(release space)-E. I'm not sure where the link is, but if people want I'll try and find it.
-- That tickles!
You could try a set of programmable foot switches, such as Kinesis. You need to program the actions from a Windows machine, but the unit can then be used with other OSes. I used this together with a small programmable keypad a few years back.
You have 1 option if your using Windows. Under Accessories -> Accessibility -> On-Screen Keyboard. Unfortantly, capital letters take 2 clicks. You may look into the Click-N-Type keyboard. In this one a Right click will input the shift of that key.
I hope someone adds an On-screen keyboard to Linux GUI's soon. I'm a CS student with a disability and use these. Plus, it improves your FPS aim.
P.S.[OT] I can't post using Firebird! What gives??
SCO (noun.)- A Slimy Corporate Ogre. Often seeks free money.
If you are using a recent windows machine, press the shift key 5 times in a row. This starts "sticky keys" ( oh no , I think some more one handed typing joke attempts are about to erupt )
"sticky keys" allows you to use the shift, alt, and control keys while typing with one hand ( or one finger ot one stick held in your mouth or one...)
My first idea (assuming your biggest problem with the keyboard are the various "shifting" keys): Get some foot switches from the local electronics store, open the keyboard, and wire the contacts of Shift, Ctrl, Alt, and (if present) the Apple or Windows key to one switch each (in parallel to the original key-operated switch). Using a headphone jack for each foot switch at the keyboard might be a good idea.
Each foot operates two keys, the "smarter" one should operate the most frequently used keys (I guess Shift and Ctrl), the "dumber" foot gets the remaining keys (Alt and OS specific).
This solution might look a little bit strange, but you can use a simple keyboard that works without extra software, and it will still work with the next generation of operating systems.
I see that you may have some difficulties building it yourself, but except for a little bit of mechanics, the modification is trivial. Maybe some electronics, computer, or TV workshop can do them for a little money. One of the "ancient" or high-quality keyboards using mechanical switches instead of plastic foil may make the job easier, because you can hardly solder wires to plastic foil. But when you are stuck with a plastic foil keyboard, you still can trace the tracks on the plastic foil to the controller chip and solder the foot switch wires there.
Just my 0.02 EUR.
Denken hilft.
I am a two-handed, ten fingered person who, thanks to a stroke at age 3 days, have only 50% use of my right arm, hand and leg (ultra mild case of CP) (i walk with a slightly noticible limp)
being one handed is bad enough, but with said one hand being the left it presents its own challenges here in a right handed world.
I have trained myself, over time to type one handed, with a sustained rate of 30-35 WPM, burst rate at 60 (!), with one hand (i look at the board, so sue me). I can now also work a gas pedal with the right foot, after an aftermarket left foot accelerator pedal malfunctioned, (a crossover module) causing the throttle to stick half way down when accelerating into city traffic (yiep).
anywho, back on topic.
I'm all over the keyboard, and since my work is mostly field work thus far (novice programmer), i stick to the standard QWERTY keyboard size and config, and the 'right handed" mouse button config.
I HATE ergo boards for obvious reasons, and haven't found a suitable solution to RSI that hasn't happened with any severity... yet.
Finding a mouse that's lefty friendly is hard, i currently use a MS intellimouse optical (5 button) the side buttons are great strafe keys (gamer too, hee), since all my right fingers can do is up and down.
foot pedals for keyboard commands are an option, but lacking manual dexterity makes me pretty bad with a soldering iron.
those pedals look interesting... hmm, pricy though, eh. all i can really say is, i've adapted out of nesessity over the years (am 18 now). Having never used my right hand for computer ops, i can't comment on those who have lost the use of their right hand, as i've never had it.
and if anyone know where to find a 3+ button lefty friendly trackball, lemme know.
Logistical Chaos Officer http://www.slagg.org - LAN Gaming in Sarasota FL,USA
I notice a concern that the keyboards for one-hand typing are a bit pricey. That's true because of the huge costs associated with building a product for a small market.
If you are unable to type two-handed for medical reasons, there are a bunch of ways to subsidize the purchase of a one-handed keyboard.
- Ask for a recommendation from your Occupational Therapist
- Contact your local Goodwill Industries Organization
- Check your Insurance Coverage
- Contact your local Worker's Compensation Org. - to get you back to work faster
- Investigate school board accessibility grants.
- Ask your employer
- Ask your doctor to prescribe one for RSI & hand/arm injuries
- Check with your local Assistive Technology Laboratory.
I hope this information helps you find a healthy way to type again!
Oh no.. you posted a story about hand problems.. now that guy that sued mattel because they wouldn't pay for his bogus accupuncture and trip to china is going to be ranting and raving again..
those kids that type on there cell phones seem to be pretty proficient at it, especially with the newer ones that guess what you are typing so you don't need to always press the number down 3 or 4 times to get the letter you want.. It would work well for chatting and such, but it may be harder for more serious programming work.
Dasher has been profiled on slashdot before. I've played with it a bit by using a full character set arranged appropriately and "teaching" it with existing code snippets. It sometimes guesses entire lines like "for" statements, "#include"s and so on.
taken! (by Davidleeroth) Thanks Bingo Foo!
I broke my hand in an auto accident a few years ago while majoring in computer science. That semester I had 3 programming-heavy courses, and couldn't afford to skip a semester. I tried to find someone to program for me (for payment), but, even with a cs student is didn't work well enough to be productive (you just can't tolerate the continuous spelling correction delays. I looked into Dragon Naturally speaking, but at the time (1997) there was no way it would understand the syntax of a programming language. Unless things have changed a lot since then (which i doubt they have), you can still forget that. Ultimately I gave up trying to find a solution and just bucked up and programmed with one hand on a regular keyboard. The biggest slowdown was the shift key (needed for mixed-case variable names, etc.). However, even with that, I still managed to finish all courses with A's. The insurance company even upped my payout amout for pain and suffering (the accident was the other guy's fault). In retrospect I probably could have gotten away without mixed case had I explained the situation to my teachers. All lowercase may work for you, too. That would significantly speed up your programming.
do you have any mechanical skills?
try rerouting (physical) the caps lock key, or shift key to a spot along the leg of your table or on the floor. This way you can use your knee or foot to tap and untap it when you need to capitalize a letter.
Good luck, Bill HFE
Aka: "anonymous coward" due to a log in snafu...