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?"

Comments

Dvorak one-handed

[amcnabb]

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.

Accessability options

[linuxwrangler]

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.

Get a twiddler

[Sevn]

handkey.com

I gots one just because. I can pick it up every few months and maintain 45wpm.

One Handed Keyboards

[EverLurking]

I've played around with the one handed typing modes executed in software (holding down the spacebar to mirrror the right half of the keyboard while the left hand keeps typing). Takes some getting used to, but it looks like there are keyboards made for this.

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