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

Foot pedals?

[fingers.benefitpoint]

I recently cut off three fingers from my left hand, and have learned to remain effective on the keyboard. As you mentoined, the shift, ctrl, and and keys are my biggest problems, particularly when using them in conjunction with the mouse.

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.

Are you sure you really have wrist drop?

[Mawbid]

A wrist drop is the characteristic deformity of a radial nerve lesion.

In order to demonstrate this phenomenon, if not already obvious, direct the patient to flex the elbow and pronate the forearm and ask him to extend the wrist. In a radial nerve injury causing wrist drop a patient will not be able undertake this manoeuvre.

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!

No Happy Hacking keyboard for you.

[ptaff]

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...

[cmowire]

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.