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Building Your Own Extra-Large Keyboard

Posted by timothy on from the completely-necessary dept.

Ant writes "ModAsylum.com has an article on how to make your own extra-large homemade keyboard." Or, if you're handy with tweezers, extra-small.

9 of 305 comments (clear)

  1. To go with the extra-large keyboard... by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The extra-large trackball. If you've ever seen one of these things, it's soccer-ball-sized!

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  2. Re:yea by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 3, Interesting

    a one-hand keyboard maybe more immediately useful for many

    I'll second that. It's amazing how little computer hardware manufacturers think of disabled people. If you're one-handed and you're looking for a good chord keyboard, you better be prepared to spend a lorryload of money for one of the precious few options available.

    Funnily enough, I've seen armless people type on a regular keyboard with their feet a lot more easily than with one hand. Maybe big keyboards would improve these guys' typing speed too...

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  3. Well To let you know... by jellomizer · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Because I am a Slashdot subscriber I was able to see the site before it was Slashdotted. The Keyboard looks like it was made for Kids in the classroom.
    The Keyboard layout was alphabetical. With all the vowels in a different color and so were the numbers.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  4. How about small keyboards? by Bubblehead · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Well, I have been on a quest for years to find the smallest usable keyboard. My desk is fairly small, and a small keyboard footprint makes a real difference. Small means no number pad, and usable means well-arrarnged control keys (cursor, Home, End, etc.)

    I used to have a Cherry ML4100, which I really liked, but I just wore it out (letters wore off, unreliable action).

    Now I switched to the really slick looking Blu Illuminated Keyboard. But I am not that happy with it: The feel is too hard and inconsistent, and worst of all, where I'd expect the left Ctrl key, is the "Fn" key (for alternate keys). Still, the looks make up for it.

    --
    Under capitalism man exploits man. Under communism it's the other way around.
    1. Re:How about small keyboards? by olderchurch · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I'm extremly happy with my happy hacking keyboard. Just the name was enough for me to purchase it. I use it a lot to type while the keyboard is on my lap and my feet on the table. And with this size I can stow it anywhere I like.

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      Disclaimer: This opinion was created without the use of any facts
  5. Re:Modern crappy keyboards by e-gold · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have an ancient, IBM-style (keys click, built like a tank, non-mushy) "NMB The Right Touch" keyboard which has an innovation that I truly love which has sadly never become popular. The spacebar is divided into 2 keys, the right side is still a spacebar, but the left side is an additional "backspace" key. Saying it with fewer words improves anyone's writing, and this key encourages that by giving users a backspace key they needn't reach-for, which believe it or not makes a difference.

    Once you get used to one of these, you'll begin to wonder why the rest of humanity seems to *want* both thumbs to be stuck with the same "space" option. I use Apple notebooks now, but I'd pay $100 extra to have my old left-thumb backspace key if the mod were even available. Oh well...
    JMR

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    Try e-gold - (contact me). I'm NOT e-
  6. Re:Interesting note. by Oligonicella · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "Rather than trying to use some revolutionary alloy"

    Ever consider that happened long enough ago that there weren't any "revolutionary alloys" available?

    P.S. Dvorak doesn't improve speed. That's a fallacy. Navy did a study, no improvement (even with newly trained typists).

  7. Re:Modern crappy keyboards by amliebsch · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Oh my god, yes. My sister and I *accidentally* bought two originals (with the removable cord) at a second-hand computer parts store, and have absolutely fallen in love with this "battleship board." Its precision alone increased my typing speed by at least 10 wpm. Now, typing on anything else feels like absolute crap. And, barring misfortune, I expect that keyboard to last as long as I do.

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    If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
  8. keyboard design by psykopotat · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I've seen a few posts about general keyboard designs. What I dislike most about the whole thing is having constantly to transfer my right hand back and forth between the keyboard and mouse. What a waste.. allocating 5 fingers for 2 buttons. I'm personally waiting for this to come out - http://www.combimouse.com Also does anyone remember when the F-Keys were on the left hand side of the keyboard? So much easier for all key cominations with the F-Keys on the left