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Engelbart's Keyboard Available For Touchscreens

Posted by timothy on from the so-you-can-drive-too dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Doug Engelbart should be known to everyone on Slashdot — he did invent the mouse after all, among many other inventions all of us rely on today. There was one more obscure device he came up with that never really took off, though. It was called the Chorded Keyboard, and consisted of a system that allowed you to type using just one hand. The key to this system was finger combinations, which allowed up to 32 different characters — more than enough for the alphabet. Now that one-handed keyboard has been ported to work with touchscreens, and it could end up being quite popular. The key benefit is the fact you can type anywhere on the screen and don't even need to see where you are typing. The only difficulty is learning all the key combos, but once you have them cold you may be able to type faster than with two hands on your smartphone or tablet." Bonus: being software-only and open-source, it's much cheaper than a Twiddler.

11 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. I wonder where this will go by bonch · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...a system that allowed you to type using just one hand.

    Wait, fellow poster! Please reconsider before you write that joke!

  2. EMACS? by inode_buddha · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just wait till the Emacs people come along... they're gonna have a gasm. Wait for all the keybindings in 3.... 2... 1....

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    C|N>K
    1. Re:EMACS? by iluvcapra · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's a bit like an Emacs user's reductio ad absurdum : a keyboard that is all modifiers.

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      Don't blame me, I voted for Baltar.
    2. Re:EMACS? by Grishnakh · · Score: 4, Funny

      Someone needs to make a keyboard with ELEVEN modifier keys. For that extra push over the cliff.

    3. Re:EMACS? by red_dragon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Seven modifier keys. Seven.

      I've always wondered what kind of moderation would result if one pressed Hyper-Super-Meta-ThumbsUp while clicking the Moderate button here on Slashdot.

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      In Soviet Russia, Jesus asks: "What Would You Do?"
    4. Re:EMACS? by hawk · · Score: 4, Funny

      I may be slow, but how would that be different thant Emacs today??? :)

      hawk

    5. Re:EMACS? by ozmanjusri · · Score: 4, Funny

      suddenly a lot of questions I have about emacs just fell into place.

      Oh My God! You're right!

      Seven modifiers. Seven Fingers. Lisp. It all fits.

      Emacs is designed for aliens!

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
  3. Number of Hands? by Dripdry · · Score: 2, Funny

    I have two hands you insensitive clod!

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  4. Re:Shoot me by snowgirl · · Score: 4, Funny

    Unless my life depended on it, I doubt I could ever train myself to use 32+ memorized "chords" to type all of the letters and numbers.

    Unless my life depended upon it, I doubt I could ever train myself to use a 101+ key keyboard...

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    WARNING! This girl exceeds the MAXIMUM SAFE standards established by the FDA for BRATTINESS
  5. That's nothing by N8w8 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ha! With my typing system, I needn't use more than just one finger!
    PS: any advice on getting first post? It seems impossible.
    (or what joke were you referring to?)

  6. Twiddler? Really? by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 3, Funny

    I read "Twiddler" and it makes me think The Batman has been reduced from stalking Master Criminals to now pursuing Masturbaters...

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    You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office