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geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: unicomp on Tue, 08 June 2010, 14:06:02

Title: Split Spacebar
Post by: unicomp on Tue, 08 June 2010, 14:06:02
Are there any keyboards (particularly non-split-ergonomic ones) that allow for the two sides of the spacebar to be recognised as distinct keys?

I am intrigued as I have found that one of the nice features of the Kinesis contoured keyboard is the fact that the thumbs, which on a normal keyboard seem to be woefully underused, are brought into the action in a somewhat efficient manner.

I find that the backspace key is a rather large stretch and short of becoming 100% accurate I was thinking that it might be a nice idea if one could obtain such a board and then map one side of the spacebar to be recognised as backspace.
Title: Split Spacebar
Post by: Rajagra on Tue, 08 June 2010, 17:20:17
"Erase eaze" keyboards do that.



The idea died off, despite the fact you could keep both parts as normal spacebars. People fear change.

You could use KeyTweak or similar to reprogram CapsLock to work as backspace. Works for me.

Edit> Spelt with a Z. I thought it was but google steered me away from that search.
Title: Split Spacebar
Post by: hyperlinked on Tue, 08 June 2010, 17:29:16
Quote from: unicomp;190979
I find that the backspace key is a rather large stretch and short of becoming 100% accurate I was thinking that it might be a nice idea if one could obtain such a board and then map one side of the spacebar to be recognised as backspace.


You can always remap the spacebar key to work with a modifier key. For example, on my keyboards, my caps lock is remapped to control and CTRL+space = 10-Key Enter Key. I use to to have quick access to the keypad enter key, which is distinct from the normal Return key in some programs like Photoshop.
Title: Split Spacebar
Post by: unicomp on Tue, 08 June 2010, 17:37:56
The IBM M15 looks good. I suppose, like the use of QWERTY, this is something that is unlikely to change. It just seems to be nicer when one can have a more efficient use of the thumb.
Title: Split Spacebar
Post by: microsoft windows on Tue, 08 June 2010, 18:45:42
If those Japanese keyboards weren't cream cheese, I'd have one.