Best one-handed keyboard?

[fredsmith2]

I had a one-handed FrogPad2 chorded keyboard on order, but that didn't pan out, so I got my money back.

Now that there are no FrogPad2 plans in the future, I'm wondering what the best one-handed keyboard is, or what's the keyboard that could be best reprogrammed into a one-handed keyboard?

[ksm123]

One handed Maltron 3D? (if you can afford it)

[islisis]

if you are willing to chord a bit, i always wondered how a numpad (with a small '0' key) would work for a one-handed/split keyboard. that way you would have more choices for switches, wireless etc.

of course you would have to program it in software (ahk for dual-role keys etc.).

[hoggy]

Have you come across the Twiddler?

[vivalarevolución]

Matias has this.  Pricey, but interesting concept.

http://www.matias.ca/halfkeyboard/


I also did some experimentation with the Ergodox as a one-handed keyboard, and it was not too bad.  With all the custom ergo boards that get floated around on this forum, I think that somebody could create a more efficient one-handed design than the Ergodox, but it works for those without the time or willingness to tinker.  You can put a Teensy on both sides of the Ergodox, which I know will make it ineffective as a two-handed keyboard, but depends on what you plan to use it for. 

[jacobolus]

right-hand Maltron:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261628604717

[hoggy]

How about a point of sale keyboard with the fitaly layout.  Tipro or Access would do the job.

[Proword]

Here's a video showing the Maltron single hander being taken for a spin.  I only had a few hours of practice, but found it very easy to start touch typing after that short time.  (I've been touch typing since 1967, on QWERTY and then Maltron in 1986.)

I'm transcribing an interview, and because I was not very familiar with the single hand layout, I was working slowly.   Using a two hander I can get over 180 wpm.  However, I'm fairly sure I could get close to 100 wpm with sufficient practice.

[yasuo]

Here's a video showing the Maltron single hander being taken for a spin.  I only had a few hours of practice, but found it very easy to start touch typing after that short time.  (I've been touch typing since 1967, on QWERTY and then Maltron in 1986.)

I'm transcribing an interview, and because I was not very familiar with the single hand layout, I was working slowly.   Using a two hander I can get over 180 wpm.  However, I'm fairly sure I could get close to 100 wpm with sufficient practice.

you have this is

You have to type the video with maltron, I am happy if you make one like the people typing in ibm m, hhkb which many on youtube

[BlackWidowMan777]

I had a one-handed FrogPad2 chorded keyboard on order, but that didn't pan out, so I got my money back.

Now that there are no FrogPad2 plans in the future, I'm wondering what the best one-handed keyboard is, or what's the keyboard that could be best reprogrammed into a one-handed keyboard?

save ur money and use AHK: try this one

Code: [Select]

; IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT GETTING STARTED: Lines that start with a
; semicolon, such as this one, are comments.  They are not executed.

; This script has a special filename and path because it is automatically
; launched when you run the program directly.  Also, any text file whose
; name ends in .ahk is associated with the program, which means that it
; can be launched simply by double-clicking it.  You can have as many .ahk
; files as you want, located in any folder.  You can also run more than
; one .ahk file simultaneously and each will get its own tray icon.

; SAMPLE HOTKEYS: Below are two sample hotkeys.  The first is Win+Z and it
; launches a web site in the default browser.  The second is Control+Alt+N
; and it launches a new Notepad window (or activates an existing one).  To
; try out these hotkeys, run AutoHotkey again, which will load this file.


mirror_1 = 0
mirror_2 = 9
mirror_3 = 8
mirror_4 = 7
mirror_5 = 6
mirror_q = p
mirror_w = o
mirror_e = i
mirror_r = u
mirror_t = y
mirror_a = `;
mirror_s = l
mirror_d = k
mirror_f = j
mirror_g = h
mirror_z = /
mirror_x = .
mirror_c = ,
mirror_v = m
mirror_b = n
mirror_6 = 5
mirror_7 = 4
mirror_8 = 3
mirror_9 = 2
mirror_0 = 1
mirror_y = t
mirror_u = r
mirror_i = e
mirror_o = w
mirror_p = q
mirror_h = g
mirror_j = f
mirror_k = d
mirror_l = s
mirror_n = b
mirror_m = v
return

; This key may help, as the space-on-up may get annoying, especially if you type fast.
Control & Space::Suspend

; Not exactly mirror but as close as we can get, Capslock enter, Tab backspace.
Space & CapsLock::Send {Enter}
Space & Tab::Send {Backspace}

; Without this capslock would shift only letters, this resolves that issue.
+CapsLock::   ; Must catch capslock and Shift capslock to make this work.
CapsLock::
  if CapsState = D
  {
    CapsState = U
    Send {LShift Up}
  }
  else
  {
    CapsState = D
    Send {LShift Down}
  }
  return

Shift::CapsState = U  ; User pressed shift which toggles shift back up.
; The only strange part of this setup is that although capslock will toggle
; shift state, hitting the shift key will not toggle, it will act as a shift
; key reguardless of the capslock state and release afterward.


; If spacebar didn't modify anything, send a real space keystroke upon release.
space::
Send {space}
return

space & `::
space & 1::
space & 2::
space & 3::
space & 4::
space & 5::
space & q::
space & w::
space & e::
space & r::
space & t::
space & a::
space & s::
space & d::
space & f::
space & g::
space & z::
space & x::
space & c::
space & v::
space & b::
space & `;::
space & ,::
space & .::
space & /::
space & 6::
space & 7::
space & 8::
space & 9::
space & 0::
space & y::
space & u::
space & i::
space & o::
space & p::
space & h::
space & j::
space & k::
space & l::
space & n::
space & m::
; Determine the mirror key, if there is one:
if A_ThisHotkey = space & ``
   MirrorKey = '
else if A_ThisHotkey = space & `;
   MirrorKey = a
else if A_ThisHotkey = space & ,
   MirrorKey = c
else if A_ThisHotkey = space & .
   MirrorKey = x
else if A_ThisHotkey = space & /
   MirrorKey = z
else  ; To avoid runtime errors due to invalid var names, do this part last.
{
   StringRight, ThisKey, A_ThisHotkey, 1
   StringTrimRight, MirrorKey, mirror_%ThisKey%, 0  ; Retrieve "array" element.
   if MirrorKey =  ; No mirror, script probably needs adjustment.
      return
}

Modifiers =
GetKeyState, state1, LWin
GetKeyState, state2, RWin
state = %state1%%state2%
if state <> UU  ; At least one Windows key is down.
   Modifiers = %Modifiers%#
GetKeyState, state1, Control
if state1 = D
   Modifiers = %Modifiers%^
GetKeyState, state1, Alt
if state1 = D
   Modifiers = %Modifiers%!
GetKeyState, state1, Shift
if state1 = D
   Modifiers = %Modifiers%+
Send %Modifiers%{%MirrorKey%}
return


; Note: From now on whenever you run AutoHotkey directly, this script
; will be loaded.  So feel free to customize it to suit your needs.

; Please read the QUICK-START TUTORIAL near the top of the help file.
; It explains how to perform common automation tasks such as sending
; keystrokes and mouse clicks.  It also explains more about hotkeys.


[Proword]

Here's a video showing the Maltron single hander being taken for a spin.  I only had a few hours of practice, but found it very easy to start touch typing after that short time.  (I've been touch typing since 1967, on QWERTY and then Maltron in 1986.)

I'm transcribing an interview, and because I was not very familiar with the single hand layout, I was working slowly.   Using a two hander I can get over 180 wpm.  However, I'm fairly sure I could get close to 100 wpm with sufficient practice.

you have this is

Show Image

You have to type the video with maltron, I am happy if you make one like the people typing in ibm m, hhkb which many on youtube

That's even older than my first one.  :cool: It plugged into the games port of an Apple II+.

This video shows me transcribing with the dual hander 3D - MUCH faster.

[terrpn]

there all right, one handed to me........doesn't matter

[hoggy]

So, why are you after a one hand keyboard?

[jackalope]

Interesting idea.

[BlackWidowMan777]

Just to add, the AHK script pretty much replicates the matias half-qwerty keyboard, except you can use it on any of your existing keyboards - even your ergodox! The matias just costs half a grand more and can be used on linux as well as windows.

I tried it for fun and got up to 30 wpm - so not bad if you're resting a particular hand, wrist, or finger. An interesting upshot to this experiment was that this really honed my two handed typing. But take it slow because one hand will now be doing the bulk of the work and that takes its toll on your pinky, ring finger and wrist. So you have to rest more and stretch before after and during typing sessions.

What is your particular injury if any, and if not why do you want a half keyboard again?

cheers.

[pyro]

The matias just costs half a grand more and can be used on linux as well as windows.

It is possible to achieve the same with a custom keyboard layout (see xkbcomp) on Linux.

I don't see the point of a half keyboard, unless you're somehow forced to use one. I've also tried it for a few weeks (using Autohotkey) and as BlackWidowMan777 said, it's going to significantly slow down your typing speed and double the strain on your typing hand. Maybe consider a DECT-headset and speech recognition software like Dragon Naturally Speaking instead.

PS: Just wanted to add that using Autohotkey or xkbcomp gives you the ability to modify the layout at any time, so you're not stuck with what the manufacturer came up with.

[BlackWidowMan777]

The matias just costs half a grand more and can be used on linux as well as windows.

It is possible to achieve the same with a custom keyboard layout (see xkbcomp) on Linux.

I don't see the point of a half keyboard, unless you're somehow forced to use one. I've also tried it for a few weeks (using Autohotkey) and as BlackWidowMan777 said, it's going to significantly slow down your typing speed and double the strain on your typing hand. Maybe consider a DECT-headset and speech recognition software like Dragon Naturally Speaking instead.

PS: Just wanted to add that using Autohotkey or xkbcomp gives you the ability to modify the layout at any time, so you're not stuck with what the manufacturer came up with.

Agreed on all points and I might try the linux workaround, but also wanted to add there are some more alternatives to share the load away from the rigid typing stance so to speak:

1. iPad apps such as Penultimate and 7notesHD Prem allows hand writing recognition;
2. conventional pen and paper - 'experts' say that the physical act of writing gets the creative juices flowing much more so than the act of typing, which is mostly robotic and relies more on memory than thinking with both sides of the brain;
3. if your injury is arthritic in nature e.g. trigger finger due to ulnar deviation caused by iPad hand or the crappy traditional QWERTY layout, you can manage to type at full speed by say using ur left middle finger for 2,w,s,x effectively allowing you to use all your heavy actuation keyboards whilst totally resting the injured finger. Comparing this method to the matias half keyboard or the AHK script I can get up to 65 wpm and 97% accuracy. And that was just for the short time I had sprained my left ring finger;
4. hunt and peck (just don't let Linkbane/HellPirate catch you doing it on a mechanical cos he can fence and he is a prima dona of 10 fingering the keyboard in the fastest, lightest, and most efficient way possible.)
5. http://www.lightio.com/ allows you to type without even touching a physical key using light beams;
6. that bracelet thingy that senses your typing by goodness knows how - but you can still use it on your mechs just with a feather-touch.

[Oobly]

BlackWidowMan, that AHK script is awesome! Great idea, can be used with any board to make a one-handed board.

[BlackWidowMan777]

BlackWidowMan, that AHK script is awesome! Great idea, can be used with any board to make a one-handed board.

BlackWidowMan, that AHK script is awesome! Great idea, can be used with any board to make a one-handed board.

Hey thanks Oobly! I did find it quite easy to get used to. Funny how the brain works! I had tried the Matias simulator and liked it so I started searching for RH halfqwerty AHK scripts.

Hope it might be of use for anyone with any kind of hand problems as 'rest' is of course an important part of the R.I.C.E. formula especially for the treatment of early stage soft tissue injuries. Another thing - you can also use it for two-handed keyboarding but it's not as fast as normal keyboards as there is a pause at the end of every word when you press space. I guess that's another advantage to the Matias. But the price is just so out there.

I was wondering if you had taken it for a test drive on your own custom ergo board? If so how did it fare? Do you think it could be useful as a one-handed ergodox?

Cheers!