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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: rebcabin on Mon, 22 August 2011, 21:24:54

Title: Frogpad, Stenograph
Post by: rebcabin on Mon, 22 August 2011, 21:24:54

The ultimate in input insanity is Stenography. 600 words per minute, real-time, with four people yelling at each other and throwing sharp objects /nod /nod.

But, it takes a lifetime to learn. I tried. And, there's a union, and copyrights, and more. But it is the ultimate

http://www.stenograph.com/

Then, there is Frogpad. I use a lefty soze I can mouse with the right hand. It is cool, and I can get fast with it, I know I can, if I just use it more. I really like this little dude.

http://www.frogpad.com/FrogPad/Welcome.html

Finally there are my Topre Realforce keyboards. Using them is like taking a warm bath in milk and honey. I actually look forward to going to work so I can just use the dam things. My Razer Ultimate gaming keyboards with cherry blues are not far behind.

Title: Frogpad, Stenograph
Post by: rebcabin on Mon, 22 August 2011, 21:43:36

Ok, wikipedia reports "The website of the California Official Court Reporters Association gives the official record for American English as 375 wpm." I know I heard 600 wpm somewhere along the way, but maybe it was just a tavern boast :)

Title: frogpad
Post by: sordna on Mon, 22 August 2011, 21:48:01

Welcome to geekhack!
The frogpad seems cool, but doesn't it tire the hand? Looks like multiple keypresses for every character, no?  I found a video here:

[video=youtube;RNsrfaHl9kI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNsrfaHl9kI[/video]

Title: Frogpad, Stenograph
Post by: rebcabin on Mon, 22 August 2011, 22:28:46

I haven't measured my speed with it, but I am guessing around 40 wpm, very smooth and consistent. My hand does not get tired, but that's probably because I'm not pushing it. I don't use it very often, but it always gives me a chuckle. Most of the time, I plunk one of the Realforces on top of a laptop or just behind it and cruise at 80-130 wpm, depending on level of commitment and caffeine.

[EDIT]: Yes, frogpad is a chording device. The common letters (ETAOIN SHRDLU) are single key-presses. Common sequences (THE...) are natural finger strums. The next most common are very easy chords with the thumb pressing down what amounts to a shift key. Very easy, well thought-out, natural, and fun.

Title: Frogpad, Stenograph
Post by: Lanx on Mon, 29 August 2011, 19:54:27

are stenographers comfortable sitting like that all day?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]25289[/ATTACH]

btw, where i used to work in NY, the next building i guess taught stenography or something, but i'd always see these hot looking girls with their stenography typerwriters (in a wheeled luggage rack, type of thing).