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geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: CaryInVictoria on Fri, 15 November 2013, 00:54:05

Title: Anyone use a foot pedal / switch?
Post by: CaryInVictoria on Fri, 15 November 2013, 00:54:05

Many moons ago I used a word processing program called "Wordstar".  It ran under the CP/M operating system, off a CP/M card in my Apple II+ computer.  Like most word processors and editors of the day, it made use of numerous control key combinations.  As an experiment, I bought a foot switch and wired it to short the control key.  Within just a few days I had 11 fingers and was flying on the keyboard.

Somehow, foot switches never seem to have caught on.  I'm wondering if anyone here uses or has used one (VIM, Emacs users?).  I did a search of the site, but nothing turned up.  I just ordered a HHKB Pro 2, and thought of trying a foot switch with it (no soldering this time).  Any suggestions of particular foot switches would be appreciated.  (Topre would be nice. :-) )

Title: Re: Anyone use a foot pedal / switch?
Post by: jinxedx84 on Fri, 15 November 2013, 01:42:52

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49862.msg1108648#msg1108648

im not sure if this is something you would be lookin at

Title: Re: Anyone use a foot pedal / switch?
Post by: SonOfSonOfSpock on Fri, 15 November 2013, 10:27:26

Kinesis makes foot switches.

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/fs-savant-elite.htm (http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/fs-savant-elite.htm)

I've never used one but I can see the benefit of offloading Ctrl or some other keys to foot pedals.

Title: Re: Anyone use a foot pedal / switch?
Post by: davkol on Fri, 15 November 2013, 13:16:58

http://www.root.cz/galerie/vim-pedal-ovladejte-pocitac-nohou/#1

Title: Re: Anyone use a foot pedal / switch?
Post by: CaryInVictoria on Fri, 15 November 2013, 21:46:29

Only for PC's--I have a Mac.  Thanks, though.

Quote from: jinxedx84 on Fri, 15 November 2013, 01:42:52

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49862.msg1108648#msg1108648

im not sure if this is something you would be lookin at

Title: Re: Anyone use a foot pedal / switch?
Post by: CaryInVictoria on Fri, 15 November 2013, 21:49:20

Looks like a possibility.  I'll look into it.  Thanks.

Quote from: SonOfSonOfSpock on Fri, 15 November 2013, 10:27:26

Kinesis makes foot switches.

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/fs-savant-elite.htm (http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/fs-savant-elite.htm)

I've never used one but I can see the benefit of offloading Ctrl or some other keys to foot pedals.

Title: Re: Anyone use a foot pedal / switch?
Post by: hoggy on Sun, 17 November 2013, 11:58:03

I've got a kinesis footswitch - I don't use it as it keeps moving around.  Spend more time searching for it with my feet...

You could velcro it to the floor though...