Great idea. I think many peoples have an ideas of something like this. Even four simple buttons would be enough for typing.
However, the proposed device is not of an easy-to-use kind. As opposed to the keyboard - anyone can use it, right away, with no additional training required. And this appears to be the most important requirement for the input device.
Our habits constrain progress in lots of aspects, not just text input.
@Rpahut1 I first started typing on a standard keyboard I using the method called “hunt and peck”. To help me start typing on my new device I wrote the key layout on at piece of paper one quarter inch wide and 3.5” long. This was taped to the device allowing me to see what switch to push for the letter I wanted. It took a few hours but soon I was not looking at the device while typing, especially because I was able to program the most frequently used letters to the easiest switches to push.
@joestute This way may be acceptable for IT people and a few enthusiasts, but most peoples are casual computer users - some of them only using computers for few hours a week, some will prefer not to use computer at all instead of learning new things. You may find some enthusiastic people at open hardware projects - most of them working on some kind of portable system. Once this device prove it's usability it may become popular and may even be acknowleged by some computer stuff manufacturers.
I was trying to get a twiddler2 or 3 but it wont be avalible for a time.
So i am building something like this with a cheap numpad.
i am modling the body of the device in gluegun glue molded in a plaster mould i made from a waxclay original.
i am not using a joystick in my fist modle sins those things are expensive but i am using a some very cheap momentary switches aparantly made for keyboards
Great idea. I think many peoples have an ideas of something like this. Even four simple buttons would be enough for typing.
However, the proposed device is not of an easy-to-use kind. As opposed to the keyboard - anyone can use it, right away, with no additional training required. And this appears to be the most important requirement for the input device.
Our habits constrain progress in lots of aspects, not just text input.
Rpahut1 1 year ago
@Rpahut1 I first started typing on a standard keyboard I using the method called “hunt and peck”. To help me start typing on my new device I wrote the key layout on at piece of paper one quarter inch wide and 3.5” long. This was taped to the device allowing me to see what switch to push for the letter I wanted. It took a few hours but soon I was not looking at the device while typing, especially because I was able to program the most frequently used letters to the easiest switches to push.
joestute 1 year ago
@joestute This way may be acceptable for IT people and a few enthusiasts, but most peoples are casual computer users - some of them only using computers for few hours a week, some will prefer not to use computer at all instead of learning new things. You may find some enthusiastic people at open hardware projects - most of them working on some kind of portable system. Once this device prove it's usability it may become popular and may even be acknowleged by some computer stuff manufacturers.
Rpahut1 1 year ago
Everything looks nice except your alphabet input could work with five simple push buttons for binary input;
First button is one
second button is two
third button is four
fourth button is eight
fifth button is sixteen
1-23=A-Z
7-30=other input like spacebar, etc..
just a thought
perryinjax 2 years ago
I was trying to get a twiddler2 or 3 but it wont be avalible for a time.
So i am building something like this with a cheap numpad.
i am modling the body of the device in gluegun glue molded in a plaster mould i made from a waxclay original.
i am not using a joystick in my fist modle sins those things are expensive but i am using a some very cheap momentary switches aparantly made for keyboards
ZerqTM 2 years ago