One-Handed Linux? 15
YACC (or "Yet Another Anonymous Coward") asks: "One of my hands is disabled and I am trying to switch to Linux. Windows has a slew of utilities that can remap one side of the keyboard to the other, make the shift keys "sticky," etc. I was wondering if anything comperable exists for Linux/XFree86. Any help would be appreciated. " If something like this can be done with the exist tools, please post the details.
halfkey found the link :) (Score:1)
Access-HOWTO (Score:3)
Start with the Access HOWTO:
http://metalab.unc.edu/Linux/H OWTO/Access-HOWTO.html [unc.edu]
Then the Keyboard and console HOWTO:
http://metalab.u nc.edu/Linux/HOWTO/Keyboard [unc.edu]
Re:keyboards galore (Score:1)
You need to read ... (Score:2)
Exactly what you're asking for !
Dvorak made kbds for one handers also.... (Score:2)
Hope this helps
--Chris
Loss of hand + Linux (Score:2)
In March '99 I was almost killed in an auto accident (dumbassed me drove for 20 hours, fell asleep, and hit a tree at 55mph). In the impact I was ejected from the front seat to the back seat and landed hard on my left arm. I broke my left arm at midshaft humerous.
Anyone who's had a bit more of basic anatomy (including nerve trunking placements) just cringed hard at that, but for those who didnt, there are 3 nerve trunks (radial, median, ulnar) that go in grooves near the surface of the humerous. When you break it, you will almost -always- damage, if not sever completely, one or more of these nerves. I nearly severed the radial nerve midshaft and contused the other two rather badly. I have ~15% function of my left arm below the elbow, and just recently (5 months after the accident) got minor extensor movement in the wrist. The best guess my orthopaedic surgeon can give me is 12-18 months more being unable to type with the left hand.
Basically, I've had to learn to type one handed. There really arent any 3key combos i cant do with my right hand (ctrl-alt-del, ctrl-alt-bs), I just had to relearn the finger boundaries and stokes. It takes a while to relearn, but eventually it's workable. I cant really see how remapping a keyboard would help.
You might also contact an orthopaedic surgeon, an occupational therapist, or a doctor specializing in the hands and nerves, and ask them for recommendations. I did after my accident, and was told about a couple alternatives, but just decided to relearn how to type (and unfortunately my notes have disappeared). Apparently this happens a bit, though I swear I'd never thought of it.
Oh, and you have to learn to put up with millions of typos
--jd
Try out the Twiddler (Score:3)
http://www.handykey.com/ [handykey.com]
I haven't used it myself, but I've heard people rave about it.
Re:One Handed Input (Score:1)
I touch type at about 60words/minute on a qwerty and only about 20 on the twiddler, but when I'm writing code the speed difference is much slower. It helps relieve RSI, keeps a hand free for the white board, and lets you stand and move a bit while you type.
One-handed typist indeed! (Score:1)
I assume the way to offend a person with only one arm would to call them a forehead typist.
Forehead typist? This guy typed out an entire thesis using a pencil taped to his forehead.
Andjam
Bill Gates supporting other disabled people? (Score:1)
Or is there a more prosaic explanation...?
Andjam
Under P.C. UNIX, we'd have nothing disabled, merely differently abled...
One Handed Input (Score:1)
Despite my lifestyle I still have two hands, fortunately.
Nevertheless, once I saw this device I seriously was thinking of getting one just for the improved efficiency of input, removing big clunky keyboard, and freeing up one hand for "other important tasks."
twiddler [handykey.com]