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From: tag@symbas.UUCP (Arne Gisvold)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: Chords (was Re: a plea to Apple -- something for the offhand
Message-ID: <3438@symbas.UUCP>
Date: 31 Jul 90 06:56:53 GMT
References: <9440@goofy.Apple.COM>
Organization: Symbiotic Computer Systems, Trondheim, Norway
Lines: 38

rmh@apple.com (Rick Holzgrafe) writes:

>On the subject of chording...

>In article <1396@idunno.Princeton.EDU> vnend@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (D. W. 
>James) writes:
>> I now suspect that you would have to watch the design *very*
>> carefully to avoid creating a situation that would really encourage
>> carpal tunnel syndrome and other ergonomic nasties.

>Too right! And I'm the wrong person to pontificate, since I know nothing 
>of the mechanics of the human hand and arm. But... everyone keeps saying 
>"keyboard" - I wonder if the best design wouldn't be something you'd hold 
>in a loosely curled fist, instead of something that sits on your desk. For 
>a first try: take the handle off a joystick that's been well-shaped to fit 
>comfortably in the hand. Add buttons under the four fingers. Make sure 
>that all buttons, including the thumb's, are easy to click and have a 
>short throw. Run a light wire, like a mouse cable, out the bottom. Now you 
>can chord with your hand lying relaxed in your lap.

>Am I crazy? Or is it a good idea? Ignorant minds (mine!) want to know. :-)

Well - you are actually describing the Microwriter keyboard from a
company called microwriter Plc. (!?) in England. They make this in
severeal forms, one as a very small pocket organizer, and it can be
interfaced to the macintosh, and used instead of the Macintosh
keyboard.

Regards
Tor-Arne
-- 
!  Tor-Arne Gisvold   -   Symbiotic Computer Systems A/S
!  adress : Sandgt. 2 ,  N7001 Trondheim, Norway
!  UUCP : ...mcsun!nuug!symbas.UUCP!tag or tag@symbas.uucp 
!  phone: +47-7-515544		 FAX : +47-7-532027   -- 
!  Tor-Arne Gisvold   -   Symbiotic Computer Systems A/S
!  adress : Sandgt. 2 ,  N7001 Trondheim, Norway
!  UUCP : ...mcsun!nuug!symbas.UUCP!tag or tag@symbas.uucp 
!  phone: +47-7-515544		 FAX : +47-7-532027