Keyless Keyboard

July 23, 2003 11:50 AM

A keyless keyboard designed to reduce RSI and other typing related injuries - sounds interesting, but slow, and of course useless for gaming. Bit pricey as well.
posted by Orange Goblin (14 comments total)

Maybe I'm too in touch with my inner "Beavis and Butthead", but the video of the guy using it was practically NSFW. Or is it just me?
posted by JoanArkham at 11:58 AM on July 23, 2003

yeah, maybe not useful for gaming, but it should revolutionize the online porn industry.
posted by Robot Johnny at 12:07 PM on July 23, 2003

why make this huge platform for the desktop? if its just moving in 8 directions with two joysticks, why not just use a playstation2 joystick or something similar? that way you wouldn't even have to hang your arms on top of some surface, you could type away with your hand resting in your lap.
posted by callicles at 12:15 PM on July 23, 2003

The Keybowl vs. The Senseboard
posted by liam at 12:22 PM on July 23, 2003

How much does it cost?
posted by dgaicun at 12:47 PM on July 23, 2003

RRRRRRRrrrrrrr I like the pirate's keyboard myself.
posted by elwoodwiles at 12:55 PM on July 23, 2003

A mere $695.

RealDoll not included.
posted by donpardo at 1:04 PM on July 23, 2003

The Keybowl vs. The Senseboard
vs. Engelbart's chord keyboard which let you keep one hand on the mouse the entire time.
posted by badstone at 1:09 PM on July 23, 2003

But does it click like a Model M? Otherwise it's just not acceptable.

Seriously though this seems pretty awkward. I've seen many chording designs that are both smaller and more practical for anyone who has fingers.

The upside is you wouldn't have to worry about anyone else using your machine at work.
posted by Mitheral at 1:23 PM on July 23, 2003

More alternative keyboards...
posted by magnificentsven at 1:26 PM on July 23, 2003

Yet another . . .

personally my favorite...looks like quite a bit of work to make one but the plans are all there!
posted by jacobsee at 3:41 PM on July 23, 2003

pretty interesting...obviously going for a different market than some of the one-handed keyboards. I was wondering how it worked and found this:

Q: Does the orbiTouch have all of the functionality of a regular keyboard?
A: Yes, and then some. The orbiTouch actually has a 128 position capability (8 motions on the left dome x 8 movements on the right dome x 2 movements up or down on the left dome). There is also a built in mouse in the right dome. Simply click it to change from typing to mouse mode and vice versa.

definitely not something you could use with one hand since it's the combination of the two pad positions that gives you the correct key
posted by jacobsee at 4:09 PM on July 23, 2003

callicles, that's what I thought. Put two joysticks on a PDA and it might be something worth talking about.
posted by Nothing at 5:03 PM on July 23, 2003

Alternatively you could download dasher (posted on mefi last year here) and just use your mouse.
posted by chrispy at 6:50 AM on July 24, 2003