🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <21JAN93.25359554.0080@VM1.MCGILL.CA> QWFK@MUSICT.MCGILL.CA (QWFK000) writes:
>Has anyone heard of any reports on the Twiddler?  It's an
>alternative to the standard keyboard.  The device is the size of
>a small soap bar, with one button for each finger.  You enter info
>by grasping it and pressing different chord patterns for each
>character.  I'd like to know whether it works well, because
>it has the potential to reduce some of the wrist injuries associated
>with current keyboards.

If you look in the Typing Injuries FAQ (posted monthly to this newsgroup,
among other places) you'll find some information on this product.

Is it easy to use?  Well, I've never seen one in person.  I spoke to
their president, Chris George, and he says he can type about 40 wpm
and can mouse accurately enough to sign his name (to mouse, you hold
down a thumb button -- tipping the unit moves the mouse around).  If
you consider Mr. George as a best case, then you can expect slightly
less performance after you get over acclimation.

Certainly, one feature of the Twiddler is its low price (about $200,
I believe).  Compare this to the more usual $500-$700 for "ergonomic"
keyboards.

BTW: all the chording keyboard vendors seem to think you can get
started in a few hours, but it generally takes about two weeks before
you're really "used" to it.

--
Dan Wallach               "One of the most attractive features of a Connection
dwallach@cs.berkeley.edu  Machine is the array of blinking lights on the faces
Office#: 510-642-9585     of its cabinet." -- CM Paris Ref. Manual, v6.0, p48.