10-25-2010 07:49 AM
I think Darren posted about the ErgoDex configurable keyboard at one point. ~ $200 US if you opt for an additional 25 buttons (total of 50)
10-25-2010 08:08 AM
@Ben wrote:
You have inspired an impractical line of thought for myself. With an old keyboard and five switches I could select upto 32 functions with a single five bit number controlled by five fingers of the left hand, 64 if I use a foot switch and 128 if i use two foot switches.
Yep, in the past I also got an idea to use my foots more active (simply connect Shift and Control buttons to the left and right foots... 🙂 Could be funny.
But I guess the future with "Brain controlled" IDE. Like http://www.emotiv.com/store/ 🙂
Andrey.
10-25-2010 08:13 AM
I forget to mention that your line...
"
Theoretically it can be connected to the same PC, but then I should play hard game with WinAPI - at the first setting up hook for keyboard, then detect from which one coming the keystrokes, then isolate Windows messaging queue from HID device... Pretty complicated. More easy to use second PC and network.
"
Brought a smile to my face.
Ben
10-25-2010 08:33 AM
@Ben wrote:
I forget to mention that your line...
"
Theoretically it can be connected to the same PC, but then I should play hard game with WinAPI - at the first setting up hook for keyboard, then detect from which one coming the keystrokes, then isolate Windows messaging queue from HID device... Pretty complicated. More easy to use second PC and network.
"
Brought a smile to my face.
Ben
Yes, I know, it looks crazy to have second PC as "keyboard extender", but really easiest way (programming was done in 15 minutes - most time was invested for putting stickers on the keybord). Attached example from mouse-party.com - how you can differentiate two mouses, connected to the PC. With keyboard - same hell with RawDevice Win API...
Andrey.
10-25-2010 03:14 PM
I guess for the keyboard extender, you can reuse one of the old computers that are to slow to work on with current software. Hmm, propably a way to finally recycle my old notebook (age of Win NT). That might even have an RS232 to transmit the keystrokes!
Felix
10-26-2010 02:58 PM
two foot switches!
This is LV mastery at its best!
10-27-2010 02:37 AM
or an RS232 keyboard, that won't be detected by Microsoft as a ' keyboard' .
You'll only need to poll the serial port.
Ton
10-27-2010 01:35 PM
From Tons linked supplier:
180 position field
programmable keyboard,
you choose your colors,
and text.
Felix
10-28-2010 01:53 AM
@f. Schubert wrote:
From Tons linked supplier:
180 position field
programmable keyboard,
you choose your colors,
and text.
Maybe they can do pictures as well...
Felix
No, they are not good from ergonomic point of view. They are industrial keybords, and the buttons are very "hard". They are good for the industry, for machine control, but not for the office.
Andrey.
10-28-2010 05:28 AM
@nrp wrote:
two foot switches!