keyboard only

kevinjames

Can anyone give advice to a one handed keyboard user

Stayce

Hi Kevin 

I would recommend using a  much smaller (than your standard) keyboard - this works well for me as - this cuts down on reaching across yourself to reach all the keys with one hand. Get a wireless one as this will allow you to move it closer to you. Also get a small keyboard that does not have the numbers pane to one side as if you can only use one hand this again causes unwanted strain as if you are right handed it will be in the way when reaching for letters and if you are left handed you will not be able to reach it with ease. If you do a lot of numbers work you can buy a USB numbers pad.

There are one handed keyboards out there but these do not operate a QWERTY keyboard layout so may be hard to get to grips with if that is what you have been used to.

You may also want to think about voice recognition software - it's not as bad as people tend to envisage it's pretty good these days if you would like to know more about this just message.
I hope this helps

Best wishes 

Filmac

Hello Kevin,

There is a formal one-handed keyboard touch typing method.
There's a free online training package here: http://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/typing/singlehanded/  It is designed for schools so looks a bit "young" but if you can ignore that it is very useful

There's also some software called "Five Finger Typist", but it is quite expensive.  http://www.inclusive.co.uk/five-finger-typist-p2178  

I would say learning to use one of these methods rather than changing your keyboards will give you more flexibility long-term - i.e. much less hassle when using someone else's computer.

Fil

kevinjames

Hi Filmac
After testing both of these sites i am finding one handed typing a little easier.If you can think of anything else pleaes contact me.
Thank you very much
  Kevin.

Harp

Hi, Here is a link to 1 handed keyboards which  you can have the layout how you want  on what keys you use the most, They are expensive. I know someone who uses 1. as well as he is one handed he is blind.  He says it worth it if you going to use the keyboard alot.

http://www.maltron.com/

Teasedale

Hi Kevin, I spent the first couple of years of a long career in IT using one hand (I've got two) to "hunt and peck" on teletype keyboards. The machinery could not handle more than 10 characters per second, so it was not a significant problem!

There was a device called a chord keyboard marketed back in the early 80s (i think), which allowed combinations of the fingers of one hand to select individual characters. Cool idea but it didn't cach the mass market, I wonder if there is a modern descendant of this out there?

Predictive text is another potential aid, if you are looking at rapid communication and don't mind the occasional howler, same for speech recognition. I think Google has overtaken Apple in speech recognition, BTW.

Do you type a lot?