Keyboardv2

Summary:

A simple, non-radical keyboard design.

Keyboardv2

buzzert 16 Sep 2006 20:52

When it comes to a computer keyboard, something people use everyday, it's not a good idea to make an extremely radical change. Therefore, this design satisfies the desire of removing the caps lock key, and adds an ergonomic way to issue commands.

Here is the design:
http://static.flickr.com/79/244840360_28e98e720e_o.png

As you can see, the caps lock key is replaced with a larger Shift and Tab key for more accuracy in pressing these commonly used buttons. Another change is the control key has been moved from the very left corner, to the left of the spacebar. This allows users to use their thumb to press the control key and significantly adds to the comfortability in issuing commands. This was borrowed from the CMD key on Apple keyboards, it's a great idea though. Personally, stretching my little finger from control to another key becomes tiresome after a while.

Let me know what you think!
—James

Re: Keyboardv2

buzzert 16 Sep 2006 21:02

Oops! Sorry, I forgot to follow the format:

URL(s) to keyboard layout image(s):
http://static.flickr.com/79/244840360_28e98e720e_o.png
Single sentence description:
A simple, non-radical keyboard design.
Full description:
As you can see, the caps lock key is replaced with a larger Shift and Tab key for more accuracy in pressing these commonly used buttons. Another change is the control key has been moved from the very left corner, to the left of the spacebar. This allows users to use their thumb to press the control key and significantly adds to the comfortability in issuing commands. This was borrowed from the CMD key on Apple keyboards, it's a great idea though. Personally, stretching my little finger from control to another key becomes tiresome after a while.

When it comes to a computer keyboard, something people use everyday, it's not a good idea to make an extremely radical change. Therefore, this design satisfies the desire of removing the caps lock key, and adds an ergonomic way to issue commands.

Re: Keyboardv2

sboots 21 Sep 2006 04:52

I like your (and Apple's) idea of the "thumb-operated command key" (sounds like a patent description! yikes. ;-) Nice design! About your tab key, though, what about having two buttons, one for forward tab and one for "backwards" tab (the same as Shift+Tab on most OSes). I use Tab and Shift-Tab all the time to go through form boxes and text fields and dialogs and everything. Switching back and forth is hard, though ,'cause you have to turn your whole left hand sideways. Your kb had a space there (a big shift key?) so I wonder if another key could be squished in there.

The forwards arrow is a normal tab, the backwards one is Shift+Tab in one key. But then, what do you do with the leftover key?! Hmm… What do you think?