On 08-Mar-07 Zhang Weiwu wrote:
The doctor suggested me to use left arm as less as possible. I think this is only possible if I can type single-handed.
After I read this article I decide to start to practice single hand typing on standard keyboard: http://edgarmatias.com/papers/hci96/
Problem being I don't know if this is possible on Linux. Using this typing technology, it require OS to make Space Bar work in the way like "Shift". E.g. press "Shift" and "a" you get "A", press space bar and "a" you get ";", the symmetrical opposite key of "a" on keyboard.
I tried to google around, it seems so far not so much Linux software take this issue seriously yet (or at least simple google search is not sufficient). I guess there might be a keyboard layout that can help me do that: checking gnome keycode map list, there is no keyboard layout for single-handed QWERTY.
Maybe this is simple? Maybe all I need is to tweak some configuration file for X or Gnome? I don't know.
A lot of google search showed that alternative method is to use Dvorak single-handed layout keyboard. That's not an easy option to me because I type Chinese a lot and I already remembered key position. Switching from QWERTY to an alternative layout is a big trouble for me, too much to re-learn and re-practice. And, my arm is not permanently injured, I wish to get back to dual-hand typing after several months. Holiday is not an option for me too, I am running a company and under business pressure.
One simple suggestion -- if it is medically acceptable -- is to
use your injured arm/hand only for the keys Shift, Ctrl, Alt, and
use your good hand for all other keys. That would minimise the
strain on your injured arm.
Another approach would be to re-program say the SPACE bar to act
as Shift, and some other key otherwise rarely used (e.g. F12)
to act as SPACE.
Indications of how to do this sort of thing can be found in
man xmodmap
Hoping this helps, sympathy with your problems, and wishing
you a good solution and outcome!
Ted.
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E-Mail: (Ted Harding)