Posted on 05/28/2014 9:04:36 AM PDT by daniel1212
I am interested in getting a soft touch keyboard, with keys that are raised and separate enough that I do not easily hit the wrong key, which I am very prone to do, and wondered if any FReepers have any suggestions. Under 25.00 would be preferable.
The problem is that my fingers have become increasingly stiff over the years, and so they do not move independently well or fast, or precisely hit what i want, and therefore I often hit the wrong key that i want to press, usually resulting in multiple typos in every sentence, thus making typing slow. This issue prevents anchor my hands on the keyboard, and touch typing is difficult. (Yet using a hammer, catching footballs, etc. is not a problem, thank God.)
So I thought maybe a soft touch keyboard with "normal" raised keys could help. I am using a Acer KU-1112 (pictured which i got new for 5.00 with this PC, vs the 25.00 they want at link), but they keys are so low it is easy to press two at once.
And before anyone asks, i do not know what kind of arthritis (out of about 100 kinds i guess) this is, but it is not painful, nor do i have any bumps and nodules around joints. Just stiffness that is less when my hands are warmer.
My dad evidently had the same, which forced him to retire after about 40 years as a welder, and i used for work in freezers and with ice cream for many years, which likely did not help.
I have tried speech to text software, Dragon (hate the name: Rv. 16:13) 11.5, which does work to a degree, but it leaves much to be desired.
Any viable suggestions are welcome.
Did you try the latest Dragon Naturally Speaking? It has learning capabilities to adapt to regional accents.
I would suggest checking local stores, rather than ordering an unknown online. That way, you can check the keys, etc.
Several years ago, I washed my existing keyboard. I found a new one at Walmart. They had several to choose from. I like soft-touch keys with a moderate click. Walmart had a Micro brand for $10. I have been using that keyboard for over 6 years now. I initially used it with an XP and now a Win7 desktop.
See post #2. There are several variants. Once you get used to that type, it’s hard to go back to a flat keyboard.
Ergonomic keyboard is the way to go. I have a Logitech which looks similar to the pictured image posted by Blood of Tyrants. The Logitech is over ten years old and I hope that it never fails.
Dragon Naturally Speaking has to be spoken to by the user. The user has to ‘speak’ to the program for hours so that it can learn the user’s accent. Did you do that?
Bookmark for later. Rheumatoid arthritis here.
Check out http://www.lightio.com/
I read a study (cannot remember where) that concluded that natural keyboards were actually not good to use.
Keyboards with angled keys resulted in the user typing with his wrists angled or his elbows out.
You can see why by curling your fingers. Now look at your palm. Notice how your fingers naturally aren’t equally distant from your wrist ? Now imagine your fingers on a natural keyboard. Your wrist will either be bent or your elbows will be out. Neither of these positions are good.
Get a plain pr of cheap, cotton cloth gloves. Cut away the finger tips (ie the 1.5 inches from each tip). Wear them at night, when you sleep. If you are comfortable doing that, get a few pr. Wear a pr. when typing, if your environment is cool at all. Keeps your hands warm; circulation, better.
No, perhaps that is an answer. For the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 pictured, some complain the space bar was too stiff to use comfortably.
No, see above post. Maybe worth the 19.00 used price i see.
Did you try the latest Dragon Naturally Speaking? It has learning capabilities to adapt to regional accents.
I have 11.5 and as they basically have a monopoly and slow improve each one at 100.00 upgrade, i doubt it is worth it. It has its use, but besides its shortcomings (and i have fairly good English articulation and headphone), often there is background noise, or the phone rings, etc.
Thanks. I have them in a capsules, just need to take them more. Yet some here said fish oil was the problem!
Thanks. What model is it (look on bottom)?
Thanks.
see post 11 regarding keyboard in post 2
It is a Micro Innovations. Model number KB400i.
I am not even sure they stock them any more. I don’t see the brand listed on the Walmart website.
Just a suggestion. Instead of getting a new keyboard, check out Filter Keys. Filter Keys is an accessibility option included in Windows. What it does is makes the keyboard ignore keys which are just briefly pressed. Would that possibly solve your problem?
To access Filter Keys, in Windows 8, bring up Control Panel, then select Ease of Access Center. In the older versions of Windows, it might have been called accessibility instead, I don’t remember. In Windows 8, click on “Make the keyboard easier to use.” You want to turn on Filter Keys. But make sure you check out the options available within Filter Keys. From within Filter Keys options you can designate how long a key is to be pressed before Windows recognizes it. You may have to experiment with that length of time to see what works for you.
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