Posted on 03/15/2005 12:35:27 PM PST by Eagle9
The 'qwerty' keyboard has been the subject of derision and verbal abuse ever since it made its first awkward appearance in 1872. The device has been largely neglected through the march of decades, even as computer components have advanced dramatically.
Clearly keyboards need some imagination. A new software program that introduces a level of memory and intelligence to the lowly PC keyboard may just do that. The solution is called the Predictive Keyboard, and it's been developed by the WordLogic Corp. It's scheduled for commercial unveiling later this spring.
The Predictive Keyboard can carry out a great many simple and useful tasks: it can call up standard dictionaries and thesauri, as well as enable its users to create their own macros and personal dictionaries. But what's most intriguing is the Predictive Keyboard's potential for use in more demanding chores-quickly accessing databases, e-mail, spreadsheets, and instant messages.
"You can have a very comfortable and powerful interface just by holding a key down," said its inventor Peter Knaven in an interview. "There are always little pieces of information that you want to access. The Predictive Keyboard lets you link information in a very convenient way."
The origins of the keyboard technology can be traced to WordLogic's PDA program, also called the Predictive Keyboard. That intuitive software predicted commonly used words typed on PDA keyboards. The PC version has that feature and more.
"The keyboard becomes more than a simple input device," said Beta-site tester William Richards, a professor at Simon Fraser University, in an e-mail. "It becomes an entire layer of active knowledge. . . . The keyboard is separated from the rest of the computer. This changes what the user does with the keyboard--sending a processed, enhanced, expanded, improved stream of information instead of simple individual keystrokes. WordLogic has taught the keyboard a language."
WordLogic's Knaven, a native of Holland--who once wrote Unix kernel code for Siemens Nixdorf--said the keyboard program puts seven different languages of "cascading dictionaries" at the fingertips of users and a simple keystroke can invoke translation software. The program operates on Windows 2000 and XP--as well as underlying MS-DOS software. It can be called up anywhere text is entered. Knaven said Beta testers have liked the idea that they can carry the software around on a USB flash drive so they can use it on different computers to access their personal dictionaries, macros, passwords and calculators.
Knaven said the Predictive Keyboard is being tested with elementary and high school students on Vancouver Island. He added that the device appeared to aid all students. Particularly surprising, he added, was the positive impact it had on students with learning disabilities.
While the initial uses for the Predictive Keyboard are likely to be relatively simple, Knaven is intrigued by its potential uses by more sophisticated users. He foresees users one day drilling down into databases, for instance. "We have the capability of drilling down," he said. "And you can keep drilling down. It's just up to a user's imagination how far he can go."
And spell cheques work every thyme.
A lot of people are helpless when they sit down to new machines. Where are my bookmarks? I can't find my web sites! Hey, I don't know my password! My system usually remembers them for me!
Having smarter keyboards can result in seriously handicapped users in some situations. Still, these sound like they could be cool.
Know they don't.
U guise!
Sounds like a lot of extra crap when they can simply switch to a more efficient Dvorak layout.
I expect that 90% of users would grow to hate this..
I would like to see a better description of it. Sounds to me, at least, like its a keyboard with a program running behind it with keystrokes. Very similiar to my microsoft natural keyboard with its porgrammable buttons...
Do I understand it right or does anyone have a better way to explain what they mean in an example?
Sometimes they dew.
Know they don't.
I hope I am reading sarcasm in that...
The way I go through keyboards, I prefer the $8.00 ones.
There are several free software that does the same as the keyboard.
This sounds like another bit of hard/software that thinks I can't survive without it running in the background and connected to the Internet all the time.
I want a keyboard with LED letters that can change on the fly from one language to another.
No, it isn't. You're right, it would not be suitable for everyone.
I type Dvorak. I just program my computer to accept the Dvorak form on my Qwerty keyboard. Since I rarely look at what I'm typing; it's not a problem. I can type about 110 words per minute with Dvorak. The reason Qwerty is still around is because it's the standard. Qwerty originated to slow down the old style typewriters that would stick. Qwerty makes your fingers stretch uncomfortably towards letters you use most often and vice versa. Silly. I was taught Dvorak about 12 years ago and I'm never going back. At least so long as I can program my computer to accept it. :)
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