Re: [Usability] Keyboard technology enhancement, usability implications?

[darcy parks <darcy parks gmail com>]

I think it's neat, but I don't see it as really useful.  I think the
Photoshop setup could be confusing if I wanted to add some text (mode
confusion).  Since all those buttons are on the screen anyways, I
don't see a big reason to put them on they keyboard.

The Quake setup might help for learning the game, but after the while
I don't imagine that any game players look at the keyboard.  In a game
environment you have to be especially fast, so having to look at the
keyboard is something to be avoided.

The shortcut keys look really nice, but I don't see them as a whole
lot faster than any keyboard combination.  Besides, having them all
bunched together like that makes them easy to confuse.

I have an "internet keyboard" myself with special buttons like
favourites, forward, backwards and such.  All I use are the rightmost
and leftmost ones, because they feel different and I can figure out
which one I'm using by just by running my fingers over the keyboard.

On 7/20/05, Tom Conneely <tom conneely gmail com> wrote:
> Have a look at this idea for a new type of keyboard, which uses
> keyboards with tiny displays on each key allowing a keyboard which can
> change dynamically to the user's needs.
> 
> http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/
> 
> I know this probably won't make it to the market in a while, and even
> then probably won't be widely used for an even longer period but it
> fits the category of cool and deserves a small bit of discussion
> atleast.
> 
> your thoughts?
> --
> tom.c
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