Yet another finger keybord (gui mock-up).

[Lars Hallberg]

Josef Wolf skrev:
> On Sun, Aug 26, 2007 at 06:04:15PM +0200, Lars Hallberg wrote:
>> Josef Wolf skrev:
>>> [ I warm-up this old thread again... ]
>>>
>>> On Mon, Mar 05, 2007 at 12:02:31AM +0200, Lars Hallberg wrote:
>>>> a mock-up on a 90-key by one stroke finger keyboard. Think this might be 
>>>> an usable and pretty efficient input method.
>>>>
>>>>   http://www.micropp.se/openmoko/
>>> This looks very promising.  I like this idea.  The only issue I see is that
>>> the least used characters (numbers) are the easiest to enter.  IMHO, the
>>> mostly used characters should be accessible without dragging.  
>> I think it's a good default as it reuses the users knowledges from t9 
>> systems. It's important to be easy to pick up.
> 
> It is perfect for the "phone" functions.  But we don't want to stop at
> trivial functions.

The phone function got it's own dialer keypad. But a numeric keypad may 
be useful for allot else... and I believe it to be most beginner 
friendly... And... I don't really think it's any big difference in 
hitting the main function or the secondary functions of a key.

>> But an alternative layout 
>> optimised for text input is good, as is a possibility for power users to 
>> define there own layout, or even special layout for different 
>> programs/tasks.

Sorry for my English... but I think I try to say about the same thing 
You did her :-)

>> In 2007.2 the scroll wheel is gone, so the key layout should probably be 
>> 5x3 giving the number of functions / key like (the status bar is gone so 
>> the bottom keys get less functions):
>>
>> 5 7 7 7 5
>> 5 7 7 7 5
>> 3 4 4 4 3
> 
> Ough, I don't really understand... You want up to 7 functions per key?

One only press+release, then press and drag in one of six directions = 1 
+ 6 = 7. But the keys on the edge of the screen can't be dragged in off 
screen directions giving less 'functions'. As described in:

    http://www.micropp.se/openmoko/
> 
>> Make a total of 80 keys. Alternatively 6x3:
>>
>> 5 7 7 7 7 5
>> 5 7 7 7 7 5
>> 3 4 4 4 4 3
>>
>> Make a total of 98 keys... Think You need a real device to find out what 
>> is best.
> 
> Too bad they are sold out :-(  No chance to buy one :-((

Well, there will come new ones :-)
> 
>> The main good with this input method is its intuitive and probably 
>> reasonable fast. But now I'm thinking more on how to use minimal of 
>> screen space and work good one handed without visual attention... and 
>> still be reasonable in speed.
> 
> Maybe 8 functions per key (instead of 6) would be a benefit?  Only a guess.
> You can't tell unles you actually tried it.

You mean 8 drag directions + just press+relese... 9 functions per key. 
Might work. Guess testing on the device is how to find out. But 6x5 
keyboard with 8 drag directions give:

6 9 9 9 9 6
6 9 9 9 9 6
4 6 6 6 6 4

A total of 128 'keys'... Good *if* it works :-)

/LaH