Home > AG-6 Suggestions > Four Buttons for each Finger on Back – Eight for Index Fingers

From: Lee Tumbleson Date: Thurs, Apr 6 2006 1:10 pm

How about this for a finger layout? I didn't put any shifting on here and I didn't design the thumbs.

And here for another:

• single 3-position rocker on the index fingers and {Two} (2) 2-position buttons on each of those
• 4 buttons on each finger
• individual keys, not rockers, with rounded corners
• more significant 'dividers' between each of the fingers

From: Lee Tumbleson Date: Thurs, Apr 6 2006 12:20 pm

Yes, I have considered (5) 3-position switches on the bottom, for each hand; I am definitely leaning towards this. qwerty or Dvorak, it gives a 1-1 correlation to the "boards" that we are using now. One other arrangement is to put a single 3-position rocker on the index fingers and put (2) 2-position buttons on each of those. So, for the right hand, this would add a button between N and U and it would change M and H, both, to 2-position buttons. This would allow for one more non-shift character than qwerty/Dvorak, but it wouldn't provide the exact 1-1 correlation of the (5) 3-position switches.

As long as we're adding buttons on the bottom, how about putting four buttons on each finger? They should be smaller, like the J/V/X/Z on the front, a little firmer than the AG-5. Three of these would be 'natural' and the fourth would be a little bit of a stretch. However, if you do that, then you would have number/symbol keys. No color shifting, just regular shifting. The only characters that we would lose, from standard qwerty, would be the ', " and some lesser used symbols (`-_=+[{]}|). This arrangement precludes long fingernails.

So much of this is difficult with trying it. I'll probably go out and get some clay...

I'm thinking individual keys, not rockers. Keys that don't have any sharp edges. The edges on the AG5 are too crisp. The keys on my HP 48SX calculator are nice and rounded.

They should be square keys, about the same size as what we are now using as colored shift keys. But, the edges should be rounded off. With the AG-5s crisp edges, I can get my finger 'caught' on the edge as I am trying to find another key by touch (and inadvertently press the wrong key). The middle of the three keys should have a significant locator bump, at least as big (it should be bigger) as the one on the 'C' on the front of the AG-5. The bumps on the O and the S are the right idea, but a little too small for my sensitivity.

Also, more significant 'dividers' between each of the fingers on the bottom. The divider that is already there should be doubled in height and put between each finger.

As long as I'm talking about improvements:

The unit should come with a variety of clip-on palm supports. That would do what Carl has done with his foam. This would allow the palm to be pushed out, to accommodate larger hands.

I also push keys, inadvertently, trying to feel another. The keys should be a little stiffer.

• Buttons are too recessed
• Three buttons under each finger
• Don’t recess thumb area, put on same plane as LEDs
• FIVE 3-position buttons

From: Lee Date: Wed, Apr 5 2006 11:50 am

(You are right about navigating through the Google Groups. I have email notification turned on, but it takes you to the top of a thread and it's difficult to figure out what you've read and haven't read)

Anyway, the reason for the extensive chording is the ability to type something (like this entire post) without ever having to shift. The thumb buttons are too 'recessed' for my comfort. When I stretch my thumb up to a shift button, I pull my digits off of their 'home' positions. The REAL solution to this is to put three buttons under each finger. In fact, I think that FIVE 3-position buttons are what is really needed. The index finger would have two of these (six buttons total) and the other digits a single 3-position button. This would allow STRICT qwerty correlation.

I also don't think the 'thumb' area should be recessed, it should stay on the same plane as the LEDs. Maybe my hands (or just my thumbs) are too short. I posted on that elsewhere in this group. My hand is 7 3/4" from wrist (I measured this from the second crease, not the one that curves up toward the palm) to end of my middle finger and I can't figure out a good way to measure my thumb.

If the thumb buttons were positioned more naturally (for me), then I probably wouldn't be so interested in chording.

The only characters that I had to shift in this post were numbers, quotes and the apostrophe. However, I still have two chords open, guess what I'm going to put there...