Syzygies
01-19-2004, 01:37 PM
My Touchstream LP is arriving momentarily. I have adapted faster than typical to other keyboard adjustments, such as Dvorak, Matias Half Keyboard, Kinesis Advantage, by keeping an open mind on training methods.
I'd love when the SDK matures to write key click software that gives auditory feedback for how one misses the sweet spot on each key, with either silence or a compelling "nothing but net" swoosh for missing the rim entirely. Wind instrument players know that it is easier to switch from the clarinet to the sax than vice-versa, because the clarinet continually trains finger placement with auditory cues, while the sax has forgiving key pads one just has to slap down somehow.
Unfortunately, standard keyboards are like saxophones. The Touchstream is like a fretless guitar, but without the sound, just binary yes/no feedback for success. This requires the user to go through a longer mind loop collecting statistical data, "it feels like I miss that key to the right", in contrast to the immediacy of a musical instrument.
I do believe that Fingerworks is doing its best to address an aspect of our evolution as a species. Our human:computer interface does not have the immediacy of a musical instrument, however much those of us who spend half our lives in front of a computer would like to protest otherwise. ("Gee, look at me, I type fast.") The current environment is both the best ever, and primitive torture. We can imagine better.
More pragmatically, I'd love it if the key placement software had an option for shrinking the keys while training.
This brings me to my idea: Using some tactile material (hopefully, paper or plastic) which doesn't set off the sensors by itself, cut out holes for training purposes to give tactile feedback while learning the typing layout of the Touchstream. During this initial learning phase, use a trackball for mousing, and put off gesturing.
Any thoughts?
I'd love when the SDK matures to write key click software that gives auditory feedback for how one misses the sweet spot on each key, with either silence or a compelling "nothing but net" swoosh for missing the rim entirely. Wind instrument players know that it is easier to switch from the clarinet to the sax than vice-versa, because the clarinet continually trains finger placement with auditory cues, while the sax has forgiving key pads one just has to slap down somehow.
Unfortunately, standard keyboards are like saxophones. The Touchstream is like a fretless guitar, but without the sound, just binary yes/no feedback for success. This requires the user to go through a longer mind loop collecting statistical data, "it feels like I miss that key to the right", in contrast to the immediacy of a musical instrument.
I do believe that Fingerworks is doing its best to address an aspect of our evolution as a species. Our human:computer interface does not have the immediacy of a musical instrument, however much those of us who spend half our lives in front of a computer would like to protest otherwise. ("Gee, look at me, I type fast.") The current environment is both the best ever, and primitive torture. We can imagine better.
More pragmatically, I'd love it if the key placement software had an option for shrinking the keys while training.
This brings me to my idea: Using some tactile material (hopefully, paper or plastic) which doesn't set off the sensors by itself, cut out holes for training purposes to give tactile feedback while learning the typing layout of the Touchstream. During this initial learning phase, use a trackball for mousing, and put off gesturing.
Any thoughts?