FrogPad
FrogPad is a small chorded keyboard about the size of a numeric keypad that can be used with one hand. It was produced by Frogpad Inc.
The keyboard is optimized by character frequency. 85% of average keystrokes in English text can be typed without chording, and chords are limited to 2 fingers (opposable thumb and one finger). As a result, the FrogPad has many more keys than a GKOS or Microwriter or Baudot keyboard but fewer than a conventional computer keyboard.
Analysis of Available Keys
The Frogpad can be analyzed with the help of the online documentation to determine the number of unique keystrokes that are available on this keyboard. The keyboard consists of 15 centrally located keys plus 5 keys along the lower edge. Keys can represent different characters depending on the mode the keyboard is in and any chording, if used.
For example, of the 5 lower keys, the Enter key when chorded with the green key produces a period and the Symbol modifier key emits a comma when similarly chorded. So, for just this row, there are 4 characters possible. Chording the orange key and the Shift key will simulate the Caps Lock, while chording the orange key and the Space key will simulate Num Lock. For a total of 4 characters and 3 common keystrokes (including Shift).
Each of the 15 central keys produce a character as labelled on the upper right of the keycap. When chorded with the green key, only 13 of these keys produce a character and 2 produce keystrokes, the GUI key (for Macs, the Windows key for PCs) and the App key.
In Symbol mode, the character on the upper left of the keycap is produced. Without chording, there are 15 such characters. When chorded with the green key while in Symbol mode, 14 unique characters are generated.
In Number mode, 10 digits are available, plus additional characters such as +,-,* and /, that are also available in Symbol mode. The characters available are in white on the front of the beveled keycaps.
In Number or regular text mode, chording with the orange key obtains the keystrokes labelled in orange on the front of the keycap. These include the four arrow keys, backspace, insert, delete, home, end, Esc and pause. Also, available when chording with the orange key are modifiers such as Alt and Ctrl.
Also available are the 12 F-keys, obtained by chording the green key while in Number mode. The first 9 F-keys fall on the white digits, 10 is obtained by pressing 0, F11 by pressing the D-key and F12 by pressing the Q-key (all while in Number mode and chording the green key).
There are also labels in yellow on the side of the keycaps. These are accessed by chording the orange key in Symbol mode. Unique keystrokes here include Break, PrintSc, Scroll Lock and SysRq.
(The pictured keyboard has screening errors where Scroll Lock and End are.)
History
- The founder and CEO of the company was Linda Marroquin.
- In November 2013 release date for the Frogpad 2 has been moved to 2014.
External links
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