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From: mayerk@linc.cis.upenn.edu (Kenneth Mayer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Query on keyboard driver ...
Message-ID: <1429@super.upenn.edu.upenn.edu>
Date: Mon, 6-Jul-87 11:33:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: super.1429
Posted: Mon Jul  6 11:33:51 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 7-Jul-87 03:34:10 EDT
Sender: root@super.upenn.edu.upenn.edu
Reply-To: mayerk@linc.cis.upenn.edu.UUCP (Kenneth Mayer)
Distribution: world
Organization: University of Pennsylvania
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I know nothing about mac programming, but I would like advice on the following
problem:

My mother is physically handicapped; she has limited use of her right arm and
leg. Using a typewriter is a chore (although one-handed typing does exist).
The problem lies in the shift key. Currently, if her hand can't hold down
the shift with her pinky finger while hitting the appropriate key, my mother
must use the caps lock, type the key, then undo the caps lock. Very time
consuming.

Mom has been interested in buying a word processing system, and I suggested
a low-end Mac might suit her needs. The user interface, especially the mouse
make it simple for her to manipulate an application. Again, the problem is
that systems assume two-handed operation, using the shift, command keys in
conjunction with the mouse operations.

I am familliar with the way the option-n, c, e, etc keys produce a "sticky"
key. Is it possible to write a keyboard driver that will make the shift, 
option, and command keys "sticky?" That is, hitting the shift key will
cause the next key to be shifted, option and command work the same way. If
no key is hit after, say 5 seconds, the shifting is "released." Similarly,
if you hit the shift key a second time it is unshifted.

I would think that this would be a simple program. Probably and INIT-31
type resource that would be initialized on boot up. (It should be able
to be disabled, perhaps by a new control panel, or a keyboard sequence.)

Would do you mac hackers out there think? Is it writable? How much time
would it take. (Assuming that the programmer is an experienced mac
programmer.) Would a novice programmer be able to do this? Would it muck
up other Apple applications?

advTHANKSance,
Ken

Kenneth Mayer				mayerk@eniac.seas.upenn.edu
Teacher: "Two plus two equals..."	Student: "Four, but what's a two?"